WGLT's Sound Ideas - Full Episodes

Bloomington Mayor Tari Renner talks about the possibility of seeking a third term. Illinois Wesleyan alumni share their concerns about this week's Board of Trustees decisions. And another installment of our series Living Black in Bloomington-Normal, featuring Chadman James of Normal.

Bloomington native Thurston Stevenson shares his story for the Living Black in Bloomington-Normal series. Greg Koos from the McLean County Museum of History weighs in on putting complicated historical figures in context. And you'll hear about a new art exhibit in Uptown Normal.

Illinois State University President Larry Dietz gives an update on the reopening plan. Penny Wilson from the Bloomington-Normal Association of Realtors shares the latest home-sales numbers. And a local police officer turned Ph.D. researcher shares his findings on the relationship between physical training and force.

Bloomington native Candice Byrd shares her story as part of WGLT's Living Black in Bloomington-Normal series. Bloomington City Manager Tim Gleason responds to the #DefundThePolice movement. Arthur Haynes has a progress report on the West Market Street Council's efforts to eliminate the food desert in west Bloomington.

Normal Mayor Chris Koos talks about mayoral appointments, Connect Transit, and COVID-19. A new smart speaker tool is the latest spinoff from the Labs @ State Farm. And Janine Peacher shares her story as part of our Living Black in Bloomington-Normal series.

State Sen. Jason Barickman says people aren't buying in to some of Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker's executive orders. The Bloomington Republican says there's a cure for that: have the legislature enact pandemic policies with the governor's input. Plus, how universities should keep fall term college classes during the pandemic as safe as possible is a big question. Ryan Denham talks to two scholars who are studying the variables for university spread of the coronavirus. Hear a college student

The McLean County Health Department updates the public on the coronavirus in central Illinois. Illinois State University has canceled face to face classes the rest of the semester and will refund part of the room and board fees. ISU President Larry Dietz tells you about absorbing a 15 million dollar hit and other coronavirus matters. Plus, there was an election yesterday. Hear an update on primary results. And at least for now, there is actually some new home construction in Bloomington Normal.

Illinois State University is about to find out what happens to an IT system when the number of simultaneous users increases five fold. ISU Chief Technology Officer Charley Edamala tells you what might happen when on line classes start. District 87 leaders talk about e-learning capacity too. Plus, the Mayor of Normal says police should enforce state restaurant and bar closure orders. And Bloomington schools have hired just the second Latina administrator in their history.

Bloomington Normal churches came together by staying apart. Hear how separation is thinking of the common good. Central Illinois restaurants pivot to survive the state ordered closure to resist the pandemic. Teachers dig in to get ready for prolonged on line instruction. Hear how they'll do it. Construction workers have a higher than usual suicide rate. Chestnut Health Systems Behavioral Health Clinical Director Beth Hilling tells you about a new program to find construction workers who might be

The cascade of effects from the pandemic continues. One hotel has lost a hundred thousand dollars worth of business travel business already. Arts venues have begun to suffer too. Hear about Bloomington's work to refresh its Community Preservation Plan. City Planner Katie Simpson says old architecture is sometimes really cool. Plus, if you're in the mood for a story that does not have to do with the coronavirus, catch an ethereal whimsical fantasy tale; Big Fish the musical heads to a Bloomington