Topic: Geography

At least one person was killed Saturday night as the Houston area is inundated by torrential rain and catastrophic flooding from Tropical Storm Harvey, which officials called an "unprecedented" weather event that has left some residents stranded in their flooding homes and overwhelmed rescue workers.

A growing number of studies indicate that climate change is behind more frequent and intense flooding among Midwestern waterways. But some riverside residents believe there’s a bigger culprit behind the rising Mississippi: high levees.

Higher education has been one of the most notable victims of the Illinois budget impasse, which is nearing two years. So, it's unusual to hear Parkland College president Tom Ramage talk about growth amid that backdrop.

Nearly three-dozen activists were arrested during a sit-in last night at the Illinois State Capitol. Their goal: get lawmakers to pass a so called “People and Planet First Budget” — taxing the wealthy to pay for universal health care and free tuition at public universities.

Gov. Bruce Rauner was in the Chicago Suburbs Monday pushing to add toll lanes to Interstate 55. He also took the opportunity to attack Illinois Democrats.

It’s Severe Weather Preparedness Week in Illinois.  The state saw its first round of severe weather last week when tornadoes killed three people.  The National Weather Service is looking for severe weather spotters to help give people advance warning of severe weather.

Why are the poor in central Illinois dying younger than in other parts of the country? We talked to researchers and health professionals to find out. Also, we spoke with the women behind the Ebertfest Film "Radical Grace."

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. 

Like the fault lines they stem from, earthquakes are often little thought of until they actually happen. But Tim Larson, a senior geophysicist at the Illinois State Geological Survey, is bringing them back to mind with his presentation - “Earthquakes: Fact and Fiction” at Parkland's Staerkel Planetarium tonight.

Despite their continued stalemate on a budget, lawmakers approved and Governor Bruce Rauner signed hundreds of new pieces of legislation. More than 200 laws will go into effect in Illinois at the start of the new year — roughly the number that went into effect at the start of each of the past two years. Jamey Dunn talks about the state's new laws with Sean Crawford.