News Around Illinois Archive

217 Today: Movie filmed in Champaign released nationwide

Friday, November 22, 2024

Today’s headlines:

• A Central Illinois food bank is supplying hay to farmers in North Carolina recently impacted by Hurricane Helene.
• The Champaign County Board is extending an agreement that’s meant to provide some homes with contaminated well water access to clean municipal drinking water.
• College hopefuls can now fill out the federal application to get financial assistance paying for tuition.
• Illinois lawmakers’ two-week fall session has come and gone – with not a lot to show for it.

In today’s deep dive, we’ll listen to a conversation with Christine Swanson, the director of the movie Albany Road which was released nationwide last week. 

217 Today is produced by Stephanie Mosqueda. Reporting today contributed by Kulsoom Khan, Anulika Ochuba, Lisa Kurian Philip, Alex Degman and Kimberly Schofield.

217 Today: U of I senior dropped disability studies minor over inaccessible bathrooms

Thursday, November 21, 2024

Today’s headlines:

• Uniting Pride of Champaign County and the Unitarian Universalist Church held a candlelit vigil to honor the lives lost due to anti-trans violence. 
• One of Robert Jones’ most tangible legacies has been significantly expanding financial aid for students.
• Officials with the Danville School District 1-18 say they’ve reached an agreement with Superintendent Alicia Geddis to have her return to working in person. 
• Illinois legislators are debating how to stop drugs from getting into state prisons.

In today’s deep dive, we’ll learn about some issues at the University of Illinois that continue to create barriers for disabled students.

217 Today is produced by Stephanie Mosqueda. Reporting today contributed by Adelyn Mui, Emily Hays, Anulika Ochuba, Mawa Iqbal and Layli Nazarova. 

217 Today: Drought delivers a big blow to wildlife already grappling with disease and habitat loss

Wednesday, November 20, 2024

Today’s headlines:

• We may see our first snow of the fall season tonight.
• Senate Republicans are balking at plans by the Democratic majority to confirm judges before the Senate and the White House change hands.
• Physics and art may seem unlikely to combine, but an exhibition at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign suggests otherwise.
• The U-S Department of Justice is investigating Sangamon County after the July killing of Springfield resident Sonya Massey.
• Illinois nursing homes that aren’t meeting the state’s minimum staffing levels will have to pay fines starting next year.

In today’s deep dive, we’ll learn about the long-term impacts of droughts on animals. 

217 Today is produced by Stephanie Mosqueda. Reporting today contributed by Linda Kenyon, Adelyn Mui, Mawa Iqbal and Elizabeth Rembert.

217 Today: Chicago’s environmental justice advocates worry Trump could reverse gains

Tuesday, November 19, 2024

Today’s headlines:

• Lawmakers in Springfield knows state employee pension systems need fixing – but they’re still trying to figure out how.
• Illinois Governor JB Pritzker was in Joliet yesterday for the installation of the first electric vehicle charging station funded through the state’s Climate Equitable Job.
• A study from the University of Georgia examines the distance between crisis pregnancy centers and abortion providers in Illinois.
• Former Illinois congresswoman Cheri Bustos says Democrats still have the opportunity to redeem themselves after Kamala Harris’ big loss.

In today’s deep dive, we’ll learn why some Chicago environmental justice advocates worry Trump could reverse gains. 

217 Today is produced by Stephanie Mosqueda. Reporting today contributed by Alex Degman, Mawa Iqbal Kulsoom Khan and Juanpablo Ramirez-Franco.

217 Today: Sean Grayson, who killed Sonya Massey, committed misconduct at prior jobs. Another one of his cases just got dropped

Monday, November 18, 2024

Today’s headlines:

• Officials in Urbana are considering a plan to expand access to healthy and affordable food in the northwest part of the city.
• There are local resources for families facing the loss of a child.
• University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Chancellor Robert Jones will be stepping down next spring and his farming background led him to work closely with one academic unit in particular — the College of ACES.
• Illinois Football had their senior day game Saturday, defeating Michigan State.

In today’s deep dive, we’ll learn more about former Sangamon County Deputy Sean Grayson’s history of problematic behavior and a missed opportunity to intervene.

217 Today is produced by Stephanie Mosqueda. Reporting today contributed by Mae Aantar, Diana Zhang, Jim Meadows, Jakob Stutz, Farrah Anderson and Sam Stecklow.

217 Today: A conversation with a local psychologist after the election

Friday, Novemeber 15, 2024

Today’s headlines:

• Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker has co-founded a coalition of governors to protect against what they call “the increasing threats of autocracy” under a Donald Trump presidency.
• Public employees are back at the Illinois capitol demanding changes to their retirement plans.
• The chairman of the University of Illinois Board of Trustees is retiring.
• The playground at Meadowbrook Park in Urbana recently reopened to the public — after being under construction since the spring. 
• Fighting Illini Women’s Basketball got their third straight win last (Thursday) night to start the season.

In today’s deep dive, we’ll listen to a conversation with a local psychologist about her advice for people after the election.

217 Today is produced by Stephanie Mosqueda. Reporting today contributed by Mawa Iqbal, Alex Degman, Emily Hays, Elissa [uh-LISS-uh] Eaton, Jakob Stutz and Tinisha Spain.

217 Today: University of Illinois Chancellor plans to resign

Thursday, November 14, 2024

Today’s headlines:

• Invasive species are changing the ecosystems in Illinois.
• A company that builds pipe organs in Champaign will begin building them at a new facility in Rantoul next year.
• Researchers at the University of Illinois are exploring whether virtual reality training modules can help doctors be more aware of their biases.

In today’s deep dive, we’ll learn more about the departure of University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s Chancellor Robert Jones.

217 Today is produced by Stephanie Mosqueda. Reporting today contributed by Emily Hays, Reginald Hardwick, Jim Meadows, Stephanie Mosqueda and David Pierce. 

217 Today: What a second Trump term could mean for housing in Chicago and Illinois

Wednesday, November 13, 2024

Today’s headlines:

• Without diverse and representative data, automatic speech recognition technologies cannot accurately understand different types of atypical speech.
• Federal prosecutors have spent weeks showing how former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan helped allies land no-show Commonwealth Edison jobs.
• Illinois’ Attorney General is launching a state-wide Conviction Integrity Unit to investigate claims of innocence and remedy wrongful convictions.
• Students are invited to share their input at the University of Illinois on Thursday about a new bill legislators and advocates say would make going to college in Illinois more affordable.

In today’s deep dive, we’ll learn about some of the key housing proposals in Project 2025.

217 Today is produced by Stephanie Mosqueda. Reporting today contributed by Adelyn Mui, Dave McKinney, Anna Savchenko, Lisa Kurian Philip and Esther Yoon-Ji Kang.

217 Today: To stay on the farm, more and more farmers are working second and even third jobs

Tuesday, November 12, 2024

Today’s headlines:

• Democratic state senator Paul Faraci has defeated Republican Jeff Brownfield in the race for the 52nd district. 
• In honor of Veterans Day, Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs has returned a Purple Heart medal to the daughter of a late World War Two veteran from Decatur.
• Artificial Intelligence is making an impact on every aspect of life. In education, there’s growing interest in how the tool can be used to increase accessibility.
• Gun control advocates are disappointed in a federal judge’s decision to overturn an Illinois law banning assault-style firearms. 
• Some Illinois lawmakers are considering how to further protect reproductive and LGBTQ+ rights they feel are threatened by a second Donald Trump presidency.

In today’s deep dive, we’ll learn what’s led to the increase in off-farm jobs and efforts among some farmers to add value to their agriculture products.

217 Today is produced by Stephanie Mosqueda. Reporting today contributed by Mae Antar, Kulsoom Khan, Diana Zhang, Mawa Iqbal, Alex Degman and Teresa Homsi.

217 Today: Chicago’s immigrant rights community building “deportation defense infrastructure”

Monday, November 11, 2024

Today’s headlines:

• On Saturday, student musicians from the University of Illinois took inspiration from artwork for an event at the Krannert Art Museum in Champaign.
• A federal judge in Southern Illinois ruled Friday that a controversial law banning semi-automatic firearms is unconstitutional. 
• It was a strong weekend for both Illinois Men’s and Women’s Basketball.

In today’s deep dive, we’ll learn more about how some Chicago advocates are developing plans to protect immigrants. 

217 Today is produced by Stephanie Mosqueda. Reporting today contributed by A. Oishii Basu, Mawa Iqbal, Jakob Stutz and Adriana Cardona Maguigad.

217 Today: A new take on The Library of Babel explores original themes

Friday, November 8, 2024

Today’s headlines:

• For the first time in decades, Champaign County voters elected a Democrat as coroner. 
• A somber Illinois Governor JB Pritzker says he’ll continue to push back against federal policies he says are a threat to “common Illinois values.”
• Mahomet-Seymour voters have defeated the school district’s latest attempt to pay for a new elementary and junior high, according to unofficial election results.
• Illinois Women’s Basketball tipped off their season last night.

In today’s deep dive, we’ll learn about a new take on The Library of Babel that explores original themes.

217 Today is produced by Stephanie Mosqueda. Reporting today contributed by Jim Meadows, Alex Degman, Emily Hays, Jakob Stutz and Kimberly Schofield.

217 Today: Welcome to Morton, Illinois — the bite-sized town that produces a whole lot of canned pumpkin

Thursday, Novemeber 7, 2024

Today’s headlines:

• Every harvest season means the movement of huge amounts of grain. But for those dealing with grain on farms and at elevators, it can be dangerous.
• Illinois Republicans are bullish on a second Donald Trump presidency.
• Around 70% of Urbana residents voted “Yes” on a ballot question asking if the U.S. should end its military funding for Israel.
• In Urbana election news, voters approved a ballot question asking whether the city should refuse to invest in companies that produce fossil fuels.

