The 217 Today Podcast

217 Today: Small town grocery stores face unique challenges. Some Midwest states are trying to help

Kimberly Schofield and Stephanie Mosqueda
 
Wood's Supermarket and Deli is in Pocahontas, the largest city and county seat of Pocahontas County in northwest Iowa. Single location grocery stores and small independent chains outnumber large chain stores in rural counties, according to the USDA. But their numbers have steadily declined in recent decades.

Wood's Supermarket and Deli is in Pocahontas, the largest city and county seat of Pocahontas County in northwest Iowa. Single location grocery stores and small independent chains outnumber large chain stores in rural counties, according to the USDA. But their numbers have steadily declined in recent decades. Rachel Cramer / Harvest Public Media

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Tuesday, March 11, 2025

Today's headlines:

  • Illinois Senator Tammy Duckworth is standing up for Veterans who have been fired through President Trump’s “Department of Government Efficiency.”
  • Illinois is the top soybean producing state in the United States, and China is the biggest buyer of that commodity.
  • The city of Champaign wants to showcase its downtown area.
  • Democrats at the Illinois capitol are pushing a measure to regulate homeschooling – but Republicans and homeschooled students are pushing back.

In today's deep dive, we'll learn how some Midwest states are trying to help small town grocery stores.

217 Today is produced by Stephanie Mosqueda. Today's report was contributed by Linda Kenyon, Reginald Hardwick, Mae Antar, Alex Degman and Rachel Cramer.