Illinois Public Media News

President Obama has imposed sanctions on Russian officials and intelligence services in retaliation for Russia's interference in the U.S. presidential election by hacking American political sites and email accounts. The State Department also has kicked out 35 Russian diplomats from its embassy in Washington and consulate in San Francisco, giving them and their families 72 hours to leave the U.S.

On this encore edition of The 21st:  Shefali Tsabary, a clinical psychologist and author of “The Awakened Family," joined us to talk about how the challenges of parenting can become an opportunity for spiritual awakening. Plus, the not-so-surprising diet secrets of wildlife animals.

Rosecrance executive director Sheila Ferguson remains hopeful that the agency can partner with other local agencies to weather any further state cuts in 2017.

Since 2011, the Champaign Public Library has lost more than 8,000 cardholders, dropping 21 percent from 37,710 to 29,657, according to library data. The Urbana Free Library has lost about 1,100 cardholders in the same time period. It had 13,880 cardholders in 2011 and now has 12,762 cardholders, a decrease of 8.1 percent.

We continue our conversation with Illinois treasurer Michael Frerichs.  Today we focus on the budget impasse and other issues facing the state of Illinois.  The Champaign Democrat says that right now both sides need to do more listening.