WILL-AM

The 21st Show

The penny is history, and retailers across the country are trying to figure out how to adapt. Meanwhile, a settlement between credit card companies and merchants could mean new fees, or even declined cards, at the checkout. We’ll talk about what it all means for the way we pay.

The 21st Show

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.”

The 21st Show

Canada geese are a fact of life in many parts of Illinois. But the creatures can be a safety risk and a danger to public health. We'll talk with the creator of the Goosinator, a device that aims to get rid of geese (in a humane way), and the head of parks and rec in Moline, Illinois.

Weather Realness

Soaring temperatures are reshaping water systems across the U.S. We talk about how the heat is melting the Sierra Nevada snowpack and influencing the ongoing drought in Illinois.

Weather Realness

Summer just came early. A March heatwave broke over 100 record highs from the West and High Plains. Learn why this heatwave shattered records and how likely we will see something like this in the future.

The 21st Show

With the weather getting warmer again, it’s time to consider spring and summer travel plans. We’ll talk about popular destinations in the 21st state and beyond with Illinois-based travel content creators Jay and Himani Patel, known on social media as “Couple of Patels.”

The 21st Show

Money from super PACs flooded into Illinois for the Democratic primary — much of it aimed at defeating progressives by misleading voters about their records. We’ll hear from a candidate on the receiving end of such an attack: congressional candidate Robert Peters, whom a crypto PAC labeled a “corporate pawn” despite being endorsed by Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren. We’ll also put these kind of attacks into a broader national context with Dave Weigel of Semafor.

The 21st Show

Customer service is increasingly the domain of AI chatbots. What impact is this having on security and how are consumers engaging with this service? 

The 21st Show

Christian Mitchell served three terms in the Illinois House and four years as Deputy Governor. Now he’s Governor Pritzker’s running mate in the November elections.

The 21st Show

Self-driving cars were once a vision of the future. Now, the company Waymo is hoping to put its autonomous rideshares on the streets of Illinois. A panel of experts weigh in on what's happening with self-driving cars in the state, how they work, and why some people have concerns with the technology.