WGLT's Sound Ideas - Full Episodes

It's a tough sell to convince McLean County Farmers to move acreage into wetland, especially considering how fertile the soil is in McLean County. Hear about a Nature Conservancy study of the Mackinaw River watershed. Plus, a consumer advocacy group says State Farm and other insurers haven't given enough back to rate payers for driving less during the pandemic, and someone should make them do it. Methamphetamine cases helped McLean County set a new record for drug felony filings last year. And

An Illinois Wesleyan graduate and vaccine researcher says if the flu vaccine is a guide, it will be difficult to convince enough people to take the Coronavirus vaccine to achieve herd immunity. Dr. Greg Poland says it's a selfish thing when people don't take precautions. And hear more about the science behind the vaccine. Plus, a new senior housing project is taking shape for the old TB Sanatorium and Health Department Building in Normal. And the Mayor of Normal says the municipal election three

Newly retired judge Scott Drazewski helped establish McLean County's first drug court. Judge Drazewski reflects on his career. Plus it was the best of years for Illinois Farmers and it was the worst of years for them as well. It all depends on what you grew. A wave of evictions is coming as pandemic protections prepare to sunset. And hear about an ultraviolet robot that can tamp down bacteria in your home, developed in central Illinois.

Listen for more of the top 2020 stories on WGLT including the November election. The family of McLean County's youngest COVID fatality got a shock when they tested her blood oxygen level, it was far lower than you would expect in a 30 year old. Danielle Cater is one of 86 McLean County People to die in the pandemic. The broad range of symptoms COVID can all happen to people, sometimes in the same family. And to break the pandemic drumbeat, a light and fluffy story of popcorn.

We'll bring you some of the most powerful stories of 2020 including how some people have long term problems from catching COVID. The pandemic touches all of us. Plus, find out what it's like to be a contact tracer in McLean County. And Domestic violence takes a disturbing turn in Bloomington Normal.

This week on Sound Ideas we recap significant stories of the year including the dialog on race relations. Brandon Bell was part of the series Living Black in Bloomington Normal. You'll also hear from the first tenured African American professor at Lincoln College, a student who had the uncomfortable epiphany that most hate crimes are against blacks when she was doing research on hate. And an activist who says he's been exposed to bias and micro aggressions since a young age.

Unit 5 is looking ahead to the new semester in January and a return to hybrid learning. Superintendent Kristen Weikle says they will look at building numbers as well as county and regional pandemic statistics to gauge when to stay in person and when not. Weikle says Unit 5 isalso starting in person classes later than usual to see how holiday infection rates are. Plus rural hospitals are under tremendous strain from the pandemic, particularly now with the virus so widespread. And Bloomington

Most churches pack in their members for carols and candles on Christmas eve. Not this year. But, it won't be a completely silent night for many other ministers. Plus, there is an immigrant group in Bloomington Normal with a severe language barrier that hinders access to healthcare.The language is French. A hit Netflix mini series, The Queen's Gambit, has given Bloomington Normal game sellers a boost. Chess sets are jumping off the shelves like, well, like a knight on a chess board. And pick your

McLean County Health officials say they will craft different messages for various groups that hesitate to get a Coronavirus vaccine. Hear part three of our series on vaccines. Plus, COVID-19 deaths among older people are on the upswing in McLean County; deaths of all ages, for that matter. Front line health workers have a lot of stress and overwork just now. How they deal with that stress matters to everyone. And Community Players Theater has an on line holiday production filled with schmaltz

McLean County health officials say there are training and certification hoops to jump to be eligible to offer the Coronavirus vaccine. It'll be a marathon to have the vaccine widely available in the nation and the county. Plus, some of the first vaccinations in the state are in central Illinois, not in McLean County yet, though. Justice reform advocates target the state felony murder law. It's a heavy legislative lift. And the Mayor of Bloomington drops by.