Illinois Public Media News

Water is the basis for life on this planet. Three public radio reporters spoke about threats to water and the environment in the Midwest and Illinois.

The 21st heard from listeners who have been reacting to the guilty verdict for former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, who was convicted of second degree murder for killing George Floyd last year.

People have shared their experiences on social media about how their menstrual cycle was temporarily changed after getting the COVID-19 vaccine. The 21st spoke with researchers who want to learn more about this connection by collecting data they say is missing, and about the history of women's side effects being overlooked in clinical trials.

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.

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. 

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.

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. 

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. 

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.

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.