WGLT's Sound Ideas

Historian Megan Kate Nelson Interview

Sat, 07 Mar 2026 00:43:45 +0000

There are many myths about the American west. There’s the myth of bringing order out of a savage wasteland. The myth of disordered and uncivilized native Americans. The myth of the noble Caucasian cowboy. The myth of rugged individualists who wrested a living from the earth without help from anyone else. And the myth of women without agency who deferred to men. All of these are wrong. Yet they are remarkably sticky in American cultural consciousness according to historian Megan Kate Nelson. Nelson will speak at Illinois State University on March 19. Her talk How the Real West was Lost: The Frontier Myth and the Erasure of U.S. Western History is part of history department programming sponsored by the Sage Foundation. Nelson’s new book The Westerners: Mythmaking and Belonging on the American Frontier is out at the end of the month from Simon & Schuster.

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McLean County Emergency Management Agency prepares for another storm season

Fri, 06 Mar 2026 21:53:44 +0000

March 2 - 6 is severe weather preparedness week in Illinois, just ahead of storm season for the state. March 20, the first day of Spring, marks one of the busiest seasons for weather and safety organizations. Cathy Beck is director of the McLean County Emergency Management Agency [EMA]. She understands storm season can cause panic.

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Redbird men's basketball carries win streak into Arch Madness

Fri, 06 Mar 2026 21:51:32 +0000

A win over Missouri Valley Conference leader Belmont on Sunday helped Illinois State carry a two-game winning streak and some momentum heading into this weekend’s Missouri Valley Conference [MVC] men’s basketball tournament.

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Memory, grief and collective healing take the stage in Community Players' 'Fun Home'

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 22:23:00 +0000

The haunting pull of memory and its potential power to destroy or shape identity come to life in the Tony Award-winning musical Fun Home, produced for the first time in Bloomington-Normal this weekend. Based on a true events from graphic novelist Alison Bechdel and the struggle to write her autobiography as she reflects on her past will be performed by the Community Players Theatre March 5-7 at the Normal Community Activity Center.

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8th grade Chiddix teacher on paid leave was disciplined by Unit 5 for repeated ‘grooming behaviors’

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 22:16:12 +0000

A Chiddix Junior High School teacher being investigated by police was disciplined by Unit 5 in December for “repeated unprofessional conduct in the classroom,” according to a Letter of Reprimand obtained by WGLT through a public records request.

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Meet the Newsroom: Lauren Warnecke

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 22:11:42 +0000

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ISU criminologist's new book shows schools use restraint and seclusion more than they're saying

Wed, 04 Mar 2026 23:24:23 +0000

According to federal data, more than 100,000 students are physically restrained and secluded in locked rooms annually in U.S. schools. But a Twin City scholar on criminology and psychology said that’s an undercount. Charles Bell is an associate professor of criminal justice sciences at Illinois State University. Bell focuses on school discipline; his latest research on school seclusion and restraint is captured in a new book, No Restraint.

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Illinois lawmakers consider removing the 2-year foreign language requirement for high school

Wed, 04 Mar 2026 23:20:33 +0000

Two Illinois lawmakers have introduced a bill that would remove the two-year foreign language requirement for high school. The requirement was signed into law in 2021 but does not go into effect until 2028. High school students will need to have completed the requirement to graduate.

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Parents seek help from Normal Town Council to avoid relocation of students from Glenn Elementary

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 22:06:51 +0000

Parents of students at Glenn Elementary School have taken their pleas to keep the school as it is to the Normal Town Council. Ideally, they would like to see the council release a statement of support for their cause. One of two proposed fixes for enrollment imbalance in the Unit 5 school district would move the students there to Sugar Creek Elementary, so Glenn could house the district’s transitional services program for 18 to 22-year-olds.

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Dr. Robert Cavagnol steps into new president's role at Carle Health in Bloomington-Normal

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 22:53:43 +0000

Last month, Carle Health named Dr. Robert Cavagnol the new president of its central region, which includes Bloomington-Normal. He replaced the retiring President Colleen Kannaday on Feb. 2. Kannaday was president of the service area for over 15 years. Although she was an amazing leader, Cavagnol said, he isn’t sure right now what substantial changes need to happen in the organization.

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Unit 5 adopts new reading curriculum that has classrooms hooked on phonics

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 22:48:16 +0000

A new reading curriculum already used in some other McLean County school districts is coming to Unit 5. The Unit 5 School Board approved districtwide adoption of UFLI [University of Florida Literacy Institute] for K-2 classrooms during its February meeting, to begin in the 2026-27 school year. UFLI introduces well over 100 new sight words over the course of a school year between kindergarten and second grade. It provides a scripted curriculum with an evidence-based and research-based guide for how to most effectively teach reading to kids.

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Crucial water system upgrades are in Bloomington's plans

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 22:45:46 +0000

The City of Bloomington doesn't know what's happening to up to 3 million gallons of water per day — and it could be more during the summer. An aging treatment and distribution system is a root cause.

