217 Today: Indiana may mandate devices in schools to prevent cardiac arrests among students

217 Today: Indiana may mandate devices in schools to prevent cardiac arrests among students

Monday, April 10, 2023 Today’s headlines: Illinois Democratic officials are condemning House Republicans in Tennessee for expelling two Black lawmakers Thursday. The City of Carbondale made history last week by electing the first out transgender person to serve on a city council in Illinois. The U.S. Department of Energy recently renewed the Center for Advanced…

217 Today: Local Guatemala collective aims to make language more accessible via instructional workshops accessible via instructional workshops

217 Today: Local Guatemala collective aims to make language more accessible via instructional workshops accessible via instructional workshops

Wednesday, April 5, 2023 Today’s headlines: Much of central and northern Illinois is under a severe thunderstorm watch this morning until 11 a.m. Voters in Champaign and Danville re-elected their mayors on Tuesday but by widely different margins. Who will fill four open seats on the Champaign Unit 4 school board? The unofficial results are…

217 Today: Illinois schools implement high-impact tutoring to combat pandemic learning loss

217 Today: Illinois schools implement high-impact tutoring to combat pandemic learning loss

Tuesday, April 4, 2023 Today’s headlines: University of Illinois Police say they are adding Naloxone and bleeding control kits to public heart defibrillator boxes on campus in time for the Fall 2023 semester. Prosecutors in the ComEd bribery trial played several new, revealing wiretaps yesterday. The state’s top legal officer has joined a coalition of…

217 Today: Knox County farmer returns to providing produce after brief hiatus

217 Today: Knox County farmer returns to providing produce after brief hiatus

Monday, April 3, 2023 Today’s headlines: At least three people are dead and eight injured after a tornado crossed an area near Robinson, Illinois, about 100 miles southeast of Champaign. Knocked over power lines, trucks and farming equipment scatter one Illinois farmer’s property in the aftermath of a tornado on Friday night.  Research and social…

217 Today: Midwest hospital still reeling two years after cyberattack

217 Today: Midwest hospital still reeling two years after cyberattack

Wednesday, March 29, 2023 Today’s headlines: The Champaign Unit 4 school board voted Monday to accept over $200,000 in a settlement with the vaping company Juul. Federal prosecutors are focusing on no-work contracts in the trial of four former ComEd executives and lobbyists. A University of Illinois student was arrested in connection with the stabbing…

217 Today: Rural communities grapple with food access amid lack of grocery stores

217 Today: Rural communities grapple with food access amid lack of grocery stores

Tuesday, March 28, 2023 Today’s headlines: Abortion is still legal in Illinois – but state representatives in the Illinois Freedom Caucus rallied on Monday against plans to open an abortion clinic in Danville. Illinois Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi continues to advocate for changes at TikTok, despite push-back from fans of the social media app. Many don’t…

217 Today: Candlelight vigil honors lives of two high school students

217 Today: Candlelight vigil honors lives of two high school students

Wednesday, March 21, 2023 Today’s headlines: A junior High teacher in McLean County has resigned amid an uproar from parents. As of Saturday, miniature artworks now line the walls of The Literary as part of its “Tiny Art Show.” The Sierra Club has filed a federal lawsuit alleging a coal-fired power plant in downstate Washington…

217 Today: U of I professor finds age may protect older women of color from negative mental health symptoms

Wednesday, March 21, 2023 Today’s headlines: A second correctional officer will serve time for the beating death of a state prisoner. The streets outside the Illinois State Capitol were packed on Tuesday with thousands of abortion rights opponents for a March for Life rally. There’s a need in Illinois for about 300 thousand additional rental…

217 Today: 217 Today host looks back on time at Illinois Public Media

217 Today: 217 Today host looks back on time at Illinois Public Media

Wednesday, March 1, 2023 Today’s headlines: Caterpillar and the United Auto Workers have reached a new tentative six-year agreement, averting a strike. Dozens of Illinois prison inmates are seeking graduate degrees that they hope will help them chart a new path when they leave prison.  Plans for a carbon pipeline in Illinois are back on…

217 Today: Former employee reflects on Chester Street Bar’s legacy in Champaign-Urbana

217 Today: Former employee reflects on Chester Street Bar’s legacy in Champaign-Urbana

Tuesday, February 28, 2023 Today’s headlines: Two measures in the General Assembly would ensure families of first responders killed in the line of duty get their benefits without delay. A pair of tornadoes touched down near Champaign-Urbana on Monday just before 9 a.m.  After Florida banned AP African American studies, Champaign Unit 4 is preparing…

217 Today: Northern Illinois University professors provide sports activities to incarcerated teens

217 Today: Northern Illinois University professors provide sports activities to incarcerated teens

Monday, February 27, 2023 Today’s headlines: State Representative Mike Marron is one of many Republicans critical of the spending proposals outlined in Governor J.B. Pritzker’s budget, but he has a plan of his own. Environmental groups in Illinois are hoping to limit microplastic waste, and they’re looking at washing machines. Twenty-five community organizations and government…

217 Today: Illinois Congressman Eric Sorensen is ‘optimistic’ Congress can pass a new farm bill

217 Today: Illinois Congressman Eric Sorensen is ‘optimistic’ Congress can pass a new farm bill

Wednesday, February 22, 2023 Today’s headlines: Governor J.B. Pritzker is joining 19 other Democratic governors in launching what they say is a non-partisan coalition to protect and expand reproductive rights. Remote work may offer rural America an opportunity to draw new residents who otherwise might not consider living there. During his state of the state…

217 Today: State Senator Paul Faraci talks about his first month in office

217 Today: State Senator Paul Faraci talks about his first month in office

Tuesday, February 21, 2023 Today’s headlines: Students at Parkland College will pay more for their classes starting this summer. The Urbana Park District is commemorating Black History Month with an “I Have a Dream” quilt. The Fighting Illini men’s basketball team topped Minnesota on Monday night in Champaign 78-69. In today’s deep dive, we’ll talk…

217 Today: Local physician writes children’s book on how to be a first responder

217 Today: Local physician writes children’s book on how to be a first responder

Monday, February 20, 2023 Today’s headlines: Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker proposed a $20 million investment to help open independent grocery stores in food deserts across the state. A proposed bill could fine Illinois cat owners up to $2,500 for declawing their cats.  The spot where a local gay bar once stood may soon be Champaign’s…

217 Today: Rockford man steps up to help elementary students without a ride to school

217 Today: Rockford man steps up to help elementary students without a ride to school

Wednesday, February 15, 2023 Today’s headlines: Governor J.B. Pritzker will give his State of the State address to the General Assembly on Wednesday. Republican lawmakers in Illinois are calling for immediate relief for Ameren customers facing soaring energy costs. The mass shooting Monday at Michigan State University has drawn an outpouring of support from the…