217 Today: Trees are spreading across the Great Plains. They’re actually making climate change worse
Eastern red cedars are taking over grasslands in the Dakotas, Nebraska, Kansas and Oklahoma. In most temperate grasslands around the world, gaining a tree canopy won't help cool the planet. Barb Van Slyke / Konza Prairie Long-Term Ecological Research
Friday, May 24, 2024
Today's headlines:
- The Champaign County Board voted to censure County Auditor George Danos on Thursday for unprofessional conduct and failure to do his job as a watchdog.
- Democratic lawmakers in Springfield are hoping to expand protections for patients seeking abortion services in Illinois.
- Public special education day schools in Illinois could soon see more funding opportunities.
- Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker is not a fan of a symbolic referendum in Madison County that will ask voters if they should explore separating from the Chicago area.
In today's deep dive, we’ll learn why trees pose a threat to grasslands and ranchers.
217 Today is produced by Stephanie Mosqueda. Reporting contributed by Mae Antar, Mawa Iqbal, Will Bauer and Celia Llopis-Jepsen.