217 Today: Students say Unit 4 schools fail to provide menstrual products

217 Today: Students say Unit 4 schools fail to provide menstrual products

Wednesday, December 14, 2022 Today’s headlines: State Senator Scott Bennett’s funeral will be held Monday at the University of Illinois’ Krannert Center for the Performing Arts. Illinois homeowners need to check their smoke alarms before a new law starts on Jan. 1. Illinois Public Media invited the community to the Pour Brothers Taproom in downtown…

217 Today: Remembering State Sen. Scott Bennett

217 Today: Remembering State Sen. Scott Bennett

Monday, December 12, 2022 Today’s headlines: Governor JB Pritzker has directed public schools and state and local government facilities to lower flags to half-staff in memory of State Senator Scott Bennett. The Urbana Police Department is adopting a new program to train officers how to step in when they see officer misconduct. All last week,…

217 Today: Iranian American U of I grad student organizes demonstration to support overseas protests

217 Today: Iranian American U of I grad student organizes demonstration to support overseas protests

Friday, December 9, 2022 Today’s headlines: Illinois State Senator Mike Simmons joined U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy and other health experts in Chicago Thursday to talk about youth mental health. Democratic Illinois U.S. Senator Dick Durbin is celebrating Thursday’s congressional passage of landmark legislation that enshrines gay marriage into federal law. Rates of suicidal ideation have…

217 Today: New Champaign County Public Defender discusses the end of cash bail and more

217 Today: New Champaign County Public Defender discusses the end of cash bail and more

Thursday, December 8, 2022 Today’s headlines: Illinois ranks 26th in an annual study of U.S. states’ health successes and challenges. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker is defending how long it’s taking to expand Illinois’ cannabis industry. The Urbana school board has decided against merging its two Spanish dual-language programs into one school. The Fighting Illini women’s…

217 Today: End of Roe v. Wade increases out-of-state abortion patients in Illinois

217 Today: End of Roe v. Wade increases out-of-state abortion patients in Illinois

Wednesday, December 7, 2022 Today’s headlines: On Tuesday, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker signed changes to the SAFE-T Act into law. The Urbana school board has decided not to merge its two Spanish dual-language programs into one school. The University of Illinois’ McKinley Health Center is partnering with Champaign-Urbana Public Health District to combat opioid overdose deaths…

As Champaign prepares to open new homeless shelter, officials ask what else can be done

As Champaign prepares to open new homeless shelter, officials ask what else can be done

CHAMPAIGN – Lined up shoulder to shoulder on an early November morning, volunteers prepared to hand out free mid-morning meals at the Daily Bread Soup Kitchen in Champaign.  Outside of the building stood a few guests waiting to pick up hot meals. These guests were people from around the community who struggle with food insecurity…

217 Today: As Champaign prepares to open new homeless shelter, officials ask what else can be done

217 Today: As Champaign prepares to open new homeless shelter, officials ask what else can be done

Tuesday, December 6, 2022 Today’s headlines: A report from the State Executive Inspector General shows a climate of hazing and sexual discrimination created a hostile work environment at the state prison in Pontiac. The Illinois Department of Public Health will begin offering a new HIV treatment in January.  Come January, Nabeela Syed will be the…

217 Today: As days get shorter, Seasonal Affective Disorder worsens in Northern states

217 Today: As days get shorter, Seasonal Affective Disorder worsens in Northern states

Monday, December 5, 2022 Today’s headlines: Illinois’ economic growth rate held steady in November. People detained in Illinois state correctional facilities could soon have access to free menstrual hygiene products and underwear. The Fighting Illini football team announced Sunday that they will play in the Reliaquest Bowl against the Mississippi State Bulldogs. Despite a heroic effort…

217 Today: Illinois General Assembly approves changes to SAFE-T Act

217 Today: Illinois General Assembly approves changes to SAFE-T Act

Friday, December 2, 2022 Today’s headlines: Lawyers on both sides of the criminal justice system in one central Illinois county say they are ready to meet the potential challenges in the courtroom when cash bail ends in January. Police have arrested a minor suspected of sending violent threats to Urbana High School.  This weekend is your…

217 Today: States differ in how they’ll use more than $50 billion from opioid settlements

217 Today: States differ in how they’ll use more than $50 billion from opioid settlements

Thursday, December 1, 2022 Today’s headlines: Thursday is the last day of the so-called veto session. And Illinois Lawmakers are expected to consider changes to the controversial law that is set to eliminate cash bail next year. Governor JB Pritzker has dedicated a new Springfield memorial to highlight former President Barack Obama’s rise to power. University of…

217 Today: Incoming Parkland College president discusses goals for the community college

217 Today: Incoming Parkland College president discusses goals for the community college

Wednesday, November 30, 2022 Today’s headlines: Illinois lawmakers and business leaders have struck a deal to pay back the remaining debt in the state’s unemployment insurance trust fund. Judges in one central Illinois county say they want to be consistent in how they hold bond hearings when cash bail ends in January. The Fighting Illini…

217 Today: Loyola researcher clears up misinformation about the SAFE-T Act

217 Today: Loyola researcher clears up misinformation about the SAFE-T Act

Tuesday, November 29, 2022 Today’s headlines: It’s still unclear what – if any – changes will be made to Illinois’ so-called “SAFE-T Act” before one of its major components takes effect. The Illinois Department of Transportation has designated Interstate 74 as one of the state’s “alternative fuel corridors” to help people traveling with electric vehicles….

217 Today: Midterm election results could affect Farm Bill renewal next year

217 Today: Midterm election results could affect Farm Bill renewal next year

Monday, November 28, 2022 Today’s headlines: Illinois voters passed a constitutional amendment this month guaranteeing workers the right to collective bargaining. But how does it affect gig workers?  The Illinois football team retained the Land of Lincoln trophy after blowing out in-state rival Northwestern 41-3 on Saturday in Evanston. Champaign County’s incoming county executive says…

217 Today: Carle Foundation Hospital copes with children with RSV filling its hospital beds

217 Today: Carle Foundation Hospital copes with children with RSV filling its hospital beds

Wednesday, November 23, 2022 Today’s headlines: Illinois State Police have adopted changes they say will help keep guns away from people who should not have them. The Illinois Department of Public Health has some tips to help prevent viruses like COVID, RSV and the flu from spreading this Thanksgiving holiday. The new Champaign County executive…

217 Today: Urban farmers struggle to buy vacant lots to turn into greenspace

217 Today: Urban farmers struggle to buy vacant lots to turn into greenspace

Tuesday, November 22, 2022 Today’s headlines: The nationwide shortage of a common antibiotic has hit local pharmacies. As Thanksgiving approaches, rising food prices could make it harder to prepare a healthy meal that’s also not overly expensive. The City of Urbana is offering a free leaf recycling program through the month of November. The Illinois…