In today’s deep dive, we’ll learn how Morton, Illinois is the epicenter for pumpkins in the U.S.

217 Today is produced by Stephanie Mosqueda. Reporting today contributed by Jim Meadows, Alex Degman, Anulika Ochuba and Joe Deacon.

217 Today: A look at 2024 Election Day results

Wednesday, November 6, 2024

Today’s headlines:

• It appears all of the central Illinois congress members have been re-elected.
• Democrat incumbent George Danos has been re-elected to another term as the Champaign County auditor, defeating Republican challenger Alan Anderson.
• Unofficial election results in Champaign County suggest that Mahomet-Seymour School District voters do not seem ready to pay for new middle and elementary schools. 
• After polls closed last night, some voters waited several hours to cast their ballots.
• A technical issue brought voting to a halt in Champaign County earlier Tuesday morning.
• Democratic incumbent Congressman Eric Sorensen has won the race for Illinois’ 17th District.
• The nonprofit Braver Angels sent people in pairs with opposing political views to polling places nationwide.
• A local resident in Champaign-Urbana has a unique perspective on Vice President Kamala Harris’s unsuccessful run for the presidency. 

217 Today is produced by Stephanie Mosqueda. Reporting today contributed by Jim Meadows, Emily Hays, Madison Holcomb, Elissa Eaton, Brendan Gallian, Arjun Thakkar, Anna Koh and Kennedy Vincent. 

217 Today: Election-related stress is a thing. Here’s what specialists advise to do

Tuesday, November 5, 2024

Today’s headlines:

• Champaign County is increasing security at its polling places after a series of concerning behaviors. 
• Some Illinois Republicans are saying “I told you so” after a challenging budget forecast was released late last week.
• Secret FBI recordings in the federal corruption trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan laid out a scheme to pay a one-time aide fired for sexual harassment.
• The Illinois chapter of the League of Women Voters says their organization is committed to getting accurate election information out to voters.

In today’s deep dive, we’ll learn how people can alleviate the stress of the election. 

217 Today is produced by Stephanie Mosqueda. Reporting today contributed by Mae Antar, Alex Degman, Dave McKinney, Mawa Iqbal and Elizabeth Gabriel.

217 Today: Southwest Illinois voters to weigh split from Chicago county in secession vote

Monday, November 4, 2024

Today’s headlines:

• Most states, including Illinois, are behind 2020 youth voter registration. 
• After a battle for recognition by the U.S. Census, “Middle Eastern North African” was added as a category earlier this year. But now, some are concerned the Census might become a tool to target the MENA community.
• Illinois voters are weighing in through an advisory referendum on whether more health insurers should cover fertility treatments including IVF.
• The Fighting Illini football team is no longer perfect at home this season.

In today’s deep dive, we’ll learn about a referendum on the ballots of six counties in southwest Illinois that will ask if county boards should discuss forming a new state separate from Chicago.

217 Today is produced by Stephanie Mosqueda. Reporting today contributed by Mariah Trujillo, Layli Nazarova, Kristen Schorsch and Will Bauer.

217 Today: Carol Moseley Braun reflects on her political career and upcoming election

Friday, November 1, 2024

Today’s headlines:

• The Champaign County Humane Society will hold its annual Fur Ball benefit Friday night at the I Hotel.
• People in prison can vote in Vermont, Maine and Washington, D.C. It’s a right that one incarcerated, Illinois man would like to have.
• A central Illinois man has been awarded a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star with Valor for his “selfless heroism.”
• Urbana voters will have the chance to weigh in on a ballot question that asks whether the U.S. should end military funding for Israel.
• With the election just around the corner, many are feeling unsettled and stressed.

In today’s deep dive, we’ll listen to a conversation with Carol Moseley Braun, the first Black woman elected to the U.S. Senate. 

217 Today is produced by Stephanie Mosqueda. Reporting today contributed by A. Oishii Basu, Emily Hays, Alex Degman, Anulika Ochuba, Anna Koh and Kennedy Vincent.

217 Today: What key issues are Black men prioritizing in this election?

Thursday, October 31, 2024

Today’s headlines:

•  A top official with the U.S. Department of Agriculture was in Illinois this week to announce new research grants and loans for biofuels — that’s fuels made from crops like corn and soybeans.
• South Asian Americans are having a wider impact on local and national politics.
• With colder weather approaching, the apple harvest season is coming to an end. Some orchards in Central Illinois had a lower harvest than usual.
• A federal policy of forcibly separated Native children from their parents and sent them to boarding schools, where they endured abuse and some died.

In today’s deep dive, we’ll learn more about the Black male voting ahead of the upcoming election.

217 Today is produced by Stephanie Mosqueda. Reporting today contributed by Jim Meadows, Kulsoom Khan, Elissa Eaton, Jim Meadows, Emily Hays and David Pierce.

217 Today: Upper Mississippi River refuge celebrates 100 years of protection for fish, wildlife and habitat

Wednesday, October 30, 2024

Today’s headlines: 

• A new gender-affirming closet on the University of Illinois’ Urbana campus opened Monday at the Gender and Sexuality Resource Center.
• Defense lawyers in the federal racketeering conspiracy trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan made inroads yesterday with a government witness.
• Officials in Champaign County are responding to incidents of community members violating state election rules. 
• The front wall of the long-vacant building at 129 North Vermilion Street in downtown Danville is coming down today.

In today’s deep dive, we’ll take a look at how Midwesterners are leading a national campaign to save a haven for fish, wildlife and people.

217 Today is produced by Stephanie Mosqueda. Reporting today contributed by Stephanie Mosqueda, Dave McKinney, Arjun Thakkar, Jim Meadows and Rachel Cramer.

217 Today: Champaign County Clerk discusses measures to combat election threats and ensure ballot security

Tuesday, October 29, 2024

Today’s headlines:

• Today and tomorrow will be warmer and windier than the last few days, which could bring some risks.
• The superintendent for Decatur’s school district has set an official date for her retirement.
• Since Roe V. Wade was overturned in 2022, many patients needing access to an abortion have been forced to travel out of state.

In today’s deep dive, we’ll learn more about how the county is keeping election ballots secure. 

217 Today is produced by Stephanie Mosqueda. Reporting contributed by Andrew Pritchard, Jiim Meadows, Kulsoom Khan and Arjun Thakkar.

217 Today: Illinois Democrats already hold a supermajority of state House seats. They want more.

Monday, October 28, 2024

Today’s headlines:

• People lined streets yesterday as a state trooper killed in the line of duty was escorted from a funeral service in Champaign cemetery in St. Joseph.
• The Champaign Unit 4 school district spent almost half of its American Rescue Plan dollars to modernize the old Columbia School building on Bradley Avenue.
• The congressional district that covers most of southern Illinois is expected to stay under GOP control this November.
• Illinois sports had a bit of a tough weekend.

In today’s deep dive, we’ll learn how Democratic leaders in Illinois hope to retain their supermajority as the election draws near.

217 Today is produced by Stephanie Mosqueda. Reporting today contributed by Reginald Hardwick, Emily Hays, Will Bauer, Jakob Stutz and Mawa Iqbal.

217 Today: Zakir Hussain pays tribute to late friend and musician

 Friday, October 25, 2024

Today’s headlines:

• Abraham Lincoln spoke in Urbana to criticize a law that allowed for the expansion of slavery and a commemoration was held yesterday at the Champaign County Courthouse.
• Several Champaign County residents are urging voters to reject a November ballot proposal to increase sales taxes to fund public safety.
• Fall is in full swing, which means pumpkin sales are up. But in Illinois, the production of pumpkin products is a year-round effort.
• The Champaign Fire Department and the Illinois Fire Safety Alliance will offer to check smoke alarms and install new ones for free today.

In today’s deep dive, we’ll listen to a conversation with Zakir Hussain about his upcoming performance at the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, 

217 Today is produced by Stephanie Mosqueda. Reporting today contributed by Arjun Thakkar, Anulika Ochuba, Anna Koh, Kulsoom Khan and Kimberly Schofield. 

217 Today: It tastes like chicken, but ‘cultivated’ meat sees growing opposition from U.S. lawmakers

Thursday, October 24, 2024

Today’s headlines:

• Lawmakers in Springfield are proposing a merger of the Chicago area’s three transit agencies into one big transit organization.
• Fewer freshmen are starting college this fall, according to new national data.
• The Republican challenger to 13th District Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski says the federal government’s immigration system needs fixing.

In today’s deep dive, we’ll learn why cultivated meat is seeing growing opposition from U.S. lawmakers.

217 Today is produced by Stephanie Mosqueda. Reporting today contributed by Mawa Iqbal, Lisa Kurian Philip, Kulsoom Khan and Jim Meadows. 

217 Today: What could a second Trump term mean for Medicaid?

Wednesday, October 23, 2024

Today’s headlines:

• Election season is causing anxiety for some college students casting their ballots for the first time and many are taking advantage of on-campus voting.
• The Station Theatre in Urbana’s newest production opens Thursday.
• Construction of a museum honoring Arcola’s proud broomcorn heritage is nearly complete.
• A new report shows there’s been a jump in abortions in Illinois with a virtual doctor’s visit since Roe v Wade was overturned more than two years ago.

In today’s deep dive, we’ll learn about a conservative plan called Project 2025 and what a new Trump administration might do with Medicaid.

217 Today is produced by Stephanie Mosqueda. Reporting today contributed by A. Oishii Basu, Brendan Gallian, David Pierce, Kristen Schorsch and Lizzy McGrevy.

