WGLT's Sound Ideas

Derek Beach, Jon Bonar and a few others were chatting at the rink Sunday morning before hockey practice when a new guy showed up. The new player was from Florida, looking for a hockey home after moving to Illinois. They pointed him to the locker room. He’d found it. Beach, Bonar and the rest of the Central Illinois Veteran Warriors hockey team take pride in creating a welcoming environment for all comers, including those Bloomington-Normal. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Veterans returning home from active duty have a variety of resources to turn to for support while reentering civilian life. Until the 1970s, those who fought overseas frequently found what they needed at their local VFW post. Local chapters of the nationwide fraternal organization have struggled in recent decades, but Bloomington’s Post 454 is committed to meeting the moment and supporting veterans of all generations. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A unique problem-solving court is celebrating the graduation of an Army veteran from Chatsworth. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, a Veterans Day special that details various supports Bloomington-Normal offers for veterans' mental health, creativity and legal affairs. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dogs have been called “man’s best friend” for thousands of years, though their exact origins as companions are still up for debate. From guarding early camps to helping with hunting, dogs have served as loyal partners to humans. Today, they continue to support people by assisting those with disabilities, detecting explosives, providing protection and offering comfort to individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder [PTSD]. Training dogs for those tasks is no easy feat, but Devildog Canine in Normal is up for the challenge. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The recent suspension of federally funded food assistance for needy Americans as well as upcoming rule changes in Medicaid are presenting difficult challenges for state policymakers. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Food banks across central Illinois are feeling the strain following the federal government shutdown that has put food assistance in jeopardy. Lines at food pantries began growing longer soon after the shutdown began last month. Eric Hodel is CEO of Midwest Food Bank that has warehouses in Normal and Peoria. Hodel offers an example that he said has become typical among the food pantries the nonprofit serves. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, food pantries wait for an end to the government shutdown that's put SNAP benefits in limbo, a state lawmaker discusses how the federal government shutdown is impacting state operations, a prisoner of war in Vietnam urges fellow vets not to look back and to keep looking for ways to serve, plus man's best friend is serving veterans in McLean County through protection and therapy. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As downtown Bloomington’s art galleries prepare for a milestone Art Walk, one of the event’s founders unveils an exhibition that is both new, and decades in the making. Angel Ambrose first debuted Reckoning Home this summer at Foster Gallery, a division of First United Methodist Church of Peoria. A version of the exhibition is on view for a month in the Monroe Building, where Ambrose has had her studio for more than two decades. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The McLean County Behavioral Health Coordination Department hosted its annual Behavioral Health Forum Thursday at Bone Student Center on the Illinois State University campus. Among the more than a dozen presenters was Jen Woodrum, Bloomington-Normal mental health counselor, who gave a talk on self-regulation. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, could funding approved for public transit in Chicago come at the expense of road construction downstate, the annual McLean County behavioral health forum examines how to build stronger connections, plus a look at how the downtown Bloomington art walk came to be 25 years ago. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rep. Chung says advocates for medical aid in dying convinced her to support the right to die. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ryan Pedon was in college when the Illinois State men’s basketball team last won the Missouri Valley Conference. The ISU head coach has gone from playing in Division III [Wooster] to coaching in the Big Ten [two years as an assistant coach at Illinois and five years at Ohio State] to leading a mid-major program that's hoping this is finally the year. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trump administration trade and regulatory policy initially hurt electric vehicle maker Rivian. Changes in the administration stance may now help some. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, tariffs aren't hitting Rivian as hard as they were, plus a wide-ranging interview with ISU men's basketball coach Ryan Pedon. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

State Rep. Sharon Chung helped defeat a bill that would have enabled the state to regulate homeowners insurance rates. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In a time where the number of mental health professionals is going down and patient demand is going up, AI might be where people turn when they need professional mental health assistance. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The head of electric vehicle maker Rivian says the future is not just EVs, it’s artificial intelligence and autonomous vehicles. And it’s coming sooner than you might think. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, Rivian is ready to dive into A-I to make self-driving vehicles, mental health experts worry A-I therapy may only have short term benefits and a Bloomington state lawmaker wants the governor to back off efforts to regulate insurance rates. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.