Best WGLT Podcasts (2024)

A closer look at the American League, which had its first Black player soon after Jackie Robinson debuted with the Dodgers. But it took some teams many years to follow suit.By Sean Crawford

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Statewide: The resilience of the Beardstown Ladies Investment Club 50:29

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The club formed in Cass County became famous for investing.By Sean Crawford

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Statewide: An unexpected side effect - Ozempic babies 50:29

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By Sean Crawford

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Statewide: Pregnancy and medical debt 51:29

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On this episode, we hear from an Illinois couple who saw the bills rise to a level they no longer plan to have additional children.By Sean Crawford

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Statewide: Out of tragedy, a drive to help others 50:29

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Anne King was just 20 when her younger sister Erin killed herself. Today, the 48-year-old Kankakee woman works as a crisis counselor. She is also certified to teach classes for youth, which are aimed at combatting suicide.By Sean Crawford

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Statewide: Tribal nation designation brings hope and uncertainty 50:29

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The Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation recently became the first federally recognized tribal nation in the state. The government illegally sold the land from under Chief Shab-eh-nay around 1850.By Sean Crawford

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Statewide: The FAFSA failure 50:29

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Delays and other problems with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid form and what it means for students looking to pay for college.By Sean Crawford

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Statewide: When hospitals avoid helping sexual assault survivors 50:29

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An investigation found a number of hospitals skirt a state law.By Sean Crawford

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Statewide: The legal fight over Black hair care products 50:26

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Studies have raised health concerns in regular users of chemical hair straighteners.By Sean Crawford

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Statewide: Helping children process grief 50:29

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A special camp for young people brings together those who have lost loved ones.By Sean Crawford

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Statewide: The past, present and future of the Gemini Giant 50:29

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The nearly 30-foot tall statue has welcomed visitors along Route 66 for decades.By Sean Crawford

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Statewide: When calls for campus mental health assistance go unanswered 50:29

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Colleges and universities have recognized the need, but say more resources are needed to meet demand.By Sean Crawford

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How the Town of Normal prepares for July 4 fireworks after weeks without rain

1y ago

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There's rain ahead in the forecast, but weeks of drought increase fire risk for communities preparing their July 4 fireworks displays. WGLT talked to officials from the Town of Normal Parks and Recreation and Fire Departments to get the skinny on how they mitigate risk.By Lauren Warnecke

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WGLT's Sound Ideas - Thursday 6/1/23 23:10

1y ago23:10

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On today's episode, how zookeepers at Miller Park Zoo keep the animals active and engaged, Bloomington-Normal's members of Congress disagree over the debt limit bill, state Senator Dave Koehler discuss the new state budget's impact on education, plus another Black History essay winner in Bloomington.…

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Illinois lawmakers passed bills on book bans, abortion rights and other issues 7:21

1y ago7:21

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It took more than a week longer than expected, but Illinois lawmakers wrapped up their spring legislative session early Saturday with a budget and hundreds of measures that passed. The spending plan and bills now go to Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker.By Alex Degman

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Bloomington-Normal resumes student exchange with Asahikawa, Japan, after 3-year hiatus 4:00

1y ago4:00

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A student foreign exchange program for Bloomington-Normal has returned after a delay that began with the COVID-19 pandemic. Organizers hope the program can grow to where it was decades ago.By Eric Stock

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WGLT's Sound Ideas - Wednesday 5/31/23 23:10

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On today's episode, Bloomington-Normal is about to send its first student to its Japanese sister city since the pandemic, while its sister cities program with Russia remains on hold because of the war in Ukraine, a state capitol reporter recaps the major developments from the just-closed legislative session, plus the latest winner of Bloomington's …

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One couple's decades-long commitment to a safer, more equitable Bloomington-Normal 9:00

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2023 McLean County History Makers Willie and Charles Halbert were selected for their social justice activism and tireless advocacy for equity and inclusion.By Lauren Warnecke

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WGLT's Sound Ideas - Tuesday 5/30/23 23:10

1y ago23:10

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On today's episode, Bloomington deputy city manager Billy Tyus discusses concerns over wages for a proposed housing development, a McLean County group tries to include more fathers in programs that serve children and families, plus a profile of McLean County History Makers Charles and Willie Halbert.…

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New survey from McLean County Fatherhood Coalition finds room for improvement in father-friendliness 4:50

1y ago4:50

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Fathers in McLean County are often underrepresented or marginalized within organizations and programs that serve children and families, according to the results of a new survey.By Ryan Denham

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Prevailing wage dialogue expands in advance of Bloomington council vote on apartment project 6:48

1y ago6:48

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A Bloomington City Council discussion about whether to apply prevailing wage rules to a private development if there are government incentives at stake is spreading beyond the apartment project in question. That's according to deputy city manager Billy Tyus who said in a WGLT interview the ongoing dialogue is not just about wages.…

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Q&A: Children's Home & Aid rebrands itself as Brightpoint, pivots to family support, equity focus 8:41

1y ago8:41

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A social service agency with roots in Bloomington-Normal for more than a century has changed its name: Children's Home & Aid now is Brightpoin, which kicked off its rebranding campaign this week. Two of its leaders talked with WGLT about the changes.By Michele Steinbacher

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McHistory: 'King of Swedes' kept Bloomington streets clean 8:20

1y ago8:20

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Wherever humans gather, there is garbage. And getting rid of it is a challenge. The start of trash removal in Bloomington dates to the start of the 20th century and to a man known in his day as the King of Swedes.By Charlie Schlenker

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WGLT's Sound Ideas - Friday 5/26/23 23:10