217 Today: The nation’s first commercial carbon storage plant is in Illinois. It leaks.

Tuesday, October 22, 2024

Today’s headlines:

• An illustrator has published a book on incarceration with a Champaign author and activist.
• The newest exhibit at the Krannert Art Museum in Champaign showcases an artist whose work centers around LGBTQ+ culture and history. 
• One of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s top lawyers says the government’s corruption case is built on “bad information” and “out-and-out lies.” 
• An Illinois group held a town hall meeting in Springfield over the weekend to imagine what statewide reparations could look like.

In today’s deep dive, we’ll learn about the nation’s first commercial carbon storage plant in Illinois.

217 Today is produced by Stephanie Mosqueda. Reporting today contributed by Emily Hays, Stephanie Mosqueda, Dave McKinney and Juanpablo Ramirez-Franco.

217 Today: State breaks up classes in Stateville prison closure

Monday, October 21, 2024

Today’s headlines:

• The Illinois State Police is mourning after one of their own was killed in the line of duty on Friday.
• With less than two weeks until Election Day, more early voting locations are opening in Central Illinois.
• Climate scientist Jim Angel will give a talk tonight at the University of Illinois Extension Office in Champaign.
• Illini Football took down Michigan at home on Saturday.

In today’s deep dive, we’ll learn more about men taking higher education courses at the Stateville Correctional Center.

217 Today is produced by Stephanie Mosqueda. Reporting today contributed by Mae Antar, Reginald Hardwick, Diana Zhang, Jakob Stutz and Emily Hays. 

217 Today: Freshman demographics at Northwestern and U of I show little change following ban on race-conscious admissions

Friday, October 18, 2024

Today’s headlines:

• Local band Captain Rat and the Blind Rivets has been playing gigs for over forty years. But when founding member and local legend Mark Rubel died in April, the band faced questions about its future.
• The Champaign County Audit is past due, and some are worried about critical programs losing funding.
• A new report analyzes immigrant communities and their contributions to the economy in Illinois and the Great Lakes region.
• Time is almost up for Illinois residents to submit a design for a new state flag.
• New laws in Illinois aim to turn around a deadly health statistic in Illinois.

In today’s deep dive, we’ll learn how the ban on race-conscious admissions has impacted college demographics.

217 Today is produced by Stephanie Mosqueda. Reporting today contributed by Brendan Gallian, Nathan Gonzalez, Esther Yoon-Ji Kang, Mawa Iqbal, Kennedy Vincent and Lisa Kurian Philip. 

217 Today: Amid issues with the Champaign County auditor, voters will decide if the office should be eliminated

Thursday, October 17, 2024

Today’s headlines:

• The Native American Cultural House on the University of Illinois Campus highlighted its shared experiences with Palestinians during this week’s Indigenous Peoples Day. 
• The city of Danville is getting one million dollars to focus on a tree-planting initiative for low-income neighborhoods.
• The Chicago nonprofit Asian Americans Advancing Justice is hosting virtual sessions training people on poll watching.

In today’s deep dive, we’ll learn more about the Champaign County auditor’s race and the arguments for and against scrapping the position.

217 Today is produced by Stephanie Mosqueda. Reporting today contributed by Mae Antar, Kulsoom Khan, Mawa Iqbal and  Nathan Gonzalez.

217 Today: Robert Gao, an Urbana teen, has received the nation’s highest honor for youth poets

Wednesday, October 16, 2024

Today’s headlines:

• Urbana city officials are moving forward with a plan to make safety improvements to Lincoln Avenue.
• Palestinian-Americans are reflecting, one year after Israel launched its military campaign in Gaza, in response to the Oct. 7 attack on Israel led by Hamas.
• Some Illinois groups are against an initiative from state lawmakers to merge the CTA, Metra and Pace into one entity.

In today’s deep dive, we’ll listen to a conversation with a teenager from Urbana who has received the nation’s highest honor for youth poets.

217 Today is produced by Stephanie Mosqueda. Reporting today contributed by Anulika Ochuba, Kulsoom Khan, Mawa Iqbal and Anna Koh.

217 Today: Federal drought relief policies leave some farmers out to dry

Tuesday, October 15, 2024

Today’s headlines:

• The American Red Cross is asking people to donate blood to help keep the national supply stocked after Hurricanes Helene and Milton caused the cancellation of hundreds of blood drives in recent weeks. 
• A display outside of the Illini Union on U of I’s Urbana campus Monday featured artwork calling for awareness of Israeli hostages kidnapped by Hamas last year.
• Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton says she wants to keep communication open with Lincoln-area residents who are upset about plans to close the Logan Correctional Center.
• A researcher at the University of Chicago has been awarded the Nobel Prize in economics.

In today’s deep dive, we’ll learn how some federal drought relief policies leave some farmers out to dry.

217 Today is produced by Stephanie Mosqueda. Reporting today contributed by Elissa Eaton, Adelyn Mui, Lisa Kurian Philip, Eric Stock and Harshawn Ratanpal.

217 Today: New proposed rules would lower the bar for stripping police officers of their badges in Illinois

Monday, October 14, 2024

Today’s headlines:

• The slow pace of picking jurors is pushing back opening statements in former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s federal corruption trial.
• Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders and the United Auto Workers leadership held a union rally in northern Illinois to discuss some of the stakes in the upcoming election.
•  Illinois beat their Big Ten rival, the Purdue Boilermakers.

In today’s deep dive, we’ll learn how new proposed rules would lower the bar for stripping police officers of their badges in Illinois.

217 Today is produced by Stephanie Mosqueda. Reporting today contributed by Dave McKinney, Maria Gardner, Reginald Hardwick and Sam Stecklow.

217 Today: Farmers are making less money this year, which could have larger economic consequences

Friday, October 11, 2024

Today’s headlines:

• Despite the end of race-based affirmative action last year, diversity is up among graduate students at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign.
• The speakers at this week’s Friday Forum at the University Y in Champaign hope to provide guidance on what a true democracy looks like.
• State lawmakers are returning to Springfield next month for a short legislative session and top of mind for some Democrats is gun control.
• Hail storms did a lot of damage to cranberry marshes in central Wisconsin earlier this year.

In today’s deep dive, we’ll learn why farmers are making less money this year and what the consequences of that may be.

217 Today is produced by Stephanie Mosqueda. Reporting today contributed by Emily Hays, Diana Zhang, Mawa Iqbal, Katie Thoresen and Will Bauer.

217 Today: In the wake of Sonya Massey’s death, Springfield will test a new way to handle mental health calls

Thursday, October 10, 2024

Today’s headlines:

• Krannert Center for the Performing Arts will host the 10th annual Champaign-Urbana Jazz Festival kickoff today. 
• A new poll from the state’s largest teachers’ union finds that roughly 60 percent of Illinois educators are considering leaving the profession.
• This week, the Decatur City Council voted to approve a 4-year contract with the Decatur Police Benevolent and Protective Association.
• States across the Midwest and Great Plains are grappling with what to do with old wind turbines.

In today’s deep dive, we’ll learn how Sonya Massey’s death at the hands of law enforcement has sparked calls for changes to how emergency mental health calls are handled.

217 Today is produced by Stephanie Mosqueda. Reporting today contributed by Adelyn Mui, Anna Savchenko, Anulika Ochuba, Anna Pope and Mawa Iqbal.

217 Today: Crystal Lake schools expand mental health services, including free teletherapy

Wednesday, October 9, 2024

Today’s headlines:

• The woman at the center of a sexual harassment scandal that engulfed former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s political world is still impacting him as he goes on trial. 
• Illinois public health officials and a physicians group have launched a media campaign encouraging more adults to stay current on flu and COVID vaccinations.
• Today is one of the last days to register to vote in Illinois.
• The Federal Emergency Management Agency says disaster aid will continue for Illinois counties slammed by storms back in July even as Florida preps for a major hurricane and the White House asks Congress to pony up more relief funds.

In today’s deep dive, we’ll learn more about mental health support services for students at a northern Illinois middle school.

217 Today is produced by Stephanie Mosqueda. Reporting today contributed by Dave McKinney, Eric Stock, Alex Degman, Tim Shelley and Peter Medlin.

217 Today: Cheap, effective generic drugs underpin U.S. health care. Now they’re under threat

Tuesday, October 8, 2024

Today’s headlines:

• Vigils were held around the country and in Champaign yesterday to mark one year since an attack by Hamas killed about 1,200 people in Israel. 
• With the election less than a month away, deepfake images are a growing concern. 
• Monday marked one year since 1,200 Israelis were killed by an attack from Hamas. Around 250 people were taken hostage.
• Jury selection begins today in the federal racketeering, bribery and conspiracy trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan.

In today’s deep dive, we’ll learn more about the problems that threaten America’s generic drug industry.

217 Today is produced by Stephanie Mosqueda. Reporting today contributed by Anna Koh, Mae Antar, Kulsoom Khan, Dave McKinney and Lizzy McGrevy.

217 Today: Everyone eats for free at the biggest restaurant in Dekalb

Monday, October 7, 2024

Today’s headlines:

• While the number of Latino students is going up in Illinois colleges, they are still less likely to finish their degree than their white peers, according to state data.
• The Champaign Park District held its 8th annual Halloween costume giveaway on Saturday. 
• Illinois Men’s Basketball had their first media day in a new look Big Ten conference.

In today’s deep dive, we’ll learn how one school in Illinois provides free meals for its students. 

217 Today is produced by Stephanie Mosqueda. Reporting today contributed by Emily Hays, Adelyn Mui, Jakob Stutz and Peter Medlin.

217 Today: Artist traci kato-kiriyama reflects on trauma, healing and collective care during U of I residency

Friday, October 4, 2024

Today’s headlines:

• The Youth Literature Festival is now underway in Champaign-Urbana. 
• Food and building service workers at the U of I Urbana campus have voted to ratify a new three-year contract.
• A new report shows Illinois’ infant mortality rates are trending down.
• Illinois’ major natural gas utilities have rolled out the state’s first-ever income-based discount program.

