The 217 Today Podcast

217 Today: Tuesday June 1, 2021

 
rain Weevil has one fully functional prototype. They're building five more in the coming weeks.

rain Weevil has one fully functional prototype. They're building five more in the coming weeks. Cecil Smalley Photography

Tuesday June 1, 2021

Today’s headlines:

  • Six months ago, Illinois voters rejected Governor Pritzker’s signature graduated income tax plan. Since then, the governor has been warning of difficult budget choices, but that didn’t end up happening.

  • Birthing hospitals in Illinois are invited to participate in a new effort to improve outcomes for moms and babies.

  • Katie Dana, specialist in entomology at the Illinois Natural History Survey, said Brood X of Cicadas is appearing in four eastern Illinois counties. But in 2024, she said two different Broods will emerge in the Chicago area and downstate.

  • For the first time in over a year, city facilities in Champaign will open to the public today Tuesday. The city is requiring people to wear a mask while requesting in-person customer service.

In today's deep dive, a few times a year, farmers have to do a dangerous task; go inside large grain bins to take care of their harvest. Last year, more than 30 of them were trapped inside silos in the U.S., according to Purdue University. But a new robot could help keep farmers safe.

Reporting today contributed by Hannah Meisel, Reginald Hardwick, Christine Herman, and Melissa Rosales.

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