The federal government approved a federal disaster declaration to help people and businesses in 14 southern Illinois counties.

Under the disaster declaration, people and businesses in Alexander, Franklin, Gallatin, Hardin, Jackson, Lawrence, Massac, Perry, Pope, Pulaski, Randolph, Saline, White and Williamson counties are now eligible to apply for federal disaster assistance.

When applying, be sure to have the following information available:

CARBONDALE, IL (KFVS) - A poet and the director of the creative writing master of fine arts program at Southern Illinois University Carbondale has planned a benefit reading for Joplin, Mo. on June 14.

The event, "Langston Out Loud: A Benefit for Joplin," will be from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the Harry T. Moore Auditorium in Faner Hall, Room 1326. It will feature readings from Langston's poetry and door prizes. Admission is free, but donations are encouraged.

Langston Hughes was born in Joplin. He is a noted poet, novelist, playwright and columnist that was part of the Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s.

Some of Hughes' most famous poems include: "The Negro Artist and the Racial Mountain," Montage of a Dream Deferred" and "I, Too, Sing America."

Copyright KFVS 2011. All rights reserved.

CARBONDALE, IL (KFVS) - Southern Illinois University Carbondale will be hosting their first student entrepreneurship contest.

SIUC is offering the winner of the contest $40,000 in cash to help them start businesses in Southern Illinois.

The event, Collegiate CampCEO 2011 - Saluki Operation Bootstrap, combines an entrepreneurship contest with a new college incarnation of CampCEO and the Operation Bootstrap. According to SIUC, this experience offers students the opportunity to brainstorm, innovate, study and plan real-world businesses and present their proposals for business experts to judge.

"This is a great opportunity for our students to jump-start successful careers in business," said Chancellor Rita Cheng.