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.


    • Dec 24, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekdays NEW EPISODES
    • 808 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from The 217 Today Podcast

    217 Today: What's Happening in Central Illinois Dec. 25 – Dec. 28

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 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: From ‘Grinchmas’ to chestnut roasts, these rural towns make the holidays central to their economy

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 23, 2025


    In today's deep dive, some rural towns are known for their holiday festivities. Tourist dollars are a big part of their local economy but getting people to town each year means new events.

    217 Today: Ag sector alarm bells are going off

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 22, 2025


    In today's deep dive, will a new aid package for farmers go far enough? In a year when tariffs have affected sales of Illinois soybeans, there are major warning signs.

    217 Today: More than a holiday tradition, reindeer are a way of life at the Hardy ranch in Rantoul

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 19, 2025


    In today's deep dive, what's the best part of meeting reindeer in real life? According to 10-year-old Bear Taylor — the reindeer kisses.

    217 Today: What's Happening in Central Illinois Dec. 18 – Dec. 21

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 18, 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: New Illinois Farm Bureau president wants to restore communication and credibility for the venerable organization

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 17, 2025


    In today’s deep dive, the Illinois Farm Bureau is ushering in a  new leadership, we’ll  hear more from Philip Nelson who won the election.

    217 Today: With a federal tax credit ending early, installing home solar is about to get more expensive

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 16, 2025


    In today’s deep dive, a federal incentive for homeowner solar is rapidly expiring. Congress voted this summer to eliminate the tax credit at the end of this year. But people in the solar industry remain optimistic.

    217 Today: Declining attendance & rising maintenance costs bring an end to a historic church building in Champaign

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 15, 2025


    In today’s deep dive, as church attendance declines in the U.S., some congregations are finding it difficult to maintain their historic buildings.

    217 Today: Advocates for Aging Care pushes for solutions as Champaign County faces skilled nursing bed shortage

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 12, 2025


    In today’s deep dive, Champaign County has one of the worst skilled nursing care shortages in the state. It means sometimes, people have to drive hours to see their loved ones.

    217 Today: What's Happening in Central Illinois Dec. 11 – Dec. 14

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 11, 2025


    In today’s deep dive, we’ll hear what’s coming to the central Illinois area in the world of arts, culture, and entertainment.

    217 Today: Improved natural gas storage fields will save customers money, Ameren Illinois says

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 10, 2025


    In today’s deep dive, Cold temperatures have already hit the St. Louis region. With that will come increased use of natural gas to heat homes. Ameren Illinois says changes to their local gas storage fields will help save customers money.

    217 Today: Cottonseeds are loaded with protein. Could these seeds become a new food source?

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 9, 2025


    In today's deep dive, cottonseeds could help reduce hunger and add new revenue for farmers. One researcher has been working for decades to make edible seeds a reality.  

    217 Today: Champaign's only low-barrier shelter is at risk of closing. Some guests are worried

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 8, 2025


    In today’s deep dive, the only low-barrier shelter in Champaign-Urbana is at risk of closing. Some guests worry they’ll end up on the streets.

    217 Today: Transgender people are looking for safer places to live. Some have found a home in central Illinois

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 4, 2025


    In today’s deep dive,  the political climate in some states has encouraged hostility towards trans people. It's causing some to leave in search of more affirming communities.

    217 Today: Crisis Nursery offers holiday shopping for kids

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 3, 2025


    In today’s deep dive, the Crisis Nursery in Urbana is hosting its annual holiday shop this weekend. We’ll hear about how the children can shop for their loved ones.

    217 Today: A native prairie bird lost federal protection. People are still trying to save it on private land

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 2, 2025


    In today’s deep dive, lesser prairie chickens used to roam across the Great Plains by the millions. Now there’s only a few thousand. And they recently lost federal protection.

    217 Today: Ebertfest and beyond, how the C-U film sphere moves forward after the loss of a giant

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 1, 2025


    In today’s deep dive, EbertFest organizers announced this fall they won’t be coming back but there’s some discussion of a possible encore. 

    217 Today: Illinois prisons are confining the incarcerated to their cells more often than during the pandemic. Can peer education help?

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 21, 2025


    In today’s deep dive, prison lockdowns cut incarcerated people off from educational opportunities, and they often occur due to staff shortages. Experts say peer mentorship could help fill the gap.

    217 Today: What's Happening in Central Illinois Nov. 20 – Nov. 23

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 20, 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: Junior League of Champaign-Urbana celebrates final Festival of Trees

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 19, 2025


    In today’s deep dive, Junior League of Champaign-Urbana celebrates the final Festival of Trees after 30 years.

    217 Today: ‘There's a softness that starts to settle in', peer educators incarcerated at Danville Correctional Center describe their teaching journey

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 18, 2025


    In today’s deep dive, Danville Correctional Center has led the state in experimenting with a different kind of education — led by peers.

    217 Today: Illinois Public Media's new leaders describe their vision, hope to allay staff concerns

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 17, 2025


    In today’s deep dive, an interview with The New Leaders of Illinois public media.   

    217 Today: Curious about astrophotography in C-U? Here's a behind-the-scenes look at the craft

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 14, 2025


    In today’s deep dive, astrophotographers in Champaign, Urbana share what’s so awe inspiring about their work. 

    217 Today: U of I College of Media removes Illinois Public Media executive director, promotes from within to fill

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 13, 2025


    In today’s deep dive, the College of Media at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is installing new leadership at Illinois Public Media. 

