In-depth reporting from WILL, NPR, the Associated Press, and other sources
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The Associated Press reports that the Islamic State group claimed responsibiltiy for attacks at the international airport and a subway station in the Belgian city of Brussells has left at least 30 people dead and at least 150 wounded. A Belgian federal prosecutor says one of the terror attacks was probably the work of a suicide bomber. Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel says authorities are worried there will be more attacks.
Ted Mottaz of the Illinois Corn Growers Association Board and Marcos Sallowicz, the director for Latin America with Caterpillar, are among those saying the U.S. trade embargo with Cuba should be lifted. Both have made recent visits to the country, and appeared as guests on WILL's The 21st on Monday.
Before the embargo - U.S. agricultural exports to Cuba were worth about $600 million a year - in today’s prices. Others estimate Cuba is a $1.2 billion market for agricultural exports if the embargo and other trade barriers are lifted. Today on The 21st we explored what an open Cuba would mean for Illinois. Also, how a team of Illinois State University researchers and a turtle are changing STEM education.
A bill banning a category of insecticides known as neonicotinoids or neonics has been filed in Springfield, with the aim of protecting pollinating insects that crops and flowers depends on.
Phoenix Botanical, Champaign County's first medical marijuana dispensary, expects to start business in early April. Dan Linn, the company's General Manager and National Policy Director, addressed about 50 people on the future of the state's pilot program at a public forum Sunday.
