The 217 Today Podcast

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Keep up with news in Central Illinois every weekday with 217 Today. Hear the day's headlines, along with one deeper dive, in just ten minutes. Learn about the people and places that make Central Illinois unique with 217 Today.


    • Jun 26, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekdays NEW EPISODES
    • 688 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from The 217 Today Podcast

    217 Today: What's Happening in Champaign – Urbana Jun. 26 – Jun. 29

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 26, 2025


    In today’s deep dive, we’ll learn about what is coming to the Central Illinois area in the world of arts, culture and entertainment. 

    217 Today: The US sold this tribe's land illegally. It's now the latest Native group to get its home back.

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 25, 2025


    In today’s deep dive, Native Americans in the U.S. lost much of their land by the 20th century with even portions of their reservations sold. But in the Midwest more tribes are reclaiming their ancestral lands.

    217 Today: Before Robert F. Prevost was the pope, he thanked Gov. Pat Quinn for ending the death penalty

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 24, 2025


    In today’s deep dive, before Robert Prevost was elected Pope Leo XIV, he wrote a note commenting on an Illinois law passed nearly 15 years ago.

    217 Today: Trump's new travel ban raises fears for thousands of Congolese residents in Central Illinois

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 23, 2025


    In today’s deep dive, we'll bring you a conversation about how East Central Illinois' Congolese community is reacting to President Trump's travel ban.

    217 Today: Illinois lawmakers strengthen law requiring hospital care for sexual assault survivors

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 20, 2025


    In today’s deep dive, we'll bring you a look at how the Illinois General Assembly passed a measure to strengthen protections for survivors of sexual abuse.

    217 Today: Krannert Center for the Performing Arts announces its 2025-2026 season

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 18, 2025


    In today’s deep dive, the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts has announced its 2025-2026 performance season, which officially starts this September.

    performing arts krannert center
    217 Today: ‘I just was scared to feel judged': Young women reflect on their experiences with menstrual shaming

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 17, 2025


    In today’s deep dive, shame tied to menstruation is more common than you might expect. We hear from young women in Illinois about their experiences.

    217 Today: Thousands join in Urbana's ‘No Kings' protest amid nationwide rallies

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 16, 2025


    In today’s deep dive, period poverty isn’t just about products. It’s also about stigma and the barrier it creates to education, for girls across the globe.

    217 Today: Next U of I chancellor talks AI, responding to Trump policies and comic books

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 13, 2025


    In today’s deep dive, we talked with the next chancellor of the University of Illinois about how he plans to respond to pressures from the Trump administration and his favorite comic book.

    217 Today: What's Happening in Champaign – Urbana Jun. 12 – Jun. 15

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 12, 2025


    In today’s deep dive, we’ll learn about what is coming to the Central Illinois area in the world of arts, culture and entertainment.

    217 Today: Trump's on a pardon spree, prison looms for Madigan, and Blago wouldn't wish sentencing on his ‘worst enemy'

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 11, 2025


    In today’s deep dive, after former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan is sentenced this week, could his next move be to seek President Trump’s intervention?

    217 Today: Ranchers may have to relearn how to fight an old enemy — the New World screwworm

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 10, 2025


    In today’s deep dive, a parasite has cattle ranchers worried. New World Screwworms were pushed south of the U.S. border for decades but they’re on their way back. Ranchers recall what it was like to fight screwworms and the efforts they’d like to see to keep them out of the U.S.

    217 Today: Former staff attorney releases ‘The Velvet Hammer,' a song reflecting on Michael Madigan's legacy

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 9, 2025


    In today’s deep dive, a new song explores former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s grip on power as he awaits sentencing.

    217 Today: How will this spring's General Assembly session affect education in Illinois?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 6, 2025


    In today’s deep dive, the Illinois General Assembly's spring session has come to an end. State lawmakers passed dozens of education bills, but they also left hundreds more on the table when they wrapped up this past weekend.

    217 today: What's Happening in Champaign – Urbana Jun. 05 – Jun. 08

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 5, 2025


    In today’s deep dive, we’ll learn about what is coming to the Central Illinois area in the world of arts, culture and entertainment.

    217 Today: South Asian grocery store offers comfort, feeling of home to various immigrant communities

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 4, 2025


    In today’s deep dive, we'll bring you the story behind a South Asian grocery store in Champaign and why the owner offers a free cup of tea to his customers at no cost.

