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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Alexis McGill Johnson, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood Action Fund, speaks during the third day of the Democratic National Convention at United Center, Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024. — Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere / Sun-Times

August 29, 2024

217 Today: Abortion took center stage during the DNC. But here’s why access could be in jeopardy.

In today's deep dive, we’ll learn how abortion funds that help women travel to Illinois for care are running out of money.

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Catherine Hillestad, the CEO of Adair County Memorial Hospital in Greenfield, Iowa, stands in the medical-surgical unit. A tornado in May damaged the entire hospital, shutting it down for months for repairs. — Natalie Krebs / Side Effects Public Media

August 28, 2024

217 Today: Extreme weather can leave a trail of destruction and a lasting health impact

In today's deep dive, we'll learn more about the public health impact of natural disasters.

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The Checotah Roughriders led the grand entry on both nights of the Roy LeBlanc Okmulgee Invitational Rodeo. Kenneth LeBlanc, the event's coordinator, said there's always been a following but more people have been drawn to the event. “Now I get so many calls from people in Maryland and all over the United States saying it’s on their bucket list. They’re coming. They want to be here,” he said. — Sarah Liese / KOSU

August 27, 2024

217 Today: At America’s longest-running Black rodeo, ‘real cowgirls and cowboys’ carry on a rich history

In today's deep dive, we’ll learn more about the oldest continually run Black rodeo in the U.S.

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August 26, 2024

217 Today: Reflecting on 56 years since Project 500

In today's deep dive, we’ll listen to a conversation with one of the alumni of Project 500.

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August 23, 2024

217 Today: Urbana’s Yankee Ridge Multilingual School opens to support bilingual education

In today's deep dive, we’ll listen to a conversation with the principal of the new multilingual elementary school in Urbana.

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U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg points to his husband during the Illinois Presidential Delegation’s breakfast at the Royal Sonesta Chicago Downtown in the Loop on the third day of the Democratic National Convention, Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024. — Pat Nabong / Sun-Times

August 22, 2024

217 Today: Union leaders, Pete Buttigieg attack Donald Trump during an Illinois delegation’s breakfast

In today's deep dive, we’ll listen to what some speakers had to say during yesterday morning’s breakfast at the Democratic National Convention.

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A woman in a purple shirt with glasses smiles at the camera while standing in the United Center for the Democratic National Convention. — Christine Hatfield / Illinois Student Newsroom

August 21, 2024

217 Today: Delegates reflect on Kamala Harris’ nomination at the Democratic National Convention

In today's deep dive, we’ll listen to what some delegates at the DNC have to say about the convention and Kamala Harris entering the presidential race.

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Gov. J.B. Pritzker speaks during the Illinois delegation breakfast — on the first day of the 2024 Democratic National Convention — at the Royal Sonesta Chicago Downtown, Monday, Aug. 19, 2024. — Ashlee Rezin / Sun-Times

August 20, 2024

217 Today: Gov. JB Pritzker says his wife may be the final decision maker in his next political move

In today's deep dive, we’ll hear parts of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker’s speech at the DNC yesterday and what he says it’ll take for him to run for a third term.

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