The 21st Show
On Halloween, we’ll talk with an Illinois couple who’ve made a former funeral home into their home. The house was among the competitors on the new season of HGTV’s “Scariest House in America.” They share what drew them to the home, what it was like being on an HGTV show with Retta, and why they didn't actually want to win the $150,000 grand prize renovation.
The 21st Show
The Illinois General Assembly wrapped up a brief but highly productive fall legislative session in which they tackled the financial problems of mass transit agencies, energy prices, immigration enforcement, and "medical aid in dying" for terminally ill patients.
We’ll talk with a reporter who was covering it well into the early hours of this morning.
The 21st Show
On Wednesday, after more than 11 hours of deliberation, a Peoria jury found former Sangamon County sheriff's deputy Sean Grayson guilty of second-degree murder in the killing of Sonya Massey in her home near Springfield last year. The jury, however, acquitted Grayson on the more serious charge of first-degree murder — which could have resulted in a lifetime prison sentence.
We'll talk with a reporter who covered the trial.
The 217 Today Podcast
In today’s deep dive, a majority of the spooky sounds in scary movies aren’t as scary as they seem. Most of the time they’re created with everyday objects.
The 21st Show
Founded in 1968, Red Lobster once had more than 600 locations across the U.S., Canada, and overseas franchises. But last year, the $2 billion revenue company went into bankruptcy, reorganized, and came out with new ownership and new leadership.
The company has sought to revamp operations, make changes to its menu, and close a few locations. According to USA Today, five Illinois Red Lobsters have closed — including in Bourbonnais, Danville, and Peoria.
All these changes are being led by the company’s 36-year-old CEO: Damola Adamolekun. Born in Nigeria, Adamolekun immigrated to the U.S. when he was nine years old. His father was a neurosurgeon — and moved his family to Springfield, Illinois, in the late 1990's. And that is where Damola says he had his first experience of Red Lobster.
The 217 Today Podcast
In today’s deep dive, the conviction against former deputy sheriff Sean Grayson, who is white, carries a potential sentence of between four and 20 years.
The 21st Show
Journalists have captured many striking images of ICE and Border Patrol operations in Illinois — and documented the people demonstrating against them. We’ll talk about what it’s like covering the chaos through the lens of a camera.
The 21st Show
Illinois state Rep. Hoan Huynh, D-Chicago, says a federal agent pointed a gun at him last week. The government says he was interfering in immigration enforcement; he says he was warning constituents about their rights.
“We don’t have any weapons; we were only recording what they’re doing," Hyunh told The 21st Show. "And if what they’re doing is actually legal, then they should not be afraid for it to be documented.”
The 217 Today Podcast
In today’s deep dive, a group of Illinois students has joined a program to foster the nation's top math minds.
The 21st Show
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.
Campbell Hall
300 N. Goodwin
Urbana, IL 61801
217-333-7300
