WGLT's Sound Ideas

On today's episode, Nightshop's closing leaves a void in Bloomington-Normal's music scene, the top arts and culture moments of Bloomington-Normal in 2024, Women United promotes children's literacy with the help of Dolly Parton, plus a reading of "A Visit from Saint Nicholas." Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Please enjoy "Twas the Night Before #Christmas" (aka "A Visit from Saint Nicholas"), as read by WGLT’s Charlie Schlenker. Happy holidays from all of us at WGLT! Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bloomington-Normal has seen an increase in homegrown musical acts in recent years, but the number of performance spaces in the community keeps dropping. A live music venue that opened to great fanfare in downtown Bloomington in 2018 will be live one last time this weekend. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Each week, our Datebook series shares arts features and fun things to do around the Twin Cities. The pulse of any community beats through its culture—and 2024 was one for the books. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nonprofit partners, including Chestnut Health Systems and the Regional Office of Education, will work with Lifelong Access to provide wrap-around support for youth and teens. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There was a lot of enthusiasm when Dolly Parton’s children’s literacy program first came to McLean County almost two years ago. Now, local organizers with Women United want to keep that momentum going. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Unit 5 and District 87 school boards and several other districts in McLean County have voted to put a sales tax referendum on the April 1 ballot. The proposed 1% sales tax would raise money for school facilities, school resource officers, and mental health programming. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There is no “one size fits all” roadmap for victims looking to find their way out of an abusive relationship. Jocelyn’s story of feeling lost and then finding ways to advocate for herself is one potential path, and it includes stops at many of the resources and organizations in place to help victims in McLean County. Other victims interviewed by WGLT found the circuitous process to be confusing or overwhelming. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Heartland Community College's Workforce Equity Initiative teaches low-income people the skills needed to work higher-paying jobs. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The holidays can be an isolating time of year, particularly for seniors without family nearby. Normal-based nonprofit Faith in Action runs a program that pairs volunteers with seniors for regular conversations to fight loneliness and social isolation — year-round. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, the latest in WGLT’s series on domestic violence in McLean County, educators make the case for a sales tax to support an array of needs in McLean County public schools, and a nonprofit in Normal helps seniors fight loneliness and isolation and students get a second chance through a workforce equity effort at Heartland Community College. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Normal City Manager Pam Reece says, for now, the town will not recommend approving use of e-scooters on streets and sidewalks. Commercial firms have wanted to begin e-scooter rentals in the Twin Cities. The town has looked at the issue off and on for more than five years. In this interview with WGLT’s Charlie Schlenker, Reece explains why the town is reluctant to give the OK. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's show, you'll hear the second part of WGLT's series about domestic violence in McLean County. Plus, a local couple's wedding is especially timely. And an interview with Normal City Manager Pam Reece. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Blair Broughton and Bethany Theobald planned to get married next year. The political climate prompted them to bump up the date — and a community-wide offer from the Unitarian Universalist Church in Bloomington helped make that possible. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Domestic violence has escalated since the pandemic — and is becoming more violent. Domestic violence deaths more than doubled in Illinois in 2023. And in Bloomington-Normal, at least two women caught in cycles of domestic violence lost their lives in the past two years. Police intervention can be one tool in disrupting domestic violence. Orders of protection are another. But it’s an imperfect system, sometimes with dire consequences. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

McLean County's decision to drop Show Bus as its rural transportation provider and explore a partnership with Connect Transit poses challenges and tight deadlines for other counties in the region that Show Bus may still serve. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

People should remain vigilant, the Bloomington Police Department [BPD] warns, after the homes of two area Asian business owners were burglarized in the past three weeks. This, according to a media release. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

WGLT reviewed over 100 police reports from this year involving allegations that someone violated an order of protection. Most never lead to criminal charges. And sometimes, prosecutors undercharged – pursuing a misdemeanor count when someone was seemingly eligible for a more serious felony, WGLT found. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, the first in WGLT's series on domestic violence in McLean County, Bloomington police report a series of burglaries targeting Asian-Americans, McLean County's plans to drop a regional transportation contract leave some neighboring counties scrambling, plus the latest edition of McHistory recalls the first Civil War Christmas in McLean County. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The City of Bloomington Township will be reimplementing a financial assistance program for those with housing difficulties. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.