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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Redcedars are taking over what used to be grasslands across the Great Plains, including along this road in northwestern Oklahoma. — Graycen Wheeler / Harvest Public Media

December 14, 2023

217 Today: Why do many states want to get rid of the eastern redcedar?

In today's deep dive, we'll learn about an evergreen called the eastern redcedar that is taking increasing amounts of land throughout the Great Plains.

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This prototype design shows a small modular reactor that the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign’s nuclear engineering department plans to build. The department is collaborating with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commision on the project. — Photo from the University of Illinois Nuclear, Plasma and Radiological Engineering website.

December 13, 2023

217 Today: Lifted moratorium will allow Illinois to build new nuclear reactors

In today's deep dive, we'll learn about a new law that will allow for a type of nuclear technology that proponents say is safer.

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In a file photo from March 2, 2021, psychiatrist Coline Stordeur speaks with a young girl in her room in the pediatric unite of the Robert Debre hospital. — AP Photo/Christopher Ena, File

December 11, 2023

217 Today: Many families struggle to find in-patient mental health care for children

In today's deep dive, we’ll learn more about the struggle for kids to access in-patient mental health care in northern Illinois.

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December 11, 2023

217 Today: Children need mental health support more than ever. But services can be hard to find

In today's deep dive, we’ll learn more about the challenge of getting children access to the mental health support they need.

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Grace O’Malley had a procedure in 2022 to remove her fallopian tubes. She has a disorder that would make pregnancy dangerous. — Ryan Loew / Ideastream Public Media

December 08, 2023

217 Today: After Dobbs, doctors say more people are turning to permanent contraception

In today's deep dive, we’ll learn more about how a growing number of people are seeking permanent contraception in states where abortion was restricted following the fall of Roe v. Wade.

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Shayla Harris is a director and producer of The Black Church: This is our story. This is our song.

December 07, 2023

217 Today: An in-depth look on the Black church’s impact on Black culture in Black America

In today's deep dive, we'll take an inside look at an episode of The Black Church.

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U.S. Census Bureau Director Robert Santos — Courtesy Of U.S. Census Bureau

December 06, 2023

217 Today: How Census data can address health disparities in Illinois

In today's deep dive, we’ll listen to a conversation with Census Bureau Director Robert Santos about how census data can address health disparities in Illinois.

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