WGLT's Sound Ideas - Full Episodes

The congressional race in the 13th district is unusually competitive this year. It's a rare thing when a Democratic candidate both outraises and outspends a Republican incumbent. Listen to a profile of the tossup race between Rodney Davis and Betsy Dirksen Londrigan. State Senate Republicans say Illinois should be able to protect public health and keep the economy functioning at the same time. And they're not happy with the Governor's efforts to strike that balance. Hear from Bill Bill Brady of

Retiring Bloomington Fire Chief Brian Mohr says they used to get hundreds of applications when hiring new firefighters. Hear why a firefighter shortage looms. Plus Mayor Tari Renner tells why he picked Molly Ward to replace Scott Black in the ward seven seat on the Bloomington Council. And state representative candidates Dan Brady and Chemberly Cummings say they have different priorities for pandemic recovery. Hear a portion of a candidate forum.

Unit 5 schools have had a tougher time finding substitute teachers during the pandemic. Superintendent Kristen Weikle says the district needs 60 to 70 subs a day. Plus a political newcomer has announced a run for Mayor of Bloomington. Hear from Illinois Farm Bureau radio tech Nick McClintock. And hear from George Petrilli, the Democratic candidate for Congress in the 18th Illinois District. Republican incumbent Darin LaHood didn't respond to requests for a joint interview.

COVID-19 Treatment methods have changed at Bloomington Normal hospitals but it's still by guess and by golly some of the time. Hear a report on changing standards of medical care. Plus just to the south of Bloomington Normal there are a thousand active cases of COVID-19 in Macon County. We'll check in to see why. There's a new candidate for Mayor of Bloomington. Hear from Michael Straza. And Laura Kennedy brings us a glimpse of the War of the Worlds.

A study done by Illinois Wesleyan University scientists finds nearly half of deer meet processed in central Illinois has fragments of lead shot in it. The story from professors Aaron Schultz Wilson and Given Harper. Plus, a discussion of state finances and how the proposed change in the income tax structure would change them. And there's no sign the pandemic caused jump in pet adoptions is slowing.

Heartland community college will likely take a couple months to recover from that destructive October 5th cyber attack. Chief Information Officer Scott Bross says the FBI is investigating. Mayor Tari Renner of Bloomington says he's had enough time in office. Plus, outbreaks of COVID-19 at eight Bloomington Normal long term care facilities now outpace the numbers at nursing home during the early part of the pandemic. And nine new restaurants are serving meals amid the pandemic. Hear a check in on

Unlike in March, health departments have better direction and more tools for schools to address coronavirus flareups and outbreaks. Hear more on school reopening and contact tracing. Plus, a report on the graduated tax initiative. A central Illinois candidate for Illinois Teacher of the Year offers his philosophy of education. And even in the middle of a pandemic, nine restaurants are under construction in the twin cities. Larry Carius talks about the Bloomington Normal Restaurant Scene.

There was a student spike in COVID cases at ISU at the start of the semester. What about next semester? ISU President Larry Dietz says that's one reason the university will begin testing up to 13 thousand people a week. Plus, hear about the challenge of busing children to school in a socially distanced way. Unit 5 Schools Superintendent Kristen Weikle talks about teacher student bonding during the pandemic. And it's a good year for pumpkins and pumpkin sellers.

13th district Congressional candidates are spending hundreds of thousands of dollars this year on Facebook. Learn more about social media political campaign strategy this election. Plus, 'a horse, a horse, my kingdom for a virtual horse!' There's a new production of Richard III coming to a screen near you. The federal government will spend more money to reduce human trafficking in central Illinois. And our series on contact tracing continues.

Rhetoric from the Republican Candidate for the U.S. Senate in Illinois raises the prospect of a new civil war. Hear why even races that used to require mainstream approaches to be successful aren't attracting mainstream candidates. Plus, our series on contact tracing continues. Outgoing Illinois State University Athletics Director Larry Lyons shares how new initiatives on diversity training and racial insensitivity are going after his misstep earlier this year. And Ameren Illinois joins the