The 217 Today Podcast

217 Today: Tuesday, July 20, 2021

 
This Sept. 23, 2014 photo shows wildflowers dancing in the breeze amid the grasses of the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve near Strong City, Kan. Tallgrass prairie once covered 140 million acres of North America, including much of the Midwest, but today only 4 percent of that ecosystem remains.

This Sept. 23, 2014 photo shows wildflowers dancing in the breeze amid the grasses of the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve near Strong City, Kan. Tallgrass prairie once covered 140 million acres of North America, including much of the Midwest, but today only 4 percent of that ecosystem remains. Beth J. Harpaz/AP

Tuesday, July 20, 2021

Today's headlines:

  • Governor J.B. Pritzker has ended speculation about his political future. The governor says he will seek another term.

  • School districts are trying to figure out the best approach to having students and staff back in the classroom this fall.

  • An American Legion post in north Champaign was the scene of gun violence earlier this month, with one person killed and four others injured. Monday night, members of the community gathered there to ask questions and look for solutions.

  • Illinois Congressman Rodney Davis is one of five Republicans nominated to serve on the House select committee to investigate the January 6 Capitol insurrection.

In today's deep dive, we hear from we hear from the authors of a new book about how to create a slice of prairie in your backyard.

Reporting today contributed by Sean Crawford, Jim Meadows and Tim Shelley.

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