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Museum event lets people consider what ‘life and liberty’ means as America turns 250

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 22:43:22 +0000

Dozens of people gathered Saturday afternoon to dig into the meaning of the Declaration of Independence, and how its principles fit into America’s culture today. The program, focusing on the phrase “Life and Liberty,” was at the McLean County Museum of History and is part of the Democracy Dialogues series of public discussions this year, marking the the museum’s celebration of America 250, the nationwide focus on the milestone anniversary of the Declaration's signing.

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Here Come the Mummies bring the funk to Bloomington

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 21:44:07 +0000

They were mummified a long time ago and only came out once or twice before getting stuck back in their sarcophagi for several thousands of years. Then the band got together in 1999. That’s what Mummy Cass told WGLT in an interview for Sound Ideas. Frontman Cass got together with Eddie Mummy around that time to create their eight-piece funk band Here Come the Mummies. They’re playing the Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts on March 1.

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

Thu, 26 Feb 2026 22:27:49 +0000

State Farm had a good year in 2025 and is sharing some of that with policyholders in a company record dividend.

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Meet the Democrats running for US Senate from Illinois

Thu, 26 Feb 2026 22:27:06 +0000

Illinois residents soon have a big choice to make: who should represent them in the U.S. Senate for the next six years? And because Illinois is such a heavily blue state — all eyes are on the Democratic primary in the race to replace longtime retiring US Senator Dick Durbin. WBEZ political reporters Mawa Iqbal and Mariah Woelfel report.

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ISU president recaps university response to first year of Trump's 2nd term and ongoing new budgeting model

Wed, 25 Feb 2026 23:14:06 +0000

It has been about a year since the Trump administration started to ramp up open hostility toward Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion [DEI] in higher education. Initially, Illinois State University signed onto a letter from about 400 university presidents objecting to government overreach. Since then, a lot of institutions have quietly deemphasized DEI, dropped public rhetoric about it, and reworked grants or programs to avoid courting federal displeasure. ISU President Aondover Tarhule on Friday took a practical stance as litigation continues over a lot of federal mandates.

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After 65 years, Normal's Music Shoppe can't stop the beat

Wed, 25 Feb 2026 23:11:58 +0000

The Music Shoppe, a family-owned instrument sales and service center headquartered in Normal, is celebrating its 65th anniversary—a rare achievement among family businesses. For the current and previous owners, what began as a summer job became a lifelong commitment to the store. Randy Wood and Jonathon Breen both started working at the shop as teenagers, cleaning instruments and cases, before eventually taking ownership of the Music Shoppe.

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Immigrants in McLean County seeking legal pathway face 'a different kind of fear'

Tue, 24 Feb 2026 22:34:20 +0000

Immigrants with asylum cases are increasingly missing their court hearings, leading to an increase in deportation orders. In McLean County, community members with ongoing immigrations cases said news headlines and social media posts are fueling fear and distrust in the legal immigration system.

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Local Super Smash Bros. club will bring international tournament to ISU for the first time

Tue, 24 Feb 2026 22:05:43 +0000

Gamers from Illinois State University, the broader Bloomington-Normal community and elsewhere gather every Thursday night during the academic year for one reason: to play Super Smash Bros. The weekly tournaments, hosted by the Redbird Super Smash Bros. Club, are open to anyone who loves the game. On Feb. 28, the club will take things to the next level by hosting its first international tournament.

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Meet the Newsroom: Eric Stock

Tue, 24 Feb 2026 15:45:42 +0000

The Meet the Newsroom series pulls back the curtain to introduce you to the team that makes WGLT possible. The series continues with news director Eric Stock.

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'Caregiving' screening explores challenges, resources for taking care of loved ones with dementia

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 22:30:06 +0000

A team in the department of communication sciences and disorders at Illinois State University partnered with the Alzheimer’s Association for a yearlong collaboration including a film screening next week at the Normal Theater.

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Parents can offer feedback on 2 options related to Unit 5 enrollment study

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 22:25:11 +0000

Unit 5 families have two draft options to submit feedback related to the districtwide enrollment survey. Families can review the two proposals and complete a survey until March 1. Survey responses will be used by the team at Cropper GIS, the consulting firm working with Unit 5, to help shape final recommendations presented to the Unit 5 school board next month. Cropper presented the draft options Thursday at Parkside Junior High School.

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On Hearts for Heroes campaign, Rep. Sorensen hears veterans' concerns at Bloomington VFW

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 22:22:47 +0000

U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen heard concerns from Bloomington-Normal’s veterans during a recent stop on his Hearts for Heroes tour. The Democrat from Moline has been delivering valentines throughout his Central Illinois district.

