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.


    • Aug 4, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekdays NEW EPISODES
    • 714 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from The 217 Today Podcast

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

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 4, 2025


    In today’s deep dive, we’re revisiting a conversation with Charles Isbell and his top priorities for the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign as its new Chancellor.

    217 Today: Illinois Public Media launches weekly show on weather and climate

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 1, 2025


    In today’s deep dive, Illinois Public Media is teaming up with Illinois’ top scientists to talk about climate and weather in a new podcast called “Weather Realness.”

    WILL Call: What's Happening in Champaign – Urbana Jul. 31 – Aug. 03

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 31, 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: After husband was deported, a mother alone with three children turns to Trump's voluntary self-deportation program

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 30, 2025


    In today’s deep dive, a Chicago migrant woman struggles to get by with her three children after her husband was arrested and deported.  

    217 Today: A family came to Chicago seeking asylum. Dad was deported. Now, Mom wants to leave.

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 29, 2025


    In today’s deep dive, a Chicago migrant recently deported to Venezuela says conditions in detention are inhumane.

    217 Today: Consumer advocate pushes for legislative action regarding State Farm rate spike

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 28, 2025


    In today’s deep dive, State Farm's recent 27% rate hike for Illinois homeowners has prompted calls for regulations in the state. A consumer advocate is supporting state oversight over excessive insurance prices.

    217 Today: University of Illinois dance camp teaches a contemporary African dance rooted in identity and culture

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 25, 2025


    In today’s deep dive, we bring you a closer look at a high school dance camp on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus.

    217 Today: WILL Call: What's Happening in Champaign – Urbana Jul. 24 – Jul. 27

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 24, 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: What's next for Illinois' public media stations as Congress approves withdrawal of $1.1 billion in federal funding?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 23, 2025


    In today’s deep dive, Republicans in Congress approved President Trump’s request to cut two year’s worth of funding for public radio and television. We talk about how this will impact Illinois.

    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 Jul 22, 2025


    In today’s deep dive, we talk to Chancellor Robert Jones who tells us why leaving the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is the toughest decision he had to make in 46-years of higher education.

    217 Today: Drought means ‘drier than normal.' How will climatologists define drought if the new normal is dry?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 21, 2025


    In today’s deep dive, in the midst of climate change, figuring out what’s drought or just the new normal can be difficult. Climatologists are working to define what makes a drought.

    217 Today: Potential NOAA weather research cuts could have consequences

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 18, 2025


    In today’s deep dive, meteorologists are expressing concerns about how the federal budget proposal could impact weather forecasting.   

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

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 17, 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: Millions of acres of Midwest forest were left vulnerable by a storm. What’s being done to protect it?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 16, 2025


    In today’s deep dive, much of Michigan’s forests were damaged by a massive ice storm in March. Now officials are scrambling to clean up thousands of acres of broken trees and dead limbs.

    217 Today: Rep. LaHood supports Medicaid cuts and SNAP reductions in the GOP megabill

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 15, 2025


    In today’s deep dive, we'll bring you a conversation with Illinois Congressman Darin LaHood and he explains his support for President Trump's tax and spending package.

    217 Today: Some farmers are using this new, experimental practice to help prevent flooding

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 14, 2025


    In today’s deep dive, with climate change, the Midwest is expected to have shorter, heavier bursts of rain in the winter and spring, which could lead to more flooding. An experimental farming practice could help.

    217 Today: Scientists are debating the risks of carbon sequestration under sole-source aquifers

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 11, 2025


    In today’s deep dive, state lawmakers are calling for a partial ban on carbon sequestration over concerns that it could contaminate drinking water in important resources like the Mahomet Aquifer. But some scientists say those risks are minimal.

    217 Today: WILL Call: What's Happening in Champaign – Urbana Jul. 10 – Jul. 13

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 10, 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 stress starts to leave the body.' Meet Galesburg's roving therapy dogs

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 9, 2025


    In today’s deep dive, a unique breed of mental health professionals are traveling across Illinois to provide emotional support therapy dogs.

    217 Today: HIV community faces a double whammy: Medicaid reductions and CDC funding cuts

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 8, 2025


    In today’s deep dive, medicaid cuts and potential reductions to HIV prevention and testing dollars could both hit patients living with the disease.

    217 Today: US ginseng growers and animal breeders rely on exports to China. Now they wait on a trade deal.

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 7, 2025


    In today’s deep dive, China is a major buyer of U.S. agricultural goods including specialty products that have few alternative markets. Some producers worry the on-and-off tariffs with the country could hurt America's reputation as a reliable seller.

    217 Today: What's Happening in Champaign – Urbana Jul. 03 – Jul. 06

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 3, 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: A trans migrant came to Chicago to escape violence. Now she's afraid of deportation.

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 2, 2025


    In today’s deep dive, a transgender migrant woman in Chicago talks about her journey trying to find a place to live where human rights are protected.

    217 Today: Illinois immigrant advocate responds to birthright citizenship ruling and increased immigration enforcement around the state

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 1, 2025


    In today’s deep dive, we'll bring you a conversation about responses to federal immigration enforcement in Illinois including the recent Supreme Court ruling on birthright citizenship.

    217 Today: Champaign substitute teacher among those joining “March to Gaza” protest in Egypt

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 30, 2025


    In today’s deep dive, a woman from Central Illinois just returned from a trip to Egypt. Her journey was part of a campaign to bring food and relief supplies into Gaza.

    217 Today: Illinois just passed a ‘direct admissions’ bill to simplify the college application process

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 27, 2025


    In today’s deep dive, Illinois lawmakers just passed a bill creating a “direct admission” program to simplify the college application process.

    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.

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