In today’s deep dive, we’ll listen to a conversation with a multidisciplinary artist as they reflect on why it’s important to share our stories and not hold back emotion.

217 Today is produced by Stephanie Mosqueda. Reporting today contributed by Diana Zhang, Jim Meadows, Araceli Gomez-Aldana, Juanpablo Ramirez-Franco and Adelyn Mui.

217 Today: A year into the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Jewish college students struggle to find a shared home on campus

Thursday, October 3, 2024

Today’s headlines:

• Users of Waze navigation software are being reminded of Illinois’ “Move Over” law if there’s Illinois State Police activity on the road.
• A federal judge is declining to toss out part of the corruption indictment against former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan.
• Classes at Danville School District 118 are resuming today.
• The expiration of the 2018 Farm Bill means some programs are now set to end at the end of the year.

In today’s deep dive, we’ll learn how the deaths of more than 40,000 Palestinians and 1,200 Israelis over the past year have drawn out deep divisions among Jewish college students.

217 Today is produced by Stephanie Mosqueda. Reporting today contributed by Alex Degman, Dave McKinney, Reginald Hardwick, Collin Schopp and Lisa Kurian Philip.

217 Today: Chicago’s beach season is over … or is it? Lake Michigan temps are breaking records

Wednesday, October 2, 2024

Today’s headlines:

• The state of Illinois has launched a marketing campaign that encourages people to start a career in manufacturing.
• As of this week, nearly 30 million student-loan borrowers across the country could once again incur late fees.
• Around 50 students gathered in the Illini Union to watch this election cycle’s first and only vice-presidential debate last night.
• The Republican challenging incumbent Democrat Nikki Budzinski for Illinois’ 13th District U.S. House seat isn’t letting a fundraising disadvantage slow him down.

In today’s deep dive, we’ll learn how climate change has impacted Lake Michigan in Chicago. 

217 Today is produced by Stephanie Mosqueda. Reporting today contributed by Alex Degman, Brendan Gallian, Will Bauer and Juanpablo Ramirez-Franco.

217 Today: More college students are struggling to get enough food. What schools are doing about it

Monday, September 30, 2024

Today’s headlines:

• Police are saying little about an investigation in a fatal shooting near the Illinois State University campus during homecoming weekend.
• Voter identification isn’t a requirement to cast a ballot in Illinois.
• Chicago’s Rush University Medical Center is the new home of Illinois’ first organ donor care center.

In today’s deep dive, we’ll learn more about what some colleges are doing to help students who are struggling to get enough food. 

217 Today is produced by Stephanie Mosqueda. Reporting today contributed by Eric Stock, Tim Shelley, Clare Lane and Jess Savage.

217 Today: Last year, Illinois passed a law to ban book bans. How is it working so far?

Friday, September 27, 2024

Today’s headlines:

• Students for Justice in Palestine is no longer allowed to operate as a student organization at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign.
• Illinois voters will be asked next month about a new way to lessen their property tax bills.
• Running clubs have gained popularity around the globe — and here locally. 
• The task force of Illinois lawmakers and experts studying warehouse safety, following the 2021 tornado that killed six Amazon employees, has entered its final phase of work.

In today’s deep dive, we’ll learn more about the book ban law that was passed in Illinois last year.

217 Today is produced by Stephanie Mosqueda. Reporting today contributed by Emily Hays, Dave McKinney, Elissa Eaton, Will Bauer and Peter Medlin.

217 Today: Want to know a police officer’s job history? There’s a new tool for that from Invisible Institute

Thursday, September 26, 2024

Today’s headlines:

• Many people struggle to engage in dialogue with people they disagree with, but a nonprofit known as Braver Angels is working to change that.
• The University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign has closed a dining hall and some campus stores while building and food service workers are on strike.
• Polling from an Illinois business group shows support for a new state law that prohibits some so-called “swipe fees” from credit card companies.
• Last year saw an increase in the number of hate crimes against Jewish people nationally.

In today’s deep dive, we’ll learn more about a new tool launched by the Invisible Institute that shows the employment history of police officers.

217 Today is produced by Stephanie Mosqueda. Reporting today contributed by Anna Koh, Emily Hays, Alex Degman, Michael Puente, and Madison Holcomb.

217 Today: Immigration advocate says bill to stop Illinois non-citizens from voting is unnecessary and harmful

Wednesday, September 25, 2024

Today’s headlines:

• Urbana officials plan to approve a gas tax increase from 5 cents per gallon to 12.5 cents over three years.
• Nearly a year after it was attacked by Hamas, Israel is escalating its war in Lebanon.
• Two Springfield insiders are emerging as financial winners from a controversial state program. 
• More than a year since Illinois became the first state to eliminate cash bail, researchers are out with the most thorough findings about the change.

In today’s deep dive, we’ll learn more about an immigration advocate’s opinion on a bill proposed by a conservative lawmaker from central Illinois.

217 Today is produced by Stephanie Mosqueda. Reporting today contributed by Anulika Ochuba, Mae Antar, Dave McKinney, Chip Mitchell and Eric Stock.

217 Today: How one college counselor navigated the year FAFSA broke

Tuesday, September 24, 2024

Today’s headlines:

• Early voting begins this week in Illinois.
• Illinois’ efforts to ban certain food additives could get attention at a Food and Drug Administration hearing this week.
• Egg prices have spiked in recent months because of bird flu. 

In today’s deep dive, we’ll learn more about the experience of a high school counselor who helped students navigate college admissions last school year.

217 Today is produced by Stephanie Mosqueda. Reporting today contributed by Kulsoom Khan, Alex Degman, Héctor Alejandro Arzate and Lisa Kurian Philip.

217 Today: 11th annual Immigrant Welcome Awards celebrates the work of community members in Champaign County

Monday, September 23, 2024

Today’s headlines:

• The University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign is preparing for food and building service workers to go on strike.
• Proponents of an Illinois law that bans assault-style weapons say they’re confident the law will withstand its most recent legal challenge.
• The Mississippi River is again seeing low water levels.

In today’s deep dive, we’ll hear a conversation with one of this year’s Immigrant Welcome Award winners about their work with The Immigration Project.

217 Today is produced by Stephanie Mosqueda. Reporting today contributed by Emily Hays, Mawa Iqbal, Kate Grumke and Stephanie Mosqueda.

217 Today: Farmers embrace prairie strips to revitalize agriculture and enhance ecosystems

Friday, September 20, 2024

Today’s headlines:

• A downstate judge heard closing arguments yesterday in a federal trial over Illinois’ ban on semi-automatic guns and large capacity magazines.
• Both of Southern Illinois University’s campuses are facing multi-million dollar deficits this year.
• The Illinois Supreme Court says the smell of burnt cannabis is not enough for police to search a vehicle without a warrant.
• Yesterday, the Board of Trustees for the University of Illinois System approved a budget worth $8.3 billion.

In today’s deep dive, we’ll learn how farmers are using prairie strips to improve their soil and water quality.

217 Today is produced by Stephanie Mosqueda. Reporting today contributed by Mawa Iqbal, Brian Munoz, Reginald Hardwick and Rachel Cramer.

217 Today: Chicken farmers sue Tyson after the company closed a plant and ended their contracts

Thursday, September 19, 2024

Today’s headlines:

• A key Senate hearing on Capitol Hill this week focused on the growing problem of hate speech in America.
• Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker says the state needs to do more – and faster – if it hopes to meet energy production goals laid out in a major environmental bill.
• The cities of Champaign and Urbana proclaimed this week to be pride fest week.

In today’s deep dive, we’ll learn why some farmers are suing Tyson Farms.

217 Today is produced by Stephanie Mosqueda. Reporting today contributed by Linda Kenyon, Alex Degman, Mae Antar and Frank Morris.

217 Today: Sexually abusive calls burden 988 mental health crisis line counselors. They want more protection

Wednesday, September 18, 2024

Today’s headlines:

• The Senate has failed to advance a Democratic bill protecting IVF, or in vitro fertilization.
• The Danville city council voted to limit the number of cannabis dispensaries in the city to three.
• More students are missing more days of school since the pandemic.
• A federal jury in Chicago is deliberating the case of former AT&T Illinois president Paul La Schiazza, who is accused of bribing powerful Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan.

In today’s deep dive, we’ll learn why some say there are not enough policies to protect crisis counselors.

217 Today is produced by Stephanie Mosqueda. Reporting today contributed by Linda Kenyon, Anulika Ochuba, Kulsoom Khan and Melissa Ellin.

217 Today: A new Illinois bill would allow only accredited surgical techs in operating rooms

Tuesday, September 17, 2024

Today’s headlines:

• A federal trial in Southern Illinois challenging a statewide ban on semi-automatic firearms is set to resume this morning with more witness testimonies.
• The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says Archer-Daniels-Midland has violated federal regulations at its Decatur carbon sequestration site.
• Sticker shock is making its way into the presidential campaigns.
• Crisis counselors on the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline say they are facing verbal and sexual abuse from a small fraction of callers.

In today’s deep dive, we’ll learn about a law pending in Springfield that will ensure workers in hospital operating rooms are accredited.

217 Today is produced by Stephanie Mosqueda. Reporting today contributed by Mawa Iqbal, Anulika Ochuba,  Elizabeth Rembert,  Melissa Ellin and Lyndsay Jones.

217 Today: Champaign police chief discusses the impact of violence on the community

Monday, September 16, 2024

Today’s headlines:

• Doctors at the University of Illinois are responding to a rise in respiratory ailments since students arrived for the fall semester.
• Several states are instituting special labeling requirements or bans on lab-cultured or cultivated meat.
• In football, the Fighting Illini blew out Central Michigan University during their homecoming game on Saturday. 

In today’s deep dive, we’ll listen to a conversation with Champaign police chief Timothy Tyler about the impact of violence on the community and officers. 

