The pandemic has placed a strain on the health care system. Nurses have felt the brunt. We hear from an ICU nurse about working during an unprecedented time.Also, coyotes have proven resilient. That's led to more of them, both in urban and rural areas. We find out what some states are doing about it. Those stories and more on this episode of Statewide.

A Department of Children and Family Services caseworker was attacked and killed while on a welfare check this month. It's happened before and that's making state lawmakers take notice of the dangers with the job. We talk with a former investigator who now trains those entering a career in child protection.And a pastor who lost his wife to COVID-19 tells his story. He had decided against being vaccinated, but has since teamed up with the state to spread the message that the shots save lives.Those stories and more on Statewide.

On this week's episode, we speak with Toi Hutchinson, a former state senator who also oversaw the start of recreational marijuana legalization in Illinois. She has now taken a job as CEO of the national Marijuana Policy Project. She talks about what she sees ahead for cannabis laws at the federal level. January is a time when many struggled with seasonal depression and anxiety. A psychologist tells us it's worse during the pandemic. Those stories and more on Statewide.

The City of Chicago has pumped millions of dollars into what's known as street outreach, an effort focused on reducing gun violence. But with gun crimes skyrocketing, has it worked? We also look at the health conditions inside meatpacking plants, where COVID outbreaks have been deadly. Those stories and more on this week's Statewide.

This week, we ride along with a school bus driver to find out how a difficult job is even harder to do amid a shortage of those willing to transport kids.

What is the future of journalism amid a challenging time for many news outlets?

Experts are seeing a spike in young people threatening to harm themselves and others. Some struggle with severe developmental disabilities. The problem has worsened during the pandemic with treatment facilities at capacity and short on staff. We have a report.And we examine the history of religious exemptions to vaccines. Those stores and more on this episode of Statewide.

As AIDS cases first began showing up in Illinois, the disease was a mystery. As part of our series AIDS At 40, we look back to the beginning, the fear and the stigma. Several communities in the Midwest are trying to pump up their economies by offering incentives to get people to move there. We'll find out how that's working. And with the eviction moratorium expired, many are at risk of being displaced. We get an update from one county. Those stories and more on Statewide.

The disruption in the global supply chain means a lot of businesses and entrepreneurs are unable to fully restock their supplies, creating limited inventories. The cost of items is also going up. We'll hear how some businesspeople are coping right here in Illinois. That story and more on this episode of Statewide.

An investigation by Harvest Public Media and Investigate Midwest delves into the influence of corporations on public universities across the Midwest. We'll hear more reporting on the subject.