217 Today: A new grain has potential to feed more people in a warming climate

217 Today: A new grain has potential to feed more people in a warming climate

Monday, May 16, 2022 Today’s headlines: In the race for Illinois Governor, Darren Bailey is trying to put some distance between himself and the rest of the Republican primary field. Some parents are turning to donated breast milk as a substitute amid a major baby formula shortage. Black farmers in the U.S. lost more than…

217 Today: Midwest citizens could be forced to travel for abortion if Roe v. Wade is overturned

217 Today: Midwest citizens could be forced to travel for abortion if Roe v. Wade is overturned

Friday, May 13, 2022 Today’s headlines: A new state audit outlines several failures at the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. University of Illinois scientists played a role in capturing the first-ever image of the massive black hole at the center of the Milky Way galaxy. A world champion soccer coach is the featured…

217 Today: Immigrant women face language and cultural barriers to pregnancy care in Central Illinois

217 Today: Immigrant women face language and cultural barriers to pregnancy care in Central Illinois

Thursday, May 12, 2022 Today’s headlines: President Joe Biden said Wednesday that it’s time to invest more in agriculture in Illinois and elsewhere because the war in Ukraine is cutting off a global food supply. Student COVID cases are picking back up throughout the state of Illinois. Illinois officials expect thousands more abortion patients each…

217 Today: Former Central Illinois U.S. Representative Tim Johnson dies at age 75

217 Today: Former Central Illinois U.S. Representative Tim Johnson dies at age 75

Wednesday, May 11, 2022 Today’s headlines: Work continues unwinding some Illinois pension funds from Russian assets.  Behavioral health co-responders will work with law enforcement in four Illinois cities as part of a slate of public safety bills Governor J.B. Pritzker signed into law Tuesday. Asian-American authors are visiting Champaign-Urbana schools all month for Asian American…

217 Today: Recent rains aren’t enough to erase drought conditions across the Great Plains

217 Today: Recent rains aren’t enough to erase drought conditions across the Great Plains

Tuesday, May 10, 2022 Today’s headlines: State Supreme Court Justice Rita Garman says she’ll retire in July after 48 years on the bench at every level of the judiciary. The best-funded candidate in the Illinois Republican primary for governor Monday dodged questions about his support for Donald Trump and Roe v. Wade. Supporters of abortion…

217 Today: Increasing gun violence raises issue of community-wide trauma among residents

217 Today: Increasing gun violence raises issue of community-wide trauma among residents

Monday, May 9, 2022 Today’s headlines: The Democratic Party of Illinois is applying to hold one of the nation’s first presidential primary elections in 2024. OSF HealthCare allergist Dr. Neha Dunn says May is generally the worst time for pollen allergy sufferers. A century-year-old tractor just became the most expensive tractor ever sold. It’s been…

217 Today: Upcoming New, Brews and Beatz event plans to discuss solutions to local gun violence

217 Today: Upcoming New, Brews and Beatz event plans to discuss solutions to local gun violence

Friday, May 6, 2022 Today’s headlines: Several abortion rights groups in Illinois are seeing an uptick in donations after the leak of a U.S. Supreme Court draft opinion on Roe v. Wade. Older Latinos believe support from non-family members is important, according to a recent University of Illinois study. The Danville Boys and Girls Club…

217 Today: Leader of Planned Parenthood of Illinois reacts to leaked Supreme Court draft opinion

217 Today: Leader of Planned Parenthood of Illinois reacts to leaked Supreme Court draft opinion

Thursday, May 5, 2022 Today’s headlines: Illinois would become a “Midwest island of abortion rights” if Roe v. Wade is overturned. But, it wouldn’t have been that way a few years ago. Illinois abortion rights supporters say they’re scared and angry… and they’re getting their marching shoes on. Two Special Education programs serving Macon and…

217 Today: Families of children with disabilities struggle to find care amid nationwide labor shortage

217 Today: Families of children with disabilities struggle to find care amid nationwide labor shortage

Wednesday, May 4, 2022 Today’s headlines: Abortion will still be legal in the state of Illinois if the U.S. Supreme Court overturns the federal protections enshrined by the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision. Many of the Republican candidates for Illinois governor are supporting the possible rollback of Roe v. Wade — with one notable exception. …

217 Today: A new historical marker in Illinois honors a worker killed protesting in the 1930s

217 Today: A new historical marker in Illinois honors a worker killed protesting in the 1930s

Tuesday, May 3, 2022 Today’s headlines: Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza wants to pay down the state’s pension liabilities more aggressively while building savings at the same time. Educators around the state say students are over-tested, and they feel the state’s proposal to revamp its spring testing program is not a solution. Chicago hip hop group…

217 Today: Soil protection program unites climate change experts and farmers

217 Today: Soil protection program unites climate change experts and farmers

Monday, May 2, 2022 Today’s headlines: There’s a debate over debates within the six-way Republican field for Illinois governor. Champaign police say they’re increasing efforts to spread the word about new hiring incentives designed to attract more experienced officers to the force. Elementary schoolers at Booker T. Washington STEM Academy spend one half-day per week…

217 Today: Performance at Krannert this weekend pays tribute to civil rights movement through jazz

217 Today: Performance at Krannert this weekend pays tribute to civil rights movement through jazz

Friday, April 29, 2022 Today’s headlines: A new “report card” from the American Society of Civil Engineers has rated Illinois’ infrastructure a C-minus, and calls it “mediocre and in need of attention.” A University of Illinois research team has discovered a new, faster chemical reaction that can help produce medicine. A union representing graduate assistants…

217 Today: Illinois Holocaust survivor reflects on importance of remembering what led to World War II

217 Today: Illinois Holocaust survivor reflects on importance of remembering what led to World War II

Thursday, April 28, 2022 Today’s headlines: Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker has signed a handful of measures yesterday he says addresses the state’s teacher shortage. The Farm Bill which funds food and ag programs every five years is set to expire next year. This week is International Dark Sky Week. Local organizers of the event say…

217 Today: Home health aides are in high demand but hard to find

217 Today: Home health aides are in high demand but hard to find

Wednesday, April 27, 2022 Today’s headlines: A prisoner advocacy group is demanding answers from the Illinois Department of Corrections after legionella bacteria was found in five facilities’ water supplies in March – but the state reported only two of them. The president of the University of Illinois system is working from home after testing positive…

217 Today: Northern Illinois man uses woodworking to help veterans in need

217 Today: Northern Illinois man uses woodworking to help veterans in need

Tuesday, April 26, 2022 Today’s headlines: Five Republicans running for Illinois governor shared a stage downstate last night with one empty chair. A federal jury has convicted an Illinois correctional officer of beating an elderly prisoner to death. Travelers are no longer required to wear masks in airports or train stations in Illinois. A program…