أفضل بودكاسات WGLT (2024)

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How the Town of Normal prepares for July 4 fireworks after weeks without rain

10M ago

—

There's rain ahead in the forecast, but weeks of drought increase fire risk for communities preparing their July 4 fireworks displays. WGLT talked to officials from the Town of Normal Parks and Recreation and Fire Departments to get the skinny on how they mitigate risk.بقلم Lauren Warnecke

1
Illinois lawmakers passed bills on book bans, abortion rights and other issues 7:21

11M ago7:21

7:21

It took more than a week longer than expected, but Illinois lawmakers wrapped up their spring legislative session early Saturday with a budget and hundreds of measures that passed. The spending plan and bills now go to Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker.بقلم Alex Degman

1
Bloomington-Normal resumes student exchange with Asahikawa, Japan, after 3-year hiatus 4:00

11M ago4:00

4:00

A student foreign exchange program for Bloomington-Normal has returned after a delay that began with the COVID-19 pandemic. Organizers hope the program can grow to where it was decades ago.بقلم Eric Stock

1
One couple's decades-long commitment to a safer, more equitable Bloomington-Normal 9:00

11M ago9:00

9:00

2023 McLean County History Makers Willie and Charles Halbert were selected for their social justice activism and tireless advocacy for equity and inclusion.بقلم Lauren Warnecke

1
New survey from McLean County Fatherhood Coalition finds room for improvement in father-friendliness 4:50

11M ago4:50

4:50

Fathers in McLean County are often underrepresented or marginalized within organizations and programs that serve children and families, according to the results of a new survey.بقلم Ryan Denham

1
Prevailing wage dialogue expands in advance of Bloomington council vote on apartment project 6:48

11M ago6:48

6:48

A Bloomington City Council discussion about whether to apply prevailing wage rules to a private development if there are government incentives at stake is spreading beyond the apartment project in question. That's according to deputy city manager Billy Tyus who said in a WGLT interview the ongoing dialogue is not just about wages.…

1
Q&A: Children's Home & Aid rebrands itself as Brightpoint, pivots to family support, equity focus 8:41

11M ago8:41

8:41

A social service agency with roots in Bloomington-Normal for more than a century has changed its name: Children's Home & Aid now is Brightpoin, which kicked off its rebranding campaign this week. Two of its leaders talked with WGLT about the changes.بقلم Michele Steinbacher

1
Let's play two! It’s opening day at the Corn Crib! 5:32

11M ago5:32

5:32

WGLT's Lauren Warnecke stopped by the Corn Crib earlier this week as final preparations were being made for opening day, including Corny's Big Summer Blowout on Saturday night. A few staff members took a brief break in the shade to talk about what goes into creating great game day experiences.بقلم Lauren Warnecke

1
Take off: ISU rocket team lands a win 4:24

11M ago4:24

4:24

Illinois State University has won a Department of Defense-sponsored rocket competition for the second straight time. The U of I Laboratory for Advanced Space Systems hosted the competition in Rantoul.بقلم Charlie Schlenker

1
Gender enrollment gap is wide at ISU, Bradley, Heartland 10:43

11M ago10:43

10:43

More women go to Illinois State University than men — a lot more. The same is true of Bradley University and Heartland Community College. It's part of a nationwide trend that began in the 1980s and has grown since then.بقلم Charlie Schlenker

1
District 87 Q&A on tax incentives, AI, and a retiring administrator 6:31

11M ago6:31

6:31

District 87 superintendent David Mouser said he supports an incentive plan to build a high-end housing complex in Bloomington, despite the potential loss of future tax revenue.بقلم Eric Stock

1
Downtown Bloomington walking tour of social justice sights and stories goes online 7:07

11M ago7:07

7:07

The McLean County Museum of History and Not In Our Town partnered to create an interactive website based on their long-running Social Justice Walking Tour. The D-I-Y tour includes locations pivotal to various social movements related to gender and racial equality, immigrant rights and organized labor.…

1
Durbin says all options are on the table as a Senate committee investigates Supreme Court ethics 6:18

11M ago6:18

6:18

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin said Supreme Court justices can't argue that separation of powers shields them from ethics laws.بقلم Eric Stock

1
McLean County cases resurface in attorney general's Catholic abuse report 2:50

11M ago2:50

2:50

Catholic dioceses in Illinois failed to disclose hundreds of abusive clerics before the state opened what would become a yearslong investigation into sex abuse within the church, Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced Tuesday.بقلم Ryan Denham, Hannah Meisel

1
'Miracle' drug: Bloomington-Normal hospitals begin new, faster treatment for stroke victims 5:29

11M ago5:29

5:29

Peg Shea of Bloomington says she's recovering well after being one of the first in the area to receive a new treatment for stroke patients.بقلم Eric Stock

1
Lincoln brought Guy Fraker to Illinois; preserving the landscape came later 7:30

11M ago7:30

7:30

Attorney and Lincoln historian Guy Fraker settled in Bloomington in 1962. He's been a key figure in documenting and promoting Lincoln's legal career in central Illinois, and fell into an avocation in land conservation by accident. Fraker is profiled as part of WGLT's series on the 2023 McLean County History Makers.…

1
Bloomington housing developer sees 'redemption' potential at Coachman site, despite council delay 7:53

11M ago7:53

7:53

Robbie Osenga, the developer of a proposed $18.5 million housing project near downtown Bloomington, said he remains hopeful despite Monday’s city council decision delaying approval.بقلم Ryan Denham

1
How the pandemic set the stage for rapid-fire auto insurance rate hikes at State Farm 7:52

11M ago7:52

7:52

In two weeks, State Farm’s auto insurance customers in Illinois will see their rates go up again – for the fourth time in less than a year. Together they’ve raised the average cost about $200.بقلم Ryan Denham

