217 Today: Potential NOAA weather research cuts could have consequences

Friday, July 18, 2025

Today’s headlines: 

• Federal policy changes are making some local school boards anxious.
• Environmentalists say President Trump's tax and spending package could harm Illinois' goals for renewable energy.
• The Illinois Department of Corrections is moving on from its private health care provider that has a history of supplying sub-standard care to incarcerated people.
• Attorneys say more than 900 survivors have now come forward alleging they suffered child sexual abuse at juvenile detention centers in Illinois.

In today’s deep dive, meteorologists are expressing concerns about how the federal budget proposal could impact weather forecasting. 

217 Today is produced by Stephanie Orellana. Reporting today contributed by Emily Hays, Arjun Thakkar, Katie O’Connell and Charlie Schlenker.