217 Today: Skyglow is erasing the stars, but smarter outdoor lighting can help bring the night back
Greg Rakozy / Unsplash
Tuesday, August 19, 2025
Today’s headlines:
- A portion of Bradley Avenue in northwest Champaign will see some lane closures today for sewer maintenance.
- More than a year after the pro-Palestinian encampment formed on the University of Illinois campus last summer all charges filed against protesters have been resolved.
- After a two-week standoff, Texas Democrats left Chicago to go home yesterday and they said they left victorious.
- Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul is back with yet another lawsuit against the Trump administration.
In today’s deep dive, light pollution means most Americans can’t see the Milky Way anymore. It’s also hurting wildlife, including birds.
217 Today is produced by Stephanie Orellana. Reporting today contributed by Arjun Thakkar, Mae Antar, Mawa Iqbal and Celia Llopis-Jepsen.
