WGLT's Sound Ideas - Full Episodes

Some educators say points based grading might be pointless, that it encourages only enough effort to get the grade. Illinois State University Professor Jay Percell tells WGLT Correspondent Breanna Grow all about his TedX talk. Plus, Plus Ryan Denham reports the next generation of educators -- still in high school themselves -- shrug off talk of a teacher shortage during a conference at ISU. A new restaurant opens today in Bloomington Normal. We talk with the owner. And the Illinois politics

Hear about romance among the thorns of a long simmering feud...It's not the usual courtship of a romantic comedy. Director Don Lacasse tells WGLT's Laura Kennedy all about the new Heartland Theater Company play, 'Outside Mullingar.' Plus, Eric Stock reports on how the company that bought the State Farm building in downtown Bloomington has performed in other communities like Desmoines and Rockford. The once feared childhood virus polio is all but eradicated around the globe. Two central Illinois

An ISU researcher looks at how corporate climate change disclosures have changed in the Trump administration. WGLT's McHistory goes back in time with Bloomington's first undertake. And Jon Norton talks to Miles Nielsen ahead of a weekend show in Bloomington.

The case of a nine year old boy from Goodfield charged with murder is a tragic and riveting one. Elizabeth Clarke of the Juvenile Justice Initiative based in Evanston says the case is all the more tragic because of the unusual charge. Plus, the upside and downside of hardscape in gardening with WGLT's podcast Grow. An embarrassing OOPS from the Next to Normal Story Slam folks. Eric Stock reports on road repair projects in Bloomington Normal included in the state Capital plan. And stem cell

State Representative Keith Sommer of Morton says conditions at the state's child welfare agency are slowly improving. Representative Sommer tells WGLT's Ryan Denham that's a great start. Plus, voting trends at ISU are up. Mary Cullen reports on what that means for next year. There's a biography out on the late IWU President Minor Myers Junior. We have a talk with the author. And the mayor of Normal joins us to talk about marijuana and the Blackstone Trails subdivision.

The head of the Bloomington Normal Water Reclamation District tells why they have to spend a lot of money to remove phosphorus from waste water. Randy Stein says the price tag might be $160 million. Plus, Eric Stock talks with a Bloomington architect just named architect of the state capitol about historic preservation of a massive edifice that is also a working building. Noted Journalist Soledad O'Brien comes to Bloomington Normal and we have an interview. Allen Chambers makes the twin cities

An ISU historian finds parallels between how Native American children were treated 100 years ago and our current immigration crisis. Kyle Ciani talks to WGLT's Mary Cullen about her new book, "Choosing to Care." Plus, tenant rights advocates are lobbying to lift the long running ban on rent control policies in the state. NPR Journalist Korva Coleman talks about improving diversity in the voices of those who shape the news. Laura Kennedy shows us a new production of Twelfth Night. And Illinois

WGLT's Ryan Denham explores the fascinating history of why Bloomington-Normal still has two school districts. The Bloomington and Normal Water Reclamation District celebrates its 100th anniversary. And Terri Ryburn previews this weekend's Route 66 conference in Normal.

Bloomington Police Chief Dan Donath tells WGLT's Eric Stock what he wants to do about a lack of office diversity. One African American, four Latinos, and five women out of 125 officers. Donath says that should change. Plus, Route 66 is a cultural icon for white middle class Americans...emphasis on white. But there's a tragic side to the historic highway. The head of the Federal Election Commission says Republican Congressman Rodney Davis won't succeed in shutting her up. A long lost civil war

Rivian is not the only Bloomington Normal manufacturing plant adding jobs. Hear from Bridgestone plant manager Monte Gruetman about the progress of a 12 million dollar plant upgrade in Normal. Plus, Eric Stock reports on a dispute between the McLean County Auditor and the McLean County Treasurer. Everyone has pressed flowers as a child. But, there's a scientific benefit to doing so as well. Hear from Dwayne Estes, an expert on bio-diversity and herbariums. And Bloomington Mayor Tari Renner stops