The 217 Today Podcast

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.

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.

In today's deeper dive, Northern Illinois University is expanding COVID-19 testing efforts into what some might consider unexpected places: wastewater.

In today's deeper dive, with more territory than some states, Illinois’ 15th District covers a large section of southeast and south-central Illinois. Illinois Newsroom’s Jim Meadows talked to some of the 15th District’s residents as they prepare to elect a new representative.

In today's deeper dive, we’ll learn about memorial funds honoring a local musician who died earlier this year. Nick Rudd was a stalwart on the Champaign-Urbana music scene for decades.

In today's deeper dive, Black farmers in the Midwest historically struggled with all the challenges facing other farmers, but they also were held back by systemic racism. We’ll learn more about the challenges of being a Black farmer in the Midwest.

In today's deeper dive, sexually transmitted infections –or STIs -have been on the rise for years. But the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted public health efforts to address the issue.

In today's deeper dive, we’ll hear about a new federal grant to help fight human trafficking in Central Illinois from officials with the Center for Prevention of Abuse in Peoria.

In today's deeper dive, the Champaign County Forest Preserve District is looking for more revenue to maintain its parks. We’ll learn about a property tax referendum on the ballot in Champaign County.