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.


    • Mar 13, 2026 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekdays NEW EPISODES
    • 854 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from The 217 Today Podcast

    217 Today: Four Democrats battle in March primary to succeed Susana Mendoza as Illinois comptroller

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 13, 2026


    First elected in 2016, Susana Mendoza has been Illinois' comptroller for nearly a decade. Now, she's stepping aside. And four Democrats are vying for the seat.

    217 Today: What's Happening in Central Illinois Mar. 12 – Mar. 15

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 12, 2026


    The Jupiter String Quartet, a pet supply sale, the Lucky Dog 5K, and of course, live music. 

    217 Today: Knox College professor turns prairie, loss into poems in “Broken Hallelujah”

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 11, 2026


    In western Illinois, there are gravel roads cut through open prairie, writer and Knox College professor Cyn Kitchen has been paying attention to seasons, to loss, and to faith.

    217 Today: Protein is everywhere right now. We asked experts: Do we really need more?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 10, 2026


    Protein is everywhere, from Starbucks lattes to new dietary guidelines, which ask Americans to prioritize protein. But nutrition experts are wondering whether or not the protein craze is warranted.

    217 Today: Mosses are the underdogs of the plant world. These scientists are trying to protect them

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2026


    Mosses are the underdogs of the plant world. Now, a group of scientists is coming together to protect them.

    217 Today: After one of the driest years on record, we’re finally seeing rain in Central Illinois

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 6, 2026


    Since Monday, we've seen a LOT of rain in central Illinois, but is it enough to end the drought? The state climatologist tells us why we have a long way to go.

    217 Today: What's Happening in Central Illinois Mar. 5 – Mar. 8

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 5, 2026


    A screening of an Oscar-nominated film, opening nights of two plays, a tournament for a Quidditch-inspired sport, a cat show,and, of course, live music.

    217 Today: Illinois schools counted on federal grants to ease a shortage of school psychologists. After cancelation and a year of court battles, the future's uncertain

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 4, 2026


    Illinois schools counted on federal grants to ease a shortage of school psychologists. After cancellation and a year of court battles, the future's uncertain.

    217 Today: State Farm reports strong growth — and shares some of it with policyholders

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 3, 2026


    State Farm is sharing some of its profits with policyholders after having success last year. 

    217 Today: Flyover Film Studios in Rantoul brings new growth to central Illinois' film industry

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 2, 2026


    The story behind the new Flyover movie studios in Rantoul. The studio launched only a few years ago – but it's already being recognized by state leaders for bringing notable economic growth to Illinois.

    217 Today: The 21st Show sought interviews with all 16 candidates for U.S. senator from Illinois. Listen to them here

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 27, 2026


    There's a crowded field of candidates running for Illinois' open U.S. Senate seat this year. Immigration enforcement has been a top issue in the race. We'll hear from Democrats and Republicans vying to succeed outgoing U.S. Senator Dick Durbin.

    217 Today: What's Happening in Central Illinois Feb. 26 – Mar. 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 26, 2026


    The Hip Hop Convene, Romeo and Juliet, featuring IPM's very own Morning Edition host, A Night at the Art Museum, A Black History Gala and of course...live music.

    217 Today: Immigrants in McLean County seeking legal pathway face ‘a different kind of fear’

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 25, 2026


    Immigrants with asylum cases are missing their court hearings in higher numbers - and that's leading to MORE deportation orders.

    217 Today: Rev. Jesse Jackson looks back at some of his famous speeches

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 24, 2026


    We'll hear archival audio of Reverend Jesse Jackson looking back at some of his famous speeches.

    217 Today: Illinois schools counted on federal grants to ease a shortage of school psychologists. After cancellation and a year of court battles, the future's uncertain.

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 23, 2026


    Schools in Illinois were expecting to receive millions of dollars to hire more mental health professionals before the Trump administration cancelled those grants. We'll take a look at how that's impacting schools in the northern part of the state.

    217 Today:  It’s eagle nesting season in Illinois. One nesting pair calls a northern Illinois state park home

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 20, 2026


    During the winter, Illinois is home to the largest population of eagles in the continental U.S. But the national bird didn't always have such a large presence in the state. 

    217 Today:  What's Happening in Central Illinois Feb. 19 – Feb. 22

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 19, 2026


    A celebration of queer art, a meet and greet with local authors, an interactive world full of dinosaurs and, of course, live music.

    217 Today: Illinois residents soon have a big choice to make: who should represent them in the U.S. Senate for the next six years

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 18, 2026


    Illinois residents soon have a big choice to make: who should represent them in the U.S. Senate for the next six years?

    217 Today: Farmers may lose a USDA program that helps them adapt to climate change

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 17, 2026


    The federal government created regional climate hubs more than a decade ago, to help producers adapt to climate change. But now funding for the climate hubs is uncertain.

    217 Today: Four Republican candidates have thrown their hats in the ring to challenge two-term Governor JB Pritzker in November

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 16, 2026


    Four Republican candidates have thrown their hats in the ring to challenge two-term Governor JB Pritzker in November.

    217 Today: Visa delays, rising costs, tightening restrictions and fear are keeping international artists from visiting the Midwest

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 13, 2026


     Under the Trump administration, rising visa costs and fears at ports of entry are keeping more international artists and musicians away from the Midwest.

    217 Today: What's Happening in Central Illinois Feb. 12 – Feb. 15

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 12, 2026


    A screening of a French musical film, a tribute performance by a Chicago saxophonist, a musical dinner with a buffet of songs, and of course, live music.