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Electric rates could be wobbly again this year

Fri, 20 Feb 2026 22:48:57 +0000

Last year, many Bloomington-Normal residents saw their electric bills jump 40% in some cases, even after the two municipalities teamed together with other Illinois governments to negotiate a bulk rate for power. In a nod to the price shock, the electric aggregation contract negotiated with Constellation NewEnergy was for a single year. The previous contract was a three-year deal.

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Federal grant will allow extension of Constitution Trail in west Normal

Fri, 20 Feb 2026 22:45:52 +0000

The Town of Normal will extend Constitution Trail on the west side of town, thanks to a $1.9 million federal grant announced by U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin.

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For moms, Nomad Theatre's 'Paint Night' is art imitating life

Thu, 19 Feb 2026 22:02:11 +0000

Nomad Theatre Company has experienced a lot of "firsts" since launching the nonprofit theater in earnest two years ago. Here's another: The site-specific troupe is producing its first full-length play. Carey Crim's Paint Night is appropriately set in an undeveloped storefront that will one day be extra classroom space for the McLean County Arts Center.

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Central Illinois lawmakers react to governor's budget address

Thu, 19 Feb 2026 21:56:24 +0000

Central Illinois lawmakers supported investment into generating more energy, but have concerns about higher education funding in Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker's annual budget address. Pritzker, speaking at the Capitol in Springfield on Wednesday, proposed a 1% increase for higher education funding, a tax on social media companies and a two-year pause on data center tax credits.

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Four candidates vie for the GOP nomination for Illinois governor

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 22:07:11 +0000

Four Republican candidates have thrown their hats in the ring to challenge two-term Gov. JB Pritzker in November. They face an uphill battle against a billionaire Democrat in a state that has shifted more and more blue over the past decade.

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Rep. Sorensen sees no end in sight to partial government shutdown

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 22:02:48 +0000

U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen said the partial government shutdown, now in its fifth day, is the only way to force Republicans to the negotiating table. By failing to fund the Department of Homeland Security [DHS] by a Feb. 13 deadline, FEMA, cybersecurity, the Coast Guard and TSA may see lapses in funding.

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ISU College of Engineering dean talks program's first year and what's to come

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 21:55:45 +0000

The College of Engineering at Illinois State University is surpassing enrollment goals and showing promise for a statewide market in need of more engineers.

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Bloomington-Normal leaders reflect on Rev. Jesse Jackson's legacy

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 15:51:21 +0000

The Rev. Jesse Jackson was known for his soaring oratory, but Carla Campbell-Jackson with the Bloomington-Normal NAACP remembers Jackson more for his personal touch.

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Sen. Durbin, Ray LaHood find common ground on perils, solutions to preserving democracy

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 13:47:46 +0000

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin and former U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood, elder statesmen of opposing parties, did something Tuesday night that, nowadays, may seem unusual in politics.

They agreed. The two came together at Braden Auditorium at Illinois State University for a question-and-answer session moderated by WGLT's Charlie Schlenker, in the first of a series of Democracy Dialogues. The program was the first in a series of Democracy Dialogues throughout 2026 to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

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CIRA cruising along at a stable altitude

Mon, 16 Feb 2026 22:38:55 +0000

The director of the Central Illinois Regional Airport said 2025 was a good year for the Bloomington facility. Carl Olson said the airport had about 325,000 passengers for the year, in the same range as the last couple of years.

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Ranked choice voting stalled in Illinois, waiting for clarity from the courts

Mon, 16 Feb 2026 22:36:56 +0000

Several Illinois municipalities are trying to implement ranked choice voting, but confusion about Illinois election law has slowed the implementation process. Several lawmakers are trying to change that. Ranked choice voting allows people to rank candidates in the order they most want them. If no candidate gets 50%, the lowest candidate is dropped and their supporters' votes go to their second choice. This is repeated until one candidate gets over 50% of the vote.

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With new construction lagging, Bloomington turns to rehab strategy to address housing crunch

Mon, 16 Feb 2026 22:34:18 +0000

Homebuilders put up just 58 single-family homes and duplexes in the City of Bloomington last year. That’s less than the 66 built in 2024. City records indicate the value of the new construction in 2025 was $21.2 million. That’s not going to make much of a dent in the communitywide housing deficit of thousands of units.

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Talk at the Mennonite Church highlights civilian peacemaking efforts in the occupied West Bank

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 22:23:07 +0000

A director and filmmaker who grew up in Bloomington-Normal is home for a few days to give a talk about civilian peacemaking efforts in the occupied West Bank. Quinn Wilson went to the region last fall with Community Peacemaking Team [CPT], a Chicago-based organization that partners with the Mennonite Church of Normal. He'll give a free talk about his experiences at 7 p.m. Sunday at the Mennonite Church, 805 S. Cottage Ave. in Normal.

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Mayor Brady hopes Bloomington can avoid mandatory water conservation measures

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 22:20:46 +0000

Water conservation measures by City of Bloomington residents are still voluntary for now. Mayor Dan Brady said if the levels in the reservoir fall another two feet, they might not stay optional.

