WGLT's Sound Ideas - Full Episodes

Hear a report on MetroNet’s twin city expansion. Company representative Kathy Scheller says they are affecting the marketplace. MetroNet now has more than a thousand customers for its high speed internet service in Bloomington Normal. GLT's Ryan Denham reports. There's a conversation with ISU President Larry Deitz. There’s a state budget, but other budget problems are looming – including unfunded pensions. Charlie Schlenker has the interview. And hear how a central Illinois barbershop quartet

School Districts are still struggling to understand what the Governor's amendatory veto of the school funding formula bill last week means for them. But, Unit Five Superintendent Mark Daniel says it's not great. And schools still have no idea when they'll be getting state payments, however much those might be. Plus an update on the readiness of Unit Five's bus company as the school year begins, the status of the opioid addiction in McLean County, and the music of the Supersuckers.

Hear about changing leadership in the town of normal as City Manager Mark Peterson announces his retirement. A talk with Peterson about his career and the town. Hear from Council member Jeff Fritzen about the process to replace Peterson and a sewer rate hike. Plus, President Trump's Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue visits Chenoa. GLT's Ryan Denham was there.

Hear from young people about organized religion. They appear to be going in opposite directions. Teenager Kate Lorenz and church leaders talk about the disconnect. Judy Valente reports. During an edition of Animal House, hear how two artists who are now sharing studio space may now share a new creative spark. Since the budget veto override, nearly two dozen staffers with Governor Rauner’s office have quit or been fired. Hear where he’s looking for staff and what that could mean. And it’s a

Does media coverage of the Trump administration mark a turning point for American journalism? GLT’s Judy Valente talks with IWU Journalism Professor James Plath on ethical struggles for journalists. Plus, the groundbreaking nature of the movie Dunkirk as told by GLT culture maven Shari Zeck, and a preview of George Thorogood and the Destroyers' trip to Bloomington, courtesy of Jon Norton.

Three new species of frog have been discovered high on a mountain in the Andes. And it's not the first time Illinois Wesleyan University scientist Edgar Lehr (lair) has done that. Charlie Schlenker has the interview. The Ecology Action Center’s Michael Brown is in the studio with an announcement about what would be the next McLean County Household Hazardous Waste collection event this year. We’ll talk about fundraising for the event and what people can drop off at these kinds of events. And

A recent study on the brains of football players showed all but one in the study showed signs of the disease CTE. But, ISU Coach Brock Spack says that makes no difference to him. The changing landscape as Football copes with its concussion problem. Jon Norton talks with the coach about that and about this year's team. Congressman Rodney Davis stumps for tax reform. And Eureka College History Professor Junius Rodriguez runs again for Congress against Republican incumbent Darin LaHood.

Retail sales are down nationwide. Ground zero: the shopping mall. After a series of closures at Eastland Mall in Bloomington, Mole Hole owner Ron Porth says there is a lot of uncertainty about the place. Hear Ryan Denham's report on Mall redevelopment. And…GLT’s Culture Maven, Shari Zeck muses about the mall’s cultural significance. When your dog communicates it can be loud, interpreted as aggressive, and bothersome to other people. Learn more about barking dogs during an edition Animal House.

Get the reaction of a transgender Army reservist from Bloomington to President Trump's effort to rid military of transgender people. GLT's Judy Valente talks with Army reservist Jordan Becker, who says he won’t go. Charlie Schlenker talks with retired ISU provost and former Western Illinois University President Al Goldfarb, who still writing. His new book is about theater throughout civilization. And we remember former GLT Corporate Support Manager and friend, Liz Larson, who died after boating

A candidate answers the question: do Democrats need a billionaire of their own to beat Governor Bruce Rauner in next year's election? Democratic candidate for governor Daniel Biss talks to GLT's Ryan Denham about where he stands -- and his middle-class credentials. School starts soon. Some parents are already buying school supplies. Others are trying to figure out how to afford those supplies Charlie Schlenker talks with the Chair of the Back To School Alliance. And Laura Kennedy and our own