1y ago23:10

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On this episode, a Children's Home & Aid explains its new name and renewed focus, a farm educator explains how major dust storms can be minimized in the wake of a fatal pileup on I-55, plus the Corn Crib prepares for an busy summer featuring much more than just baseball.By Samantha Hill

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Let's play two! It’s opening day at the Corn Crib! 5:32

1y ago5:32

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WGLT's Lauren Warnecke stopped by the Corn Crib earlier this week as final preparations were being made for opening day, including Corny's Big Summer Blowout on Saturday night. A few staff members took a brief break in the shade to talk about what goes into creating great game day experiences.By Lauren Warnecke

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WGLT's Sound Ideas - Tuesday 5/23/23 23:10

1y ago23:10

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On today's episode, developers plan a major housing development near downtown Bloomington, Bloomington-Normal hospitals begin a new, faster treatment for stroke victims, plus the latest in WGLT's McLean County History Maker profiles.By Samantha Hill

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WGLT's Sound Ideas - Thursday 5/25/23 23:10

1y ago23:10

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On today's episode, data show a wide gender gap at Illinois State University and college campuses across the country; District 87 Superintendent David Mouser and retiring administrator Diane Wolf discuss tax incentives for development, artificial intelligence and learning disparities; plus the latest city of Bloomington Black History Essay Contest …

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Take off: ISU rocket team lands a win 4:24

1y ago4:24

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Illinois State University has won a Department of Defense-sponsored rocket competition for the second straight time. The U of I Laboratory for Advanced Space Systems hosted the competition in Rantoul.By Charlie Schlenker

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Gender enrollment gap is wide at ISU, Bradley, Heartland 10:43

1y ago10:43

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More women go to Illinois State University than men — a lot more. The same is true of Bradley University and Heartland Community College. It's part of a nationwide trend that began in the 1980s and has grown since then.By Charlie Schlenker

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District 87 Q&A on tax incentives, AI, and a retiring administrator 6:31

1y ago6:31

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District 87 superintendent David Mouser said he supports an incentive plan to build a high-end housing complex in Bloomington, despite the potential loss of future tax revenue.By Eric Stock

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WGLT's Sound Ideas - Wednesday 5/24/23 23:10

1y ago23:10

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On today's episode, a report details the clergy sex abuse scandal in Illinois; U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin discusses the debt ceiling, Supreme Court ethics and a poll that raises concerns about President Biden's mental fitness; Illinois lawmakers return to Springfield with little time to pass a budget; plus a social justice tour of Bloomington goes virtu…

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Downtown Bloomington walking tour of social justice sights and stories goes online 7:07

1y ago7:07

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The McLean County Museum of History and Not In Our Town partnered to create an interactive website based on their long-running Social Justice Walking Tour. The D-I-Y tour includes locations pivotal to various social movements related to gender and racial equality, immigrant rights and organized labor.…

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Durbin says all options are on the table as a Senate committee investigates Supreme Court ethics 6:18

1y ago6:18

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U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin said Supreme Court justices can't argue that separation of powers shields them from ethics laws.By Eric Stock

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McLean County cases resurface in attorney general's Catholic abuse report 2:50

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Catholic dioceses in Illinois failed to disclose hundreds of abusive clerics before the state opened what would become a yearslong investigation into sex abuse within the church, Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced Tuesday.By Ryan Denham, Hannah Meisel

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'Miracle' drug: Bloomington-Normal hospitals begin new, faster treatment for stroke victims 5:29

1y ago5:29

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Peg Shea of Bloomington says she's recovering well after being one of the first in the area to receive a new treatment for stroke patients.By Eric Stock

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Lincoln brought Guy Fraker to Illinois; preserving the landscape came later 7:30

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Attorney and Lincoln historian Guy Fraker settled in Bloomington in 1962. He's been a key figure in documenting and promoting Lincoln's legal career in central Illinois, and fell into an avocation in land conservation by accident. Fraker is profiled as part of WGLT's series on the 2023 McLean County History Makers.…

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Bloomington housing developer sees 'redemption' potential at Coachman site, despite council delay 7:53

1y ago7:53

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Robbie Osenga, the developer of a proposed $18.5 million housing project near downtown Bloomington, said he remains hopeful despite Monday’s city council decision delaying approval.By Ryan Denham

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WGLT's Sound Ideas - Monday 5/22/23 23:10

1y ago23:10

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On today's episode, rural McLean County residents tell a survey how poor their internet service is, a scholar at Illinois State University explains the reason behind a series of auto insurance rate increases from State Farm and several competitors, community health workers reflect on the public role they played in the COVID pandemic response, plus …

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How the pandemic set the stage for rapid-fire auto insurance rate hikes at State Farm 7:52

1y ago7:52

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In two weeks, State Farm’s auto insurance customers in Illinois will see their rates go up again – for the fourth time in less than a year. Together they’ve raised the average cost about $200.By Ryan Denham

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Survey shows rural McLean County residents are unhappy with their internet service 3:27

1y ago3:27

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McLean County officials are studying the results of what they call an eye-opening survey on rural residents' level of satisfaction with their internet service.By Eric Stock

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WGLT's Sound Ideas - Friday 5/19/23 23:10

1y ago23:10

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On today's episode, Illinois Shakespeare Festival artistic director John Stark retires after 32 years with the Illinois State University School of Theatre and Dance, a history lesson explores Bloomington-Normal's past and present in beer making, plus singer/songwriter and Pontiac native TyJon Charlie is among the performers scheduled during free su…

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WGLT's Sound Ideas - Thursday 5/18/23 23:10

1y ago23:10

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On today's episode, the last OB doctor in Logan County tries to improve rural rural maternity care, a homeless shelter manager discusses plans for winter emergency housing as capacity gets trimmed, plus central Illinois takes part in a national study on Long COVID.By Samantha Hill

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