217 Today: Black Americans are less likely to receive palliative and hospice care than White Americans

217 Today: Black Americans are less likely to receive palliative and hospice care than White Americans

Monday, November 21, 2022 Today’s headlines: Some Illinois lawmakers are trying to close a loophole that allows pawn brokers to offer loans at triple-digit interest rates. The electric automaker Rivian’s move to force arbitration in a sexual harassment case is raising eyebrows among advocates who worked on a new federal law banning that practice. Illinois…

217 Today: 3M manufacturing plant causes widespread drinking water contamination along the Mississippi River

217 Today: 3M manufacturing plant causes widespread drinking water contamination along the Mississippi River

Friday, November 18, 2022 Today’s headlines: Local healthcare providers are dealing with a big surge in severe childhood respiratory infections. Urbana High School students are learning remotely again Friday as part of a continued investigation into threats made against the school on Wednesday. Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan is still a fundraising force even…

217 Today: U of I program helps Indigenous tribes take possession of human remains

217 Today: U of I program helps Indigenous tribes take possession of human remains

Thursday, November 17, 2022 Today’s headlines: In a speech on the floor of the U.S. Senate this week, Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois praised a University of Illinois student for standing up for abortion rights by casting her vote last week. The Illinois House Republicans’ newly elected leader has ideas on how to win more…

217 Today: Percussionist Zakir Hussain discusses his musical influences ahead of Krannert concert

217 Today: Percussionist Zakir Hussain discusses his musical influences ahead of Krannert concert

Wednesday, November 16, 2022 Today’s headlines: Senator Tammy Duckworth said the suspected Russian missiles that killed two people in Poland on Tuesday appear to have been a misfire instead of a deliberate attack. Illinois voters have passed an amendment codifying the right to collectively bargain in the state’s constitution. A central Illinois attorney is helping…

217 Today: Tightening abortion laws prompt conversations about making the Child Tax Credit permanent

217 Today: Tightening abortion laws prompt conversations about making the Child Tax Credit permanent

Tuesday, November 15, 2022 Today’s headlines: You might see some white on the ground as you head out Tuesday morning. Illinois lawmakers are back under the Capitol dome in Springfield Tuesday for a six-day, fall legislative session. A new study shows that suicidal thoughts among Illinois youths surged before the start of the pandemic. The Fighting Illini…

217 Today: Expert says not all policies to erase medical debt are equally effective

217 Today: Expert says not all policies to erase medical debt are equally effective

Monday, November 14, 2022 Today’s headlines: We could see the first snow accumulation of the season starting tonight. Last summer’s demolition of the Cannon school building in Danville destroyed a notable reminder of Joe Cannon, the longtime Danville congressman and House Speaker. Now there’s a campaign to name another Danville building after him. The Fighting…

217 Today: Illinois Democrats sweep statewide races in midterm elections

217 Today: Illinois Democrats sweep statewide races in midterm elections

Thursday, November 10, 2022 Today’s headlines: Fresh off his reelection win, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker is still facing multiple questions about whether he’ll run for president. With the election cycle drawing to a close, the Illinois General Assembly soon will consider more revisions to the state’s criminal justice reform law during the fall veto session….

217 Today: Cybersecurity expert questions Champaign County’s claims of a cyberattack at voting polls

217 Today: Cybersecurity expert questions Champaign County’s claims of a cyberattack at voting polls

Wednesday, November 9, 2022 Today’s headlines: Democratic Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker has won another four-year term. Democratic U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth of Illinois recalled her poor childhood after she won reelection yesterday. Illinois’ 13th congressional district became one of the hottest races in the state. Chicago Democrat Alexi Giannoulias will be the next Illinois Secretary…

217 Today: A Supreme Court case from Indiana could prevent Americans from suing state agencies

217 Today: A Supreme Court case from Indiana could prevent Americans from suing state agencies

Tuesday, November 8, 2022 Today’s headlines: Urbana School District 116 canceled classes at its high school and middle school on Monday in response to a shooting threat. No one was hurt, according to district officials. In Illinois, Election Day is a state holiday to give voters every opportunity to cast a ballot, and state officials…

217 Today: New law may lower prescription drug prices for seniors

217 Today: New law may lower prescription drug prices for seniors

Monday, November 7, 2022 Today’s headlines: A lawsuit filed Friday by a Republican Champaign County board member temporarily sidelined a top county election official just days before the November election. Illinois’ economy is growing at an increasingly slower rate. The Illinois Film Office is offering free trainings in seven locations across the state. The Fighting…

217 Today: Music director of the Baroque Artists of Champaign-Urbana previews their upcoming concert

217 Today: Music director of the Baroque Artists of Champaign-Urbana previews their upcoming concert

Friday, November 4, 2022 Today’s headlines: U.S. Senator Dick Durbin warns of increased conflict between Russia, Ukraine and members of NATO. When immigrants arrive in Urbana-Champaign, local organizations ensure those without resources receive beds, baby clothes and diapers. Many Central Illinois residents found political ads that look like newspapers in their mailboxes this week. In today’s deep…

217 Today: Educators find new ways to teach reading amid a statewide decline in reading scores

217 Today: Educators find new ways to teach reading amid a statewide decline in reading scores

Thursday, November 3, 2022 Today’s headlines: A recent report from two environmental justice groups found most Illinois coal-fired plants are not complying with a federal rule to curb groundwater contamination. Governor J.B. Pritzker says the state will be able to afford his plan to make college free for low and middle-income students. On Tuesday, Champaign-Urbana…

217 Today: Pregnant immigrants struggle to find prenatal care amid restrictive federal laws

217 Today: Pregnant immigrants struggle to find prenatal care amid restrictive federal laws

Wednesday, November 2, 2022 Today’s headlines: A long legal battle between inmates and the Illinois Department of Corrections over mental health care has taken another turn. Carle Health in Urbana will take over management of several hospitals in central Illinois from UnityPoint Health. The Village of Savoy voted unanimously on Tuesday to recommend the Champaign…

The Lavender Newsletter founders resurrect 1980s queer newsletter for modern-day audience

The Lavender Newsletter founders resurrect 1980s queer newsletter for modern-day audience

URBANA – Two members of Champaign-Urbana’s LGBTQ+ community are rebooting a newsletter initially published in the 1980s.  Sophie West and Jada Fulcher said they were inspired to create the newsletter in June after seeing an Instagram post from the Urbana Free Library showcasing the library’s archive of The Lavender Praire News, a 1980s newsletter for…

217 Today: Changing demographics and political power in one rural Douglas County town

217 Today: Changing demographics and political power in one rural Douglas County town

Tuesday, November 1, 2022 Today’s headlines: Illinoisans have so far requested far fewer mail-in ballots for the Nov. 8 general election than they did in 2020. The company that owns the Clinton Nuclear Power Plant says it wants to keep the generating station open for another 20 years. An old virus is getting young children sick…