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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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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September 23, 2021

217 Today: Thursday, Sept. 23, 2021

In today's deep dive, we get an update on the investigation of the disappearance of Illinois State University graduate student and Danville native Jelani Day.

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September 22, 2021

217 Today: Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2021

In today's deep dive, a conversation with Brown University economist Emily Oster, who has written extensively about decision making during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Merhan Omran (right) with her mother Sara Ismail, who traveled to the U.S. from Egypt for the COVID-19 vaccine. — Courtesy of Merhan Omran

September 21, 2021

217 Today: Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2021

In today's deep dive, COVID-19 vaccines are plentiful in the United States, but not in many other parts of the world. That's leading some people to take extreme measures to get a shot.

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