WGLT's Sound Ideas - Full Episodes

Artist Venice Keys says black and brown communities find spirituality in the commonplace. Hear about Key's latest exhibit at Illinois State University. Plus, a Bloomington Normal woman tells you about raising a voice against patriarchy and for women's self determination. Another new Normal Town Council candidate shares thoughts on leadership and community service. And outgoing Bloomington Police Chief Dan Donath talks about the impact of de-funding police and transferring the money to human

Some candidates are already looking past the November election and to the city and town council contests next year. AJ Zimmerman is early out of the gate for Normal Town Council. Plus, the Mayor of Normal is on four and a half terms and wants one more. A family affected by COVID-19 talks about the emotional toll of the disease. A chat with the new host of NPR's 1A about the national discourse. And ISU Athletic Director Larry Lyons says budget cuts yes...job and sports cuts no because of the

The Vice President of the Bloomington Normal NAACP says hospitals in particular need diversity and inclusion departments because minorities are often disenfranchised. Carla Campbell Jackson says this would help minimize biases. Plus, the City of Bloomington will get a lot of money back from former Coliseum operator John Butler and Butler has pled guilty to theft. And Mayor Tari Renner of Bloomington drops by.

Find out how a black dwarf star can explode even without a fuel source. ISU Astrophysicist Matt Caplan says maybe what happens once all the stars have burned out quadrillions of years from now won't be cold dead and silent. Plus, 273 ISU students have tested positive for the Coronavirus after a little more than a week of classes. ISU President Larry Dietz tells you how he'll decide whether to close the campus. Some students remain in Normal even though all their classes are online. Hear why. And

The pandemic has created some unanticipated consequences for political campaigns and they're not all bad....Hear more on pandemic politics from ISU Professor Kerri Milita. Plus, Plagues, Pandemics, and People - it's a new course offered at Illinois State University. It's a mystery how much the Governor's new order on masks will be enforced. Eric Stock reports. And Heartland Community College enrollment is down, and down more for African Americans and other minorities.

Critics of online school plans like to talk about the bad effects of screen time on kids. An ISU scholar says it's not the time it's the quality that matters. Hear about remote learning from Illinois State University education expert Anna Smith. Bloomington considers ditching the Columbus Day holiday for Indigenous People's Day. Changes ahead for the Illinois Arts Station. And Normal Mayor Pro Tem Kevin McCarthy stops by.

As WGLT's series "Living Black In Bloomington-Normal" concludes, hear some of the series' most significant interviews.

Bloomington-Normal parents turn to learning "pods" to help solve the back-to-school puzzle. A first-generation American from Bloomington talks about the significance of Sen. Kamala Harris becoming the Democratic vice presidential nominee. And Brandon Bell shares his story for the WGLT series Living Black in Bloomington-Normal.

School leaders react to a demand from Black Lives Matter to remove school resource officers. An advocate for tenants' rights shares information about local and state rental assistance programs. And Mike Jones has an update on the future of the Western Avenue Community Center on Bloomington's west side.

McLean County Clerk Kathy Michael talks about voting-by-mail. Jen Brooks shares her story for the WGLT series Living Black in Bloomington-Normal. And an update on traffic trends at Bloomington's airport.