WILL-AM | Illinois Public Media

Members of the Native American community and the Native American Chamber of Commerce of Illinois gathered at the Illinois State Capitol in November for a Native American Summit. A bill to require Illinois schools to teach a unit of Native American history has passed the Illinois House and is pending in the Illinois Senate. — Courtesy of Chris Withers Photography

The 217 Today Podcast

May 01, 2023

217 Today: Proposed Illinois bill aims to change how schools teach Native American history

In today's deep dive, we’ll hear about a bill in the Illinois legislature that aims to increase education about Native American history.

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Singer, composer and producer Toshi Reagon — Ehud Lazin - provided by Krannert Center for the Performing Arts

The 217 Today Podcast

April 27, 2023

217 Today: A new political opera is coming to life at Krannert Center

In today's deep dive, we’ll learn more about a new opera opening at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts this weekend.

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Expanded growth charts released Thursday, Dec. 15, 2022 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now include a body mass index of 60 — up from previous charts that stopped at a BMI of 37. — Patrick Sison/AP, file

The 21st Show

April 27, 2023

Best of: How weight loss drugs work and the shame of carrying excess weight

We spent the entire hour with two doctors and an author to discuss two diabetes drugs that are being used for weight loss. To finish our conversation, we tackled the shame associated with weight.

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Dustin Schingl sits outside of a condemned building at Champaign Park Apartments in Champaign, Illinois, on April 10. The ground is scattered in broken shingles that fell from the roof. — Sydney Wood / Illinois Newsroom

The 217 Today Podcast

April 26, 2023

217 Today: Substandard housing in Champaign has left residents displaced and sick

In today's deep dive, we’ll learn more about the effects on Champaign residents after over 400 apartment units were condemned last year.

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The 21st Show

April 26, 2023

Best of: Author Interview: At Home on an Unruly Planet

A house is different from home. But what happens when our homes are no longer safe places?

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In this Monday, May 10, 2021 students walk past a display for Asian Pacific American Heritage Month at Farmington High School in Farmington, Conn. — Jessica Hill/AP

The 21st Show

April 26, 2023

Best of: Asian American History required in IL schools

Starting this school year, all public schools in Illinois will be required to teach a unit on Asian American history and culture as part of their social studies curriculum.

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Rows of cannabis plants growing at Revolution Global's cannabis cultivation center in Delavan, Ill., in 2020. Retail-focused and medicinal health courses were the first subject matters to pop up in college classrooms but campuses are starting to offer more agriculture-centered programs as workforce demands increase. — Charles Rex Arbogast / Associated Press

The 217 Today Podcast

April 26, 2023

217 Today: Illinois colleges expand cannabis classes

In today's deep dive, we’ll learn how Illinois colleges and universities are creating cannabis programs to meet the growing demand for workers.

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The 21st Show

April 25, 2023

Author argues that environmentalists should support hunting

The 21st was joined by the author of "The Shotgun Conservationist," who writes that he’s not trying to convert anyone into a hunter but says he wants to broaden perspectives.

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Boxes of the drug mifepristone sit on a shelf at the West Alabama Women's Center in Tuscaloosa, Ala., March 16, 2022. — Allen G. Breed/AP

The 21st Show

April 25, 2023

Where does access to the abortion pill currently stand?

To unpack the recent federal court rulings and where the approvals of Mifepristone currently stand, The 21st was joined by two journalists that have been following the story and the author of When Abortion was a Crime.

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