The 217 Today Podcast

217 Today: Wednesday May 5, 2021

Brian Moline
 
Ray Lay has been in recovery for over a decade. He says he did not miss a single appointment with his therapist and haven't touched a drink or a drug since. Now, he is working to guide others on their recovery process by volunteering at local hospitals and community organizations.

Ray Lay has been in recovery for over a decade. He says he did not miss a single appointment with his therapist and haven't touched a drink or a drug since. Now, he is working to guide others on their recovery process by volunteering at local hospitals and community organizations. Farah Yousry/Side Effects Public Media

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Wednesday May 5, 2021

Today's headlines:

  • Gov. JB Pritzker says he is cautiously optimistic Illinois will be free of most coronavirus restrictions by July 4.

  • Illinois Republicans are demanding expedited hearings into what went wrong at a state run veterans' home where 36 residents dies after a massive COVID outbreak in the fall.

  • New research led by a University of Illinois archaeologist is challenging long held beliefs about the downfall of a historic Native American city.

  • New COVID-19 cases are on the rise in Piatt and Dewitt counties.

In today's deep dive, relatives of the gunman who killed eight people at a FedEx facility in Indianapolis say he had mental health issues. A look at the link, or lack thereof, between mental illness and violence.

Reporting today contributed by Derek Cantu, Hannah Meisel, and Farah Yousry.