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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Brennon Hightower's son playing the — Courtesy of Brennon Hightower

April 19, 2021

217 Today: Monday April 19, 2021

In today's deep dive, we'll meet a parent in Danville who has made it her mission to teach the Black history she says is missing in schools.

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Barges float on the McClellan-Kerr Navigation system at the Port of Catoosa in Tulsa, OK. Barges hold 15,000 tons of soybeans, grain or fertilizer. Because of the lower costs and connection to the coast, farmers rely on the system. — Seth Bodine/Harvest Public Media

April 16, 2021

217 Today: Friday April 16, 2021

In today's deep dive, the fifth and final story in our Midwest waterways series from Harvest Public Media. Today, we look at a 400-mile river highway that ships soybeans and grain around the world.

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Water runs off a central Illinois farm into the East Branch Embarras River through a tile drainage pipe. — Dana Cronin/Illinois Newsroom

April 15, 2021

217 Today: Thursday April 15, 2021

In today's deep dive, it's been six years since Illinois embarked on a plan to reduce fertilizer runoff into rivers and streams and improve water quality. So far, it's not working.

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A towboat pushing barges exits the Melvin Price Locks and Dam near Alton, Ill — Jonathan Ahl/Harvest Public Media

April 14, 2021

217 Today: Wednesday April 14, 2021

In today's deep dive, our series on Midwest waterways continues, with a look at how the barge industry may be in for a change with a new focus on green energy.

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In spring 2019, floodwaters spilled over the top of the Ditch 6 levee and submerged most of Hamburg, Iowa. There wasn't enough time to build the levee higher before the 2019 flood, like the Corps of Engineers did in 2011. — Katie Peikes/Harvest Public Media

April 13, 2021

217 Today: Tuesday April 13, 2021

In today's deep dive, our Midwest waterways series continues with a look at an effort to build a higher levee for a Missouri River town.

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Michael Bean is suing the Army Corps for flood damages alongside dozens of other landowners along the Missouri River. — Christina Stella/Harvest Public Media

April 12, 2021

217 Today: Monday April 12, 2021

In today's deep dive, the first in a five-part series from Harvest Public Media on Midwest waterways. Today we learn about a dispute between the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and farmers along the Missouri River.

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April 09, 2021

217 Today: Friday April 9, 2021

In today's deep dive, a conversation with Christian McBride. The Grammy-winning bassist and bandleader is the host of NPR's Jazz Night in America, which debuted on WILL-FM last weekend.

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Several people get the COVID-19 vaccine at a mass clinic at the Corinthian Baptist Church in Des Moines. The church was intentionally selected for the clinic as a safe space for many members of the Black community to get vaccinated. — Natalie Krebs/Side Effects Public Media

April 08, 2021

217 Today: Thursday April 8, 2021

In today's deep dive, we'll learn how public health officials in the Midwest are trying to reach people who are hesitant to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

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April 07, 2021

217 Today: Wednesday April 7, 2021

In today's special election edition of 217 Today, we bring you unofficial results of races in Champaign and Vermilion Counties.

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Jamel Hill and his family are praying as they wait for Match Day announcement. — Farah Yousry/Side Effects Public Media

April 06, 2021

217 Today: Tuesday April 6, 2021

In today's deep dive, medical school is challenging for everyone, but Black students can face an especially difficult road. We get a closer look from Side Effects Public Media's Farah Yousry.

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