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Bloomington's annual crime statistics show drop in shootings, increase in drug crimes

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 21:51:45 +0000

Bloomington saw a slight increase in crime over 2025, but the officials numbers still tell a story of some improvements, according to the department’s head. Bloomington Police Chief Jamal Simington said gun-related crimes decreased from 2024.

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CreatiVets honors Marine Nancy Benedict in inaugural art exhibition at Heartland

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 21:36:06 +0000

A first-of-its-kind art exhibition on display at the Joe McCauley Gallery features works created by student veterans at Heartland Community College. The show is a culmination of the inaugural CreatiVets program at Heartland. Veterans ranging in age from their 20s to their 90s created mixed media works including painting, pottery and collage. The centerpiece of the CreatiVets show is a memorial to participant Nancy Benedict of Pontiac. Benedict died unexpectedly in a car crash last September. She served in the Marine Corps from 1975-1978, stationed in southern California.

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Carlock families make the case to keep their school open

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 22:23:02 +0000

Unit 5 may soon consider whether closing Carlock Elementary would be beneficial to the school district's efforts to correct enrollment imbalances. The potential closure of the school in northwest McLean County has been a recurring theme in preliminary meetings of an enrollment study, though a final recommendation has not yet been made. Carlock families have been showing up by the dozen to school board meeting each month to urge Unit 5 not close their school. K-12 correspondent Braden Fogerson has more on why Carlock residents say their school is worth keeping.

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Bloomington Fire begins staffing fourth shift, reups paramedic requirement and community outreach

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 22:03:09 +0000

Bloomington Fire Department [BFD] is making strides in improving internal and external goals for hiring new staff this year. The department has seen recruitment numbers exceed expectations while also getting approval for two full-time community health navigators.

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Here are the Winter Olympians with Illinois ties to watch

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 22:24:44 +0000

The Winter Olympics are officially underway in Milan. A number of the members of Team USA come from right here in Illinois — including four members of the U.S. Olympic women’s hockey team. WBEZ's Noah Jennings reports.

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The long thirst for a Lake Bloomington

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 22:15:13 +0000

To reduce water use in an ongoing severe drought, the City of Bloomington has asked residents to conserve water by a goal of 10%. Water shortages are not unheard of for the city. Even at its start, water was scarce in Bloomington.

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Illinois lawmakers not sure there's more higher ed money in a 'tricky' budget

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 22:08:21 +0000

Illinois lawmakers say they have concerns with increasing higher education funding because of a tight budget. The Illinois Board of Higher Education is requesting a nearly 5% increase in its budget for public colleges and universities and a change to flexible funding informed by specific institutional factors, referred to as "evidence-based."

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Meet the Newsroom: Emily Bollinger

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 21:54:30 +0000

The Meet the Newsroom series pulls back the curtain to introduce you to the team that makes WGLT possible. The series continues with digital content director Emily Bollinger.

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Film series memorializing the AIDS epidemic provides 'chilling parallels' to today

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 01:00:01 +0000

Illinois State University's Queer Coalition kicks off a month-long film series this week at the Normal Theater. Fired Up: The American AIDS Crisis on Film captures the early days of the AIDS crisis, with community leaders and scholars introducing each film—those who lived through and cared for others during the height of the epidemic.

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American Cancer Society study aimed at equity gaps urges Black women to share their experiences with health care

Mon, 09 Feb 2026 22:32:46 +0000

A cancer survivor from Springfield is urging Black women in Illinois to share their experiences with health care. Erica Austin earned her Ph.D. from Illinois State University and works in the medical field. She is the Illinois ambassador for "VOICES of Black Women," a nationwide research study aimed at closing health gaps among Black women, including disproportional cancer mortality rates.

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Despite concerns, LaHood doesn't break with administration over vaccinations

Mon, 09 Feb 2026 22:28:56 +0000

Many major medical and health care organizations have decided to ignore new guidance from the federal government related to the childhood vaccination schedule. President Donald Trump and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. recently reduced the number of immunizations routinely recommended for all children from 17 to 11. Last September, Republican U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood voiced concerns about some of the statements coming out of Kennedy's department. But LaHood is refusing to break entirely with the Trump administration on the vaccine question — while acknowledging he now has more than just concerns.

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Illinois Senate Republicans introduce bills aimed at protecting victims of domestic violence

Mon, 09 Feb 2026 22:25:03 +0000

Illinois Senate Republicans have introduced a series of bills to increase penalties for repeat offenders of orders of protection, no stalking orders and civil no contact orders.

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Rep. LaHood praises federal immigration policy

Fri, 06 Feb 2026 22:27:24 +0000

A Republican Congressman for Central Illinois said he thinks President Trump's immigration policy has largely been a success. Darin LaHood, whose district includes portions of Bloomington and Normal, said the administration has secured the southern border and reduced illegal crossings by 98%. He said cooperation from the Mexican government has also improved. LaHood also praised the administration priority of arresting criminals.

