WGLT's Sound Ideas - Full Episodes

You'd think a Walmart on the edge of town would produce more tax revenue than a smaller store in an urban core. But it also costs a lot more for cities to provide services to those locations. Strong Towns author Charles Marohn Junior talks about sustainable urban development. Plus, a shocking email from a top Democratic political operative becomes public. Hear from a social worker at Grove elementary in Bloomington about meeting the social emotional needs of kids. A series on housing Illinois

Some things you can't recycle through Bloomington Normal city programs, but you can through Terracycling. Amie Keeton, Melanie Ziomek, and Janet Guaderrama have diverted more than 100,000 items from the landfill in two years. Plus, Normal Town Council member Kevin McCarthy drops by as Mayor Pro Tem. And you can meet Ray Lai. He's the new director of the McLean County Regional Planning Commission.

The United Methodist Church in America is splitting up over LGLTQ issues. Reverend Kent King Nobles has one of the large United Methodist congregations in Bloomington Normal. Plus, learn how A bowl of persimmons and a long walk through Funks Grove led to a new book. And hear about how a Bloomington Normal woman arm twisted and pushed for the right to vote for women. This is the centennial year of the 19th amendment.

Veterinarians have a very high suicide rate, partly because of the compassion mindset they have for pets. Veterinarian Romanie Walter talks about the pressures of the job. Plus, an update on the progress of the long hoped-for Creativity Center in Bloomington. Jon Norton previews a musical remembrance of Zac Straw. And Laura Kennedy introduces us to a new production of Our Town.

As part of WGLT's holiday schedule we bring you more of the favorite and important stories of 2019. In this episode listen to pieces on red flag laws, rap music and gun violence in the twin cities, why there is a shortage of referees in youth sports, and how discount stores are winning the rural economy. People like you value experienced, knowledgeable and award-winning journalism that covers meaningful stories in Bloomington-Normal. To support more stories and interviews like this one, please

As part of WGLT's holiday schedule we revisit some of the WGLT Newsroom's favorite stories of 2019. In this episode you can listen to an in depth report on the large gender imbalance on stage at twin cities musical venues, an episode of McHistory that tells you about a powerful woman who blazed a trail for women in Bloomington-Normal who write, Ryan Denham wrestling an entertaining story to the ground, WGLT's Culture Maven talking with Cheri Zeck about a beautiful day in the neighborhood, and an

As part of WGLT's holiday schedule we revisit some of the most important stories of 2019. In this episode, we revisit stories of stolen guns, a split in the United Methodist Church, combatting segregation and economic disempowerment through housing policy, State Farm's decision to sell its landmark downtown headquarters building, enrollment challenges private colleges and universities face in central Illinois, and the progress of Rivian toward bringing new electric vehicles to market.

As part of WGLT's holiday schedule we revisit some of the best stories of 2019. In this episode listen back to some of the great music groups we told you about during the year including Dan Hubbard, Stone and Snow, Rhett Miller of the Old 97s, and Hot Sauce Universe.

Sometimes there are bad surprises at the holidays, such as when adult children visit parents and find the pleasant phone calls with Mom and Dad have masked the aging process. An in depth report on care giving. Plus, Jon Norton previews Joe Stamm's musical show. And a visit to a marijuana production facility.

Guitar wunderkind Mathew Curry is trying to evolve his sound. Curry's new album is called Open Road. Plus, staying sober for the holidays presents challenges. Community Colleges in Central Illinois are talking with Rivian to create workforce training programs as Rivian prepares to hire hundreds of people. A quick look at disaster planning in the twin cities. And the John M Scott Commission has had an eye opening experience in opening up a grant process for health program funding.