WGLT's Sound Ideas

A new photography exhibition in downtown Bloomington shares the stories and craftsmanship behind a popular Mexican doll. Lele, la muñeca mexicana features photographs by Yolanda Alonso, a journalist who created the blog Latinos en BloNo. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Normally, the only sounds you hear at Maroa City Hall are things like city council meetings or people stopping by to get a building permit. But a few times a week, the large hall on the backside of city hall is home to a rowdy Prairieland Punishers roller derby team practice. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

High school students from LeRoy learned how to stay safe when they see farm equipment on the road this fall. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A fundraiser this weekend aims to raise $25,000 to help make kids’ dreams come true. The 9th annual Wine for Wishes benefits the McLean County Regional Council of Make-A-Wish Illinois, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, a Make-A-Wish dad three-times-over wants to see all kids' dreams come too, LeRoy's newest drivers get a road lesson during harvest season, roller derby could be making a comeback in Bloomington-Normal, plus a photo exhibition in Bloomington shares the living history of handmade Mexican dolls. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There is a new food truck coming to Bloomington-Normal this fall. Co-owners Junior Nsumbu and his partner Pore are looking to offer something new to the area with Maison P&J, bringing authentic African food to the heart of the Midwest. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

WGLT's Charlie Schlenker talks to McLean County Board Chair Elizabeth Johnston about the shared sales tax dispute between the county, City of Bloomington, and Town of Normal. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Town of Normal is ratcheting up its rhetoric on the shared sales tax agreement the town and City of Bloomington have with McLean County government. And the county is pushing back hard. Here's an interview with Normal Mayor Chris Koos, with WGLT's Charlie Schlenker. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, Normal Mayor Chris Koos and McLean County Board Chair Elizabeth Johnson discuss the standoff between the county, Bloomington and Normal over sales tax money to support mental health. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There’s no shortage of true-crime podcasts. But have you heard the one about a Normal missing-persons case co-hosted by two 13-year-olds? Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, State Farm launches a voluntary exit program for employees, District 87 explores easing some graduation requirements for students new to the U.S. and a new true-crime podcast explores a disappearance in Normal nearly a century ago. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In an email obtained by WGLT, the insurer says "if and when" changes are needed, the company will start with voluntary staff reductions whenever possible, but did not rule out the possibility of layoffs. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

District 87 is considering an alternate graduation timeline for Bloomington High School students new to the United States. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, the former head of the Illinois National Guard slams the idea of sending federal troops to Chicago, bird experts worry that litter at Miller Park Lake, especially used fishing lines, are putting waterfowl at risk, advocates push for a medical right to die in Illinois after a previous attempt ran out of time and a new food truck plans to bring authentic African food to the Twin Cities. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bloomington-Normal bird experts and some concerned residents want to remind fishers to pick up littered fishing gear in and around lakes. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The American Civil Liberties Union [ACLU] of Illinois is responding to multiple civil liberties issues across the state, including the possibility of a camera company illegally sharing its data with federal immigration enforcement. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Heartland Theatre Company opens its 39th season with Venus in Fur, marking a return to the director's chair for Kathleen Kirk — who, after a hiatus, was unable to refuse the play she's loved since she first read it. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

McLean County’s branch of the Civil Air Patrol is looking for new recruits. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, a license plate camera company shares personal info with immigration officials, prompting calls for more scrutiny, the civilian arm of the U.S. Air Force is looking for new recruits in McLean County, plus Heartland Theatre Company kicks off a new season with a timeless battle of the sexes. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Julie Bickelhaupt is a farmer and chair of the Carroll County Board, a rural county along the Mississippi River border with Iowa. She said she’s running to lower costs for Americans, support farmers and strengthen education. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.