WGLT's Sound Ideas

On the coldest night each year, volunteers across the United States brave frigid temperatures in search of people living in them. Known as the Point in Time [PIT] count, it’s both a federal data collection opportunity on homelessness and a way to help a community’s often most vulnerable members. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Heading into the second half of their debut season, the Bloomington Bison have put themselves in position for a potential playoff berth. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mindy Smith and John Bowen play the lead characters in Heartland Theatre Company's production of Alias Grace. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A man who initially refused to testify in a McLean County murder case got an unprecedented prison sentence in a case advocates and experts say is “weird.” Alexander Gayles, of Chicago, is serving 10 years for failing to appear in response to a subpoena last spring. Gayles believes the court did not take seriously his fear of testifying. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, a man serving prison for refusing a subpoena argues 10 years in prison is far too severe, a mid-season status check on the Bloomington Bison hockey team in its inaugural season and Margaret Atwood's mysterious true crime unfolds at Heartland Theatre. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Redbird Fresh Market is an example of what can happen when college students imagine — and then execute — an idea to fruition. The new student-led program is helping off-campus students gain easier access to healthy foods. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More than 50 years ago, Sally Bulkley Pancrazio was on the political frontlines in Springfield fighting for Illinois to become one of 38 states needed to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Grand Prairie Bird Alliance says it needs people who are willing to help address a housing shortage — not of houses for people, though. It's a dearth of purple martin dwelling space. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, decades of fighting for equal rights has left this Bloomington woman disheartened by former President Joe Biden's actions, a new program at ISU helps students eat healthier, and Bloomington-Normal faces a housing shortage for a certain type of bird. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, union leaders push Bloomington-Normal mayoral candidates on labor issues, a volunteer organization in Bloomington-Normal takes on a larger role preparing kids for school, and the city of Bloomington looks to reverse a trend of disinvestment from a west side neighborhood. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The City of Bloomington, in cooperation with First Assembly of God, hosted a community outreach event Tuesday at the church in West Bloomington. The historic area where the church is located is known as the Gridley Allin Prickett [GAP] neighborhood. The 57-acre area contains eight vacant lots, as well as disused structures, according to city planner Alissa Pemberton. Residents also cite maintenance problems in existing buildings. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A volunteer-driven organization that tries to remove barriers to child learning in McLean County is taking a big step, hiring its first full-time, salaried executive director. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bloomington-Normal unions hosted a candidates night Monday to hear from many of the candidates who will be on the April 1 ballot. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A prominent youth leader from Bloomington-Normal showcased his oratorial skills during a key Martin Luther King Jr. observance over the weekend. Bradley Ross Jackson, youth and college president of the Bloomington-Normal NAACP, recited King's iconic I Have a Dream in a video produced for Sunday and Monday services at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, the Reverend King's former church. U.S. Senator Raphael Warnock, D-Ga., has served as the church’s senior pastor since 2005. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A St. Louis Cardinals outfielder urges young athletes to play multiple sports to improve their chances to make it to the pros. Michael Siani rejects the current trend of specialization throughout youth sports. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For a gathering Sunday sponsored by Not in Our Town Bloomington-Normal, sharing anxiety about the incoming administration, and resolving to stay involved are two major steps toward making things better — and even, to some extent, healing. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The mayoral candidates for the April 1 election in the Town of Normal and the City of Bloomington attended a town hall meeting Saturday hosted by the McLean County Republicans. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, candidates for mayor of Bloomington and Normal outlines their views and experience at a Republican forum, a community event offers space for people to share their hopes and concerns about the next four years, an NAACP youth leader from Bloomington-Normal recites the Reverend Martin Luther King's iconic speech in the church where King once preached, and a St. Louis Cardinals pitcher offers tips to help young athletes fulfill their Big League dreams. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Country Financial is sponsoring a new exhibit at the McLean County Museum of History to mark a company milestone. The exhibit commemorates 100 years since the founding of Country Financial by McLean County farmers. It includes details of the company’s history and artifacts from the Illinois Farm Bureau archives. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.