WGLT's Sound Ideas - Full Episodes

Hear from the woman that uncovered the lead contamination in Flint, Michigan's water. Pediatrician Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha speaks with Judy Valente ahead of her address at Illinois Wesleyan University. U.S. Senator Dick Durbin was in Bloomington over the weekend. He tells Charlie Schlenker that Democrats still have the ability to help shape health care policy in an interview. Also hear from Bloomington-Normal native, and now New York City saxophonist, Ryan Weisheit.

About 14% of the waste that goes to the McLean County landfill is organic, and that's worth trying to reduce. Ecology action center director Michael Brown talks about planning the next 20 years of solid waste disposal and recycling, as well as getting ready for a landfill closure. Plus a street car man reflects on his life in Bloomington. Mourning Abraham Lincoln is not a sad thing for some people after the assassination. And how do you tell a rogue tweet from a fake one?

A nondescript West Bloomington chain linked fence is no longer separating people from a vacant lot, but bringing them together. Hear from the creator of The Giving Fence, which is a place to leave and and get free winter gear. Get a preview of a planned parenthood rally in downtown Bloomington on Saturday that could draw 1200 people; Charlie Schlenker talks with an organizer. Willis Kern talks with the host of The Jerry Springer Show about civic engagement. Jerry Springer is on the Illinois

Illinois Senator Dick Durbin is continuing to oppose many of President Trump's cabinet nominees. He was among the 50 senators voting against Betsy DeVos as Education Secretary. Durbin sounds off on other nominees and Trump's Supreme Court pick, Neil Gorsuch, in an IPR interview. Illinois State University and the McLean County Museum of History are teaming up on a community reading program. You'll hear more about anthropologist Sujey Vega's book Latino Heartland: Of Borders and Belonging in the

The Normal Town Council is continuing to ponder the type of pedestrian rail crossing in uptown Normal. The obstacle is the railroad tracks. Councilman Kevin McCarthy talk about the probable underpass and other town council business. Hear how empowering woman can empower the economy. Charlie Schlenker talks with feminist economist Yana Rodgers, who is this year's Illinois Wesleyan Eckley Lecturer. During our segment "Animal House," learn how to keep cats off of the counter. Also, we'll tell you

Are social service agencies in Illinois caught in the middle of the state budget crisis or in the crosshairs? Some directors are beginning to wonder if there’s a strategy to eliminate them. In the latest interview in our series "Stretched Thinner," you’ll hear that Life-Cil actually helps save the state money by enabling independent living. The nominee for Education Secretary is a proponent of school vouchers and is scheduled for a senate confirmation vote tomorrow . Hear from the president of

There is the possibility that the governor and state lawmakers have blood on their hands from the state budget standoff. Take, for example, longer waiting lists for treating heroine addiction because the state isn't paying. Hear Ann Campon from the Tazwood Center for Wellness as a part of GLT's series "Stretched Thinner" which examines the effect of the budget standoff. Also hear about the impact of people with disabilities. Plus jazz vocalist Darden Purcell.

Sexual assault victims and senior citizens who use programs at the YWCA continue to be at the mercy of dwindling state funds. During another installment of our interview series "Stretched Thinner," the YWCA's Liz German gives an update on financial problems caused by the state budget impasse, now hitting month 19. Laura Kennedy walks you through the latest exhibit at the McClean County Art Center with an artist who finds the sky to be more than a canvas for clouds. Jon Norton talks with Stone

Caterpillar's stunning announcement that it will relocate its headquarters to Chicago continues to reverberate in Central Illinois. We'll analyze "Big Yellow's pivot north with Kyle Ham, head of Bloomington-Normal's Economic Development Council. Illinois State University's judicial decision-making expert, Meghan Leonard, examines President Trump's new Supreme Court justice appointment. And you'll hear how Mid-Central Community Action is faring in the face of 19 months without a state budget.

Hear how the protracted state budget impasse is affecting Children's Home and Aid and their program "The Butterfly Project," which serves high risk children. GLT's Jon Norton talks with Lisa Pieper for part two of our interview series "Stretched Thinner." You’ll also get an update on the state of the Path Crisis Center. City Manager David Hales is in the studio. We’ll talk about the 5 year Capital Improvement Plan, the budget, and the coliseum. And you’ll hear from Peoria Public Radio on the