Illinois Public Media News

While most people take shelter during a tornado warning, professional storm chasers are on the road trying to study and capture them with pictures or videos. A meteorologist and severe weather enthusiast joined us to talk about how they storm chase safely.

On May 25, 2020, a Minneapolis police officer murdered George Floyd. His death sparked a year of unprecedented protests and conversations about deep seeded racism. Today, Black Lives Matter activists from across Illinois joined us to talk about the movement's current state and future.

As more people are getting vaccinated and restrictions are easing, the return of pre-pandemic activities is looking promising. To speak more about what people can expect from upcoming festivals, The 21st was joined by three guests involved in or reporting on Illinois' music scenes. 

There are looming questions that remain about returning to the office: has the pandemic forever changed how we think about the workplace? To speak more about how the American workplace has evolved because of the COVID pandemic, The 21st was joined by the deputy managing editor at The Atlantic and the ounder and CEO of Bunker Labs in Chicago.

Illinois companies are beginning to have employees return to in-person work. The 21st spoke to two journalists who’ve been covering return-to-work issues in Illinois about shifting back into the office.

We have an update on Jaylan Butler, the Eastern Illinois University student athlete, who police mistakenly arrested while he was traveling with his swim team.

An Illinois lawmaker wants to ban hair discrimination in schools. We’ll hear from a bill sponsor and the mother of a student who was ordered to take out his braids by at school.

Scientists have discovered thousands of planets outside our solar system. Some of those are of the size and distance from the sun that they could have liquid water, and the possibility of Earth-like life. An Illinois researcher is contributing to that work by looking at whether there could be such planets orbiting solar systems with twin suns.

The WNBA recently kicked off its 25th anniversary season. And with the signing of veteran basketball star and Illinois-native Candace Parker, the Chicago Sky have a legitimate shot at the championship.