    217 today: Farmers are taking on more debt. Some worry more financial stress could be ahead

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 3, 2025


    In today’s deep dive, a look at why farmers are taking on more debt and why some ag economists believe it could be a sign of better things to come.  

    217 Today: How Illinois researchers are turning prairie grass into sustainable fuel

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 2, 2025


    In today’s deep dive, researchers at the University of Illinois are investigating how to turn prairie grass into sustainable aviation fuel.

    217 Today: Former U of I professor discusses Chinese and American history, how it connects with his own story

    Play Episode Listen Later May 30, 2025


    In today's deep dive, we bring you a conversation with a former professor at the U of I about his experiences in North America as what he calls "an accidental immigrant" from China.

    217 Today: What's Happening in Champaign – Urbana May 29 – June 1

    Play Episode Listen Later May 29, 2025


    In today’s deep dive, we’ll learn about what is coming to the Central Illinois area in the world of arts, culture and entertainment.  

    217 Today: U of I professor discusses mission to include Asian-American history in Illinois schools

    Play Episode Listen Later May 28, 2025


    In today’s deepdive, a profile of the Korean American professor who helped create the Asian American history curriculum taught in Illinois public schools.

    217 Today: Japan House keeps traditional Japanese arts alive on U of I campus

    Play Episode Listen Later May 27, 2025


    In today’s deep dive, we take you to a place in Central Illinois featuring peace and exposure to the Japanese culture for nearly 50 years.   

    217 Today: Far East Grocery owners share stories of hardship and success while catering to southeast Asian communities

    Play Episode Listen Later May 23, 2025


    In today’s deep dive, we take you into an international grocery store in Champaign and explore how the family running the shop journeyed from Vietnam to Central Illinois.

    217 Today: What's Happening in Champaign – Urbana May 22 – May 25

    Play Episode Listen Later May 22, 2025


    In today’s deep dive, we’ll learn about what is coming to the Central Illinois area in the world of arts, culture and entertainment.

    217 Today: Writer and journalist Hua Hsu discusses the Asian American experience in Central Illinois

    Play Episode Listen Later May 21, 2025


    In today's deep dive, we'll listen to a conversation with writer and journalist Hua Hsu about how he understands Asian American history.

    217 Today: As Illinois lawmakers weigh artificial intelligence rules for schools, here’s how Rockford teachers are using AI

    Play Episode Listen Later May 20, 2025


    In today's deep dive, we'll learn why Illinois lawmakers are considering a measure that would create an advisory board to give schools guidance on how to use artificial intelligence.

    217 Today: Ceduxion Carrington reflects on nearly 30 years in drag

    Play Episode Listen Later May 19, 2025


    In today's deep dive, we'll learn how local drag performers are helping to inspire hope during difficult times.

    217 Today: McLean County immigrants fear dire consequences as Illinois ends medical coverage

    Play Episode Listen Later May 16, 2025


    In today's deep dive, we’ll hear how changes to a state health program are affecting immigrant families in Illinois.

    217 Today: What's Happening in Champaign – Urbana May 15 – May 18

    Play Episode Listen Later May 15, 2025


    In today's deep dive, we’ll learn about what is coming to Central Illinois in the world of arts, culture and entertainment.

    217 Today: America's favorite pollinator species is experiencing its biggest loss in history. What's the buzz?

    Play Episode Listen Later May 14, 2025


    In today's deep dive, we’ll learn what's causing bees across the country to die at record-high rates.

    217 Today: Chancellor Robert Jones reflects on U of I tenure as he prepares for new role at University of Washington

    Play Episode Listen Later May 9, 2025


    In today's deep dive, we’ll listen to a conversation with University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Chancellor Robert Jones, who explains why leaving the university was the toughest choice he had to make in higher education.

    217 Today: What's Happening in Champaign – Urbana May 08 – May 11

    Play Episode Listen Later May 8, 2025


    In today's deep dive, we’ll learn more about what is coming to Central Illinois in the world of arts, culture and entertainment. 

    217 Today: Chancellor Robert Jones reflects on leading U of I through growth and crisis

    Play Episode Listen Later May 7, 2025


    In today's deep dive, we’ll listen to a conversation with University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Chancellor Robert Jones, who explains what he learned from navigating crises during his tenure at the university.