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Unity Cupboard strengthens food pantry amid SNAP restrictions

Fri, 06 Feb 2026 22:24:20 +0000

While restrictions on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance program, or SNAP, begin and winter weather continues, one food pantry in north Normal is bolstering its efforts to combat food insecurity. Unity Cupboard is a food pantry and service of the University of Illinois Extension in Bloomington-Normal. It’s open every Thursday morning from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Unity Community Center on Orlando Avenue.

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FUSE program numbers up sharply in McLean County as cost of care trends downward

Fri, 06 Feb 2026 00:19:26 +0000

A program that works to reduce the caseloads at Bloomington-Normal emergency rooms and the McLean County jail has seen significant growth in the last two years.

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As protests continue in Iran, an ISU professor reflects on her past and present with the regime

Thu, 05 Feb 2026 22:18:14 +0000

Over 6,000 people have died in nationwide protests in Iran against the country’s regime and continued economic uncertainty, according to NPR. Some experts in Iran believe the death toll is as high as 30,000. Elahe Javadi is an associate professor of information systems at Illinois State University. Close to 100 members of her immediate and extended family still live in her hometown, Hamedan.

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Chris Greene Quartet to make its Twin City debut at Jazz UpFront

Thu, 05 Feb 2026 22:11:59 +0000

The Chris Greene Quartet makes its Bloomington-Normal debut next weekend, headlining an evening at Jazz UpFront. Greene is a saxophonist and band leader from the northern Chicago suburb of Evanston. The quartet is currently touring with Greene's 2024 album Conversance. The Feb. 13 stop in Bloomington-Normal is paired with a visit to the Krannert Center in Urbana the day before.

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Normal could dust off an old idea for a community sports complex

Thu, 05 Feb 2026 03:06:32 +0000

An upcoming strategic planning retreat for the Normal Town Council will help the town focus on issues for the next several years, and will include data from focus groups facilitated by a group at Northern Illinois University. Mayor Chris Koos said one idea that has come up periodically over the last couple of decades is back again.

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Chestnut Health Systems launches research study for young adults struggling with substance use

Wed, 04 Feb 2026 23:00:21 +0000

Chestnut Health Systems is launching a new research study aimed at supporting young adults who struggle with substance use, along with their families.

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Bloomington-Normal home sales fell in 2025

Tue, 03 Feb 2026 22:26:52 +0000

Bloomington-Normal home sales declined last year, though there are a couple positive signs. The Mid-Illinois Realtors Association said home sales were down 5.9% in 2025. Berkshire-Hathaway Home Services Managing Broker Ed Neaves said there is still a supply bottleneck.

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OSF, ImpactLife help provide blood services to Eureka-Goodfield EMS

Mon, 02 Feb 2026 22:10:08 +0000

Eureka-Goodfield EMS will be the first service in Illinois to offer a pre-hospital blood transfusion program. Two ambulances will now carry two units of O-positive red blood cells and two units of plasma. Dr. Matthew Jackson, medical director of pre-hospital and EMS at OSF HealthCare, tells student reporter Ben Howell why this area of patient care has been growing.

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Part 2 of child care interview with YWCA McLean County and EDC

Mon, 02 Feb 2026 22:03:05 +0000

Child care in Bloomington Normal costs more than college tuition at Illinois State University -- if you can find it. A new report on a child care availability and affordability crisis in McLean County is out from the Bloomington-Normal Economic Development Council and YWCA McLean County. WGLT talks to Nora Harrison from the EDC and Liz German from the YWCA.

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EDC and YWCA report lays out McLean County's child care crisis

Mon, 02 Feb 2026 22:01:37 +0000

The Bloomington-Normal Economic Development Council [EDC] and YWCA McLean County are proposing significant public and private sector investment in affordable child care for the community. After a yearlong study, the report Building McLean County’s Future: A Collaborative Strategy for Childcare Solutions, lays out average child care costs that, coupled with mortgage or rent payments, consumes about half the income of a median household [$78,500] in McLean County.

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Karine Jean-Pierre urges action to protect democracy at MLK Jr. Cultural Dinner

Mon, 02 Feb 2026 21:58:26 +0000

Karine Jean-Pierre, former press secretary to President Joe Biden, told a sold-out audience "the movement for civil rights and social justice is far, far from over” during a keynote address Friday night at Illinois State University. Jean-Pierre, the first Black and openly queer person to serve as White House press secretary, spoke at the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Cultural Dinner.

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Special episode: Celebrating Jon Norton's retirement

Sat, 31 Jan 2026 01:00:00 +0000

This hourlong special celebrates Jon Norton, WGLT's longtime morning host and program director who is retiring at the end of January. You'll hear some of Jon's favorite music, plus messages from many of the musicians that Jon interviewed through the years.

