Illinois Public Media

Agriculture

Heavy rain reaches Illinois, but drought is far from over

 This week, Illinois has finally experienced rainfall, but it’s not enough to alleviate the ongoing drought. Since August of last year, Central Illinois has experienced a severe drought with precipitation deficits of 15–20 inches. This has led to mandatory water restrictions in places like Bloomington and Decatur. What does it means for Illinois to still be in a drought? What are the agricultural impacts and what kinds of conditions are necessary to get out of this drought?
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Atomic Age Cocktail Party
Atomic Age logo with an illustration of a turntable with a roulette wheel on top.

Record Shelf Roulette (159)
This week on The Atomic Age Cocktail Party, Record Shelf Roulette. We’re digging deep into the record library to pull out some fun cuts. Songs that don’t necessarily fit…
Afternoon at the Opera
A scene from the opera Madama Butterfly as performed by the met opera of NYC

Afternoon at the Opera: Madama Butterfly
On this episode of Afternoon at the Opera, Puccini's Madama Butterfly, Saturday at Noon on Illinois Classical.
Evening Concert

The Evening Concert on Illinois Classical
ILLINOIS CLASSICAL: The Evening Concert: MARCH 8 – 9 –10 – 11 – 12 – 13, 2026  
Weather Realness
Climate projections in the Midwest include warmer, wetter springs and drier summers with hotter nights.

Tornadoes, hurricanes and wildfires: how scientists link extreme weather to climate change
Severe weather events have increased over the years. From hurricanes, tornadoes to massive wildfires, these changes in the weather are often linked to climate change. We talk…
Weather Realness
A satellite tornado circulates around a newly formed tornado as we crest a hill. Taken minutes after the twin wedge tornado event that hit Pilger, NE approximately 8 miles West of Pender, NE.

Severe weather season is here, what do weather warnings mean and how to stay prepared
We’re in a severe weather season in Illinois. We saw the first of it on Tuesday, where a tornado outbreak hit the Chicago area and across Illinois. We talk about different…
The 21st Show
wavy red and blue lines are the backdrop for The 21st Show's logo, which features an outline of the state of Illinois; beneath that is written

Tenth anniversary special
It’s been 10 years since The 21st Show first went on air, on March 14, 2016. We’ll listen back to a decade of the program and reflect on what’s happened in that time —…
Prairie Fire

Prairie Fire: Season 3 - Episode 5 - February 2026
We visit the U of I's Black Chorus Camp, sit down for a special Black History Month conversation, and introduce you to the art of sculptor Josh Garber. 
Illinois Soul Blog

WATCH LIVE: Homegoing service will celebrate civil rights leader Jesse Jackson in Chicago
Three former U.S. presidents, Grammy-winning artists, clergy and elected officials are expected to attend a Chicago celebration of life Friday for the late Rev. Jesse Jackson…
State of Change

The state of the Illinois Prairie
State of Change 2025 looks at efforts to retain existing prairie in Illinois, as well as strategies to restore some areas to a more natural state.