WGLT's Sound Ideas - Full Episodes

The three candidates for mayor of Bloomington have different takes on the best road to pandemic recovery, from direct aid, to business stimulation, to safeguarding existing business. Hear an in depth report. Plus, Normal Town Council candidates weigh in on economic development incentives. And working from home has not made us healthier. Home/Workplace injuries are on the rise.

Some Bloomington Council candidates want any budget surpluses to go to direct pandemic aid. Others say the city should prepare for lean times itself. Plus, teaching civics in a time of polarization makes that important task all the more challenging. Into the classroom we go. Legislation to ban violent video games pops up in Springfield fifteen years after the last attempt failed. Finally, hear the people's choice winner from Illinois State University's three minute thesis competition.

Illinois State University basketball player Mary Crompton has been testing her teammates for the coronavirus. Making your degree count even while you're still in school. Plus, Springtime ring a ding time, hear the birdies sing time. It's also pothole season. Bloomington Normal Public Works Directors fill you in on filling up those holes. Area lawmakers say the Pritzker administration has committed an oversight in keeping children's museums closed. A Bloomington Normal photography exhibit plumbs

Rising public pension payment obligations for Bloomington and Normal could force some unpleasant choices several years down the road. Will there be cuts elsewhere? Hear ideas from city and town council candidates on the pension challenge. Plus, one of the big campaign issues in the town of Normal Mayor and Council contests is debt, how much of it there is in Town government, what it bought the town, and whether it is healthy. And listen to new Bloomington-Normal music from 'Thoughts Detecting

Rising public pension payment obligations for Bloomington and Normal could force some unpleasant choices several years down the road. Will there be cuts elsewhere? Hear ideas from city and town council candidates on the pension challenge. Plus, one of the big campaign issues in the town of Normal Mayor and Council contests is debt, how much of it there is in town government, what it bought the town, and whether it is healthy. Finally, listen to new Bloomington-Normal music from 'Thoughts

The candidates for Mayor of Bloomington have different views of the most pressing issue facing Bloomington-Normal. Mboka Mwilambwe thinks it is the division in society that needs to be addressed. Mike Straza feels it's business development. Jackie Gunderson says the city should put more effort into solving homelessness and affordable housing deficits. Hear what the candidates have to say about this and other issues in an excerpt of a candidates' forum.

During the height of the Bruce Rauner budget standoff, it was very bad for Illinois rape crisis centers. Many still have not fully recovered. Plus, hear more of the three minute thesis competition at Illinois State University. The anniversary of the pandemic is coming up and the McLean County Museum of History has a way to mark it. High school sports play to limited audiences these days; there's a workaround though. Finally, Black journalists will tell the next first draft of history.

A high-quality hand crafted knife just has a better balance and feel in your hand. Hear from a Bloomington-Normal custom knife maker. Plus, Bloomington City Council candidates talk about economic development incentives. State Senator Jason Barickman pokes at Governor Pritzker's budget. Finally, there's still a long road to equality for LGBTQ+ people.

On today's episode, hear about a barber and Civil War veteran who made voting rights history in tiny El Paso, Ill., many years ago. Plus, you'll hear a recap from Illinois State University's 3-Minute Thesis competition.

The race for mayor of Bloomington is on and candidates have their priorities. Hear a report on what Bloomington Mayoral candidates want to emphasize coming up. Plus, Illinois Wesleyan University graduate Bill Damaschke is up for a Golden Globe this weekend; hear an interview about his movie The Prom . Finally, a startup meal prep service and delivery company is creating new partnerships with food producers.