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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Pallets of water are delivered to the Santee Sioux Nation Distribution Center every two weeks thanks to a one time grant from the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Residents of Santee, Nebraska have had to drink bottled water since the EPA issued a no drink order to the community in 2019. — Brian Beach / Nebraska Public Media

October 23, 2023

217 Today: Native American tribe fights for clean drinking water

In today's deep dive, we’ll learn more about the barriers to clean water in tribal communities and the fight for infrastructure funding on one Nebraska reservation.

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A butterfly is caught as part of a recent tagging event at the De Soto National Wildlife Refuge in Iowa. In the last three decades, thousands of volunteers have helped tag butterflies to gather more information about their journey to Mexico. — Sheila Brummer / Iowa Public Radio

October 20, 2023

217 Today: Efforts to tag monarchs carry into a third decade — tracking the butterfly’s ‘amazing migration’

In today's deep dive, we’ll learn more about the non-profit group Monarch Watch and how volunteers help scientists learn more about monarch butterflies' migration to Mexico.

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October 19, 2023

217 Today: Comedian Carmen Christopher brings his stand-up comedy to Urbana

In today's deep dive, we’ll listen to a conversation with Carmen Christopher about his work as he tours around the U.S.

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Classroom at DeKalb High School. — Spencer Tritt

October 18, 2023

217 Today: What was the impact of COVID on the Illinois teacher workforce? A new report examines what really happened

In today's deep dive, we'll hear a conversation with Robin Steans about a new report from Advance Illinois.

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Rabbi Dovid Tiechtel speaks to a crowd of students and community members about uniting for Israel. The gathering was a rally held at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign on Oct. 9 to show support for Israel and people affected by the conflict. — Madison Holcomb/Illinois Student Newsroom

October 16, 2023

217 Today: How the Israel-Hamas war affected one University of Illinois student

In today's deep dive, we’ll learn more about how the war in the Middle East is affecting students at the University of Illinois.

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Northern Illinois residents -- led by students -- held an “End Gun Violence” rally in Naperville just days after the tragic murder of 19 students and 2 teachers in Uvalde, Texas. — WNIJ

October 15, 2023

217 Today: Schools invest in security and technology in case of shootings

In today's deep dive, we’ll learn more about how schools are using new safety technology and training to prepare for shootings.

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A semi-trailer emblazoned with the slogan, “No hazardous carbon pipelines,” greets drivers entering the town of Fremont on Hwy 23. Emergency responders in small towns such as Fremont have raised safety concerns regarding CO2 pipelines and their ability to deal with a rupture. — Grant Gerlock / Special To Harvest Public Media

October 13, 2023

217 Today: Plans for carbon dioxide pipelines raise safety concerns for small town responders in the Midwest

In today's deep dive, we’ll learn more about three companies that are seeking approval for pipelines to transport carbon dioxide captured from Midwestern ethanol plants and how rural emergency officials are worried about the process.

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October 12, 2023

217 Today: Mary Chapin Carpenter brings her best with latest music

In today's deep dive, we’ll hear a conversation with musician Mary Chapin Carpenter about her career and upcoming performance at Foellinger Great Hall.

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