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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The FDA has approved Pfizer booster shots for older individuals and those at higher risk of infection, and Johnson & Johnson is seeking FDA approval for its booster shot. — stock photo

October 07, 2021

217 Today: Thursday, Oct. 7, 2021

In today's deep dive, we'll get the answers to some frequently asked questions about COVID-19 vaccine booster shots.

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In this Dec. 24, 2020, file photo, a COVID-19 vaccination record card is shown at Seton Medical Center in Daly City, Calif. — Jeff Chiu/AP

October 06, 2021

217 Today: Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2021

In today's deep dive, we’ll learn about new research about how to best convince unvaccinated people to get the COVID-19 shot.

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The Indy Steelers are a youth football team that has been training at Tarkington Park since 2000. The team feels like family to many of the kids around here. But park renovations left them with a smaller and bumpier area to train on. — Stephanie Mbathi/Side Effects Public Media

October 05, 2021

217 Today: Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2021

Where you live, and your race, can have a huge impact on your life expectancy. In Indianapolis, a new study finds there's more than a 16-year gap in how long people live.

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Marijuana growing at Iris Farms outside Stillwater, Okla. — Seth Bodine/Harvest Public Media

October 04, 2021

217 Today: Monday, Oct. 4, 2021

In today's deep dive, we learn how some rural utilities are handling increased demand for power and water from marijuana businesses.

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In this Aug. 28, 2021, file photo, Mayra Navarrete, 13, receives the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine from registered nurse, Noleen Nobleza at a clinic set up in the parking lot of CalOptima in Orange, Calif. — Jae C. Hong/AP

October 01, 2021

217 Today: Friday, Oct. 1, 2021

In today's deep dive, a conversation with Champaign-Urbana Public Health District epidemiologist Awais Vaid.

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September 30, 2021

217 Today: Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021

In today's deep dive, beans, peas and lentils are gaining traction on Midwest farms as demand increases for the products.

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The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 800-273-8255. — Jenny Kane/AP

September 29, 2021

217 Today: Wednesday, Sept. 29, 2021

In today's deep dive, it's National Suicide Prevention Month. We hear from a man who lost his daughter to suicide in 2017 and how he's working to combat suicide year-round.

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The unveiling ceremony for Tractor Town drew a crowd in Macomb on Saturday, September 11, 2021. — Rich Egger/TriStates Public Radio

September 28, 2021

217 Today: Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2021

In today's deep dive, an artist hopes a colorful memorial will help remind drivers to share the road with tractors.

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Keith Thomas is pastor at Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church in Champaign and a hospital chaplain for OSF HealthCare. He poses for a photo during a vaccine clinic hosted at his church on May 15, 2021 — Amanda Gray/Mt. Olive Baptist Church

September 27, 2021

217 Today: Monday, Sept. 27, 2021

In today's deep dive, a conversation with a pastor and hospital chaplain in Champaign who has been a strong voice promoting the COVID-19 vaccine.

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Illinois’ Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy released a report last week showing that phosphorus and nitrogen pollution have gone up 35% and 13% respectively, compared to baseline numbers. — Dana Cronin/Illinois Newsroom

September 24, 2021

217 Today: Friday, Sept. 24, 2021

In today's deep dive, Illinois has a plan in place to reduce farm runoff, in an effort to improve water quality locally and downstream. But it’s not working.

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