News Local/State
2026 IPM News Forum with Champaign County Executive candidates
The two Democrats running for Champaign County Executive in the 2026 primary shared their views on data centers, federal immigration enforcement and much more.
WILL-AM
WILL AM 580 Live Stream
The 21st Show
NPR’s Steve Inskeep talks about Abraham Lincoln’s political savviness in newest book
NPR Morning Edition host Steve Inskeep talks about his new book on Abraham Lincoln and how he’s preparing to cover a fraught year in American politics.
The 217 Today Podcast
217 Today: Four Republican candidates have thrown their hats in the ring to challenge two-term Governor JB Pritzker in November
Four Republican candidates have thrown their hats in the ring to challenge two-term Governor JB Pritzker in November.
Weather Realness
How climate research shapes weather warnings at home and abroad
What happens when climate research is scaled back? From U.S. tornado warnings to flood alerts in Cambodia, we talk about how climate research shapes weather warnings and why we should take them seriously.
Weather Realness
Anxious about climate change? Experts discuss its impact on mental health
Stressed out over climate change and natural disasters? We talk about how climate issues affect our mental health and how to manage it.
The 21st Show
Cairo, Illinois, loses its only grocery store — again
Cairo, Illinois, spent seven years as a “food desert” — until 2023, when residents banded together to open a co-op grocery store. But as of January, the store is closed. We’ll talk about what went wrong, and what lessons organizers are taking from the experience.
The 21st Show
Running (for office) while trans
Trans people have been much discussed in American politics — from sports to bathrooms to health care. But their representation in elected office has been minimal. We’ll talk with several Midwestern trans women looking to change that by running for office themselves.
Among our topics: how forward candidates should be about their identity, balancing trans politics with affordability and other kitchen table issues, and the divergent opinions about how U.S. Rep. Sarah McBride (D-Deleware) is approaching her role as the first openly trans member of Congress.
The 217 Today Podcast
217 Today: Visa delays, rising costs, tightening restrictions and fear are keeping international artists from visiting the Midwest
Under the Trump administration, rising visa costs and fears at ports of entry are keeping more international artists and musicians away from the Midwest.
The 21st Show
Democratic Senate candidate Sean Brown on immigration, universal healthcare, and money in politics
We continue our conversations with candidates in the primary elections for U.S. senator from Illinois. Today is our tenth interview, with attorney Sean Brown, who's running in the Democratic primary.
The 21st Show
Best of: Aisha Harris on the culture that shaped her
In 2023, NPR's Aisha Harris joined The 21st Show to talk about the culture that shaped her, the intersection of her identities as a Black woman and a critic, and more. Her book, “Wannabe: Reckonings with the Pop Culture That Shapes Me” is now available in paperback.
