217 Today: Scientists use wastewater to track the spread of COVID-19 and its variants

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Friday, May 27, 2022

Today’s headlines:

  • Democratic candidates for Illinois’ 13th district David Palmer and Nikki Budzinski met Thursday night for a debate ahead of the June 28th primary.
  • Illinois U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth isn’t optimistic that any gun control legislation will pass the Senate this year, even after the school shooting in Texas this week.
  • The school shooting in Texas was top of mind for panelists at an Illinois House task force hearing Thursday. 
  • Rabid bats have been reported in both Champaign and Macon counties this month, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.

In today’s deep dive, we’ll learn how researchers are using wastewater to track new variants of COVID-19.

217 Today is produced by Farrah Anderson. Reporting today contributed by Harrison Malkin, Mawa Iqbal, and Sebastian Martinez Valdivia.

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Farrah Anderson

Farrah Anderson is a 2024 graduate of the University of Illinois. At Illinois Public Media, Anderson works as a general assignment reporter focusing on police and investigative stories.