217 Today: Weather stations collect vital data, but their future is in doubt

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Regan Kerkman checks one of the Nebraska Mesonet weather stations near Valparaiso in southeast Nebraska. He visits each of the network’s stations four times a year to check on equipment and calibrate instruments, but funding cuts have forced the closure of some stations.
  • Photo: Elizabeth Rembert/Harvest Public Media

Friday, February 24, 2023

Today’s headlines: 

  • More than 400 workers at Akorn Pharmaceuticals’ Decatur plant were laid off Thursday after the company filed for chapter seven bankruptcy after years of financial problems. 
  • A play meant to teach kids about Black history is coming to the Krannert Center for Performing Arts this Saturday as it nears the end of a national tour.
  • Spurlock Museum held a talk Thursday night about how dance can connect prisoners with the outside world.
  • The Illinois men’s basketball team came roaring back from an 18-point halftime deficit to beat Northwestern Thursday night 66-62.

In today’s deep dive, we’ll take a closer look at the weather stations that collect vital weather data and why their future is in doubt.

217 Today is produced by Farrah Anderson. Reporting today contributed by Jim Meadows, Owen Henderson, Piotr Fedczuk, Colin Hislope and Elizabeth Rembert.

 

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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.