    217 Today: Meet some of the candidates from Illinois' second congressional district

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 11, 2026


     Illinois' 2nd congressional district runs from the south side of Chicago to Champaign and Vermilion counties. Meet some the candidates, including one from a well-known political family.

    217 Today: ‘BLKNWS: Terms & Conditions' film creators discuss crafting a visual album to showcase a Black perspective

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 10, 2026


    BLKNWS: Terms & Conditions" shows at the Colwell Playhouse this Wednesday, February 11, at 5:00 P.M, followed by a Q & A with Joseph Hunt and other production team members.

    217 Today: Economics and energy take center stage in this year's 13th congressional district campaigns

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 9, 2026


    Nikki Budzinski is seeking a third term representing central Illinois in Congress. But she has several Democratic and Republican challengers. 

    217 Today:  A conversation with Sanford Hess, who's running for the Democratic ticket for Champaign County Executive.

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 6, 2026


    A conversation with Sanford Hess, who's running for the Democratic ticket for Champaign County Executive.

    217 Today:  A conversation with Michelle Jett, who's running for the Democratic ticket for Champaign County Executive.

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 5, 2026


    A conversation with Michelle Jett, who's running for the Democratic ticket for Champaign County Executive.

    217 Today: A tick bite made this rancher allergic to her own cattle. It’s a worsening issue for farmers

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 3, 2026


    In today's deep dive, an allergy to red meat spread by tick bites affects nearly half a million Americans.

    217 Today: Illinois Soul celebrates two years of amplifying Black voices

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 2, 2026


    A celebration of Illinois Soul's second year on air.

    217 Today: Maysa brings her dulcet voice to Champaign-Urbana to help Illinois Soul celebrate its anniversary

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 30, 2026


     In today's deep dive, Maysa brings her dulcet voice to Champaign-Urbana to help Illinois Soul celebrate its anniversary.

    217 Today: What's Happening in Central Illinois Jan. 29 – Feb. 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 29, 2026


    In today's deep dive, What's Happening in Central Illinois Jan. 29 – Feb. 1

    217 Today: A look at the first debate between the three Illinois Democrats vying to become the state's next U.S. senator

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 28, 2026


    In today's deep dive, a look at the first face-to-face debate between the three Illinois Democrats vying to become the state's next U.S. senator that happened earlier this week.

    217 Today: Cow cuddles and farm-churned ice cream are helping Midwest dairies thrive despite low milk prices

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 27, 2026


    In today's deep dive, dairy farms are opening new side businesses, such as cow cuddling and ice cream churning. But those opportunities of joy come amid a volatile milk market.

    217 Today: The nation's wheat belt has been wavering, but hybrid science may help bring it back

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 26, 2026


    In today's deep dive, wheat isn't grown as much as it used to be across the Great Plains. We'll hear about an effort to hybridize wheat.

    217 Today: Illinois Public Media is helping launch a new teen video podcast. Here's how to sign up.

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 23, 2026


    In today's deep dive, Illinois Public Media is launching a new video podcast with local teens talking about issues that matter to them, and we want your child to be involved. 

    217 Today: What's Happening in Central Illinois Jan. 22 – Jan. 25

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 22, 2026


    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: Here are the books Illinois students loved the most in 2025

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 21, 2026


    In today's deep dive, every year, Illinois students vote on the Readers' Choice Awards for the books they loved the most. 

    217 Today: One man’s journey from living in poverty in Southern Illinois to prison to a PhD

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 20, 2026


    In today's deep dive, one man is the first to make the leap from a University of Illinois college-in-prison program to a U of I degree.

    217 Today: New exhibit showcases Illinois’ role in Underground Railroad

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 16, 2026


    In today's deep dive, a new exhibit at the Urbana Free Library highlights Illinois' involvement in the Underground Railroad.

    217 Today: Local film competition challenges participants to make a movie in 48 hours

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 14, 2026


    In today's deep dive, Champaign Movie Makers is hosting their annual 48 Hour Film Competition this weekend, where participants have just two days to make a movie.

    217 Today: Judge grants temporary restraining order to block the Trump Administration’s freeze on federal funding

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 13, 2026


    In today's deep dive, Illinois and four other Democratic-led states have filed a lawsuit against the Trump Administration to block a freeze on federal funding for childcare and family services. A judge has granted a temporary restraining order blocking immediate implementation of the freeze.

    217 Today: A conversation with the president of the University of Illinois System about why he is stepping down next year

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 12, 2026


    In today's deep dive, the president of the University of Illinois System is stepping down once his contract expires next year. We'll bring you a conversation with Tim Killeen about why he's leaving and his plans for the future.

    217 Today: What made 2025 a hard time to be a farmer and what’s ahead for some farmers in the central US

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 9, 2026


    In today's deep dive, some farmers ended 2025 unsure how they'll pay their bills. We'll hear from farmers around the central US about what made 2025 such a tough year and what's ahead.

    217 Today: WILL Call: What's Happening in Champaign – Urbana Jan. 8 – Jan. 11

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 8, 2026


    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: Five candidates seeking to represent central Illinois in Congress, including incumbent Nikki Budzinski

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 7, 2026


    In today's deep dive, five candidates are seeking to represent central Illinois in Congress, including incumbent Nikki Budzinski.

    217 Today: How a preservation project is saving wetlands in the Midwest

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 6, 2026


    In today's deep dive, a wetland preservation project continues, despite the shrinking number of wetlands in the Midwest.

    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.

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