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

A hand covered in a fabric glove holds up a turtle.
A student from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln holds a painted turtle from a pond in western Nebraska. Data from this turtle population showed how drought conditions may impact painted turtles, such as slowing growth and lowering survival.

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.

 

Stephanie Mosqueda

Stephanie Mosqueda is a senior majoring in journalism at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign with minors in Spanish and public relations. She is the 217 Today producer and a reporter for the Illinois Student Newsroom.