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Sewage infrastructure need prompts Normal council discussion on how to pay

Fri, 30 Jan 2026 22:43:26 +0000

Town of Normal staff are signaling a potential need for rate increases in several programs. Sometime in the next five years, the town will need to spend tens of millions of dollars on sewage lift stations, according to City Manager Pam Reece. Reece said existing annual rate increases of about 2% won't cover the price of new infrastructure.

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OSF adds 'Victoria' to OB-GYN team, pushing emergency preparedness in mobile maternal care

Fri, 30 Jan 2026 22:38:25 +0000

OSF HealthCare has added a new member to its OB-GYN training team. “Victoria” is a high-tech birthing simulator that can replicate a variety of birth emergencies, including rare, high-risk complications. An addition to the mobile maternity care unit, “Victoria” provides advanced practice providers [APPs] with the skillset to effectively prepare for any situation they come across on the road.

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Meet the Newsroom: Charlie Schlenker

Fri, 30 Jan 2026 22:14:57 +0000

The Meet the Newsroom series pulls back the curtain to introduce you to the team that makes WGLT possible. The series begins with senior reporter Charlie Schlenker.

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Documentation Project aims to measure all Trump administration cuts in McLean County

Thu, 29 Jan 2026 21:37:26 +0000

In 2025, actions of President Trump’s second term resulted in significant cuts to various funding sources for McLean County programs. A new citizen group wants to document the totality of these cuts in an initiative known as The Documentation Project.

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At University Galleries, 50 years in 50 prints mark Normal Editions' golden anniversary

Thu, 29 Jan 2026 21:27:51 +0000

Normal Editions Workshop turns 50 this year. To celebrate, University Galleries launched a large-scale exhibition with prominent prints from throughout the past five decades. Normal Editions interim director Morgan Price curated the exhibition, with input from University Galleries staff and ISU alumni.

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Retiring morning host Jon Norton reflects on over two decades at WGLT

Wed, 28 Jan 2026 22:21:14 +0000

WGLT is saying farewell to longtime local Morning Edition host and program director Jon Norton. Norton is retiring at the end of the month after nearly 23 years with Bloomington-Normal’s Public Media. Norton said he’d like to be remembered as someone who works hard and is a nice person.

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Illinois lawmakers look for solutions as farmers see financial troubles due to tariffs and inflation

Wed, 28 Jan 2026 21:45:09 +0000

Illinois lawmakers are looking to support farmers who are facing financial challenges because of tariffs, inflation and a more competitive foreign market. The Trump administration is giving bridge payments to farmers to offset losses from the tariffs, but the payments are not enough for some farmers to offset their losses.

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ISU visiting professor in diplomacy critiques U.S. foreign policy

Tue, 27 Jan 2026 22:57:00 +0000

A veteran diplomat said American actions in Venezuela and rhetoric on Greenland do not show any foreign policy advantage for the U.S. Gordon Duguid is the Donald F. McHenry Visiting Professor in Diplomacy and International Affairs at Illinois State University. Duguid spent more than three decades with the State Department, and since retiring has been a public diplomacy consultant for various entities.

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Lt. Gov. Stratton goes on attack in Sun-Times, WBEZ, UChicago debate against U.S. Reps. Kelly, Krishnamoorthi

Tue, 27 Jan 2026 22:48:42 +0000

Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton went on the offensive Monday night against U.S. Reps. Raja Krishnamoorthi and Robin Kelly in the first live-broadcast debate in the heated Democratic primary race for retiring U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin’s seat.

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McLean County Indian community feels 'seen and heard' by U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi

Tue, 27 Jan 2026 22:44:52 +0000

Members of a South Asian association in McLean County gathered Saturday to celebrate India's 77th year as a republic, featuring a keynote address by U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, who is running for U.S. Senate from Illinois.

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Rivian's first test R2s come off the line after fast-track expansion in Normal

Mon, 26 Jan 2026 22:29:37 +0000

Rivian’s new model, the R2, goes fast — zero to 60 mph in 3 seconds. Turns out, so does Rivian’s construction team. The electric automaker is starting 2026 with 2.6 million square feet of new space in Normal, where the R2 will be made. Construction took only 11 months — a staggering pace that required creative problem-solving, thousands of workers, and a $1.5 billion investment. The project — the size equivalent of building 14 Walmarts — even came in under budget.

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Community health organizations to host training on child sex trafficking risk factors

Mon, 26 Jan 2026 22:25:57 +0000

Chestnut Health Systems is partnering with McLean County community organizations to host a training session exploring the connection between children exposed to drug use in their homes and familial child sex trafficking. The session, titled Hidden Risks: Drug endangered children and family human trafficking training, is co-sponsored by Allies Against Trafficking and the Logan/Mason County and McLean County Recovery Oriented Systems of Care, also known as ROSC. It will take place Jan. 27 at Illinois State University's Alumni Center in Normal.

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Bloomington minister 'heartbroken' but 'hopeful' after joining clergy anti-ICE rally in Minneapolis

Mon, 26 Jan 2026 22:05:31 +0000

While the Rev. Rebecca Gant took the seven-hour drive by herself to Minneapolis to join a faith-based protest against enhanced immigration enforcement, a part of the congregation was still with her.

