Stephanie Orellana
217 Today: Cow cuddles and farm-churned ice cream are helping Midwest dairies thrive despite low milk prices
In today’s deep dive, dairy farms are opening new side businesses, such as cow cuddling and ice cream churning. But those opportunities of joy come amid a volatile milk market.
217 Today: The nation’s wheat belt has been wavering, but hybrid science may help bring it back
In today’s deep dive, wheat isn’t grown as much as it used to be across the Great Plains. We’ll hear about an effort to hybridize wheat.
217 Today: Illinois Public Media is helping launch a new teen video podcast. Here’s how to sign up.
In today’s deep dive, Illinois Public Media is launching a new video podcast with local teens talking about issues that matter to them, and we want your child to be involved.
217 Today: What’s Happening in Central Illinois Jan. 22 – Jan. 25
In today’s deep dive, we’ll learn about what is coming to the Central Illinois area in the world of arts, culture and entertainment.
217 Today: Here are the books Illinois students loved the most in 2025
In today’s deep dive, every year, Illinois students vote on the Readers’ Choice Awards for the books they loved the most.
217 Today: One man’s journey from living in poverty in Southern Illinois to prison to a PhD
In today’s deep dive, the Education Justice Project at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign gives people in prison a chance to take college classes and earn a degree.