217 Today: Surfing in America’s heartland? You can catch waves even if you’re far from the ocean

Tuesday, September 9, 2025

Today’s headlines: 

• Teachers in Champaign are set to get a nearly 15 percent raise over the next three years in their new contract.
• It's bike month in Champaign County. Local groups are hosting events throughout September to promote cycling in the area.
• The ELLNORA guitar festival kicked off the Krannert Center's new season last weekend.
• The Trump administration is citing a hit-and-run incident involving a person without legal status that occurred in Urbana this year as part of an Immigration and Customs Enforcement operation in Chicago and Illinois.

In today’s deep dive,  surfing isn’t just an ocean sport anymore. Landlocked residents from Wisconsin to central Texas are also catching waves.

217 Today is produced by Stephanie Orellana. Reporting today contributed by Emily Hays, Arjun Thakkar, Sam Rink, and Joe Schulz.