Illinois Public Media

Feature Story

State of Change: Small gestures to make a big difference in preserving our planet

 State of Change 2026 explores how Illinois residents are taking action for a more sustainable future. From a zero-waste general store to a community garden in a Chicago food desert, and practical tips for making homes more sustainable, this program highlights local solutions making a real environmental impact.
IPM Newsroom
New season of Inspector Ricciardi
Atomic Age Cocktail Party
Atomic Age logo with an illustration of waiting holidng a tray. There is a record player on the tray. Atomic records follow. Text reads

Atomic Sampler—Spring 2026 (163)
This week on The Atomic Age Cocktail Party, it’s another one of our Atomic Sampler programs…a musical tasting menu, if you will, of all the great stuff you normally hear…
Prairie Performances
Cover page for the score to Verdi's Requiem.

The Champaign-Urbana Symphony Orchestra Plays Giuseppe Verdi’s “Requiem Mass”
Evening Concert

The Evening Concert on Illinois Classical
Music by Penderecki, Bloch, Stravinsky, Debussy, Beethoven, Dvorak, Elgar, Tchaikovsky, and others
The 21st Show
Augustana College student Sawyer Carver (far right) made the short film “Rock Island Change Maker”, which is now streaming on Roku.

College student’s documentary on Quad Cities small business debuts on streaming platform
Many students go to college hoping to become filmmakers, but not many get firsthand experience with professional filmmaking that early in their career. Sawyer Carver is a…
The 21st Show
Danville Alderman Jaleel Jones and two of his cousins — Tajon King and Duane Williams, three Black men were harassed on April 3 while fishing at White Oaks Park in Paris, Illinois. Three white men shouted racial slurs at them and even took out a shotgun during the incident.

Night fishing, a shotgun, and a call to 911. What led to hate crime charges in Paris, Illinois?
A Danville alderman and his cousins went night fishing at a park in Paris, Illinois. White men approached them, used racial slurs, and opened fire. Three are now charged with…
Weather Realness

Why meteorologists still rely on weather balloons
Meteorologists observe the weather with satellites and aircraft. But, scientists still use weather balloons, one of their most reliable instruments. 
Prairie Fire

Prairie Fire: Season 3 - Episode 6 - March 2026
We introduce you to the art of Brian Dettmer, get a special performance from hip-hop duo Mother Nature, and visit with quilter Millie Sorrells, who shows us creativity has no…
News Local/State
woman looking at camera

Behind The Mic: Morning Edition host Kimberly Schofield sees being on-air as a theatrical performance
When Morning Edition host Kimberly Schofield isn’t live over the airways, she reports and produces arts and entertainment news happening in Central Illinois.
State of Change

Small gestures to make a big difference in preserving our planet
We visit a zero-waste general store, a garden bringing a community together in a Chicago food desert, a program protecting pollinators, and advice to increase sustainability…