217 Today is produced by Stephanie Mosqueda. Reporting today contributed by Anna Koh, Jim Meadows, Reginald Hardwick and Kennedy Vincent.

217 Today: Illinois teachers weigh in on standardized testing changes and classroom impact

Friday, September 13, 2024

Today’s headlines:

• A coalition of environmental activists and state lawmakers are working to protect a large aquifer in Central Illinois.
• It’s been almost a year since Illinois became the first state to completely abolish the cash bail system and downstate public defenders say they are feeling overworked.
• Illinois’ Bright Start college savings program is undergoing some changes at the end of this month.

In today’s deep dive, we’ll learn how a state review committee has standardized testing and how teachers use test data to help students.

217 Today is produced by Stephanie Mosqueda. Reporting today contributed by Mawa Iqbal, Alex Degman and Peter Medlin.

217 Today: U.S. Postal Service slowdowns are so bad, baby birds are dying in transit

Thursday, September 12, 2024

Today’s headlines:

• South Shore Elementary School is at the top of the list of Decatur Public Schools in need of urgent repairs.
• Former president Donald Trump debated Vice President Kamala Harris for the first time on Tuesday night.
• Local public figure Dante Scott will appear for his detention hearing today after pleading not guilty to 8 child pornography charges during his arraignment on Tuesday.
• The Illinois Supreme Court could determine whether someone is released from jail as they await trial – even though they were charged before the SAFET Act took effect.

In today’s deep dive, we’ll learn about a Midwest Newsroom investigation that found shipment delays have led to many birds dying in transit.

217 Today is produced by Stephanie Mosqueda. Reporting today contributed by Alex Degman, Anulika Ochuba, Kulsoom Khan, Mae Antar and Kavahn Mansouri.

217 Today: The Midwest and Great Plains are gearing up for water fights fueled by climate change

Wednesday, September 11, 2024

Today’s headlines:

• Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker is praising Kamala Harris’ appearance at last night’s presidential debate.
• A recent Northwestern Medicine study found that states with the most abortion restrictions offer the least amount of support for raising families.
• Over $25 million in new federal money is headed to Illinois to help build out the state’s electric vehicle infrastructure.
• A new guide aims to help libraries talk about their tangible impact as community anchors with various stakeholders.
• A Champaign entertainment producer has pleaded not guilty to 8 counts of trafficking in child pornography.

In today’s deep dive, we’ll learn more about climate change and water scarcity in the Midwest and Great Plains.

217 Today is produced by Stephanie Mosqueda. Reporting today contributed by Mawa Iqbal, Juanpablo Ramirez-Franco, Reginald Hardwick and Kate Grumke.

217 Today: Cows produce planet-warming gases. What does that mean for a beef-lover’s diet?

Tuesday, September 10, 2024

Today’s headlines:

• LGBTQ advocacy groups in Illinois want to make sure attorneys and judges in the state’s court system better understand the community.
• Illinois state lawmakers are working to push stronger gun storage legislation when they return to Springfield this fall.
• The Champaign Unit 4 school board has voted to get its special education programs audited.
• A Champaign DJ with ties to live music programs around the city has been arrested for selling child pornography.

In today’s deep dive, we’ll learn if there are ways people can lower their carbon footprint while still eating meat. 

217 Today is produced by Stephanie Mosqueda. Reporting today contributed by Alex Degman, Anulika Ochuba, Mawa Iqbal, Reginald Hardwick, and Elizabeth Rembert.

217 Today: Breast cancer survivors have better outcomes with solid romantic relationships

Monday, September 9, 2024

Today’s headlines:

• Custodians at Decatur Public Schools had planned to strike today over contract negotiations. 
• University of Illinois enrollment numbers come out today.
• Hundreds of Fighting Illini fans stormed the field at Memorial Stadium Saturday night after Illinois beat Kansas.
• The Greyhound bus station in Chicago is in danger of closing, with no plans in place for a replacement.

In today’s deep dive, we’ll learn about new data that found supportive romantic partners can lead to better mental and physical health for breast cancer survivors.

217 Today is produced by Stephanie Mosqueda. Reporting today contributed by Emily Hays, Reginald Hardwick, Mawa Iqbal and Elizabeth Gabriel.

217 Today: Krannert Center for the Performing Arts celebrates latest season with opening night party

Friday, September 6, 2024

Today’s headlines:

• A nutrition professor says honey does help the beneficial microorganisms in yogurt survive digestion.
• Some nine to eleven-year-olds are at a higher risk of experiencing depression in challenging social settings.
• The man accused of shooting two Macomb police officers on Wednesday night surrendered Thursday afternoon.
• The Illinois Flag Commission is now accepting designs for a new state flag.

In today’s deep dive, we’ll listen to a conversation with the Assistant Director for Programming and Engagement at the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts about what audiences can expect this upcoming season.

217 Today is produced by Stephanie Mosqueda. Reporting today contributed by Jim Meadows, Emily Hays, Anna Savchenko, Rich Egger, Mawa Iqbal and Kimberly Schofield.

217 Today: Before killing Sonya Massey, Sean Grayson had a case thrown out after bringing charges with no evidence. Departments kept hiring him

Thursday, September 5, 2024

Today’s headlines:

• President Biden is visiting Wisconsin today, to announce a round of clean energy grants for rural electric cooperatives.
• The Decatur City Council has strengthened the city’s animal cruelty laws.
• The U.S. Department of Education announced Tuesday the University of Illinois had not met its obligations to assess hostile actions on campus against Jewish and Muslim students.

In today’s deep dive, we’ll learn about a joint investigation between IPM News and the Invisible Institute about former Sangamon County Sheriff’s deputy Sean Grayson’s history of credibility issues.

217 Today is produced by Stephanie Mosqueda. Reporting today contributed by Jim Meadows, Anulika Ochuba, Kulsoom Khan, Farrah Anderson, Sam Stecklow and Dean Olsen. 

217 Today: What to know about the latest COVID vaccines and surge

Wednesday, September 4, 2024

Today’s headlines:

• This morning, Urbana police will be stepping up patrols around schools after someone tried to lure a child.
• An attorney representing Illinois gun owners says he’s feeling hopeful after a federal judge in Rockford found that a section of the state’s concealed carry law is unconstitutional.
• A key abortion clinic in downstate Illinois for out-of-state patients is trying to figure out how to close a big financial gap.
• Chicago’s top federal judge says the publication this year of home addresses for members of the federal bench is dangerous.

In today’s deep dive, we’ll learn more about the latest COVID-19 surge and the new vaccines approved by the FDA.

217 Today is produced by Stephanie Mosqueda. Reporting today contributed by Reginald Hardwick, Mawa Iqbal, Kristen Schorsch, Dave McKinney and Ben Thorp.

217 Today: Three years after Jelani Day went missing, family still seeking answers

Tuesday, September 3, 2024

Today’s headlines:

• Members of unions marched through downtown Champaign as part of yesterday’s Labor Day celebrations.
• A sheriff’s deputy from Indiana is in an Urbana hospital after a police pursuit ended in an exchange of gunfire.
• Investigators are trying to find out what started an apartment fire in Urbana that displaced residents.
• The University of Illinois is unique in that it’s pursuing mob action felonies against this spring’s pro-Palestine demonstrators, according to the American Civil Liberties Union.
• A new Illinois law mandates all school staff receive training on how to identify and support homeless students.

In today’s deep dive, we’ll learn more about the disappearance of 25-year-old Illinois State grad student Jelani Day.

217 Today is produced by Stephanie Mosqueda. Reporting today contributed by Mae Antar, Peter Medlin, Brian Mackey and Reginald Hardwick.

217 Today: Federal pandemic relief funding for schools is ending. How has it impacted Illinois schools?

Friday, August 30, 2024

Today’s headlines:

• The U of I blasted past Eastern Illinois with a score of 45 to nothing last night at Memorial Stadium.
• Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker has eliminated the state’s one percent tax on food items to help people save at the grocery store.
• If Republicans want to win elections in the suburbs of Chicago, one party official says they have to vote more moderately than their downstate colleagues.
• Thursday was the grand opening of the new Hard Rock Casino in Rockford.

In today’s deep dive, we’ll learn federal pandemic relief funding for schools is ending and how it might impact Illinois schools.

217 Today is produced by Stephanie Mosqueda. Reporting today contributed by Kulsoom Khan, Jim Meadows, Reginald Hardwick and Peter Medlin.

217 Today: Abortion took center stage during the DNC. But here’s why access could be in jeopardy.

Thursday, August 29, 2024

Today’s headlines:

• Several teachers from Dennis Lab School in Decatur voiced their frustrations over inadequate conditions at Tuesday’s school board meeting.
• The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield is making more than a thousand Lincoln-era photos available for free online.
• The State of Illinois is probably getting a new flag.
• Anticipation is building for the first presidential debate between Democratic nominee Kamala Harris and Republican nominee Donald Trump.

In today’s deep dive, we’ll learn how abortion funds that help women travel to Illinois for care are running out of money.

217 Today is produced by Stephanie Mosqueda. Reporting today contributed by Anulika Ochuba, Alez Degman, David Pierce and Kristen Schorsch.

217 Today: Extreme weather can leave a trail of destruction and a lasting health impact

Wednesday, August 28, 2024

Today’s headlines:

• As the school year kicks off, University of Illinois administrators are reminding students of their right to free speech while reminding them to stick to policy.
• Drivers in Urbana could see the local fuel tax more than double next year.
• Some Yankee Ridge Elementary families are excited about the new school, but some are still unsure about the change.
• Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias is trying to increase access to the court system through public libraries.

In today’s deep dive, we’ll learn more about the public health impact of natural disasters.

217 Today is produced by Stephanie Mosqueda. Reporting today contributed by Mae Antar, Anulika Ochuba, Stephanie Mosqueda, Mawa Iqbal and Natalie Krebs.

