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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Hundreds of abortion rights protesters marched in downtown Louisville on May 4, 2022. — Ryan Van Velzer/WFPL

May 13, 2022

217 Today: Midwest citizens could be forced to travel for abortions if Roe v. Wade is overturned

In today's deep dive, we head to Kentucky to see how overturning Roe v. Wade would affect people in that state as well as Illinois just to its north.

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Eulalia Gaspar Pablo, whose native language is Q’anjob’al, said that when she arrived in Champaign five months pregnant that she felt awkward because she didn’t understand the American medical system. — Carolina Garibay/Illinois Newsroom

May 12, 2022

217 Today: Immigrant women face language and cultural barriers to pregnancy care in Central Illinois

In today's deep dive, we’ll look at the complex language barriers some pregnant people in Champaign County can face and how advocates are trying to overcome them.

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Outgoing US Rep. Tim Johnson (R) appears with Rodney Davis (L) in 2012. Johnson, who died Monday, retired from Congress that year after twelve years in office. — Jeff Bossert/Illinois Public Media

May 11, 2022

217 Today: Former Central Illinois U.S. Representative Tim Johnson dies at age 75

In today's deep dive, we’ll take a look back at the life and career of former U.S. Representative Tim Johnson who died Monday at the age of 75.

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More than 80% of the Nebraska-Kansas-Oklahoma region is experiencing abnormally dry conditions. Recent rains have helped ease back the dryness, but aren't enough to eliminate the drought conditions farmers and ranchers are facing this season. — Will Bauer/Nebraska Public Media

May 10, 2022

217 Today: Recent rains aren’t enough to erase drought conditions across the Great Plains

In today's deep dive, we'll learn how recent downpours haven't been enough to erase drought conditions across the Great Plains.

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Yvonne Miller of Champaign points to a portrait of one of her grandchildren that she displays in her home. It’s one of two children of her son, Christopher Kelly, who died by gun violence. Christopher had two children: four-year-old Ca’Nylah Kelly and 1-year-old Christopher Kelly Jr., who was born after Christopher’s death. — Farrah Anderson/Illinois Newsroom

May 09, 2022

217 Today: Increasing gun violence raises issue of community-wide trauma among residents

In today's deep dive, we’ll take a closer look at the problem of gun violence in Champaign-Urbana and how it affects how safe residents feel.

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A view of the crowd at Pour Bros. in downtown Champaign, during November's News Brews & Beatz event. The next discussion is Mon. May 9. — Elizabeth Westfield/Illinois Public Media

May 06, 2022

217 Today: Upcoming New, Brews and Beatz event plans to discuss solutions to local gun violence

In today's deep dive, we'll hear a preview of Illinois Public Media's next News, Brews and Beatz event, discussing ways to reduce gun violence in Champaign-Urbana.

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Illinois Handmaids protest abortion restrictions at a rally in downtown Springfield in 2021. — John O'Connor/AP (file)

May 05, 2022

217 Today: Leader of Planned Parenthood of Illinois reacts to leaked Supreme Court draft opinion

In today's deep dive, we'll hear a conversation with the president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Illinois about the leaked draft Supreme Court decision that could overturn the Roe v. Wade.

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Morgan Quigley, 16, dribbles a basketball outside his home in Villa Grove while playing with his home caregiver Alyssa Mariasy, 26, on a Sunday afternoon. Mariasy, who has been caring for Morgan for two months, is part of his almost constant care. — Farrah Anderson/Illinois Newsroom

May 04, 2022

217 Today: Families of children with disabilities struggle to find care amid nationwide labor shortage

In today's deep dive, we’ll look at the struggle some families face to find care workers with special skills to support their children with disabilities.

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