Illinois Public Media

Agriculture

Tractor spraying liquid on crops

Pesticide drift and the debate over regulation

 Pesticides help Illinois farmers control weeds, bacteria and other threats to crops, but the chemicals can drift beyond where they are applied. That can damage plants and crops and raise health concerns for nearby residents. In this episode of The 21st, a Central Illinois resident affected by pesticide drift and an ecological health expert discuss the ongoing debate over pesticide use and whether regulations should be strengthened.
IPM Newsroom
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Clef Notes

“I Hear America Singing” Celebrates American History Through Song
NOTE: This article was originally published in March 2026. “I Hear America Singing” will be repeated at the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts on September 10 and…
Dialogue

Vietnam’s ‘Queen of Soul’ prepares for Illinois appearance
Carol Kim is the featured performer of the Saigon Jazz Revival in Chicago on August 29, 2026. She talked about her career and the influence of Black artists in her music.
The 21st Show
An aerial view of Sugar Camp mine in Franklin County

What’s next in a federal case involving dangerous working conditions at a Southern Illinois coal mine?
Federal charges have been filed against four managers of a Southern Illinois coal mine. This stems from a fire back in 2021. The men are accused of failing to evacuate their…
The 21st Show
Barbara Kopple

Nearly 50 years later, Oscar-winning filmmaker recounts making highly acclaimed documentary
In the early 1970's, a young filmmaker named Barbara Kopple heard a story on NPR about leadership elections for the United Mine Workers of America, which was among the…
The 21st Show

Democratic congressional hopeful Paul Nolley on Iran war, ‘chaotic’ tariffs, and workers’ rights
In 2024, Republican Darin LaHood was re-elected unopposed in Illinois’ 16th district. This year, he has a challenger. Democrat Paul Nolley discusses what he brings to the…
Prairie Fire

Prairie Fire: Season 3 - Episode 7 - May 2026
For this month's Prairie Fire, students from the University of Illinois’ College of Media spent a semester producing five short documentaries highlighting food, skating,…
Mid-American Gardener

We Visit Tranquility…A Backyard Garden Inspired by the Beauty of Japan
Tour a peaceful Champaign garden where Japanese design, bonsai, maples, and hundreds of hostas come together in a landscape more than 25 years in the making.
State of Change

Small gestures to make a big difference in preserving our planet
We visit a zero-waste general store, a garden bringing a community together in a Chicago food desert, a program protecting pollinators, and advice to increase sustainability…