The 217 Today Podcast

217 Today: Monday, Jan. 3, 2022

Brian Moline and Farrah Anderson
 
The Storm Lake Tyson pork plant was the site of a COVID-19 outbreak in May 2020 that affected a quarter of its workforce.

The Storm Lake Tyson pork plant was the site of a COVID-19 outbreak in May 2020 that affected a quarter of its workforce. Natalie Krebs/Side Effects Public Media

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Monday, Jan. 3, 2022

Today's headlines:

  • Former President Donald Trump is getting involved in an Illinois Congressional primary contest, endorsing the state’s newest Republican over a ten-year veteran in Washington, D.C.

  • Today marks the start of Chicago’s new COVID-19 vaccination policy – businesses like gyms and restaurants are now required to ask patrons for proof of vaccination.

  • Despite a spike in COVID-19 cases over the holidays, the Champaign and Urbana school districts plan to resume in-person classes this week as scheduled.

In today's deep dive, we’ll hear the first story in a three-part series from Side Effects Public Media on the search for answers about how COVID-19 swept through the nation’s meat processing facilities.

217 Today is produced by Farrah Anderson. Reporting today contributed by Hannah Meisel, Adora Namigadde and Natalie Krebs.