The 217 Today Podcast

217 Today: Friday, July 30, 2021

 
 Latisha Bryant, 48, was diagnosed sickle cell anemia since she was one and a half. Over the past 20 years she's needed blood transfusions a few times a year. But finding the blood can be a challenge.

Latisha Bryant, 48, was diagnosed sickle cell anemia since she was one and a half. Over the past 20 years she's needed blood transfusions a few times a year. But finding the blood can be a challenge. Farah Yousry/Side Effects Public Media

Friday, July 30, 2021

Today's headlines:

  • Illinois students with special needs will no longer have to immediately leave high school when they age out at 22.

  • In Rockford, officials recently shut down a longtime homeless encampment near the city’s downtown.

  • Health officials are sounding the alarm about counterfeit drugs, especially with large music festivals on the schedule this summer.

  • More than 50 businesses are moving ahead with their plans to sell Cannabis in Illinois.

In today's deep dive, we learn about the ways the blood shortage is affecting some African Americans’ need for blood transfusions.

Reporting today contributed by Juan Pablo Ramirez Franco, Reginald Hardwick, Sean Crawford and Farah Yousry.

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