The Leadoff

WGLT's the Leadoff is everything you need to know for Monday, March 7. Erick Stock finds out that Illinois State University and Vladimir State University students are finding more in common with each other than they previously knew. Sarah Nardi explores the gray area that many juvenile cases fall into when it comes to prosecutors and judges filing charges in the criminal justice system. Plus, a look at the Town of Normal's council agenda and more details on political filing season, which kicks off at 8 a.m. this morning.

On today's episode, you'll hear about how the crisis in Ukraine is impacting a Bloomington-Normal Sister Cities program. Plus, a closer look at the financial impact of COVID-19 on the arts scene.

WGLT's the Leadoff is everything you need to know for Thursday, March 3. Former Illinois House Speaker and Democratic party boss Michael Madigan was indicted on racketeering charges on Wednesday. And the state's junior Democratic Senatory said she's pleased by the stance President Joe Biden took against Russia during his first state of the union address. Plus, State Farm sues electric vehicle company Tesla and Rivian faces a slew of canceled orders after announcing price increases this week.

WGLT's the Leadoff is everything you need to know for Wednesday, March 2, 2022. Bloomington City Manager Tim Gleason says the city is changing the way it's managing Grossinger Motors Arena going forward. Plus, Republican State Senator Jason Barickman tells WGLT's Charlie Schlenker he has problems with the way the state went about transferring some medium security inmates out of the Pontiac Correctional Center.

WGLT's the Leadoff is everything you need to know for Tuesday, March 1. You'll hear from EMMY award-winning journalist Jemele Hill, who was the keynote speaker at ISU's Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Cultural dinner on Friday. Plus, Normal's city manager tells Charlie Schlenker she's receptive to local realtor's association calling on local governments to incentivize homeownership.

WGLT's the Leadoff is everything you need to know for Monday, Feb. 28. You'll hear from Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe about challenges facing production at the plant in Normal. Plus, ahead of her speaking engagement at 3:30 today, Boston College sociology professor Zine Magubane talks to WGLT student reporter Jordan Mead about the role of social class and race in American society. Plus, the Town of Normal may adopt the same license plate reading cameras that are set to be voted on by Bloomington's city council tonight.

WGLT's The Leadoff is everything you need to know for Friday, February 25. Sarah Nardi talks to Marina Teplova, a Ukranian doctoral student at Illinois State University, about the Russian attacks yesterday. Plus, Scott Wilson speaks with Eric Stock about how the unrest in Ukraine affects energy and crop markets worldwide.

WGLT's The Leadoff is everything you need to know for Thursday, February 24. Illinois Wesleyan University president Georgia Nugent says she's taking a more cautious approach regarding when the school will lift mask mandates. Plus, Bloomington Police provide a small update into their search for a seven-month old baby who's been missing for weeks.

WGLT’s The Leadoff is everything you need to know for Wednesday, February 23. Normal’s Chief of Police talks about the de-escalation tactics officers used when dealing with a standoff situation Monday evening. Plus, a preview of two speakers who will be at Normal Public Library to talk about bipartisan support to designate the first city in the U.S. that was founded by a Black man as a National Park site.

WGLT's the Leadoff is everything you need to know for Tuesday, February 22. Bloomington mayor Mboka Mwilambwe weighs-in on a proposed commission that would study gun violence in the city, plus a University High School student wants your pandemic-era memories for a 20-year time capsule that's going into storage on Wednesday. Also, electric vehicle automaker Rivian isn't exactly feeling a warm reception for its planned second manufacturing plant south of Atlanta and the state's new inspector general is a Peoria native who says he's interested in learning the scope of his authority to "root out corruption."