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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Wyatt Earp, age 21, in a photograph taken in 1869 or 1870. — Wikipedia/Public Domain

April 19, 2022

217 Today: New book highlights the shady past of Wild West lawman Wyatt Earp in Peoria

In today's deep dive, we'll learn more about a book written about some of Peoria's less savory characters -- including Wild West lawman Wyatt Earp.

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The Morris School Board has voted to remove its Native American mascot by 2025, but advocates worry a future board could change course. — Morris High School

April 18, 2022

217 Today: Native American mascots remain in many high schools throughout Illinois

In today's deep dive, we'll take a look at the continued presence of Native American mascots at many high schools across Illinois.

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Sinfonia da Camera concludes its season Saturday night with performances of Weber, Hindemith and Bartok at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts. — Sinfonia da Camera

April 15, 2022

217 Today: Music director details Sinfonia da Camera’s season finale concert

In today's deep dive, we'll speak with music director Ian Hobson about Sinfonia da Camera, the chamber orchestra in residence at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, and its season finale concert Saturday night.

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Farmers markets are predominantly white spaces across much of the country. A new initiative aims to change that. — Provided by the City of East Lansing

April 14, 2022

217 Today: New initiative aims to welcome more people of color to farmers markets

In today's deep dive, we’ll learn about a new initiative that aims to welcome more people of color into farmers markets across the Midwest.

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Outside the Chicago-Rockford International Airport. — Juanpablo Ramirez-Franco/WNIJ

April 13, 2022

217 Today: Environmental advocates push back against campaign to expand Chicago-Rockford International Airport

In today's deep dive, we'll learn why local environmental advocatese are upset over a campaign ad touting the growth of the Chicago-Rockford International Airport.

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Teachers rally before the Champaign Federation of Teachers and Unit 4 Board of Education began a negotiating session that resulted in a contract agreement on March 29, 2022. — Emily Hays/Illinois Public Media

April 12, 2022

217 Today: Champaign Unit 4 board ratifies new contract after months of negotiations

In today's deep dive, we'll speak with Illinois Newsroom reporter Emily Hays about the newly ratified contract between Champaign Unit 4 School District and the Champaign Federation of Teachers.

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An F-150 Lightning is assembled at Ford's Rogue Electric Vehicle Center in Dearborn, Michigan. The company stopped bookings for the electric pickup at about 200,000 reservations and has increased production estimates to meet demand. — Ford Motor Company

April 11, 2022

217 Today: Ford’s new electric F-150 pickup truck could push old-school drivers to go electric

In today's deep dive, we’ll learn about Ford’s efforts to transition its iconic F-150 truck from gas guzzler to electric vehicle and if it has the potential to convert more drivers to electric.

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Leah Shaffer, of St. Charles, picks up Gertie, her 1-year-old Barred Rock Chicken, on Monday, April 4, 2022, outside of her home in St. Charles, Mo. Shaffer purchased four chickens to care for at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic. — Brian Munoz/St. Louis Public Radio

April 08, 2022

217 Today: Backyard flock owners try to contain bird flu as infections sweep through the country

In today's deep dive, we'll take a look at how the highly contagious bird flu that’s spreading across the country is affecting owners of backyard flocks.

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