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a montage with the book cover (black with orange lettering) and a portrait of Lee Hawkins: he's got a shaved head; large, thick-rimmed glasses; and he's wearing a tweed sport coat with an elaborate Dolce & Gabbana crest embroidered on the breast pocket; the jacket is worn over a red polo shirt, which in turn is worn over a pink button-down shirt
Portrait: Jose Zepeda/IPM - Book cover: HarperCollins Publishers

Best of: Journalist Lee Hawkins finds freedom in exploring traumatic family history

Lee Hawkins is a journalist, a podcast producer, and a Pulitzer Prize finalist. But in his new book, he turns his skills toward telling his own family’s story. It’s a memoir across 400 years of enslavement, Jim Crow, and beyond — and how the trauma of those experiences is passed from one generation to the next. The book is called, “I Am Nobody’s Slave: How Uncovering My Family’s History Set Me Free.”
 

Peoria food influencer Seth Boyer poses with plates of food
Courtesy of Seth Boyer

Actor and social media influencer highlights food scene in Peoria

An actor, who is also a Peoria-based food influencer, joins the program today to discuss his content. 

The 21st Show is Illinois' statewide weekday public radio talk show, connecting Illinois and bringing you the news, culture, and stories that matter to the 21st state. Have thoughts on the show or one of our episodes, or want to share an idea for something we should talk about? Send us an email: talk@21stshow.org. If you'd like to have your say as we're planning conversations, join our texting group! Just send the word "TALK" to (217) 803-0730. Subscribe to our podcast and hear our latest conversations.

 

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6PT6pb0

Find past segments, links to our social media and more at our website: 21stshow.org.

Vickie Pierce, Circulation Clerk at Greenup Township Public Library in Greenup, Illinois arranges books.
Emily Hays/IPM News

Why a major distributor of books for libraries is shutting down

A major distributor of books for libraries is shutting down. We’ll talk about why, and how that’s affecting the work of Illinois libraries.
 

 

The 21st Show is Illinois' statewide weekday public radio talk show, connecting Illinois and bringing you the news, culture, and stories that matter to the 21st state. Have thoughts on the show or one of our episodes, or want to share an idea for something we should talk about? Send us an email: talk@21stshow.org. If you'd like to have your say as we're planning conversations, join our texting group! Just send the word "TALK" to (217) 803-0730. Subscribe to our podcast and hear our latest conversations.

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6PT6pb0
Find past segments, links to our social media and more at our website: 21stshow.org.

Patrons wait to receive non-perishable goods from the Daily Bread Soup Kitchen in Champaign Friday, Oct. 31.
A. Oishii Basu/Illinois Student Newsroom

SNAP benefits have run out. What now?

For the first time since the program's inception in 1964, money for the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program has run dry. What are the broader implications of this for people and the economy? Experts and the head of one Illinois food bank weigh in.


The 21st Show is Illinois' statewide weekday public radio talk show, connecting Illinois and bringing you the news, culture, and stories that matter to the 21st state. Have thoughts on the show or one of our episodes, or want to share an idea for something we should talk about? Send us an email: talk@21stshow.org. If you'd like to have your say as we're planning conversations, join our texting group! Just send the word "TALK" to (217) 803-0730. Subscribe to our podcast and hear our latest conversations.

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6PT6pb0
Find past segments, links to our social media and more at our website: 21stshow.org.

Christine Hatfield/Illinois Public Media

Republican Senate Candidate Don Tracy on Israel, ICE, and the future of MAGA and the GOP

Lawyer and former chairman of the Illinois Republican Party Don Tracy is one of eight Republicans who filed for the 2026 primary in the Illinois Senate race. He Tracy weighs in on issues that he may face if elected.

 

The 21st Show is Illinois' statewide weekday public radio talk show, connecting Illinois and bringing you the news, culture, and stories that matter to the 21st state. Have thoughts on the show or one of our episodes, or want to share an idea for something we should talk about? Send us an email: talk@21stshow.org. If you'd like to have your say as we're planning conversations, join our texting group! Just send the word "TALK" to (217) 803-0730. Subscribe to our podcast and hear our latest conversations.

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6PT6pb0
Find past segments, links to our social media and more at our website: 21stshow.org.

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