217 Today: What’s Happening in Champaign-Urbana Mar. 28 – Mar. 31

217 Today: What’s Happening in Champaign-Urbana Mar. 28 – Mar. 31

Thursday, March 28, 2024 Today’s headlines: Police say four people are dead and seven others wounded after a man went on a stabbing rampage in Rockford. A firm specializing in hemp and cannabis forecasting is predicting big things for Illinois. As the U.S. Supreme Court determines whether they should limit access to a widely used abortion medication…

217 Today: A unique tree-climbing fox is on the decline in the Midwest. Researchers want to know why

217 Today: A unique tree-climbing fox is on the decline in the Midwest. Researchers want to know why

Wednesday, March 27, 2024 Today’s headlines: A soil scientist at the University of Illinois Urbana campus is reaching out to landowners and farmers, as he pares to take soil samples at locations where samples were taken years ago. A report draws attention to the treatment of pregnant detainees inside Illinois county jails. A self-made billionaire from…

217 Today: Feeding migrants in Chicago involves balancing nutrition, cost and taste

217 Today: Feeding migrants in Chicago involves balancing nutrition, cost and taste

Tuesday, March 26, 2024 Today’s headlines: Two members of the Illinois Prisoner Review Board – including its chair – have resigned after a convicted felon released on parole allegedly murdered a child hours after his release. The Champaign Unit 4 school board ended its meeting early last night when two of five remaining members walked…

217 Today: She called the number on her syllabus offering counseling. No one picked up.

217 Today: She called the number on her syllabus offering counseling. No one picked up.

Friday, March 22, 2024 Today’s headlines: A West Point Graduate who won the Republican primary in the 13th congressional district is looking forward to challenging Democratic congresswoman Nikki Budzinski in November. The Illinois Supreme Court held oral arguments at Northern Illinois University on Thursday Illinois’ child welfare agency is asking for a larger budget next…

217 Today: Long-delayed ‘Falsettos’ production explores family, Jewish identity, LGBTQ+ history

217 Today: Long-delayed ‘Falsettos’ production explores family, Jewish identity, LGBTQ+ history

Thursday, March 21, 2024 Today’s headlines: The Illinois primary saw some of the lowest voter turnout statewide in decades. Illinois’ longest-serving Black lawmaker has lost her primary race to a well-funded newcomer backed by Democratic leadership. Nikki Budzinski will advance to campaign for a second term representing the 13th congressional district in Illinois. In today’s deep dive, we’ll…

217 Today: Chicago slowly starts evicting migrants from shelters

217 Today: Chicago slowly starts evicting migrants from shelters

Wednesday, March 20, 2024 Today’s headlines: Democratic President Joe Biden and Republican Donald Trump are big winners in Illinois’ presidential primaries. But each showed signs of possible weakness within their parties. Democrat Laurie Brauer has emerged as the party’s pick for Champaign County coroner. The ballots are still being counted from Tuesday’s primary to determine the Republican…

217 Today: Chicago slowly starts evicting migrants from shelters

217 Today: Chicago slowly starts evicting migrants from shelters

Tuesday, March 19, 2024 Today’s headlines:  Tuesday is primary election day across Illinois, and voters in the Chicago area have choices to make for president, Cook County state’s attorney and a city tax referendum. Two Democrats and one Republican are vying for the job of coroner in Champaign County during Tuesday’s primary election. Two Republican…

217 Today: Raising roosters is big business. Now a push to ease penalties for cockfighting is ruffling feathers

217 Today: Raising roosters is big business. Now a push to ease penalties for cockfighting is ruffling feathers

Monday, March 18, 2024 Today’s headlines: A proposal in Springfield would ban the sale and distribution of some products made with so-called “forever chemicals” starting next year. Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker’s office announced plans to demolish and rebuild two rundown prisons. The Muslim holy month of Ramadan began. A Palestinian activist in Champaign says this…

217 Today: School substance use prevention efforts are crucial. The question is how to do it

217 Today: School substance use prevention efforts are crucial. The question is how to do it

Friday, March 15, 2024 Today’s headlines: Illinois lawmakers want to create a new state agency focused on early childhood care. An Illinois High School Association official says the rapid growth of girls wrestling is very encouraging as they prepare to add girls flag football as the next official sport. An American man has been convicted by a…

217 Today: U of I dean Ruby Mendenhall is preparing to share a lifetime of writing as Urbana’s poet laureate

217 Today: U of I dean Ruby Mendenhall is preparing to share a lifetime of writing as Urbana’s poet laureate

Thursday, March 14, 2024 Today’s headlines: Disability rights advocates are protesting an Illinois measure that would allow patients to take medication to end their lives. The next director of Illinois’ Department of Children and Family Services is telling state Senators why she’s right for the job. Illinois’ Senate Democratic Caucus has introduced several proposals to…

217 Today: What would Bost and Bailey work on for Illinois’ 12th District if elected?

217 Today: What would Bost and Bailey work on for Illinois’ 12th District if elected?

Wednesday, March 13, 2024 Today’s headlines: The Illinois State Capitol building was under lockdown yesterday as police investigated a threat. Thousands of people stand to lose health insurance in a few weeks as the state of Illinois continues to rein in spending. Illinois state lawmakers created a fund to help witnesses to violent crime. Two years…

217 Today: This farmer’s livelihood was ruined by PFAS-contaminated fertilizer that few Midwest states test for

217 Today: This farmer’s livelihood was ruined by PFAS-contaminated fertilizer that few Midwest states test for

Tuesday, March 12, 2024 Today’s headlines: Many Illinois residents have had their federal student loans canceled under a new repayment plan. The state of Illinois is finally making available $18.5 million to assist and protect witnesses of violent crime. This year’s daylight saving time started this weekend when Illinois residents moved their clocks forward one hour….

217 Today: More than an afterschool program, DREAAM provides mentorship and lasting relationships

217 Today: More than an afterschool program, DREAAM provides mentorship and lasting relationships

Monday, March 11, 2024 Today’s headlines: Proposed legislation in Springfield could help Illinois Medicaid patients with serious mental health diagnoses get treatment more quickly. Illinois programs providing healthcare coverage to undocumented and – for now – some documented residents are shrinking. The University of Illinois is not renewing their contract with the school’s first associate vice…

217 Today: How a small Illinois college became a women’s wrestling powerhouse

217 Today: How a small Illinois college became a women’s wrestling powerhouse

Friday, March 8, 2024 Today’s headlines: Democratic U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth followed a theme last night by bringing an infertility specialist as her guest to President Biden’s State of the Union. There’s a Democrat-backed effort in Springfield to legalize psilocybin or psychedelic mushrooms. Food and industrial ingredient processor Primient announced more than a half-billion dollars in…