WGLT's Sound Ideas - Full Episodes

On today's episode, you'll hear from new Bloomington Police Chief Jamal Simington. Plus, a new episode of McHistory looks at Bloomington-Normal's historic stance against prejudice. And Sound Health tackles misconceptions about hospice.

On today’s episode, you’ll hear from the organizer of the Bloomington Gold Corvette show about why the event is coming back to town. Plus, Part 2 of our conversation with new ISU President Terri Kinzy. And an Illinois Wesleyan biologist shares his new research on birds in Bloomington-Normal.

Illinois State University President Terri Kinzy says it's too soon to decide whether to require vaccinations to be on campus, based on full federal approval of the Pfizer vaccine. She says there are two other vaccines as well. A bunch of finches that came down from Canada seeking food is helping a 20 year old man set the McLean County record for most bird species seen in a year. Ben Guo is tied for the record at 259 with months left to go. And Bloomington City Manager Tim Gleason echoes some council members who say there are legal questions whether the city can offer direct aid to residents hurt by June flooding.

Some parents of Bloomington Normal school children say they worry about COVID safety and wish state authorities had authorized remote learning for this year. Meanwhile parents of special needs children say they hope their kids can have a normal school year and make up lost ground. Municipal rent assistance programs had been getting criticism for giving out dollars too slowly. They're getting more popular now. The Town of Normal says the pace has also picked up as other programs run out of money. And State Representative Dan Brady wants to make it easier to trigger federal disaster aid. Brady also hopes a lawsuit will take away legislative redistricting powers in Illinois.

Rural EMS agencies are closing. Ambulance response times are lengthening. One EMS coordinator says consolidation is better than no service at all. And a new rural food coalition tries to expand markets and selling seasons. Some McLean County residents who waited months to get the vaccine are changing their minds and accepting the jab. Vaccinations on the rise. Plus, Congressman Rodney Davis says we've had soldiers in South Korea and Germany for decades, why not Afghanistan?

A small rural Emergency Services organization deals with staff shortages and the Bermuda Triangle of accidents on Interstate 55. Listen for the many musical influences of Miles Ahead, the Bloomington based soul/R&B quintet. A lot of people have childhood dreams of going to the Olympics. An ISU freshman wasn't one of them. Basketball player Jada Stinson says she never dreamed that would be possible, yet Stinson went to Tokyo representing Puerto Rico. And just when Bloomington Normal fitness centers thought things would get back to normal, the pandemic put another weight on the bar. Twin cities gyms say they are still optimistic.

There's a campaign to cut the thousands of traffic collisions and hundreds of injuries that happen in Bloomington Normal each year. A strength and conditioning graduate student at ISU hopes to go to a place few women do, the NFL. Saxophonist Lisella Martin never thought she'd play music professionally until one day at church the guitarist tapped her on the shoulder and asked her if she ever thought about it. Martin says she thought she wasn't good enough. Martin was wrong. Hear her before the Front Street Music Festival. Plus a play premiering at Illinois State University looks at how artificial intelligence disrupts the arts. Director Carol Kelleher tells you about "The Hologram in the Mirror."

Meet the finalists for Bloomington Police Chief. The head of a city oversight board board says either one would be good. Both say they want to improve community relations. District 87's superintendent says teachers are ready for pushback on masks. There's disproportionate student discipline by race in Unit 5. The head of Unit 5 schools says professional development is critical to reducing that disparity and having people overcome unconscious biases. And hear the music of Osmium House before it plays in Bloomington tomorrow.

On today's episode of Sound Ideas, you'll hear from the leaders of two Bloomington-Normal school districts. Plus, Bloomington Mayor Mboka Mwilambwe talks about sewer improvements in the wake of historic flooding.

Some residents of Bloomington say they feel betrayed by the city in their flooded hour of need. A Bloomington Council member wants the city to offer money to help. And a lawyer says some of his clients may sue over sewage. Being an ER nurse during a pandemic is really really stressful, but they say they take a breath and get their game face on. ER nurses say they'd love to answer questions for those who are vaccine hesitant, but rarely get the chance. And craft beer and jazz is a nice combination. It's happening in Uptown Normal this weekend.