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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Robert Curry finished all of the academic requirements to get his bachelor's degree one day before his transfer from Stateville Correctional Center. — Courtesy of Barbara Curry

October 21, 2024

217 Today: State breaks up classes in Stateville prison closure

In today's deep dive, we'll learn more about men taking higher education courses at the Stateville Correctional Center.

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Students stand for the national anthem at the commencement ceremony at Ryan Field Stadium at Northwestern University in 2023. Data from Northwestern shows little demographic change in the first freshman class admitted after the Supreme Court banned the use of race in admission decisions. — Anthony Vazquez / Sun-Times

October 18, 2024

217 Today: Freshman demographics at Northwestern and U of I show little change following ban on race-conscious admissions

In today's deep dive, we'll learn how the ban on race-conscious admissions has impacted college demographics.

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Incumbent George Danos (left), a Democrat, and challenger Alan Anderson, a Republican, are vying for the seat of Champaign County auditor in the 2024 election. Also on the ballot is a referendum to eliminate the auditor’s office, which both Danos and Anderson oppose. — Nathan Gonzalez / Illinois Student Newsroom

October 17, 2024

217 Today: Amid issues with the Champaign County auditor, voters will decide if the office should be eliminated

In today's deep dive, we'll learn more about the Champaign County auditor’s race and the arguments for and against scrapping the position.

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Robert Gao, a senior at University Laboratory High School in Urbana, says his love for poetry started during the COVID pandemic, when he discovered poetry. “It became a way to sort of put my soul onto the paper in a way that nonfiction writing couldn’t,” Gao said. — Anna Koh / Illinois Student Newsroom

October 16, 2024

217 Today: Robert Gao, an Urbana teen, has received the nation’s highest honor for youth poets

In today's deep dive, we'll listen to a conversation with a teenager from Urbana who has received the nation’s highest honor for youth poets.

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Wilburn Harris owns about 70 head of cattle in Drexel, Missouri. He would have had to sell many last year if not for federal drought relief. — Harshawn Ratapal / KBIA

October 15, 2024

217 Today: Federal drought relief policies leave some farmers out to dry

In today's deep dive, we'll learn how some federal drought relief policies leave some farmers out to dry.

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For the first time in Illinois history, it will be possible for police officers to be stripped of their ability to work in law enforcement without having been convicted of a crime. But some say the proposed rules from the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board don’t go far enough. — Capitol News Illinois photo by Jerry Nowicki

October 14, 2024

217 Today: New proposed rules would lower the bar for stripping police officers of their badges in Illinois

In today's deep dive, we’ll learn how new proposed rules would lower the bar for stripping police officers of their badges in Illinois.

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Corn is harvested in late September on Nick Koeller's farm in Greenfield, Illinois. Prices for corn and other crops have fallen, meaning farmers expect to make less money this year. — Sophie Proe / St. Louis Public Radio

October 11, 2024

217 Today: Farmers are making less money this year, which could have larger economic consequences

In today's deep dive, we’ll learn why farmers are making less money this year and what the consequences of that may be.

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Sontae Massey (right) consoles a teary Donna Massey during a vigil for their loved one, Sonya Massey, Aug. 6 in Sonya’s front yard in Springfield. Sonya Massey was shot and killed by former Sheriff’s Deputy Sean Grayson. Her death has prompted calls from the community for changes to how emergency mental health calls are handled. — Mawa Iqbal / WBEZ

October 10, 2024

217 Today: In the wake of Sonya Massey’s death, Springfield will test a new way to handle mental health calls

In today's deep dive, we’ll learn how Sonya Massey’s death at the hands of law enforcement has sparked calls for changes to how emergency mental health calls are handled.

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