    217 Today: Chancellor Robert Jones addresses equity gaps on campus

    Play Episode Listen Later May 6, 2025


    In today's deep dive, we’ll listen to a conversation with University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Chancellor Robert Jones, who shares his thoughts on the challenge of attracting more Black students to the U of I.  

    217 Today: Chancellor Robert Jones addresses departure from U of I, Trump targeting higher ed

    Play Episode Listen Later May 5, 2025


    In today's deep dive, we’ll listen to a conversation with University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Chancellor Robert J. Jones as he reflects on leading the university for the past nine years.

    217 Today: Incoming Urbana mayor DeShawn Williams hopes to unite the city

    Play Episode Listen Later May 2, 2025


    In today's deep dive, we’ll hear from Diane Marlin as she wraps up her time in office, and from mayor-elect DeShawn Williams as he prepares to become Urbana's new mayor.

    217 Today: What's Happening in Champaign – Urbana May 01 – May 04

    Play Episode Listen Later May 1, 2025


    In today’s deep dive, we’ll learn about what is coming to Central Illinois in the world of arts, culture and entertainment.

    217 Today: The federal library department has put almost all of its staff on leave. What does that mean for your town's library?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 30, 2025


    In today's deep dive, we’ll learn how the Trump administration's recent cuts could jeopardize services offered by local libraries. 

    217 Today: University of Illinois pro-Palestinian protests one year later

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 29, 2025


    In today's deep dive, we’ll look at how student activism at the University of Illinois has changed one year after a pro-Palestinian encampment was formed on campus and how the administration has responded.

    217 Today: LabEscape in Urbana celebrates the International Year of Quantum with a blend of science and fun

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 28, 2025


    In today's deep dive, we'll learn about a science-based escape room in Urbana that challenges participants to harness the power of curiosity and collaboration.

    217 Today: What's Happening in Champaign – Urbana Apr. 24 – Apr. 27

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 24, 2025


    In today's deep dive, we'll learn about what is coming to Central Illinois in the world of arts, culture and entertainment. 

    217 Today: Armadillos aren't just in Texas anymore, they are expanding territory in Illinois

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 23, 2025


    In today's deep dive, we'll learn how armadillos are expanding their territory in Illinois.

    217 Today: U.S. farmers were already struggling to turn a profit. Trump’s trade war will make that harder

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 22, 2025


    In today's deep dive, we'll learn how tariffs are likely to make things more expensive for farmers. 

    217 Today: How jazz music helped bring unity to a South African university

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 21, 2025


    In today's deep dive, we'll listen to a conversation with Darius and Catherine Brubeck about their book, which follows the path to establishing a jazz education program in apartheid-era South Africa.

    217 Today: ‘Quantum Voyages' comes back to life at the Krannert Center with a new musical twist

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 18, 2025


    In today's deep dive, we'll learn about the play “Quantum Voyages” and the new rendition that features a musical twist.

    217 Today: What's Happening in Champaign – Urbana Apr. 17 – Apr. 20

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 17, 2025


    In today's deep dive, we'll learn more about what is coming to Central Illinois in the world of art, culture and entertainment.  

    217 Today: Many hospitals use AI but few are testing for accuracy and bias

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 16, 2025


    In today's deep dive, we'll learn that many hospitals use AI but few are testing for accuracy and bias.

    217 Today: Investigative reporters discuss possible cancer cluster in Piatt County

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 15, 2025


    In today's deep dive, we'll learn how community members are raising concerns about the rates of brain cancer in Piatt County, but advocates say Illinois' public health department has been slow to investigate.

    217 Today: Illinois proposes a victim-first approach to combat human trafficking

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 14, 2025


    In today's deep dive, we'll learn about a bill that proposes using a victim-first approach to combat human trafficking in Illinois. 

    217 Today: Local food advocates try to patch supply chain gaps after the USDA cuts programs

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 11, 2025


    In today's deep dive, we'll learn how food advocates are trying to patch supply chain gaps after the USDA cuts programs.

    217 Today: What's Happening in Champaign – Urbana Apr. 10 – Apr. 13

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 10, 2025


    In today's deep dive, we'll learn about what is coming to Central Illinois in the world of art, culture and entertainment.

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