The 217 Today Podcast | Illinois Public Media

Keep up with news in Central Illinois every weekday with 217 Today. Hear the day's headlines, along with one deeper dive, in just ten minutes. Learn about the people and places that make Central Illinois unique with 217 Today.

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The Illinois state flag is displayed on a building on West Monroe Street in the Loop, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024. — Pat Nabong / Sun-Times

January 15, 2025

217 Today: The state of Illinois may soon get a new flag

In today's deep dive, we'll listen to a conversation with commissioner Will Stephens to learn more about what went into the process of selecting a new Illinois state flag.

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A cocktail glass rests on a bartop next to a candle. — Photo Courtesy of Experience CU website

January 14, 2025

217 Today: Experience CU kicks off the year promoting non-alcoholic beverages with the Mocktail Trail

In today's deep dive, we'll listen to a conversation with the Experience CU Vice President of Destination Branding and Development about the CU Mocktail Trail.

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Some mental health diagnoses don’t occur until adulthood. Why are these conditions hard to diagnose? — RosZie / Pixabay

January 13, 2025

217 Today: Why is it hard to diagnose mental health conditions?

In today's deep dive, we'll learn why it can be difficult to diagnose mental health conditions.

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Karle Flanagan and her husband sit in the waiting room at Indiana Fertility Institute in Indianapolis. IVF is the couple's only option to have a child and Flanagan is concerned about how potential government policies could affect access to treatments. — Courtesy of Karle Flanagan

January 10, 2025

217 Today: IVF patients in Illinois worry, feel uncertain about access and treatments as Trump returns to office

In today's deep dive, we'll learn why some IVF patients in Illinois feel uncertain about access and treatments as Trump returns to office.

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University of Illinois students protest and hold a study in at Grainger Library. Some students wore Kuffiyehs and put up posters on laptops and chairs. — Mae Antar / IPM News

January 09, 2025

217 Today: Local Muslims and Arabs have anxiety and aspirations for a second Trump term

In today's deep dive, we will look at how local Arabs and Muslims are viewing a second Trump administration and the conflict in the Middle East.

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Soybeans grow by a wind turbine on farmland in Vermilion County, Illinois. — Reginald Hardwick / Illinois Public Media

January 08, 2025

217 Today: How Donald Trump’s tariffs have — and could — affect Illinois agriculture

In today's deep dive, we'll learn about how Donald Trump’s tariffs have—and could—affect Illinois agriculture.

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A close up of President-elect Donald Trump — Rick Scuteri / AP Photo

January 06, 2025

217 Today: Lack of access anticipated ahead of second Trump term

In today's deep dive, we'll learn how some people feel about Trump's next four years in office.

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Physical therapist Danielle Heltzel works with Althea Jordan, who has late stage Alzheimer's Disease. Jordan was diagnosed with the disease in its early stages more than a decade ago. She continues to live with her son and daughter-in-law in suburban Des Moines. — Natalie Krebs / Side Effects Public Media

January 03, 2025

217 Today: Recent Alzheimer’s advancements leave Black and Latino patients behind

In today's deep dive, we'll learn how Latino and Black people are significantly more likely to get diagnosed with Alzheimer’s at stages when treatments are less effective.

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