Fall in Illinois and the Midwest has plenty to offer: apple picking, brewing up warm apple cider, fall foliage and pumpkin patches. Maybe even the occasional corn-maze to get lost in. These are just some of the fall activities you may be looking forward to. You also may be looking to get up and out for a fall road trip before colder weather sets in.

Tonight is the final presidential debate before the 2020 Election — but with all the cross-talk and one-liners from the candidates on stage — is there value to the presidential debate? Especially when many voters have already cast their ballots? The 21st spoke with an Illinois debate coach and a media historian. 

With an eye on the presidential election, the Chicago-based theater group known as The Neo-Futurists began its fall season with “45 Plays for America’s First Ladies.” The 21st speaks to the play's director and a Chicago-based performer about the production. 

In the more than 40 years since he’s left The White House, many have assessed Jimmy Carter’s presidency as a failure while calling him the country’s best ex-president. The 21st talks with the author of the first full-length independent biography of the 39th president.

The 21st spoke to a panel of guests comprised by down-ballot politicians around the state of Illinois to provide some context and understanding of the less-covered elected offices. 

In just two weeks from today, millions of Americans will be heading to the polls to vote in the 2020 elections. Because it can be challenging to be informed and engaged about down-ballot and local elections, The 21st spoke to two individuals committed to informing voters about political candidates.  

Groups are targeting a handful of judges for defeat in this year's retention elections. We talk to a pair of reporters about some of the more notable campaigns — and the motives of the people behind them.

More workplaces, institutions and companies have turned to diversity training in recent months, but an executive order signed by President Trump last month seeks to limit the type of diversity training that can be offered. The 21st spoke to two professors and a vice chancellor for diversity to hear more about what this executive order might mean for diversity training in Illinois.

Writer and disability activist Melissa Blake isn’t letting internet trolls stop her from spreading a message of positivity and acceptance online. We’ll talk to the DeKalb resident about her recent runway debut during New York Fashion Week. 

Winter is coming, and with it comes a greater risk for COVID-19. The disease is already spreading out of control in Illinois with case numbers and hospitalizations at their worst rate in months. We talk to two experts about what’s going on and answer listener questions.