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ISU students learn about civic engagement and social issues by volunteering in rural Costa Rica

Fri, 23 Jan 2026 22:10:33 +0000

A group of 11 Illinois State University students, a staff member and a WGLT reporter started off the new year by volunteering for 10 days in Río Cuarto, Alajuela. Reporter Emily Bollinger brings back this story.

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144-year-old Longfellow Club keeps up with the times by keeping things simple

Fri, 23 Jan 2026 21:47:00 +0000

The great American poet Henry Wadworth Longfellow died in 1882, spurring Bloomington-Normal residents to form a club in his honor. The Longfellow Club enjoys a revered status as Bloomington-Normal’s oldest continuously running social club. They meet most months of the year for educational programs prepared by members, plus dessert, made by whomever is hosting that month.

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Retiring U.S. Marshal Brendan Heffner laments loss of ‘warrior mindset’ in law enforcement

Thu, 22 Jan 2026 21:55:07 +0000

Former Bloomington Police Chief Brendan Heffner has retired after serving seven years as the U.S. Marshal for the Central District of Illinois. Heffner was appointed the post in 2018, after leading the Bloomington Police Department for five years.

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Looking to read more in 2026? B-N has plenty of book clubs to help

Thu, 22 Jan 2026 21:46:55 +0000

Like health clubs, book clubs tend to see a boost at the beginning of a new year. And folks angling to read more in 2026 have a lot of options for book clubs in Bloomington-Normal.

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McLean County has plan for more timely audits, bill paying

Wed, 21 Jan 2026 22:38:06 +0000

A delay last year in finishing the external audit for McLean County government put grants at risk and further heightened periodic and recurring tensions between the county administration, other elected office holders and McLean County Auditor Michelle Anderson. There were complaints Anderson was not responsive and that her office had unreasonable delays in acting on routine matters. McLean County Board Chair Elizabeth Johnston said in a WGLT interview she thinks this year will go much better.

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McLean County leaders expect big crowds this year for Route 66 centennial

Wed, 21 Jan 2026 22:28:28 +0000

This year, America’s most famous highway turns 100. The Route 66 milestone will be celebrated throughout the year — from Chicago to Los Angeles. Here in McLean County, where a stretch of the road winds from Chenoa to McLean, leaders want events and promotions to allow area residents to revel in their pride and connection to the nation’s Mother Road. But those leaders also want to harness the centennial fever into tourism dollars for the region.

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Redbird football championship game run was good PR that ‘money can’t buy’

Tue, 20 Jan 2026 22:37:05 +0000

The Illinois State football team came up one point short in the national championship game in Nashville two weeks ago, but athletics director Jeri Beggs says the university came out a winner in many ways.

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Ridgeview's 'Midday Madness' combines conference rival basketball with an in-school assembly

Tue, 20 Jan 2026 22:29:52 +0000

Ridgeview’s Midday Madness event combined sports and student safety for two schools northeast of Bloomington-Normal. Ridgeview High School hosted Flanagan-Cornell for boys and girls basketball on Friday. Rather than play after school, the school in Colfax hosted its conference rival during the school day, giving middle and high school students from both schools a chance to learn an important lesson and have some fun.

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Unit 5 and Baby Fold pivot after Department of Education cancels grant money

Tue, 20 Jan 2026 22:21:20 +0000

Unit 5 is working to adjust as a student support program at Cedar Ridge and Fairview Elementary schools loses federal grant funding at the end of the month. Unit 5 has participated in the Community Schools program since 2012. The aim is to remove barriers to receiving a quality education — like food insecurity or lack of school supplies. It provides both in-school resources and after-school programming.

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Normal will extend temporary School St. shutdown near ISU until summer

Tue, 20 Jan 2026 22:15:15 +0000

The Town of Normal is extending the temporary closure of a pedestrian-heavy stretch of School Street near Illinois State University as it gathers more data for potential permanent changes. School Street between College Avenue and Mulberry Street will stay closed until summer. Southbound traffic on School Street can only turn west; northbound can only turn east.

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GOP candidates for governor blast sanctuary cities and SAFE-T Act in Central Illinois forum

Fri, 16 Jan 2026 21:50:08 +0000

The four Republican Party candidates for governor of Illinois told a Central Illinois audience Thursday evening they favor property tax caps, pension reform, ending Illinois' status as a "sanctuary state," and rolling back the SAFE-T criminal justice reform act which ended cash bail.

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Central Illinois lawmakers back nuclear power but differ on much of new energy law

Fri, 16 Jan 2026 21:46:06 +0000

Illinois will see more investment into renewable energy, based on a new bill Gov. JB Pritzker has signed into law. The Clean and Reliable Grid Act [CRGA] is intended to expand the state’s energy capacity in hopes of lowering energy prices. Opponents say it's unclear if the measure will do that.

