This May marked the third time in three years we’ve seen record rainfall in parts of Illinois. We check in with a farmer in Menard county and Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford about what they’ve been seeing.

Dental offices are reopening as coronavirus restrictions ease. But is it safe to go back? We’ll talk to a health reporter and the head of an association of dental hygienists.

Northwestern University professor Alvin Tillery talks about protests dismantling power structures, how political leaders are framing the protests this week, and how he has been handling his emotions regarding another police murder of a black man. 

Today on The 21st: we talk to a scholar about the long history of violent protest in America, we ask if it's safe to go to the dentist, and we dry out from another month of record rainfall.

Chicago-based astronomer Lucianne Walkowicz has filed a trademark lawsuit against toy-maker Mattel and American Girl, alleging that the company stole Walkowicz's likeness for their 2018 girl of the year doll, Luciana Vega.

Newsrooms around the country are closing up shop. In many places, it started with temporary pay cuts or furloughs to weather the economic impact of the pandemic, but now, many communities are facing a permanent void when it comes to local news coverage. 

This weekend saw continued demonstrations over the killing of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and other acts of police violence. We talk to reporters across Illinois about what they saw.

Today on The 21st: we talk to reporters covering demonstrations over the killings of George Floyd, Breonna Tayloer and others; furloughs and layoffs have come to many newsrooms; and an astronomer filed a trademark lawsuit against American Girl over a doll that looked a little too familiar.

On the eve of her second solo album release, Chicago singer songwriter Vivian McConnell, otherwise known as  V.V. Lightbody, joined The 21st to talk about growing up in a musical family, the origins of “nap rock” and making a name for herself. Plus a performance, just for us.

After having to cancel their California wedding, Rob Roberge and Gina Frangello were still able to get married in front of friends and family — by taking their wedding to Zoom.

The COVID-19 pandemic is putting a strain on many marriages and other domestic partnerships. But our guest, Eli Finkel, says while the average marriage will suffer, some relationships will benefit. He offers practical advice for making the best of a relationship during a crisis.

Today's enocore edition of The 21st: relationship advice for a pandemic, a Zoom wedding, and an interview with Chicago singer-songwriter V.V. Lightbody.

For many people of color, going about a seemingly banal activity, like birding, or jogging, can turn into a racist encounter that is at best unpleasant, and at worst potentially deadly. We speak with black runners about the mental checklists they go through to ensure their safety, and speak with a psychologist about the negative emotional and health effects of racial trauma.