In today's deeper dive, about a third of all Illinois counties are at a warning level for COVID-19. Among them is Macon County in central Illinois.

Fall in Illinois and the Midwest has plenty to offer: apple picking, brewing up warm apple cider, fall foliage and pumpkin patches. Maybe even the occasional corn-maze to get lost in. These are just some of the fall activities you may be looking forward to. You also may be looking to get up and out for a fall road trip before colder weather sets in.

Tonight is the final presidential debate before the 2020 Election — but with all the cross-talk and one-liners from the candidates on stage — is there value to the presidential debate? Especially when many voters have already cast their ballots? The 21st spoke with an Illinois debate coach and a media historian. 

In today's deeper dive, handling the stress of the COVID-19 pandemic has been a mental health challenge for many people. Experts anticipate this winter will be even worse.

With an eye on the presidential election, the Chicago-based theater group known as The Neo-Futurists began its fall season with “45 Plays for America’s First Ladies.” The 21st speaks to the play's director and a Chicago-based performer about the production. 

In the more than 40 years since he’s left The White House, many have assessed Jimmy Carter’s presidency as a failure while calling him the country’s best ex-president. The 21st talks with the author of the first full-length independent biography of the 39th president.