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Small and mighty WYSE food pantry gets a boost from B-N music community

Thu, 15 Jan 2026 22:03:26 +0000

Marty Lane grew up feeding people.

“In the words of Tupac, 'I didn’t choose this life; it chose me,'” she said.

Lane was born and raised in West Bloomington. Her grandfather ran a community garden behind Sunnyside Housing project, delivering food in pickle buckets gifted from Steak 'n Shake and hosting an annual Easter egg hunt.

Lane and her family, with a pack of helpers, have stocked their West Bloomington garage with food and other supplies since 1999. It’s called WYSE, an acronym for Westside Youth are Something Extraordinary.

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Central Illinois has a nurse shortage. New caps on student loan borrowing could make it worse.

Thu, 15 Jan 2026 21:48:34 +0000

A provision tucked in the fine print of the so-called Big Beautiful Bill passed by Congress last summer cuts borrowing limits for graduate students, raising concerns among health care providers and educators amid ongoing worker shortages.

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Bloomington mayor defends First Friday pullback, offers reassurance on tardy leaf collection

Wed, 14 Jan 2026 22:19:59 +0000

Bloomington Mayor Dan Brady said the downtown business community largely drove the city decision to scale back on First Friday promotional events. The city will now pick its spots to promote First Fridays, tied to happenings such as the Route 66 Festival, Tour du Chocolat, or holiday programs.

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Bloomington Junior High embraces AI technology in the classroom

Wed, 14 Jan 2026 22:16:41 +0000

Staff and students at District 87 schools like Bloomington Junior High School [BJHS] are now on the same page about the use of Artificial Intelligence [AI] technology. Resulting from a District 87 task force on AI policy, BJHS students are allowed to use AI in the classroom. BJHS uses MagicSchool AI, a more heavily-regulated and limited alternative to AI staples like ChatGPT or Gemini.

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Groundbreaking ceremony kicks off long-awaited change to ISU's fine arts facilities

Tue, 13 Jan 2026 22:14:26 +0000

It is the end of the beginning for Illinois State University’s new fine arts complex. Key stakeholders, including Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, gathered Tuesday for a ceremonial groundbreaking on a construction project making long-awaited facilities improvements to the Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts.

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Bloomington counselor offers tips for beating the winter blues

Tue, 13 Jan 2026 21:56:36 +0000

Now that the holiday season has passed, January can feel like a letdown for many. Counselors say January is the most depressing month of the year. Carrie Company, a licensed counselor in Bloomington, said the winter blues are common this time of year as longer nights disrupt our circadian rhythms.

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Illinois, 4 other states targeted for $10B child care funding freeze win restraining order

Tue, 13 Jan 2026 21:23:41 +0000

Illinois and the four other Democratic-led states that were subject to the Trump administration’s freeze on $10 billion in federal funding for child care and family services secured a restraining order on Friday in their lawsuit seeking to block the move, WGLT's Charlie Schlenker reports.

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State senator explains new 'Safe Schools for All' immigration law

Mon, 12 Jan 2026 23:01:41 +0000

The Safe Schools for All Act is one of many new Illinois laws that went into effect on Jan. 1, 2026. Democratic State Sen. Karina Villa sponsored the legislation. IPR’s Peter Medlin talked with her about what the new law does.

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Normal Community High School will host first TEDx event for students

Mon, 12 Jan 2026 22:49:59 +0000

For the first time at Normal Community High School [NCHS], students will have the chance to participate in presentations on technology, entertainment or design. It’s better known as a TEDTalk.

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Scientists say Trump's second term has been defined by slashed funding, layoffs and uncertainty

Mon, 12 Jan 2026 22:46:24 +0000

Scientists in the middle of the country told Harvest Public Media that 2025 was a year of major changes and uncertainty.

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Community Players' 'Waiting in the Wings' is a belly laugh about family—and a ghost—in a new venue

Fri, 09 Jan 2026 21:49:53 +0000

2026 is a year of change for the Community Players. The century-old amateur theater company is temporarily closing its doors this week for a long-anticipated renovation. The theater is getting new seats and a more accessible floor plan for audiences, but the players aren’t going to stop doing theater in the meantime. Waiting in the Wings, a new play by New York-based playwright Tony Manzo, opens next week at Illinois Art Station in Normal, the first of three satellite locations hosting Community Players this spring.

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Rep. Sorensen says he's willing to bargain on health care subsidies: 'Something is better than nothing'

Fri, 09 Jan 2026 21:46:11 +0000

A group of 17 House Republicans joined with Democrats on Thursday, against the wishes of House Speaker Mike Johnson, to pass a measure to restore Affordable Care Act [ACA] subsidies that lapsed at the end of last year. U. S. Rep. Eric Sorensen, a Democrat from Moline, said he’s willing to consider some limits or cost controls that would help the plan pass in the Senate, where 60 votes are required for approval.

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