The 21st Show

There’s been a rare sighting of a mountain lion in southern Illinois. We’ll talk about how they and other apex predators end up here — and what it means.

A new book, “Our Own Worst Enemies: America in the Age of Violent Populism," argues that the biggest threat to American democracy is coming from within, as political violence rises. Author and professor Robert Pape discusses what led to this increase in extremism in the U.S.

A decade ago, Pokémon Go sent Illinoisans into parks and parking lots … chasing virtual cartoon creatures with their phones. The craze faded, but the game and its most dedicated fans have kept on.

Representative Darin LaHood is campaigning for a sixth term representing Illinois’ 16th Congressional District. He defends his stance on tariffs and shares his views on what the U.S. has achieved so far in the conflict with Iran and outlines some proposals for legal immigration.

Born in raised in downstate Illinois, Archbishop Fulton Sheen reached millions and millions of Catholics through his radio and TV shows... Now, he’s a candidate for sainthood in the Catholic Church.

A new investigation from the Illinois Answers Project documents tens of thousands of incidents in county jails in recent years … from fires to escape attempts and deaths. Two of the reporters behind the years-long project discuss their findings.

Two years ago, software consultant Jim Marter ran against Democratic Rep. Lauren Underwood in Illinois’ 14th House District. Marter lost that race and this year, he’s back again trying to flip the seat.

As we wrap up our trip across the 21st state’s portion of Route 66, we take a look at the tiny Village of Brooklyn, located on the cusp of the Mississippi River in the Metro East, just before Route 66 enters Missouri, to learn about the country’s first Black-majority town and the history that connects it to the Mother Road.

As we continue to tour across the 21st state’s portion of Route 66, we’re making a stop at the Ace Sign Museum in Springfield, which restores and collects signs of all kinds from Route 66’s past.

A book released earlier this year explores mob activity in the Prohibition era along Route 66 specifically through the lens of Benld, Illinois.