WILL-AM

The 217 Today Podcast

In today's deep dive, the fifth and final story in our Midwest waterways series from Harvest Public Media. Today, we look at a 400-mile river highway that ships soybeans and grain around the world.

The 21st Show

President Joe Biden announced a sweeping $2.3 trillion infrastructure proposal, which the administration is calling the American Jobs Plan. The 21st spoke to Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack to hear more about the details of the plan.

The 21st Show

Mohawk Johnson was one of the thousands of protestors arrested by Chicago Police last summer. He was put on house arrest and is being electronically monitored despite not having been convicted. The 21st spoke about the increased use of electronic monitoring devices in the criminal justice system. 

The 217 Today Podcast

In today's deep dive, it's been six years since Illinois embarked on a plan to reduce fertilizer runoff into rivers and streams and improve water quality. So far, it's not working.

The 21st Show

On April 13, US health agencies urged a pause on use of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine. Three reporters discussed the pause, what it means for vaccine distribution in Illinois, and some of the other big COVID stories from the week.

The 21st Show

Forty miles west of Chicago sits one of the most powerful particle physics laboratories in the world: Fermilab. The lab released findings that suggest there is more to reality than we currently understand. 

The 217 Today Podcast

In today's deep dive, our series on Midwest waterways continues, with a look at how the barge industry may be in for a change with a new focus on green energy.

The 21st Show

As of April 13, 2021, millions of Muslims across the world will be fasting from sun-up to sundown — starting their second Ramadan in the pandemic. For university students in particular, this may be the first Ramadan some will have to spend away from their immediate families. 

The 21st Show

A major overhaul of K-12 social studies programs in Illinois schools calls for every elementary and high school to develop a curriculum that includes one unit of studying pre-enslavement Black history, dating back to 3,000 BCE. Three guests shared reaction and how the education will happen.

The 21st Show

Even if we’re careful about sorting paper from plastic, and washing that plastic, too, what really happens to our recycling? An Illinois expert says all that paper and plastic you carefully sort from the trash might very well end up in a landfill.