The 217 Today Podcast

217 Today: Midwest light pollution kills migrating birds, but scientists know how you can help

Kimberly Schofield and Stephanie Mosqueda
 
These are some of the approximately 1,000 birds that slammed into McCormick Place in Chicago on Oct. 5, 2023. That was a night and morning when especially high numbers of birds were migrating along Lake Michigan. The building's windows have since been treated with a film that makes them visible to birds. Very few birds have hit the windows since then.

These are some of the approximately 1,000 birds that slammed into McCormick Place in Chicago on Oct. 5, 2023. That was a night and morning when especially high numbers of birds were migrating along Lake Michigan. The building's windows have since been treated with a film that makes them visible to birds. Very few birds have hit the windows since then. Daryl Coldren / Field Museum

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Monday, March 31, 2025

Today's headlines:

  • Severe storms caused damage in Champaign, Coles and Vermilion Counties yesterday afternoon.
  • Critics of the Trump administration held a loud protest over the weekend in Urbana.
  • The Trump administration canceled $53 million in federal funding for Illinois health programs.
  • The Fighting Illini baseball team won its first series against a Big Ten Conference opponent this weekend.

In today's deep dive, we'll learn how Midwest light pollution kills migrating birds and how people can help prevent it. 

217 Today is produced by Stephanie Mosqueda. Reporting today contributed by Reginald Hardwick, Mary Piacente, Isabela Nieto, Colin Hislope and Celia Llopis-Jepsen.