WGLT's Sound Ideas - Full Episodes

On today's episode, Charlie Schlenker talks to the president and CEO of Bloomington-based Heritage Enterprises about challenges facing long-term care facilities. Plus, a preview of the 27th annual Hauntcert shows next week at Unit 5's two high schools.

Instructors at Heartland Community College's new Electric Vehicle Energy Storage training program say they're thrilled to be doing cutting edge work preparing techs for the future. They also say it's nice to see auto training programs come back after high schools and colleges phased them out when they were younger. Suspensions don't help minority students. An ISU scholar says schools are punishing kids who are already suffering and doing so disproportionately. The Masonic Lodge in Normal has survived many decades when many fraternal and social groups across the nation have not by recruiting younger people. The Masons in Normal are celebrating 150 years.

Housing advocates say the pace of rental aid distribution has picked up, but they are still not sure enough people are applying. That's true in the immigrant community as well as you hear from the Immigration Project. The Democratic Party controlled remap is designed to make sure GOP Representatives Mary Miller and Darin LaHood will have to run against each other. It's not clear who will survive. One expert says LaHood is stronger in a general election, but Miller could take him out in a primary. And the music of the neo new wave band Fantastic Plastics has gorgeous melodies that often frame pointed critiques OF technology and modern society.

The new Midwestern Regional Rail Plan for the future includes hourly passenger trains through Bloomington Normal and 200 mile per hour service. One advocate for high speed rail says he's pleased the four decade investment blueprint treats the region like a transportation network instead of discrete routes. Bloomington Mayor Mboka Mwilambwe says there are some misconceptions about the process for filling that Ward 6 vacancy. A conversation about representation as the October 30th deadline looms. And a former head of the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity takes us behind the curtain to see how the state lured Rivian to the twin cities.

On today’s episode, you’ll hear from the McLean County Health Department’s administrator about the ebbs and flows of public health messaging. Plus, the President of Heartland Community College talks about partnering with Ferrero apprenticeships. And a new installment of Beyond Sports introduces you to a remarkable Illinois Wesleyan softball player.

A twisty thin ribbon of rural ground connecting cities is what a lot of the Illinois Congressional districts look like in the Democratic draft map released today. Republicans are howling. Political scientists say it not very good for democracy. The Mayor of Normal wants a second census count next year because he's not sure the current one is right. Rocker Bob Mould draws parallels to the 1980s Aids crisis and the early years of the Trump administration on his latest album. And hear from the new diversity and inclusion director at Unit 5 schools.

You can see the effects of the nationwide workforce shortage in the operations of Unit 5 schools. Bus drivers, cafeteria workers, subs, and custodians, even food itself can be scarce. Plus, the head of the Bloomington Normal Economic Development Council says the economic recovery is slowing. A blues band coming to Bloomington has a new album honoring legend Hound Dog Taylor, but it's more than a tribute and covers. Listen to the music of Boston based GA-20. And the Coalescence Theater Project showcases Black Lives, Black Words, five plays from Black writers.

A $75 million expansion at a candy plant in southwest Bloomington will create 50 new jobs. The Ferrero facility will make chocolate for various products, including Butterfinger, 100-Grand, Crunch and Raisinets. There's more on that very sweet prospect. A criminal justice sciences expert says the Lasalle County Sheriff's Department is guilty of bad PR in the Jelani Day case. Ralph Weisheit says even news releases that don't say much are better than nothing. He says the public also is to blame for having unreasonable expectations on the speed of lab tests. And OSF Saint Joseph Medical Center's new nine million dollar cancer center is done and operating.

A Normal Town Council member says she would like to use some of the town's share of federal pandemic relief money to lower fares for people with disabilities who use Connect Transit. And Karyn Smith says relief for those behind on water and sewer payments might also make her priority list. A Bloomington Normal cybersecurity expert says the pandemic and social upheaval has made people more vulnerable to attempts to compromise their computers because it puts noise in the system and people respond to phishing attempts without thinking. He says cybercriminals also often target people who work from home. Plus, a central Illinois author answers the question What's in a NICK-name. A college mascot nickname.

David Lane studies tattoos. And the ISU professor has a new book on how this apprentice-based art form builds consistency and tradition in its practices. The very popular industry has some interesting quirks. Hear about the sociology of tattooists and their values. Bloomington and Normal Police Departments have significant vacancies in the ranks and its not just them. It's a state and national issue. Normal PD has 11 vacancies. Last year there were three. Many Americans have no knowledge of the richness and variety of the many Latino cultures. It's Latin X and Hispanic Heritage Month.