WGLT's Sound Ideas - Full Episodes

Automated External Defibrillators save lives. Now there's an effort to put more AEDs in rural areas of McLean County. Kathi Franklin with the Illinois Heart and Lung Association -- based in Normal -- says the faster the heart can circulate blood, the better the chance for survival, and reduced damage. She talks with GLT Correspondent Colleen Reynolds. On the eve of his second annual “Fender Bender” at the Castle Theater Jon Norton catches up with blues-rock-guitarist Matthew Curry. And you’ll

In civil court cases, victims of abuse are often left legally vulnerable. In Illinois, that's where Prairie State Legal services can step in to help. You'll hear from Bloomington attorney Adrian Barr, who's been awarded a prestigious fellowship. The new exhibit at McLean County Arts Center focuses on abstracted landscapes. Laura Kennedy takes you on a tour with the exhibit’s artist and curator. And blues icon Tab Benoit is making his regular December trek to Bloomington’s Castle Theatre. He

A tax break for a new restaurant isn't the only thing occupying Normal council members. They're also prioritizing a list of Community Improvement Plan projects. Mayor of Normal Chris Koos has the latest ranking of town spending priorities and the details on the Portillo’s tax rebate. It’s one of our regular interviews with the community’s mayors. Find out if a particular reptile is the right pet for you. Laura Kennedy has the latest edition of Animal house. And ISU is reimagining the beloved

Our series of interviews with Bloomington Mayoral candidates continues. Ian Bayne shares his views on government and the way the city is operating. Bayne tells Charlie Schlenker he’s for spending and service cuts, but provides few specifics. Discover the difference in how rural and urban LGBTQ people consider themselves "supported" in their communities. Jon Norton talks with an LGBTQ researcher who is screening her documentary at ISU. And Laura Kennedy tells you how the family who occupied Ewing

In central Illinois in the mid 1700s, society was surprisingly diverse, British, French, Spanish, and Native Americans living in many cases side by side with far less intergroup violence than in other places at the time. Find out the difference in an interview with historian John Reda about his new book on the change from 'Furs to Farms'. Plus, McHistory, a mid-term report on the Multicultural Leadership Program, and a look at the spread of the Brown Marmorated Stinkbug.

The head of Unit five schools has a concern over a new program with heartland community college to allow high school students to get computer science degrees, but it's not about the coursework. Charlie Schlenker has the interview with Mark Daniel about the new cooperative venture. Following Election 2016, McLean County Democratic Party leaders are ready to listen and consider new ideas. Colleen Reynolds has more on a meeting of Democrats tonight. And hear the next musician in the Duncan Manor

The right to a fair trial may be colliding with the right to public access in a Bloomington murder case. Hear GLT and Pantagraph Attorney Don Craven talk about a motion to close the courtroom and keep certain motions secret in the Kirk Zimmerman case. Also, a story of office care and heroism from GLT Correspondent Maria Henneberry, GLT's Grow, and what happened when an ISU sociologist met Cuban Dictator Fidel Castro.

Ohio State University officials told students and workers to run-hide-fight within minutes of an active shooter alert on campus. Illinois State University has the same sort of process with near street-level discretion of when to issue an alert. ISU's Emergency Manager talks with Charlie Schlenker in the wake of the butcher knife and car attack that hurt nine in Ohio. Bloomington Mayor Tari Renner is in the studio. We’ll talk about the Main Street corridor, economic development along that

As World AIDS day approaches, one central Illinois HIV-AIDS activist reminds everyone the virus is 100% preventable. Chris Wade speaks at Illinois State University Thursday, alongside panels from the National AIDS quilt that are on display there this week. Hear how area artists are reacting to recent political events and hoping to demonstrate how art and artists can bring about change. And get a preview of a Castle Theater show on Wednesday. Jon Norton talks with one of the members of the alt

Today we're taking you back to Summer 2016 and relive some of the great times had at the annual GLT Free Summer Concert, held on a Saturday night in June on the square in downtown Bloomington, featuring boogie woogie pianist Eden Brent, the latin-fusion sounds of Peoria-based The Brazilionaires, and headliner Lee Rocker, one of the founding members of The Stray Cats. And to top it off, you'll hear from blues guitarist Coco Montoya, who electrified the riverfront audience at the annual Peoria