First Listen

By Michelle Eccles

Start the day by adding NPR Illinois First Listen to your routine and hear the latest from the state capital (Springfield).... more

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FAQs about First Listen:

How many episodes does First Listen have?

The podcast currently has 590 episodes available.

First Listen episodes:

July 29, 2026 The Muni opens "Disney's Frozen" the Saturday | First Listen
Stephanie Myre, who plays Elsa, and Lauren Herington, who plays Bulda, talk about the journey to bring "Frozen" to the Muni stage.
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7min
July 29, 2026 More than 300,000 Illinois residents are expected to lose SNAP food benefits | First Listen
The loss of SNAP benefits is especially concerning for schools.
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4min
July 28, 2026 A law requiring hospitals to share financial information with regulators could be more transparent | First Listen
The new Illinois law requires hospitals to share financial information with state regulators, but doesn't require transparency to the public.
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4min
July 24, 2026 Service for in-home and community based services for Americans with disabilities in jeopardy | First Listen
A Quad Cities nonprofit said a Department of Justice's suggestion to stop funding in-home and community based service for Americans with disabilities is concerning.
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4min
July 23, 2026 Some Illinois school districts scrambling to support programs after grants are pulled | First Listen
Dozens of schools found out that their five-year "community schools" grants had been canceled after two years.
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3min
July 22, 2026 The Springfield City Council agrees to transfer the Y block land to the state | First Listen
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources will develop the land into a park with an amphitheater, play area and more.
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7min
July 22, 2026 New Berlin's police chief is dead after an auto accident in Wisconsin | First Listen
Chief Terry Nydegger was reportedly on vacation when the accident occurred.
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3min
July 17, 2026 Reaction to President Trump's Thursday night address | First Listen
First Listen for Friday, July 17, 2026.
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3min
July 16, 2026 ALPLM Executive Director to step down | First Listen
First Listen for Thursday, July 16, 2026.
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4min
July 15, 2026 Murder charges filed after East St. Louis mass killings | First Listen
First Listen for Wednesday, July 15, 2026.
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4min

FAQs about First Listen:

How many episodes does First Listen have?

The podcast currently has 590 episodes available.