217 Today: At America’s longest-running Black rodeo, ‘real cowgirls and cowboys’ carry on a rich history

Tuesday, August 27, 2024

Today’s headlines:

• Former Sangamon County Sheriff’s Deputy Sean Grayson is facing murder charges for the fatal shooting of Sonya Massey and his lawyer is looking to get him out of jail pre-trial.
• A new law affecting how candidates can get on a ballot in Illinois will not affect anyone running for office this year.
• Multiple court decisions challenging President Biden’s most generous student loan repayment plan have thrown local borrowers into chaos.

In today’s deep dive, we’ll learn more about the oldest continually run Black rodeo in the U.S.

217 Today is produced by Stephanie Mosqueda. Reporting today contributed by Mawa Iqbal, Alex Degman, Lisa Kurian Philip and Anna Pope.

217 Today: Reflecting on 56 years since Project 500

Monday, August 26, 2024

Today’s headlines:

• Some first-year students at the University of Illinois are disappointed with housing that lacks privacy and natural light.
• Illinois Democrats are targeting swing states now that they’ve gone home from the Democratic National Convention.
• A Green Party candidate will not qualify for the general election ballot in Illinois’ 13th Congressional District.

In today’s deep dive, we’ll listen to a conversation with one of the alumni of Project 500.

217 Today is produced by Stephanie Mosqueda. Reporting today contributed by Reginald Hardwick, Alex Degman, Will Bauer and David Pierce.

217 Today: Urbana’s Yankee Ridge Multilingual School opens to support bilingual education

Friday, August 23, 2024

Today’s headlines:

• Kamala Harris summoned Americans to reject political divisions and chart what she called a “new way forward.”
• This week’s Democratic National Convention was also the chance to learn more about vice presidential candidate Tim Walz.
• Former Illinois Congressman Adam Kinzinger got a primetime role at the Democratic National Convention.

In today’s deep dive, we’ll listen to a conversation with the principal of the new multilingual elementary school in Urbana.

217 Today is produced by Stephanie Mosqueda. Reporting today contributed by Reginald Hardwick, Christine Hatfield, Dave McKinney and Emily Hays. 

217 Today: Union leaders, Pete Buttigieg attack Donald Trump during an Illinois delegation’s breakfast

Thursday, August 22, 2024

Today’s headlines:

• Champaign residents are demanding the city council take action with a ceasefire resolution and divestment from institutions that aid Israel’s war in Gaza.
• Thousands of activists are in Chicago this week for the Democratic National Convention.
• With a new school year underway, Urbana District 116 wants to reduce its rate of chronic absenteeism.
• Longtime Illinois broadcaster Jay Pearce died yesterday following a battle with pancreatic cancer.
• Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker’s abortion rights group hosted a panel yesterday in downtown Chicago.

In today’s deep dive, we’ll listen to what some speakers had to say during yesterday morning’s breakfast at the Democratic National Convention.

217 Today is produced by Stephanie Mosqueda. Reporting today contributed by Mae Antar, Anulika Ochuba, Jim Meadows, Kristen Schorsch and Mawa Iqbal.

217 Today: Delegates reflect on Kamala Harris’ nomination at the Democratic National Convention

Wednesday, August 21, 2024

Today’s headlines:

• Urbana Middle School students will lock their phones in Yondr pouches during the school day, starting next week.
• A teenager from Champaign is under arrest, accused of making threats against three local schools.
• More than a dozen protesters were arrested after a clash with police outside Chicago’s Israeli consulate.
• Warning of a difficult fight ahead, former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama called on the nation to embrace Kamala Harris.
• Planned Parenthood Great Rivers from downstate Illinois free vasectomies and medication abortions in a van at the Democratic National Convention. 

In today’s deep dive, we’ll listen to what some delegates at the DNC have to say about the convention and Kamala Harris entering the presidential race.

217 Today is produced by Stephanie Mosqueda. Reporting today contributed by Anulika Ochuba, Reginald Hardwick, Lisa Dwyer, Kristen Schorsch and Christine Hatfield.

217 Today: Protesters to converge on Chicago, aiming to make their mark — and stay safe

Monday, August 19, 2024

Today’s headlines:

• As delegates arrive for the Democratic National Convention, protesters are packing the streets of Chicago.
• More than 40% of patients at Rush University Medical Center perhaps want to avoid the headache of coming downtown.
• Chicago will host the 117th NAACP Convention in July 2026.
• Twenty-three Paralympians affiliated with the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign are ready to represent the United States at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris.

In today’s deep dive, we’ll learn how protesters have prepared to get their message out during the Democratic Nation Convention this week.

217 Today is produced by Stephanie Mosqueda. Reporting today contributed by Reginald Hardwick, Christine Hatfield, Kristen Schorsch, Katine O’Connell, Adelyn Mui and Michael Puente. 

217 Today: The Funk Family’s impact on farming and American history

Friday, August 16, 2024

Today’s headlines:

• The site of the 1908 race riots in Springfield will now be a national monument.
• It was Republican Day at the Illinois State Fair yesterday.
• Many schools are still scrambling to hire teachers before the kids go back to the classroom. 
• The Fighting Illini women’s soccer team opens up the season this week with a five-match homestand.

In today’s deep dive, we’ll listen to a conversation with author Chris Bodenner about the Funk farming family of central Illinois.

217 Today is produced by Stephanie Mosqueda. Reporting today contributed by Mawa Iqbal, Peter Medlin, Colin Hislope and Jim Meadows.

217 Today: Relive six key moments from the violent, chaotic 1968 Democratic National Convention

Thursday, August 15, 2024

Today’s headlines:

• Illinois Democrats are trying to excite people about down-ballot races as enthusiasm for the Harris and Walz presidential ticket grows.
• Attorney Ben Crump is working with Sonya Massey’s family on state legislation aimed at reforming the way law enforcement officers are hired.
• The park and golf course were shuttered after a mine collapsed in Alton and will reopen later this week. 
• Junior Illini men’s tennis player Kenta Miyoshi won the ITA National Summer Championship for a second consecutive year.

In today’s deep dive, we’ll learn more about the Democratic National Convention in Chicago that took place in 1968.

217 Today is produced by Stephanie Mosqueda. Reporting today contributed by Alex Degman, Mawa Iqbal, Will Bauer, Colin Hislope and Courtney Kueppers.

217 Today: Here’s why health experts advise caution when attending state fairs in the time of bird flu

Wednesday, August 14, 2024

Today’s headlines:

• The Champaign Unit 4 school board is starting a new program to help parents better prepare their children for college and the workforce.
• People who live in the small town of Cairo, Illinois are struggling to access fresh food.
• One week ahead of the Democratic National Convention, Muslim leaders in Chicago gathered at Navy Pier to make policy demands of government leaders.
• Three Illinois women’s soccer players were named to the Preseason Players to Watch List in the Big Ten.

In today’s deep dive, we’ll learn why some health experts advise caution when attending state fairs this summer. 

217 Today is produced by Stephanie Mosqueda. Reporting today contributed by Anulike Ochuba, Elissa Eaton, Adora Namigadde, Colin Hislope and Ben Thorp.

217 Today: Culturally responsive teaching focuses on student learning, not just test scores

Tuesday, August 13, 2024

Today’s headlines:

• Despite new people joining the Champaign Unit 4 school board, some internal conflict remains.
• Illinois aims to protect 30% of its land and water by 2030.
• Civil rights attorneys are celebrating a federal judge’s order transferring almost everyone out of Stateville prison by September 30th.

In today’s deep dive, we’ll listen to a conversation with a retired education professor from the University of Wisconsin-Madison about critical race theory and culturally relevant teaching.

217 Today is produced by Stephanie Mosqueda. Reporting today contributed by Anulika Ochuba, Elissa Eaton, Mawa Iqbal and Kennedy Vincent.

217 Today: What’s Your Story? Urbana Free Library seeks visual artists for new program starting this fall

Monday, August 12, 2024

Today’s headlines:

• School starts today in Champaign, and one expert recommends teachers call parents early in the semester before students get into trouble.
• A new report suggests that substances used by farmers to kill unwanted vegetation are threatening native plants.
• A study from the University of Illinois Chicago reveals new information about how the continents could have formed.

In today’s deep dive, we’ll learn about the Artist in Residence Program at the Urbana Free Library.

217 Today is produced by Stephanie Mosqueda. Reporting today contributed by Kennedy Vincent, Elissa Eaton and Kimberly Schofield.

217 Today: A new Illinois bill would transform how the state funds higher education

Friday, August 9, 2024

Today’s headlines:

• The Illinois State Fair is underway in Springfield – and some top officials are urging you to try it.
• Governor J.B. Pritzker has signed a trio of bills designed to protect access to reproductive healthcare in Illinois.
• Some Illinois delegates say they’re thrilled to see Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris pick Minnesota Governor Tim Walz to be her vice president.
• A new report by the American Academy of Pediatrics found that tongue tie surgeries may be overused for little babies.

In today’s deep dive, we’ll learn about a measure in Illinois that would transform how the state funds higher education.  

217 Today is produced by Stephanie Mosqueda. Reporting today was contributed by Alex Degman, Tessa Weinberg, Farah Yousry and and Peter Medlin.

217 Today: Summer camp built for kids with sickle cell brings social connection and fun

Thursday, August 8, 2024

Today’s headlines:

• About 300 students have taken up an offer from the University of Illinois to move off campus.
• The Illinois State Board of Education is launching an ad campaign to recruit more teachers statewide.
• Farm and meat processing workers are eligible for a one-time cash payment through the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
• Illinois state officials kicked off this year’s state fair in Springfield with the unveiling of the iconic butter cow.

In today’s deep dive, we’ll learn about a Midwest summer camp built for children with sickle cell disease.

