WGLT's Sound Ideas - Full Episodes

Poverty and child poverty continue to drag at the state of Illinois even in an expanding economy... because the social service support network remains badly eroded. The Heartland Alliance Social Impact Research Center tells Eric Stock what that means in central Illinois. Plus, the Challenger Learning Center celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission. And a look at poverty and child poverty in Bloomington Normal.

Back in the 70s Russell "Huck" Willis didn't think much of snowmobiles. Too cold. Then someone gave his son one. 150 plus snowmobiles later, welcome to the Willis Snowmobile museum in Hopedale, Illinois. Plus, Adam Kinzinger was a very very young Mclean County Board member. Then he was a very young Congressman. Now the U.S. Representative might be on the way to becoming a U.S. Senator. Ryan Denham has more. Meet the new head of the Bloomington Normal EDC, Patrick Hoban. Jon Norton has the music

WGLT's Eric Stock reports on the rise of discount stores in rural Illinois, and their impact on the rest of the economy. And Mike and Murph bring you another episode of WGLT's Grow.

McLean County State's Attorney Don Knapp talks about why he wants to sue drugmakers and distributors over the opioid epidemic. WGLT's Ryan Denham visits the Iron Spirit Pro independent wrestling company based in Normal. And WGLT correspondent Steve Fast talks to Snow & Snow about their album being released this week.

WGLT's Eric Stock reports on the changing dynamics on the Normal Town Council. You'll meet a competitive eater from Bloomington who just lost to Joey Chestnut in the famous Fourth of July competition in New York. And WGLT Student Reporter Tiffani Jackson talks to local youth outreach director Andrew Held about his new role at Western Avenue Community Center.

Bloomington City Council member Kim Bray talks about Connect Transit's future, marijuana legalization, the search for a police chief, and more. WGLT's Ryan Denham chats with local youth soccer players about the U.S. women's World Cup run. And Laura Kennedy visits a new exhibit showing off the permanent collection at ISU's University Galleries.

Losing a job can be an opportunity, especially for retail and restaurant workers who are the main target of layoffs right now in Bloomington Normal. Ryan Denham talks with a business service representative and trades planner at Career Link in Normal who says there are 900 fewer retail jobs than last year in Bloomington Normal. Plus, the history of Sibley Illinois includes once being the center of perhaps the nation's largest farm. Jon Norton gives us the music of Cracker. Theater leads to

With marijuana legalization just 6 months away, who's going to be most inclined to use it? Mike Williams from Mother Murphy's talks to WGLT's Mary Cullen about running a head shop in a new era. There are too many beds available in state boot camp programs. Another look at the down side of DNA technology. Sometimes's it's too easy to collect too much. And Normal Mayor Pro Tem Kevin McCarthy stops by to unpack what's in a name and other issues.

WGLT's Ryan Denham talks to Bloomington-Normal Association of Realtors President Danell Moberly about trends in the local housing market. WGLT correspondent Brenna Grow reports on more homeowners turning to solar power. And the Illinois Politics Roundtable unpacks the newly signed $45 billion state capital bill.

Half of the hotel rooms in Bloomington Normal sit empty. And Hotel Motel Association head Ray Ceresa says average room rates are down three dollars from last year. Ryan Denham reports on the lowest metro area hotel occupancy rate in the state. Plus, Tim Shelley reports on how much the loss of grocery stores hurts rural communities and how four small central Illinois towns are trying to recover those community centers. Mary Cullen talks with McLean County Democrats about how in the world they