217 Today: Providing free rides could help people in addiction recovery

217 Today: Providing free rides could help people in addiction recovery

Wednesday, August 10, 2022 Today’s headlines: The FBI’s seizure of material from former President Donald Trump’s Florida home is becoming an issue in the Illinois governor’s race. Illinois U.S. Senator Dick Durbin, says he was “stunned” by Monday’s news that federal agents had raided the home of former President Donald Trump. Just a few days…

217 Today: Antagonism toward conservation efforts increases after Biden’s latest proposal

217 Today: Antagonism toward conservation efforts increases after Biden’s latest proposal

Tuesday, August 9, 2022 Today’s headlines: Indiana recently joined other states bordering Illinois in banning most abortions – a move that Planned Parenthood of Illinois saw coming. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker is rolling out the welcome mat to companies seeking to flee Indiana after the state’s near ban on abortions. A judge has ruled in…

217 Today: One school district is training current educators to fill special education openings

217 Today: One school district is training current educators to fill special education openings

Monday, August 8, 2022 Today’s headlines: Most abortions are now banned in the state of Indiana. Only 22% of registered voters cast ballots in the June primary election, according to an Illinois State Board of Elections official. A new study says even with less fertilizer, farmers can still maintain high crop yields. The City of Danville…

217 Today: As the new school year draws closer, the IHSA sees a shortage of referees for high school athletics

217 Today: As the new school year draws closer, the IHSA sees a shortage of referees for high school athletics

Friday, August 5, 2022 Today’s headlines: The Illinois State Fair in Springfield is less than a week away, and fair organizers aim to make this year’s event bigger and better. A temporary sales tax reduction begins on August 5 in Illinois. Central Illinois is expected to see more heat and humidity this weekend. How will that…

217 Today: As fentanyl devastates the nation, efforts to reduce its harm are met with resistance

217 Today: As fentanyl devastates the nation, efforts to reduce its harm are met with resistance

Thursday, August 4, 2022 Today’s headlines: A federal measure that would expand healthcare benefits for veterans is now headed to the President’s desk. The amount of water in the Illinois and upper Mississippi rivers is increasing. University of Illinois-owned Willard Airport won a grant from the Department of Transportation. A biology professor at Illinois Wesleyan…

217 Today: Biden administration to block conservative states from charging monthly premiums for Medicaid

217 Today: Biden administration to block conservative states from charging monthly premiums for Medicaid

Wednesday, August 3, 2022 Today’s headlines: Parts of southern Illinois are recovering after a sudden storm dropped about ten inches of rain and hail in less than 24 hours. Meteorologists say we should expect dangerous heat and strong storms in Central Illinois on August 3. Comparisons between the Holocaust and abortion are putting Illinois Republican…

217 Today: Republican gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey struggles to unite his party

217 Today: Republican gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey struggles to unite his party

Tuesday, August 2, 2022 Today’s headlines: Governor J-B Pritzker has declared monkeypox a public health emergency, and Illinois is a disaster area regarding the virus. Updated COVID booster shots will be available in early September around the start of cold and flu season. A group of therapists focused on healing those involved in gun violence…

217 Today: Indiana House to debate a bill that would heavily restrict abortions

217 Today: Indiana House to debate a bill that would heavily restrict abortions

Monday, August 1, 2022 Today’s headlines: An unusually tense process to select the next Democratic Party of Illinois chair ended Friday when its current chair withdrew her name from consideration. The Democratic Party of Illinois has a new leader after an internal power battle settled this weekend. Illinois’ share of a national opioid settlement with…

217 Today: University of Illinois’ Summer Piano Institute returns for the first time since 2019

217 Today: University of Illinois’ Summer Piano Institute returns for the first time since 2019

Friday, July 29, 2022 Today’s headlines: Illinois state lawmakers met on Thursday to discuss closing a loophole that allows people with revoked gun permits to still buy ammunition. The developers of a multistate carbon capture pipeline this week submitted an application to build the Illinois portion. A weekend-long effort to combat local gun violence starts…

217 Today: Donations and demand are increasing for groups that help pay for abortions

217 Today: Donations and demand are increasing for groups that help pay for abortions

Thursday, July 28, 2022 Today’s headlines: Google is expanding In Chicago – it’s taking over the Thompson Center. The state’s largest solar project could be up and running in Fulton County by 2025. Illinois Congresswoman Mary Miller met in April with the head of a group called Iranian Americans for Liberty. The second probable case of…

217 Today: A growing movement among Native American tribes promotes controlling where and how they get their food

217 Today: A growing movement among Native American tribes promotes controlling where and how they get their food

Wednesday, July 27, 2022 Today’s headlines: Republican candidate for governor Darren Bailey is still refusing to answer questions related to last year’s Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. At least one person is dead following the historic rainfall across the St. Louis region on the night of July 25. The University of Illinois has…

217 Today:  States cracking down on abortion have high maternal mortality rates and gaps in rural care

217 Today: States cracking down on abortion have high maternal mortality rates and gaps in rural care

Tuesday, July 26, 2022 Today’s headlines: Illinois Governor JB Pritzker is out of COVID-19 isolation after testing negative, he said in a tweet on Sunday. The state of Illinois earned $445 million in tax revenue from legal marijuana sales last fiscal year. A new coalition of small nonprofits aims to tackle gun violence in Champaign…

217 Today: Bus driver shortage leaves parents worried for upcoming school year

217 Today: Bus driver shortage leaves parents worried for upcoming school year

Monday, July 25, 2022 Today’s headlines: Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker is calling on the federal government to provide more vaccines for the monkeypox virus. The World Health Organization — on Saturday — declared monkeypox a public health emergency of international concern. Congressman Rodney Davis has championed the Social Security Fairness Act since 2013. The bill…

217 Today: Collegiate esports programs grow across the country, including at Northern Illinois University

217 Today: Collegiate esports programs grow across the country, including at Northern Illinois University

Friday, July 22, 2022 Today’s headlines: Illinois members of Congress were vocal supporters of the Right to Contraception Act, which was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday. The Peoria-to-Chicago passenger rail route now has an initial price tag: $2.5 billion. The Champaign County Association of Realtors says home sales declined by nearly…

217 Today: Although a drug discount program aims to help low-income patients, its misuse creates controversy

217 Today: Although a drug discount program aims to help low-income patients, its misuse creates controversy

Thursday, July 21, 2022 Today’s headlines: Three Republicans from the Illinois Congressional Delegation voted against a measure to codify same-sex and interracial marriages. Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering said it’s time for a nationwide ban on assault-style weapons. The University of Illinois leads the largest health study of box turtles in the world. The Champaign…