217 Today is produced by Stephanie Mosqueda. Reporting today contributed by Emily Hays, Anna Savchenko, Michael Puente, Mawa Iqbal and Elizabeth Gabriel.

217 Today: Could pro-Palestinian march on the DNC help Trump? Protesters say it’s not their problem.

Wednesday, August 7, 2024

Today’s headlines:

• Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris announced yesterday that she has chosen Minnesota Governor Tim Walz to be her running mate.
• The administration at Western Illinois University in Macomb now has approval from the Board of Trustees to move ahead with more layoffs.
• It’ll now be easier for people leaving jail or prison to get an Illinois ID.
• A new Illinois law increases the fine for trash debris flying off waste-hauling trucks.

In today’s deep dive, we’ll learn why some Democrats are worried a protest planned to take place near the Democratic National Convention in Chicago could play into Donald Trump’s hands.

217 Today is produced by Stephanie Mosqueda. Reporting today contributed by Mae Antar, Jim Meadows, Alex Degman, Jess Savage and Chip Mitchell.

217 Today: Reports detail the lack of mental and behavioral health providers for northern Illinois kids

Tuesday, August 6, 2024

Today’s headlines:

• Bangladeshi students in Champaign struggled to reach their families during communication blackouts this weekend.
• In the wake of 36-year-old Sonya Massey’s killing, her family, as well as criminal justice experts, are calling for police reform.
• The Kamala Harris presidential campaign is tapping some Illinois Republicans to help get her into office.
• A new study looks at the impact of a statewide order allowing pharmacists to dispense naloxone without a prescription.

In today’s deep dive, we’ll learn about new reports showing that big swaths of northern Illinois lack mental and behavioral health providers for children.

217 Today is produced by Stephanie Mosqueda. Reporting today contributed by Mae Antar, Mawa Iqbal, Alex Degman, Araceli Gomez-Aldana and Peter Medlin. 

217 Today: How farmers and livestock producers are using drones, another tool in the toolbox

Monday, August 5, 2024

Today’s headlines:

• When local schools start in mid-August, some familiar faces will be missing among the teachers.
• The Environmental Protection Agency has issued an emergency fuel waiver for four states — including Illinois — to help alleviate gasoline shortages.
• Illinois tax revenues are off to a robust start during the first full month of the state’s fiscal year, despite upticks in inflation and unemployment.

In today’s deep dive, we’ll learn how farmers are using drones over farm fields to make their operations more efficient.

217 Today is produced by Stephanie Mosqueda. Reporting today contributed by Emily Hays, Juanpablo Ramirez-Franco, Dave McKinney and  Makayla Voris.

217 Today: How abortion providers are preparing for the DNC in Chicago

Friday, August 2, 2024

Today’s headlines:

• Local politicians are watching who Kamala Harris picks to be her running mate.
• About 300 students are having to attend new schools this fall as Urbana establishes its first dual language elementary school.
• Newly released 911 calls show the mother of Sonya Massey called police for help with her daughter less than 24 hours before Sonya was shot and killed by a sheriff’s deputy.
• The union suing Illinois House Speaker Chris Welch is responding after the speaker’s attempt to get the lawsuit thrown out.
• A northern Illinois conservation group recently sold land to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. 

In today’s deep dive, we’ll learn how Chicago abortion providers and advocates are preparing for the Democratic National Convention at the United Center this month.

217 Today is produced by Stephanie Mosqueda. Reporting today contributed by Mae Antar, Emily Hays, Mawa Iqbal, Alex Degman, Jess Savage and Kristen Schorsch.

217 Today: Local athlete heads to Paris for his fourth Paralympic games

Thursday, August 1, 2024

Today’s headlines:

• The University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign is offering $2,000 and meal tickets to returning students to move off campus.
• A punk-rock reimagining of Lizzie Borden’s murder trial opens today at the Station Theater in Urbana.
• More than a hundred protesters gathered at the Chicago hotel where former President Donald Trump was speaking before the National Association of Black Journalists.
• Illinois lawmakers are introducing a bill they say will transform public higher education in the state.

In today’s deep dive, we’ll listen to a conversation with Paralympian Brian Siemann about the upcoming games and his journey to becoming an athlete.

217 Today is produced by Stephanie Mosqueda. Reporting today contributed by Emily Hays, Adelyn Mui, Michael Puente, Lisa Kurian Philip and Kimberly Schofield. 

217 Today: Pork producers face longer drives and higher costs after tough years lead to packing plant closures

Wednesday, July 31, 2024 

Today’s headlines:

• The Illinois State Fair is less than two weeks away with some new things to see and the return of old favorites.
• A law signed this week in Illinois will help people in Iowa who are seeking abortions.
• Central Illinois congressman Eric Sorensen has heavily out-raised and outspent his Republican challenger — Joe McGraw — in Sorensen’s re-election bid.

In today’s deep dive, we’ll learn why several large pork packers have closed plants in the U.S. and Canada in recent years and what it means for producers. 

217 Today is produced by Stephanie Mosqueda. Reporting today contributed by Alex Degman, Eric Stock and Rachel Cramer.

217 Today: Iowa’s new abortion law could have ripple effects across the region

Tuesday, July 30, 2024

Today’s headlines:

• Champaign police are investigating the drowning death of a 2-year-old boy.
• When the National Association of Black Journalists conference opens tomorrow, the Republican presidential nominee will be there.
• Over 70 people showed up at the oldest African American church in Champaign County on Sunday to attend a vigil for Sonya Massey.
• Two teenagers were shot and killed just after midnight Saturday morning.

In today’s deep dive, we’ll learn about an abortion ban that took effect in Iowa yesterday and how it’s likely to have ripple effects across the region.

217 Today is produced by Stephanie Mosqueda. Reporting today contributed by Reginald Hardwick, Mae Antar and Natalie Krebs.

217 Today: Deputy who killed Sonya Massey joined Sangamon County Sheriff after past employers questioned his integrity and conduct

Monday, July 29, 2024

Today’s headlines:

• Police are looking for the person who shot and killed two teenagers from Champaign over the weekend.
• Medicare recipients are now eligible to receive services at the University of Illinois’ Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Clinic.
• Some people in the Illinois hemp industry want to work with Republicans to regulate their industry instead of eliminating it.
• There’s a new testing requirement for some cattle participating in livestock events in Illinois this summer. 

In today’s deep dive, we’ll learn about how Sean Grayson continued to work at police departments in Central Illinois in a joint investigation between IPM News and the Invisible Institute. 

217 Today is produced by Stephanie Mosqueda. Reporting today contributed by Reginald Hardwick, Anulika Ochuba, Mawa Iqbal, Alex Degman, Jess Savage and Farrah Anderson.

217 Today: A dialogue on maternal healthcare in the Black community

Friday, July 26, 2024

Today’s headlines:

• A Champaign group is teaching families how to cope with their loved ones’ sentences and what to do when they come home after being incarcerated. 
• Following seven months of negotiations, food and building workers at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign have voted to allow a strike.
• Illinois’ new quantum research campus will be built on the southeast side of Chicago on the site of a former steel mill.
• Illinois Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton says Governor J.B. Pritzker should be in the running for Vice President.

In today’s deep dive, we’ll listen to a conversation with a doctor from the Carle College of Medicine about maternal healthcare in the Black community. 

217 Today is produced by Stephanie Mosqueda. Reporting today contributed by Anulika Ochuba, Emily Hays, Alex Degman, Tessa Weinberg and Kennedy Vincent.

217 Today: Deputy accused of killing Sonya Massey in Springfield was discharged from Army for serious misconduct

Thursday, July 25, 2024

Today’s headlines:

• American Water has proposed a general rate increase that would raise residential bills by about $24 a month.
• Illinois has been awarded more than $430 million in federal climate funds to curb greenhouse gas emissions.
• Last week’s derecho resulted in 27 confirmed tornadoes touching down in the Chicago and Rockford areas.

In today’s deep dive, we’ll listen to a conversation with reporter Farrah Anderson about her recent investigation on now-former Sangamon County Sheriff’s Deputy, Sean Grayson. 

217 Today is produced by Stephanie Mosqueda. Reporting today contributed by Mae Antar, Juanpablo Ramirez-Franco and Farrah Anderson.

217 Today: Some communities buy up and forgive millions in medical debt. Is it enough?

Wednesday, July 24, 2024

Today’s headlines:

• An attorney for Sonya Massey’s family says the U.S. Department of Justice is now investigating her death
• Urbana Schools are working to source more locally grown produce thanks to a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
• Black bear sightings are rare, but not impossible in Illinois.
• Democratic Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker is not rejecting the idea of becoming Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate.

In today’s deep dive, we’ll learn about how some cities in the Midwest have started buying up medical debt to help their residents.

217 Today is produced by Stephanie Mosqueda. Reporting today contributed by Mawa Iqbal, Anulika Ochuba, Jess Savage, Dave McKinney and Taylor Wizner.

217 Today: Rural student “didn’t see any changes” after Illinois LGBTQ+ history law passed

Tuesday, July 23, 2024

Today’s headlines:

• The majority of Illinois’ Democratic congressional delegation is backing Vice President Kamala Harris as the party’s presidential nominee this fall.
• Prosecutors have released the July 6 bodycam video showing the shooting of Sonya Massey.
• Polls may help decide whether Vice President Kamala Harris has what it takes to be the Democratic nominee.
• The Commonwealth Fund released a women’s healthcare scorecard that shows that Illinois is doing better than average but has room for improvement.

In today’s deep dive, we’ll learn about how one high school in rural Illinois is teaching its students about sexuality.

217 Today is produced by Stephanie Mosqueda. Reporting today contributed by Norman Hall, Elissa Eaton, Adora Namigadde and Emily Hays.

