WGLT's Sound Ideas - Full Episodes

In the 1970s, Illinois played a pivotal role in the defeat of an equal rights amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Now the nation's eyes are on Illinois once again as a key state in the fight to revive the ERA. ERA activist Sally Pancrazio talks with GLT’s Judy Valente about local organizing efforts for the ERA. That's later today at noon/six on GLT's Sound Ideas. Hear about a craft distillery in DeKalb, IL. The CEO of whiskey acres is a keynote speaker at todays Illinois Farm Bureau Conference.

Flat demand and new openings are increasing competition in the Bloomington-Normal hotel scene. Ray Ceresa from the Bloomington-Normal Hotel and Lodging Association tells GLT's Ryan Denham that there may be too many hotel rooms in town. Mayor Tari Renner’s reacts to a soft hotel market. He’s been working on attracting a hotel to Downtown Bloomington for several years. You’ll also hear about council action to establish a citizen led police advisory board. And hear about the battle farmers are

Domestic violence caseworkers see patterns.. They say they see the things reported in the Sarah Mellor murder case all the time. For instance, Mellor did not leave her husband in spite of abuse. GLT's Charlie Schlenker talks with Senna Adjabeng of Countering Domestic Violence about the patterns of response to abuse. The effort to establish a police citizen review board has created a community debate. You’ll hear some of those comments from the last Bloomington council meeting as the council

Dividing downtown Bloomington into three separate zoning districts might improve walkability and the amount of time spent in downtown. Currently downtown is just one large zone. GLT's Mike McCurdy talks with Bloomington Community Development Director Tom Dabareiner about the city core and progress on a city wide zoning overhaul. Plus, Laura Kennedy looks at the future of nursing with the Dean of ISU's Mennonite College of Nursing, and Unit Five's concerns about keeping schools open in the

Hear about a craft beer maker in Normal making a name for itself. White Oak Brewery and its new taproom is a big hit with beer lovers. GLT's Ryan Denham reports on how a nascent beer tourism industry may be brewing in Bloomington-Normal. Get to know Downers Grove native Scott Marek. The aspiring country singer-songwriter with a just-released first original single and plays Six Strings in Downtown Bloomington on Saturday. And hear how a momentous event for The Cubs and Cubs fans nine months ago

The Sarah Mellor murder case in Woodford and McLean Counties attracted a lot of public attention. GLT's Ryan Denham was in the courtroom for the sentencing. Plus, the latest from the Bloomington Normal Restaurant Scene, Summer Theater in the Twin Cities, and GLT's Grow.

Hear from a couple of the first openly gay women to win local positions in the last municipal election. GLT’s Judy Valente talks with Normal Township Trustee Samantha Quigle and District 87 Board member Elizabeth Fox Anvick. Home sales are rebounding in Bloomington-Normal. Ryan Denham reports why low inventory is leading to some quick decisions. And today is day one of the Red Bull Trans- Siberian Extreme – 57-hundred miles in 24 days across Russia. You’ll hear from a Twin City athlete who hopes

Parents in Unit Five, Bloomington-Normal Schools will be happy with this news: Superintendent Mark Daniel says the district is cancelling plans to redraw school boundaries. Daniel also gives Charlie Schlenker a picture of growth including Towanda Elementary and NCHS. Get a preview of a new grocery delivery service available in Bloomington-Normal. Instacart will deliver more than groceries, too. And hear how a Community Cancer Center butterfly garden and butterfly release is helping more than

The YWCA of McLean County is cutting another program because of the state fiscal mess, home care services this time. Operations Vice President Liz German says not only are a couple hundred people losing service, the Y is losing 50 staff. More on how the YWCA is trying to stabilize. Plus District 87 Superintendent Barry Reilly says not everything is great for his institution either after passage of the state budget.

State lawmakers slipped a surprise into the budget for home rule cities and municipalities, an unpleasand and costly one. It's a two percent collection fee on sales tax receipts. GLT's Ryan Denham gets the irate reaction from Bloomington and Normal leaders. A tragic event in the life of ISU Volleyball Coach Melissa Myers rocked her world and caused her to quit last month. Gaining hard won perspective and doing things for the right reason, hear more in Bryan Bloodworth's interview with Melissa