News feature reports from Illinois Public Media News, the top radio news team in Central Illinois http://will.illinois.edu/news en-us Copyright 2012 University of Illinois 2012-05-14T01:16:24+00:00 jackb@uiuc.edu Jack Brighton no http://will.illinois.edu/news/story/urbanaschools120514/ http://will.illinois.edu/news/story/urbanaschools120514/#When:01:16:24Z Snack time in elementary school may have once been a break from the day’s lesson, but now it’s part of it in the Urbana School District. Several elementary schools have adopted more nutrition education thanks to an initiative funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program. Schools are chosen for the program based on the number of students eligible for free and reduced lunches. Illinois Public Media’s Sean Powers explains as part of our series on efforts in the region to increase health and wellness. (Photo by Sean Powers/WILL) Podcasts 2012-05-14T01:16:24+00:00 Mon, 14 May 2012 01:16:24 +0000 http://will.illinois.edu/news/story/cmtypolicing120511/ http://will.illinois.edu/news/story/cmtypolicing120511/#When:06:59:01Z From neighborhood watch programs to relationships with churches and businesses, Champaign-Urbana’s two police chiefs say community policing is an essential part of their operation. Following a forum on the topic Thursday night, Illinois Public Media’s Jeff Bossert talked with Urbana Chief Patrick Connolly and Champaign Chief Anthony Cobb on the strengths and weaknesses of their community ties. Podcasts 2012-05-11T06:59:01+00:00 Fri, 11 May 2012 06:59:01 +0000 http://will.illinois.edu/news/story/saferoutes120507/ http://will.illinois.edu/news/story/saferoutes120507/#When:16:35:27Z Ever sit through that conversation with your parents about how they walked 10 miles to school uphill…both ways? Well, a new generation may tell similar tall tales to their kids thanks to the “Safe Routes to School” program in Champaign-Urbana. As part of our series on efforts in the region to increase health and wellness, Illinois Public Media’s Sean Powers reports on the program's activities in Champaign-Urbana. Podcasts 2012-05-07T16:35:27+00:00 Mon, 07 May 2012 16:35:27 +0000 http://will.illinois.edu/news/story/fracking120504/ http://will.illinois.edu/news/story/fracking120504/#When:03:58:47Z Hydraulic fracturing – a process used to collect and extract natural gas – has been around for decades. But how and where it’s done today is new…and it has some worried about what it means for air and water quality. Several drilling companies have moved into southern Illinois to extract natural gas by using horizontal fracking, deep underground beneath shale. They could begin within a month. Legislation in the Illinois General Assembly that has passed the Senate would allow the state's Department of Natural Resources to regulate hydraulic fracturing that cracks open fissures in southern Illinois' roughly 4,500-foot-deep New Albany Shale and other formations to get to trapped oil and natural gas. The legislation also would require energy companies to disclose the chemical makeup of the fracturing fluids and to test the integrity of the cement and steel well casings meant to protect groundwater during drilling. Since October 2010, more than 100 bills across roughly 20 states have been introduced relating to hydraulic fracturing for natural gas. David Morse from the Illinois State Geological Survey assesses the state of fracking with Illinois Public Media’s Sean Powers. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner, File) Podcasts 2012-05-04T03:58:47+00:00 Fri, 04 May 2012 03:58:47 +0000 http://will.illinois.edu/news/story/bikeday120430/ http://will.illinois.edu/news/story/bikeday120430/#When:00:32:58Z Tuesday kicks off the annual "Bike to Work Day" in Champaign-Urbana. If you don’t own a bicycle or if you have a bike that’s gathering dust, then this might be the right day to release the kickstand and take off. As part of our series on efforts in the region to increase health and wellness, Illinois Public Media’s Sean Powers recently ended a long-time hiatus from bike riding to share the stories of people in the community who are passionate about cycling. (Photo by Sean Powers/WILL) Podcasts 2012-04-30T00:32:58+00:00 Mon, 30 Apr 2012 00:32:58 +0000 http://will.illinois.edu/news/story/ebertfest120425/ http://will.illinois.edu/news/story/ebertfest120425/#When:04:59:24Z What started with a one-time screening of a sci-fi classic in Champaign has become an annual tradition featuring beloved, but overlooked films as gauged by one of this area’s native sons. Illinois Public Media’s Jeff Bossert previews the 14th annual Ebertfest. (AP Photo/Seth Perlman) Podcasts 2012-04-25T04:59:24+00:00 Wed, 25 Apr 2012 04:59:24 +0000 http://will.illinois.edu/news/story/carle120422/ http://will.illinois.edu/news/story/carle120422/#When:21:57:44Z A growing number of companies across the country have started encouraging employees to stay healthy by offering financial incentives. Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana, which is one of the largest employers in the area, is pushing for a healthier workforce through its Charge Rewards Program. Illinois Public Media's Sean Powers reports on how it works. (Photo by Sean Powers/WILL) Podcasts 2012-04-23T21:57:44+00:00 Mon, 23 Apr 2012 21:57:44 +0000 http://will.illinois.edu/news/story/moneysmart120423/ http://will.illinois.edu/news/story/moneysmart120423/#When:18:18:08Z Ten years ago, the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago started partnering with local communities to provide free financial advice over a week’s time. More recently, ‘Money Smart Week’ has been part of financial institutions and businesses in East Central Illinois. Illinois Public Media’s Jeff Bossert spoke about Money Smart Week with University of Illinois Extension educator Kathy Sweedler and Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance attorney John Roska: Podcasts 2012-04-21T18:18:08+00:00 Sat, 21 Apr 2012 18:18:08 +0000 http://will.illinois.edu/news/story/kindertransport120419/ http://will.illinois.edu/news/story/kindertransport120419/#When:05:00:25Z One of the lesser known stories about the Holocaust is what is known as the Kindertransport – rescue missions that brought thousands of mostly Jewish children from Nazi-controlled territories in the months leading up to World War II. One of those children was Champaign resident, Heini Halberstam. He was born in Czechoslovakia, and separated from his mother during the Nazi occupation. He believes she died in a labor camp. Halberstam said that changed his life forever. He tells Illinois Public Media’s Sean Powers about his experiences on the Kindertransport. (Photo by Sean Powers/WILL) Podcasts 2012-04-19T05:00:25+00:00 Thu, 19 Apr 2012 05:00:25 +0000 http://will.illinois.edu/news/story/excercise120416/ http://will.illinois.edu/news/story/excercise120416/#When:22:04:31Z Research at the University of Illinois suggests physical activity can boost cognitive health. To test that theory, Jefferson Middle School in Champaign recently added exercise equipment for its students. Illinois Public Media's Sean Powers reports. Podcasts 2012-04-16T22:04:31+00:00 Mon, 16 Apr 2012 22:04:31 +0000