1
Survey shows rural McLean County residents are unhappy with their internet service 3:27

11M ago3:27

3:27

McLean County officials are studying the results of what they call an eye-opening survey on rural residents' level of satisfaction with their internet service.بقلم Eric Stock

1
Brett Conlin looks into his rear-view mirror on new full-band EP 8:26

2+ y ago8:26

8:26

Brett Conlin’s new full-band Americana-rock album is a nostalgic and sometimes wistful look at his youthful days growing up in Kewanee.بقلم Jon Norton

1
First Backyard Tire Fire Album In A Decade Is A Rootsy Gem 9:12

2+ y ago9:12

9:12

Backyard Tire Fire's new album drops Friday. They perform at the Black Dirt Music Festival in Bloomington on Saturday. Wilco headlines the fest.بقلم Jon Norton

1
Author Says 'Americana' Is Grown-Up Rock & Roll 6:23

2+ y ago6:23

6:23

Author John Milward connects American music legends like The Carter Family and Hank Williams with today's big stars including Jason Isbell and Brandi Carlisle.بقلم Jon Norton

1
Darius Exorcized Demons On New Album 'Left Alone' 6:47

3y ago6:47

6:47

Bloomington-based hip-hop artist Darius Williams says his new album was self-therapy during a difficult time. He says it's his most personal work to date.بقلم Jon Norton

1
Old Smoke Band Finds Purpose, New Dynamic During Pandemic 6:13

3y ago6:13

6:13

Like many bands, the Bloomington-based quintet Old Smoke used downtime during the pandemic to write and record a new album.بقلم Jon Norton

1
Dan Hubbard's New EP A Family Affair 8:51

3y ago8:51

8:51

Family took center stage on Dan Hubbard's new five-song EP “Fall in Love Again (Quarantine Lullabies)”.بقلم Jon Norton

1
Bloomington-Normal Music Planners Optimistic About Return Of Live Music 5:43

3y ago5:43

5:43

The COVID-19 vaccine rollout has many optimistic a return to something resembling “normal” is approaching. That includes a Bloomington Normal live-music scene gutted by the pandemic. Most music organizers in the Twin Cities said they are shooting for summer and fall performances.بقلم Jon Norton

1
Thoughts Detecting Machines Finds Coping Mechanism In New Album 8:51

3y ago8:51

8:51

Rick Valentin says dreary central Illinois winter weather is why he began writing and recording new music in January 2020. But that exercise for his solo vehicle, Thoughts Detecting Machines, evolved into an album that acted as a coping mechanism when the pandemic hit.بقلم Jon Norton

1
V8 Vast Change Says Passion Is The Key To 'Life' 6:55

3y ago6:55

6:55

Dominique Stevenson is a very visible Twin City activist who uses his music to spread a message of unity and encouragement. He was on the front lines of social justice marches last summer and even founded the youth-based advocacy group Next Gen Initiative.بقلم Jon Norton

1
Brett Conlin's New EP Explores Our Turbulent Year 5:53

3y ago5:53

5:53

Bloomington singer/songwriter Brett Conlin said a three-month isolation at home with his family last spring became the fodder for his just released acoustic EP "The Great Divide."بقلم Jon Norton

1
New Bloomington Rock Band Finds Purpose During Pandemic 11:03

3y ago11:03

11:03

Singer/songwriter/guitarist Joe Borbely said creating the debut album for the Bloomington-based Progressive Space rock outfit CAPS LOCK was almost literally a life-saver.بقلم Jon Norton

1
Peoria Unlikely Home For New Flamenco Band 'Tambora' 6:19

3y ago6:19

6:19

Peoria may not seem fertile ground for birthing a Flamenco band. But a side jam during the making of a compilation CD among area musicians grew into one of Peoria’s newest outfits.بقلم Jon Norton

1
How Central Illinois Musicians Have Adapted To The Pandemic 5:43

3+ y ago5:43

5:43

The pandemic has hit full-time performing musicians especially hard. There are very few places to perform and in-person audiences are sparse, at best.بقلم Jon Norton

1
Leah Marlene Defies Expectations On Debut LP 6:59

3+ y ago6:59

6:59

Singer-songwriter Leah Marlene's first full-length album is quite a curveball for those that came to her through her 2018 up-tempo, hook-laden debut EP “Arrows.”بقلم Jon Norton

1
WGLT's Blues Doctor Frank Black Dies At 79 10:07

3+ y ago10:07

10:07

Listen at 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, for an hourlong special dedicated to Delta Frank, our legendary blues host. Listen on 89.1 FM or stream at WGLT.org.بقلم Jon Norton

1
Blackberry Smoke Feeling Fantastic To Be Back On The Road 5:59

3+ y ago5:59

5:59

Musicians and concert promoters are working their way back into larger live music events. Blackberry Smoke headlines one of two shows this weekend at the Corn Crib in Normal.بقلم Jon Norton

1
V8 Vast Change Brings His Social Justice Message To His New Album 11:28

3+ y ago11:28

11:28

Dominique Stevenson has been a very public figure in Bloomington-Normal this year. He founded the youth-based Next Gen Initiative. The social-justice group initiated several marches and education forums in the Twin Cities this summer.بقلم Jon Norton

1
Grill Billyenz Digs Into Darkness On New Album 8:02

3+ y ago8:02

8:02

Rapper and visual artist Grill Billyenz of Normal says the darker industrial sound on his latest album "Metamorph" comes from the ghost-town feeling he gets working the third shift at his "day job."بقلم Jon Norton