WILL-AM

The 21st Show

The 21st host Brian Mackey visited the Illinois State Museum to see a new, temporary art exhibit meant to celebrate Black lives through art.

The 21st Show

Author Elizabeth Hinton joined The 21st to discuss misconceptions about the urban riots of the 1960s — which she says are better understood as rebellions. Her latest book is America on Fire: The Untold History of Police Violence and Black Rebellion Since the 1960s.

The 217 Today Podcast

In today's deep dive, we hear from a resident of Rockton, Illinois a week after an explosion and fire at a chemical plant displaced residents of the small Northern Illinois town.

The 21st Show

A woman on Tiktok has named herself as Peoria’s “fan girl” and has been posting videos of affordable houses in town for sale. She has gained thousands of followers and influenced more than 20 people to move to Peoria.

The 21st Show

Residents in Rockton were displaced from their homes last week after a fire broke out at the Chemtool plant. Two residents discussed evacuating, lingering questions about air quality and debris from the explosion containing lead and other pollutants.

The 21st Show

A massive fire broke out at a Chemtool plant in Rockton on June 14, 2021, destroying the chemical plant. The fire is still burning a week later. The 21st spoke to two Illinois reporters about what environmental and public health concerns are posed by this fire. 

The 217 Today Podcast

In today's deep dive, the 2018 Farm Bill allowed farmers to start growing hemp, but in at least one Midwestern state, the number of licenses issued is on the decline.

The 217 Today Podcast

In today's deep dive, we learn about a new book that documents the punk rock scene in Peoria in the 1980s and 90s.

The 21st Show

The 21st spoke to an Illinois man, born to an American serviceman in Vietnam, who connected with his birth father through DNA testing — only to find out they'd been living less than 100 miles away from each other. They joined The 21st to speak about meeting after 48 years.

The 21st Show

With Father's Day around the corner, The 21st spoke to two fathers across Illinois to hear about what fatherhood means to them in 2021.