    217 Today: What's Happening in Central Illinois Nov. 13 – Nov. 16

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 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: Veterans showcase their artwork surrounding Veterans Day

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 11, 2025


    In today’s deepdive, a group of veterans is coming together this month to showcase their artwork.

    217 Today: Farmers are desperate for workers. They want Trump to make it easier to hire foreign labor

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 10, 2025


    In today’s deepdive, American agriculture depends on foreign workers. President Trump’s immigration clampdown is shrinking a farm workforce that was already too small, and farm groups are sounding the alarm.

    217 Today: Robert Moore, first Black U.S. Marshal from central Illinois, discusses his journey in law enforcement

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 7, 2025


    In today’s deepdive, we'll bring you a conversation with Robert Moore Central Illinois' first Black U.S. Marshal. Moore shares details on his journey through the Illinois State Police and how he fought for civil rights within the realm of law enforcement.

    217 Today: Remembering Latrelle Bright, a pillar in the Champaign-Urbana theater community

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 6, 2025


    In today’s deep dive, a University of Illinois theater professor touched the lives of nearly everyone she worked with.  

    217 Today: A look into the fall Illinois veto session in Springfield

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 5, 2025


    In today’s deep dive, it’s been over a week since state lawmakers in Springfield wrapped a busy fall veto session.

    217 Today: Tasks on a treadmill, live show pushes the limits, explores human abilities in unique way

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 4, 2025


    In today’s deep dive, four artists perform everyday tasks while running on a treadmill. Burnout Paradise is coming to Krannert Center for the Performing Arts in Urbana this weekend.

    217 Today: Veterans showcase their artwork surrounding Veterans Day

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 3, 2025


    In today’s deep dive, a group of veterans is coming together this month to showcase their artwork.

    217 Today: How Foley artists transform watermelons into a chorus of feasting zombies in horror films

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 31, 2025


    In today’s deep dive, a majority of the spooky sounds in scary movies aren’t as scary as they seem. Most of the time they’re created with everyday objects.

    217 Today: Downstate jury finds ex-cop guilty of second-degree murder for fatally shooting Sonya Massey

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 30, 2025


    In today’s deep dive, the conviction against former deputy sheriff Sean Grayson, who is white, carries a potential sentence of between four and 20 years.

    217 Today: ‘National Math Stars’ wants to identify and support Illinois’ youngest math minds

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 29, 2025


    In today’s deep dive, a group of Illinois students has joined a program to foster the nation's top math minds.

    217 Today: Good gourd! These Midwesterners are raising giant pumpkins that weigh as much as a car

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 28, 2025


    In today’s deep dive, raising giant pumpkins is a labor of love for some Midwest growers. And the pumpkins keep getting bigger and bigger.

    217 Today: Jury could decide the fate of Sean Grayson in his murder trial this week

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 27, 2025


    In today’s deep dive, the murder trial of Sean Grayson resumes today. He is the former Sangamon County sheriff's deputy who shot and killed Sonya Massey last year.

    217 Today: U of I satellite was delivered to space. It will study space weather and how it affects us on Earth

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 24, 2025


    In today’s deep dive, a University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign designed satellite was delivered to Earth’s outer atmosphere. We’ll learn more about how it will make a difference for technology on Earth.

    217 Today: What's Happening in Central Illinois Oct. 23 – Oct. 26

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 23, 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: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Huff Hall celebrates 100th anniversary

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 21, 2025


    In today’s deep dive, Huff Hall at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year.

    217 Today: Drought is shrinking Mississippi River levels — again. That's a big problem for farmers

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 20, 2025


    In today’s deep dive, the Mississippi River is running low south of Illinois. And that means shipping products like fertilizer will cost more.

    217 Today: Drought across the county is taking a toll on trees across Illinois. What can you do?

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 17, 2025


    In today’s deep dive, more than half of Champaign County is currently in extreme drought. 

    217 Today: WILL Call: What's Happening in Central Illinois Oct. 16 – Oct. 19

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 16, 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: Drought is shrinking Mississippi River levels — again. That's a big problem for farmers

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 15, 2025


    In today’s deep dive, the Mississippi River is running low south of Illinois. And that means shipping products like fertilizer will cost more.

    217 Today: University of Illinois wheelchair athlete wins Chicago Marathon

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 14, 2025


    In today’s deep dive, University of Illinois wheelchair athlete Susannah Scaroni won the Chicago Marathon on Sunday.

    217 Today: How does the weather affect autumn leaf colors?

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 13, 2025


    In today’s deep dive, we're getting closer to peak fall leaf color season. Find out specifically why the leaves turn yellow and how weather can affect the colors.

    217 Today: Farmers caught in Trump's trade war wait for bailout. But many call it a temporary fix

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 10, 2025


    In today’s deep dive, the Trump administration is promising billions in a bailout for farmers affected by tariffs and facing a tough economy this year. 

    217 Today: WILL Call: What's Happening in Central Illinois Oct. 9 – Oct. 12

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 9, 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: Americans are drinking less. What does that mean for winemakers in the Heartland?

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 8, 2025


    In today’s deep dive, the grape harvest for wine is in full swing. But in some regions, the last few years have been tough.

    217 Today: What happens if new data centers come to C-U? A look at the environmental costs

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 7, 2025


    In today’s deep dive, still to come data centers use a lot of energy and water. And with the rise in AI some worry about the possibility of more facilities coming to downstate Illinois.

    217 Today: When will beef prices drop? We asked a rancher, a butcher and an economist

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 6, 2025


    In today’s deep dive, beef is as expensive as it’s ever been, thanks to the high cost of cattle. Retailers of all sizes have upped their prices on steak and hamburger.

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