WGLT's Sound Ideas - Full Episodes

A candidates forum with State Representative Dan Brady and challenger David Paul Blumenshine who are contesting the 105th State House GOP nomination.

You'll hear from the chair of the Bloomington Public Safety and Community Relations Board about its first two complaints. Jon Norton previews the DeFrance show at Jazz UpFront. And the Illinois Symphony Orchestra's music director talks about the melodies of Russian composers.

Four out of five Rivian Pre-order customers WGLT talked to haven't seen a vehicle in person. Find out what kind of person is first in line to buy a Rivian truck or SUV. Plus learn about the African American Dance Experience with the Lula Washington company. Sports teams are turning to brain scans to improve player performance. An Illinois Wesleyan University scholar is involved. WGLT's gardening podcast Grow teaches you the winter waiting game. And Chicago Farmer has a new album coming out. Jon

The only way to really find out how many homeless there are in Bloomington Normal is to go where they hang out in underpasses and so on. Kimberly Maddox is one of the volunteers doing the annual homeless headcount on a drizzly winter night. Plus, Bloomington Mayor Tari Renner drops by. Learn about discrimination in Bloomington during Black History Month with a new episode of McHistory. And the YWCA of McLean County has a new director.

Here's a message for parents of hearing and vision impaired children. Their kids can have regular lives with regular education and employment trajectories. ISU's Mary Beth Lartz says a big new federal grant will help create early intervention specialists. Plus Laura Kennedy gives you an opera valentine. Colleen Reynolds highlights the challenges of the invisible homeless in Bloomington Normal. And LGBTQ acceptance is only as firm as the teachers that emphasize it. Ryan Denham talks with a

The head of the Bloomington-Normal Association of Realtors has a checkup on the local housing market. Charlie Schlenker previews ISU’s Red Note New Music Festival. And two retiring athletic directors share their view of the youth sports world.

Leaders at University High School talk about standards-based grading’s rollout. ISU President Larry Dietz has an update on inclusion efforts after #AntiBlackISU. And WGLT’s Culture Maven previews the Oscars.

Some people believe chocolate is a religious experience...but when it first came to Europe people weren't sure about it. Rabbi Deborah Prinz talks about the religious roots of chocolate. Plus, a Bloomington Normal college student shares his impressions of a trip to the Iowa Caucuses. The power of art to heal war trauma. And even in winter you can focus on your landscaping in WGLT's gardening podcast Grow.

Seems like everybody has a podcast these days for every possible reason. Even Bloomington and Normal are getting into the podcast act. Plus, former McLean County State's Attorney, long time circuit judge, and foster care advocate Ron Dozier has passed away. We'll have an appreciation. Signs signs everywhere signs....not just a 70s song lyric, but a next to normal story slam episode. And the Mayor of Normal stops by.

Most people think the banjo came to America from Africa, but some believe the origin is further east. Banjo master Bela Fleck says folk music legend Pete Seeger told him America's instrument has its roots in Iraq. Your mileage may vary. Plus, The Illinois Politics Roundtable looks at the big splash from the corruption plea of former State Senator Martin Sandoval. A report on how the change in time out rules for students might affect Illinois schools. There's no waiting at all for Laura Kennedy