WGLT's Sound Ideas

On today's episode, an insurance lobbyist discusses Gov. JB Prtizker's public dispute with State Farm over rate increases, McLean County gets pushback over a plan to suspend a sales tax collection for mental health, plus Unit 5 is among the many school district concerned that federal funds under review now may never come. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Unit 5 schools are waiting on nearly $1 million in grant funding currently delayed by the Trump administration. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The McLean County Board Executive Committee on Monday approved an audit of the county’s 1% mental health and public safety sales tax fund. The full board will consider the resolution at its regular meeting Thursday. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The head of Illinois’ insurance industry trade group said Tuesday that Gov. JB Pritzker’s attacks on State Farm were “unfortunate” and likely part of a push to give state regulators new power to reject rate increases. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Next year's budget proposal for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA, amplifies previous worries with potential cuts to several key programs and projects. WGLT talks to three Central Illinois experts about the possible consequences. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, the sudden rise and fall of Reditus Labs CEO Aaron Rossi as he awaits another sentencing, weather forecasters see storm clouds ahead when they consider the future of their industry in a time of budget cuts and staff reductions, and U.S. Senate candidate Raja Krishnamoorthi rallies support in Bloomington for him and the Democratic party. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

U.S. Senate candidate Raja Krishnamoorthi spoke to Bloomington-Normal area Democrats during a stop Friday in downtown Bloomington. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lawyers for former Reditus Labs CEO Aaron Rossi are pointing to his traumatic childhood and a desire to “prove his worth to everyone” in seeking leniency from a judge sentencing him this week. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Matt Kuenning, who practices law in Champaign, says the New Hampshire judge's ruling to certify a class-action lawsuit will reduce the harm caused by the Trump administration's executive order. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, a Bloomington church faces lots of questions after its more than century-old structure collapses in the middle of the night, an immigration scholar at ISU breaks down the ruling that strikes down the executive order on birthright citizenship, and a Bloomington hip-hop artist is ready to show a new side of himself at Make Music Normal. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bloomington-based rapper and hip hop artist Darīus Williams hasn't released new music in two years. He'll debut some new tracks and a new sound at the Make Music Normal festival July 18. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Reconcile Church in Bloomington is assessing what’s next after it lost everything when its roof collapsed. The Christian nondenominational church with about 40 members has been around for about 15 years, but its red brick church on East Mulberry Street has been around since 1902. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Local students were among the more than 6,800 competitors at last month’s SkillsUSA Championships. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A draft McLean County Land Use Plan is getting pushback from various stakeholders. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Heidi Verticchio calls the Eckelmann-Taylor Speech and Hearing Clinic “a hidden gem” on the Illinois State University campus. She’s concerned some of its clients could lose access to care because of new cuts to the federal program for low-income Americans, and those with disabilities. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Home Sweet Home Ministries [HSHM] broke ground Thursday on its new shelter village, The Bridge. This comes after several years of planning, two public forums, getting funding approval and securing the location. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, construction has now begun on a long-awaited shelter village for the unhoused in Bloomington-Normal, a land use plan for McLean County gets lots of public pushback, a speech and hearing clinic at ISU braces for Medicaid cuts, plus McLean County students showcase their technical skills at a national competition. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Storms that hit McLean County on Tuesday dumped a substantial amount of rain in a short amount of time. One location near Towanda reported over 4.5 inches of rain during the afternoon and evening hours, according to storm reports from the National Weather Service. 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.

On today's episode, U.S. Rep Darin LaHood explains his vote on the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, the McLean County Nursing Home doesn't see a threat to elder care in Medicaid cuts -- for now, plus some sixth graders in Normal are helping the community's unhoused through their own ingenuity and handiwork. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.