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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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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A file photo of the Pontiac Correctional Center, one of three prisons determined to be nearly inoperable. — Charles Rex Arbogast / Associated Press

December 05, 2023

217 Today: Report finds Logan, Pontiac and Stateville prisons nearly inoperable

In today's deep dive, we’ll learn more about a new report commissioned by the state of Illinois that shows the state of its prisons.

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Ana Gasteyer, known for her work on Saturday Night Live from 1996 to 2002, will perform her Christmas album, — Shervin Lainez

December 03, 2023

217 Today: Former Saturday Night Live cast member fuses comedy, music for Krannert performance

In today's deep dive, we’ll learn more about a former Saturday Night Live cast member coming to Krannert Center for the Performing Arts this week.

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A health care worker lends against a wall in the corridor of an ICU unit for COVID-19 patients at a hospital in Brazil in March 2021. — Jefferson Bernardes / AP

December 01, 2023

217 Today: Health care professionals grapple with a burnout crisis

In today's deep dive, we’ll learn about how hospitals are trying to support workers who are feeling burned out.

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Veterinary staff performs surgery at the University of Missouri Veterinary Medical Center on Sept. 1, 2023. At the medical center, attending veterinarians work alongside veterinary students as they move through their clinical rotations. Vet techs and assistants also work at the veterinary medical center, where students spend the last two years of their training. — Anna Spidel / KBIA

November 30, 2023

217 Today: Mental health is an issue in the veterinary field. But misconceptions can cloud the narrative

In today's deep dive, we’ll learn about the mental health stress veterinary professionals face and what may cause it.

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Smoke rises following an Israeli airstrike in the Gaza Strip, moments before the start of a temporary cease-fire between Hamas and Israel, as seen from southern Israel, Friday, Nov. 24, 2023. — Leo Correa / AP

November 29, 2023

217 Today: Wars can give rise to disease outbreaks. This poses potential risk to public health in the U.S. too

In today's deep dive, we’ll learn about how wars overseas can still impact public health locally.

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Martha Durr poses for a portrait at her house in Lincoln, Nebraska. Earlier this month, she stepped away as the state's principal communicator of climate information. — Elizabeth Rembert / Harvest Public Media

November 28, 2023

217 Today: Midwest weather experts want to talk about climate change, but they face pushback

In today's deep dive, we’ll learn about the tough conditions facing climate science communicators.

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University of Illinois student Zainab Yusuff-Akimbo helps administer SHIELD COVID tests in Urbana in May 2023. — Emily Hays/Illinois Public Media

November 26, 2023

217 Today: The University of Illinois SHIELD saliva test company is winding down

In today's deep dive, we’ll learn what the team behind the COVID-19 saliva tests at the University of Illinois learned while it plans to close this winter.

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