The 217 Today Podcast
217 Today: ‘National Math Stars’ wants to identify and support Illinois’ youngest math minds
In today’s deep dive, a group of Illinois students has joined a program to foster the nation's top math minds.
WILL-AM
WILL AM 580 Live Stream
The 21st Show
Bitter harvest for Illinois soybean farmers
There's trouble for soybean farmers in Illinois and beyond. Drought conditions have made for a faster-than-average harvest, but a big problem remains the ongoing trade war and the lack of places for farmers to sell their beans. We’ll talk about that, how what’s happening in China and Argentina affects farmers in Illinois, and other headwinds for American agriculture.
The 217 Today Podcast
217 Today: Good gourd! These Midwesterners are raising giant pumpkins that weigh as much as a car
In today’s deep dive, raising giant pumpkins is a labor of love for some Midwest growers. And the pumpkins keep getting bigger and bigger.
The 21st Show
Best of: Memoir recounts journey from fearful flyer to flight attendant
Kathi Davis began her career as a flight attendant in the golden age of air travel. Despite a deep fear of flying, she kept with it past 9/11. All that and more are the subject of her new memoir, The Closest Exit May Be Behind You: Memoirs of a Fearful Flight Attendant.
The 21st Show
Tear-gassing neighborhoods, feds continue immigration blitz in Chicago
Federal agents are continuing to arrest immigrants in Chicago and fire tear gas at people demonstrating against them. Meanwhile, a state lawmaker says an agent pointed a gun at him. We’ll talk about what’s happening on the ground and in court.
The 217 Today Podcast
217 Today: Jury could decide the fate of Sean Grayson in his murder trial this week
In today’s deep dive, the murder trial of Sean Grayson resumes today. He is the former Sangamon County sheriff's deputy who shot and killed Sonya Massey last year.
The 21st Show
Best of: LGBTQ spaces in a challenging political climate
For generations, gays and lesbians often found community in bars. That’s changed in recent years, but political events — and the corporate pullback from pride — have LGBTQ Americans thinking more about separate places they can be themselves.
The 217 Today Podcast
217 Today: U of I satellite was delivered to space. It will study space weather and how it affects us on Earth
In today’s deep dive, a University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign designed satellite was delivered to Earth’s outer atmosphere. We’ll learn more about how it will make a difference for technology on Earth.
Weather Realness
An observer developed at UIUC will study space weather and how it affects us on Earth
A Space X rocket delivered the UIUC-designed Carruthers Geocorona Observatory to space. We talked about how it will study space weather.
The 21st Show
‘Los Yarderos’ explores lives of Mexican yard workers in the Midwest
Here in the Midwest, many of the landscapers who mow our lawns, trim our trees, and rake our leaves are Mexican immigrants. Anthropologist Sergio Lemus writes about his experience with that work, and the stories and struggles of those who come to America seeking a better life. His new book “Los Yarderos: Mexican Yard Workers in Transborder Chicago.”