217 Today: High schoolers in rural, western Illinois learn the history of why their town is white

Monday, July 22, 2024

Today’s headlines:

• Some locals were surprised by President Joe Biden’s decision to drop out of the 2024 presidential election.
• The funeral for a 36-year-old Springfield woman shot and killed by a sheriff’s deputy was held on Friday.
• Northwestern University police have arrested and charged four educators months after they supported student protestors at the Palestinian solidarity encampment on campus.

In today’s deep dive, we’ll learn how some parents in rural, majority-white areas of Illinois are seeing the value of diversity education.

217 Today is produced by Stephanie Mosqueda. Reporting today contributed by Mae Antar, Mawa Iqbal, Lisa Kurian Philip and Emily Hays.

217 Today: From regular doctor visits to injured protesters, here’s how Chicago’s hospitals are preparing for the DNC

Friday, July 19, 2024

Today’s headlines:

• Governor J.B. Pritzker signed legislation Thursday that would add new regulations to carbon capture and sequestration projects in the state.
• The outgoing leader of Illinois’ Republican Party says the state GOP is in better shape now than it was a few years ago.
• Champaign County voters will be able to elect a new county auditor and choose whether to eliminate the position in the November general election.
• The biotech company Bayer is now lobbying Congress to pass legislation that could protect it from lawsuits regarding Roundup.

In today’s deep dive, we’ll learn how hospitals near the United Center are preparing for when the Democratic National Convention comes to Chicago.

217 Today is produced by Stephanie Mosqueda. Reporting today contributed by Jim Meadows, Alex Degman, Héctor Alejandro Arzate, Anulika Ochuba and Kristen Schorsch.

217 Today: Illinois Republicans seek new strategies to boost competitiveness in Illinois

Thursday, July 18, 2024

Today’s headlines:

• A Sangamon County deputy is being charged with murder for the death of Sonya Massey.
• Champaign County voters may be able to choose to eliminate the county auditor position in November, depending on a decision tonight.
• A clinical psychologist says it is beneficial to start conversations with older children about political violence.

In today’s deep dive, we’ll learn about how Illinois Republicans are taking advice and reflecting on how they can win more elections or gain more influence statewide.

217 Today is produced by Stephanie Mosqueda. Reporting today contributed by Mawa Iqbal, Alex Degman Anulika Ochuba and Elissa Eaton.

217 Today: Illinois Rep. Mary Miller takes questions from reporters at the RNC

Wednesday, July 17, 2024

Today’s headlines:

• Republicans have been trying to increase their support among Hispanic Americans, who have historically voted strongly Democratic.
• The state of Illinois is teaming up with the U.S. Department of Defense to bolster quantum computing research.
• Yesterday, a fifth person was charged with Mob Action, for allegedly demonstrating for Gaza on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus in April.

In today’s deep dive, we’ll learn about Rep. Mary Miller’s opinion on Donald Trump, immigration and crime.

217 Today is produced by Stephanie Mosqueda. Reporting today contributed by Maria Gardner Lara, Guy Stephens, Mawa Iqbal, Mae Antar, Reginald Hardwick and Jose Zepeda.

217 Today: RNC attendees react to Trump’s vice presidential pick

Tuesday, July 16, 2024

Today’s headlines:

• Lawyers for former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan are citing a recent Supreme Court ruling in a bid to dismiss a majority of his criminal case.
• Illinois U.S. Senator Dick Durbin says political violence is unacceptable.
• Urbana Police Chief Larry Boone is developing a pastor ride-along program.
• Republicans in Illinois headed to their party’s national convention with their state party in disarray, but are now unifying behind Donald Trump.

In today’s deep dive, we’ll learn more about what attendees at the Republican National Convention think about J.D. Vance as Donald Trump’s vice-presidential pick.

217 Today is produced by Stephanie Mosqueda. Reporting today contributed by Dave McKinney, Sean Crawford, Mae Antar, Alex Degman and Jose Zepeda.

217 Today: Milwaukee residents and visitors share mixed reactions on political tensions ahead of RNC

Monday, July 15, 2024

Today’s headlines:

• The National Weather Service has a high heat advisory until 8 p.m. tonight for counties across central and southeast Illinois.
• Central Illinoisans are expressing concerns for the future following a failed assassination attempt on former president Donald Trump.
• Illinois Republicans say they’re rallying around the former president even more after the attempt on his life last weekend.
• A Democratic campaign committee in Chicago got a small contribution in 2021 from the Pennsylvania man who tried to assassinate former President Trump on Saturday.
• Kathy Salvi is the Illinois Republican Party’s next chairperson.

In today’s deep dive, we’ll listen to conversations with several people in Milwaukee at the Republican National Convention on how political tensions can be reduced in America. 

217 Today is produced by Stephanie Mosqueda. Reporting today contributed by Mae Antar, Alex Degman and Jose Zepeda. 

217 Today: Illinois’ Trump delegates head to Milwaukee at a time of upheaval in the state Republican party

Friday, July 12, 2024

Today’s headlines:

• Macon County is the latest Illinois county to detect the presence of West Nile virus.
• Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker continues to back President Joe Biden’s candidacy.
• A suburban Chicago congressman is the second member of the state’s Democratic congressional delegation to call for President Joe Biden to end his re-election bid. 
• Central Illinois congressman Eric Sorensen has signed on to a bipartisan bill aimed at curbing the flow of fentanyl across the southern U.S. border.

In today’s deep dive, we’ll learn more about what to expect from the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee next week.

217 Today is produced by Stephanie Mosqueda. Reporting today contributed by Anulika Ochuba, Will Bauer, Dave McKinney, Lauren Warnecke and Alex Degman.

217 Today: Balloons Over Vermilion soars through central Illinois this weekend

217 Today: Central Illinois social service agencies outline struggle to combat rise in rural homelessness

Wednesday, July 10, 2024

Today’s headlines:

• The Champaign Police Department is working to reduce speeding on the roads, as part of a statewide effort this month.
• Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker is renewing support for President Joe Biden’s re-election bid while not ruling out his own potential White House run.
• Southern Illinois University scientists have created an edible cookie made out of plastic and food waste.
• Corn farmers in Illinois are fighting new EPA rules on vehicle emissions.

In today’s deep dive, we’ll learn how people in central Illinois are working to end homelessness.

217 Today is produced by Stephanie Mosqueda. Reporting today contributed by Mae Antar, Dave McKinney, Elissa Eaton, Eric Stock and Melissa Ellin.  

217 Today: Domestic violence survivors in Illinois are in prison for abusers’ crimes

Tuesday, July 9, 2024

Today’s headlines:

• Champaign will see heavy rainfall and windy weather Tuesday night as the remnants of Hurricane Beryl make their way to Indianapolis.
• The public will have a chance to weigh in on the future of Metra, Pace and the CTA in Chicago at a series of hearings starting today.
• Steve Serio, one of the most prominent figures in wheelchair basketball, will compete in the Paralympic games this summer for the fifth and final time.
• On Saturday, July 13, the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts’ chamber orchestra will anchor a music festival in Champaign’s Hessel Park.

In today’s deep dive, we’ll learn about a new investigation by The Marshall Project that found over 100 cases of survivors who were punished for a crime committed by their abusers.

217 Today is produced by Stephanie Mosqueda. Reporting today contributed by Mae Antar, Alex Degman, Elissa Eaton and Shannon Heffernan.

217 Today: Urbana activists want more police oversight. But local laws hold the civilian review board hostage

Monday, July 8, 2024

Today’s headlines:

• Peaches in deep southern Illinois will have a bounce-back year this summer.
• There is an abundance of invasive fish in Illinois waters, including a species of carp.
• The Chicago Coalition for Family Building is working to make costly infertility treatments more affordable.
• Climate scientists say extreme weather is happening more frequently.

In today’s deep dive, we’ll learn why locals say the Urbana Civilian Police Review Board is failing to uphold the mission and effect any change to policing in Urbana.

217 Today is produced by Stephanie Mosqueda. Reporting today contributed by Will Bauer, Reginald Hardwick, Mawa Iqbal, Kate Grumke, Farrah Anderson and Sam Stecklow.

217 Today: Baseball tournament for the visually impaired comes to Savoy

Friday, July 5, 2024

Today’s headlines:

• The Champaign County Freedom Celebration parade was canceled yesterday due to weather conditions.  
• The Illinois Department of Public Health has added nearly 150 zip codes to its list of high-risk areas for lead exposure for children.
• Highland Park held its first parade, following a mass shooting two years ago.
• Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker is saying little about a meeting he and other Democratic governors had with President Joe Biden.
• A record number of travelers are hitting the road and the skies this Fourth of July weekend.

In today’s deep dive, we’ll learn more about the Beep Baseball Tournament coming to Savoy this weekend. 

217 Today is produced by Stephanie Mosqueda. Reporting today contributed by Anulika Ochuba, Katie O’Connell, Noah Jennings and Kimberly Schofield. 

217 Today: A ‘silver tsunami’ is hitting rural America as small business owners retire without replacements

Wednesday, July 3rd, 2024

Today’s headlines:

• Champaign’s annual Fourth of July Parade will have a new addition this year.
• The Champaign County Regional Planning Commission was awarded $380,000 by the U.S. Department of Transportation to plan for the impacts of climate change on local transportation systems.
• The University of Illinois has helped secure a $51 million federal grant to establish a bio-manufacturing tech hub in the region.
• Governor J.B. Pritzker and other Democratic governors reportedly plan to talk with President Joe Biden today about the status of his presidential campaign after an abysmal debate performance.

In today’s deep dive, we’ll learn more about how small business owners in rural areas are struggling to find buyers to keep their businesses going.

217 Today is produced by Stephanie Mosqueda. Reporting today contributed by Anulika Ochuba, Mae Antar, Jim Meadows, Noah Jennings and Brian Beach.