Illinois Public Media News

On the 21st: McDonald’s franchise owners are nervous about whether they can still make money and they’re not happy with corporate leaders, either. Plus, if you’re still shopping for the holidays, we’ll give you some board game and video game suggestions. Also, three central Illinois men are appearing in court this week for trying to blow up a mosque in Minnesota. And as Minnesota Public Radio’s Matt Sepic tells us they’re now in trouble for a lot more than that. But first, it’s been another hectic week in Washington. And with the possibility of another government shutdown next week, we check in with Illinois Senator Tammy Duckworth.

Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan is continuing her investigation of the state’s six Roman Catholic dioceses, and now says criminal prosecution is a possibility.

Next year, the Common Application used by hundreds of colleges and universities will stop asking potential students about their criminal histories. Despite legislative efforts in Illinois, most campuses in the state continue to ask the question.

The devastating Camp Fire in the national forests in California has brought new attention to climate change and the management of national forests. Midwest forest managers say they have been able to keep fires under control, and will continue to do so even as the region gets warmer.

On The 21st: The Farm Bill affects food, agriculture and rural America. It’s a gigantic law that will cost $867 billion. Plus, a new report says that some Department of Corrections officers are abusive with mentally ill inmates. Also, we catch up with the students working on the CubeSail satellite. And, this year Amazon is delivering real Christmas trees right to your door. Are more traditional tree retailers worried about this?