The 217 Today Podcast

217 Today: Friday April 2, 2021

Brian Moline
 
The families of National Beef meatpacking plant employees wait in line for COVID-19 vaccinations in Liberal, Kansas.

The families of National Beef meatpacking plant employees wait in line for COVID-19 vaccinations in Liberal, Kansas. Courtesy Enrique Rodriguez Franz

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Friday April 2, 2021

Today's headlines:

  • One state lawmaker wants to make submitting standardized test scores to colleges and universities permanantly optional.

  • Republican Congressman Rodney Davis is telling his fellow Republicans to trust the science and get vaccinated for COVID-19.

  • Rantoul village officials say the first commercial development near the new Family Sports Complex is in the works.

  • COVID-19 positivity rates in Illinois continue to rise, and active cases in Champaign County are up to 354.

In today's deep dive, as the COVID-19 vaccine becomes more available, people need to be sold on taking the shots. In Latino communities, several issues could hinder the rollout from reaching the most vulnerable.

Reporting today contributed by Derek Cantu, Mary Hansen, Jim Meadows, and David Condos.