WGLT's Sound Ideas

Ruth Anne King said she grew up in a household with white racist grandparents who despised the color of her skin. “I had to decide pretty early on that either I was going to be Black or I was going to be loved,” King said. “And [my grandparents] didn't say ‘Black.’ They used the N word.” King said not being able to be Black growing up caused trouble because her identity was “all haywire,” but she has since found her identity. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fear and anxiety are swirling through the arts community as the Trump administration takes its latest swipe at the National Endowment for the Arts. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, Illinois' top law enforcement officer tells educators not to back down over DEI threats, fear and anxiety are swirling through the arts community as the Trump administration takes its latest swipe at the National Endowment for the Arts, and an author and musician explains in her own words -- how she became Black at age 35 -- in a talk at the Bloomington Public Library. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, about 120 McLean County residents are among the tens of thousands of Illinoisians whose healthcare is in peril -- as the state plans to end coverage for noncitizens, a political expert cautions Governor JB Pritzker against running for re-election -- if he wants to run for president in 2028, and our final Black History essay profiles the King of Pop and his impact on music and Black culture. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The program covering participants ages 42-64 became known as Illinois Health Benefits for Immigrant Adults [HBIA], and Health Benefits for Immigrant Seniors [HBIS] for ages 65 and older. The former is slated for termination June 30, after Gov. JB Pritzker did not include funding for HBIA in the FY26 Illinois budget proposal that starts July 1. State enrollment data shows 118 McLean County residents are among 33,000 Illinoisians who relied on this program for their health care. They will soon need to find other options. Advocates say it could be a life-or-death proposition for some. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Even though Gov. JB Pritzker is being coy about his political future, there’s a widening view in Springfield that he’ll seek a third term. But there’s also a question about whether he should seek re-election if he’s also eying a 2028 bid for the White House. WBEZ politics and government reporter Dave McKinney has more. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, the city of Bloomington formally backs the plan for a shelter village -- and calls on Normal to lend it's support too, candidates are lining up to try to run Congressman Darin LaHood out of Washington, and the latest edition of McHistory takes up back to the Taylor Swift of their time. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A lifelong resident of Rockford is joining a growing field of candidates from both the left and right looking to unseat Illinois U.S. Congressman Darin LaHood in 2026. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Home Sweet Home Ministries plans to begin negotiations to acquire the site for a proposed shelter village, now that the Bloomington nonprofit's plan to help the unhoused has won the unanimous support of the city council. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, Illinois Wesleyan University responds to a federal investigation about campus demonstrations the Trump administration said were anti-semitic, there's a push in Springfield to lift Illinois' near 40-year-ban on new large-scale nuclear reactors but environmental groups say more nuclear is not the answer, survivors raise concerns about new Pope’s record on clerical sexual abuse, and Rivian's founder offers advice to this spring's college graduates. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Illinois Wesleyan is among more than 60 institutions the Department of Education is investigating for alleged antisemitic discrimination. The complaint was filed in March 2024. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Illinois’ energy demand will outmatch its supply by 2030, according to a study from the consulting firm The Power Bureau. That's why some lawmakers are trying to end a 40-year moratorium on the construction of large-scale nuclear reactors. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rivian founder and CEO RJ Scaringe on Saturday told graduating students at his alma mater to stay idealistic and curious and to “tune out the noise” ‒ and that life’s biggest challenges are when you learn the most. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Carl’s Pro Band will close May 15, leaving The Music Shoppe as the sole musical instrument store in Bloomington-Normal. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hangar Art Co. unveiled a rare exhibit last week with Women Taking Up Space, a show inspired by Mexican artist Cesar Cruz's aim “to comfort the disturbed and to disturb the comfortable.” Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After his first school year on the job, new Illinois Wesleyan University President Sheahon Zenger paints a portrait of an institution "re-claiming its birthright" as a liberal arts education center in Central Illinois. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, Illinois Wesleyan University President Sheahon Zenger discusses his first year on the job, a musical instrument store that's spanned two generations in Bloomington prepares to close, and a group of Bloomington women find power through their artwork. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kingdom City Boxing hosted the Battle of the Midwest boxing tournament at the Boys and Girls Club of Bloomington-Normal on Sunday. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bob Conkling announced his retirement after a season in which ISU won its second Midwest Independent Conference championship in three years and third overall under Conkling. He was named the league’s Coach of the Year for the third time. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Connect Transit, the transit agency that provides public transportation in Bloomington-Normal, confirms it will be taking over rural transportation in McLean County on July 1. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.