WGLT's Sound Ideas - Full Episodes

On this election day, take a break from politics with theater, film, and music – including a conversation about the life, music, and cultural influence of the late Chuck Berry. Sound Ideas culture commentator and Illinois State University English professor Bill McBride joins to remember the man often credited with creating rock ‘n’ roll. Robots are taking over the Normal Theater. Laura Kennedy will explain. Also, listen for a preview of a new film festival. Jon Norton talks with guitarist of the

As the process to fill a US Supreme Court vacancy picks up, one Illinois State University scholar says replacing the late conservative Scalia isn't nearly as important to Democrats as the potential replacement of three LIBERAL-leaning justices. ISU Politics and Government professor Meghan Leonard dives deep into the Senate process that might wrap up this week. Willis Kern has the interview. Are humans hardwired for war or peace? GLT’s Judy Valente talks with the executive director of the Center

Hear how Illinois State Univeristy was able to hold the line on tuition. ISU's President Larry Dietz is thanking record-breaking enrollment numbers. In an era of rising tuition, Illinois State is bucking the trend with no tuition or fee increases for this fall. Hear a profile of the candidates and issues in the race for Normal township supervisor. A Normal town council member and Republican Cheryl Gaines is running against Democrat Sarah Grammer. Also, you'll hear a transgender woman, and and

Hear from a Bloomington endurance athlete about what it takes to finish a race across Russia. The longest stage has her on the bike as long as 72 hours. Learn more about the Red Bull Trans-Siberian Extreme. Gervais is already biking 8 to 11 hours per day and the race isn’t until July. Hear from a wheel chair athlete and diversity advocate about how pop culture educates about diversity. Also, discover how a central Illinois library is using the Star Wars film franchise to celebrate National

Some are calling it the awakening of the 'Sleeping Giantess.' Women who have never been politically active before are waging a wide range of grass roots efforts. Hear how central Illinois women are standing up and speaking out. Plus, who gets the blame for the failure of the grand bargain on the state budget? Ryan Mackey points the finger. Listen to how the budget fiasco is hurting party leaders and why the monarch butterfly population is crashing. It's not as simple as you may have heard. Also,

The two candidates for Normal Town Supervisor provide their vision for office. Township governments help take care of some of the community's elderly and needy. Charlie Schlenker talks with Democrat Sarah Grammer and Republican Cheryl Gaines. Your focus may be on the township race or for the two contested races for mayor of Bloomington and Normal; there's also a race for the Unit 5 school board which controls a large portion of your property tax bill. Ryan Denham reports on this subject. Laura

Overpass vs. underpass, tax rates, fostering a livable community, merging Bloomington and Normal libraries, and City-Town cooperation were among the topics discussed Tuesday at the WGLT-League of Women Voters Candidate Forum featuring four hopefuls for three spots on the council. Willis Kern hosted the forum broadcast live.

Central Illinois Congressman Rodney Davis says Illinois and America can no longer afford the Affordable Care Act. GLT's Charlie Schlenker talks with the Taylorville Republican about health care, as well as President Trump’s first 60 days. Willis Kern talks with the B-N EDC’s Mike O’Grady about the next One Voice Trip to Washington D.C. It’s an effort to coordinate requests for federal funds to pay for local projects. You’ll hear from Mayor Chris Koos about his One Voice focus, along with new,

Central Illinois Republican Congressman Darin LaHood says claims that the new GOP health care proposal will only give tax breaks to the wealthy are not true. LaHood talks with GLT's Willis Kern about the GOP plan and how he would like to see it shaped. He also hints of a possible town hall meeting next month. A new bike sharing system launches in the community today. You'll hear about Bike Share 309 from Town of Normal Planner Mercy Davison and a representative of Zagster; the company behind the

The future of cooperation between Bloomington and Normal was among the topics discussed Thursday at the WGLT-League of Women Voters Candidate Forum featuring hopefuls from Wards 3 and 9. Charlie Schlenker hosted the forum broadcast live.