WGLT's Sound Ideas - Full Episodes

The head of the Central Illinois Regional Airport talks about passenger traffic trends. Eric Stock reports on the Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) for McLean County. And a mathematician from Bloomington-Normal is breaking barriers at Johns Hopkins University.

Bloomington-Normal native Emily Riehl found her passion early on. Before graduating University High School, her teachers recognized her gift in mathematics.

Congressional Candidate Betsy Dirksen Londrigan says all the argument among presidential candidates about healthcare misses a key point. Listen to Londrigan's vision in a Ryan Denham interview. Plus, Bloomington Normal Economic Development Council CEO Patrick Hoban tells you about smart cities and the one voice trip to D.C. You can hear the organ and soul of Neal Francis. And Mike McCurdy and Patrick Murphy offer the enticing prospect of no more lawn mowing.

As part of Black History Month in Mclean County, find out about a late 1800s brain drain of minority residents. Museum of History archivist and librarian Bill Kemp also introduces you to omnibus driver Absolom Hawkins in an episode of McHistory. Plus, Bloomington Mayor Tari Renner drops by. Ryan Denham tells you about a rural shortage. It's not internet connections or doctors. It's lawyers. And you will hear a folk-blues-rock mix of music from Taylor Steele and the Love Breakers.

There is a nice, but unintended consequence from Governor Pritzker's big funding release for the Illinois Innovation Network. ISU's Associate Vice President for Research and Graduate Studies John Baur [bower] also talks about a new ISU maker space. Plus, the winners of Illinois State University's three minute thesis competition tell you about their research...in ways you will find fun and interesting. Project Guardian focuses on gun crimes. It calls for closer coordination between federal

Future teachers of history say black history month is crucially important. And ISU history major Christian Johnson says the movements surrounding historic figures matter just as much as the individuals. Plus, how math and art can work together. McLean County Board Chair John McIntyre talks about how to spend tax revenue from marijuana sales. And the All American rejects are not something you'd want to reject. Jon Norton offers you their music.

A leader at State Farm talks about taking the next steps toward policymaking on autonomous vehicles. You'll get a taste of Hot Sauce Universe ahead of their album release party Thursday night. And a McLean County Board member proposes establishing political caucuses in county government.

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has laid his $42 billion proposed budget on the table for legislative review. Listen to his 2nd annual budget speech to the General Assembly.

Bloomington Police Chief Dan Donath says he's working to change department culture to embrace the idea mental health service is better than jail for many. Chief Donath updates the community six months into the job. Plus, the nation is short millions of people to fill tech based jobs. A federal education department official visits Heartland Community College and lays out a road map to address the deficit. Guitar legend and singer songwriter Eric Johnson looks thirty years back for today's

Republican U.S. Representative Rodney Davis agrees with most Democrats something has to be done about the 4 billion dollars in student loan defaults. But, Davis would rather see private sector incentives for repayment plans than loan forgiveness. Plus, three Republican candidates for U.S. Senate come to town. A Bloomington high rise for low income seniors has some problems. Illinois State University creates a new high level position to coordinate diversity and inclusion efforts. And a legal