Keep up with news in Central Illinois every weekday with 217 Today. Hear the day’s headlines, along with one deeper dive, in just ten minutes. Learn about the people and places that make Central Illinois unique with 217 Today.
In today’s deep dive, An allergy to red meat spread by tick bites affects nearly half a million Americans.
217 Today: Illinois Soul celebrates two years of amplifying Black voices
In today’s deep dive, A celebration of Illinois Soul’s second year on air.
217 Today: Maysa brings her dulcet voice to Champaign-Urbana to help Illinois Soul celebrate its anniversary
Friday, January 30, 2026 Today’s headlines: A former sheriff’s deputy in Sangamon County has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for fatally shooting Sonya
217 Today: What’s Happening in Central Illinois Jan. 29 – Feb. 1
Thursday, January 29, 2026 Today’s headlines: Multiple Champaign school board members want windows at Booker T. Washington STEM Academy to get a bulletproof covering. United
217 Today: A look at the first debate between the three Illinois Democrats vying to become the state’s next U.S. senator
In today’s deep dive, a look at the first face-to-face debate between the three Illinois Democrats vying to become the state’s next U.S. senator that happened earlier this week.
217 Today: Cow cuddles and farm-churned ice cream are helping Midwest dairies thrive despite low milk prices
In today’s deep dive, dairy farms are opening new side businesses, such as cow cuddling and ice cream churning. But those opportunities of joy come amid a volatile milk market.
217 Today: The nation’s wheat belt has been wavering, but hybrid science may help bring it back
In today’s deep dive, wheat isn’t grown as much as it used to be across the Great Plains. We’ll hear about an effort to hybridize wheat.
217 Today: Illinois Public Media is helping launch a new teen video podcast. Here’s how to sign up.
In today’s deep dive, Illinois Public Media is launching a new video podcast with local teens talking about issues that matter to them, and we want your child to be involved.
217 Today: What’s Happening in Central Illinois Jan. 22 – Jan. 25
In today’s deep dive, we’ll learn about what is coming to the Central Illinois area in the world of arts, culture and entertainment.
217 Today: Here are the books Illinois students loved the most in 2025
In today’s deep dive, every year, Illinois students vote on the Readers’ Choice Awards for the books they loved the most.