WGLT's Sound Ideas

The union representing firefighters in the town of Normal is continuing its campaign to keep the soon-to-close College Avenue fire station open even after a new station opens on the east side of town. The issue also surfaced again at this week's town council meeting. Town staff have called firefighter claims a false narrative. In this Sound Ideas interview with WGLT's Charlie Schlenker, Town Mayor Chris Koos talks about what more the town can do to address the union's request. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The City of Bloomington is asking residents and businesses to reduce their water use, as water levels at lakes Bloomington and Evergreen have dropped more than 8 feet below adequate levels. City officials say lower water levels are not expected to lead to the taste and odor problems that plagued the water supply early last year. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Illinois State’s magical season has come to an end. The Redbirds fell, 35-34, to Montana State on Monday in overtime at the FCS national championship at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

U.S. society has largely moved away from the idea that public structures should symbolize elements of civilization and aspiration. Resources and economy of spending often carry more weight now in shaping design. During the Great Depression though, the federal government tried to stimulate the economy by funding a variety of buildings and programs. Among them was the post office in the Town of Normal put up through the Works Progress Administration [WPA]. Inside that post office is another salute to the community, to human achievement, and to the importance of beauty in public spaces. It's an oil on canvas artwork. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Illinois will usher in over 400 new laws effective on the first day of 2026. Illinois Legal Aid Online [ILAO] believes residents should be aware of the laws concerning health, employment, education, law enforcement, and more. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The head of the Illinois Department of Agriculture is urging farmers to speak out more on immigration issues. Jerry Costello tells WGLT's Charlie Schlenker that farmers are already telling him one-on-one the Trump administration immigration policies hurt them and they should be more public about it ... and the impact of trade war tariffs as well. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Daniel Sobkowicz rates fishing as “probably my favorite hobby … I mean, other than football.” Often the fish are biting, but occasionally, he said, “You don’t catch anything.” That’s where fishing and football differ for Sobkowicz. On the field, he catches everything. His consistent brilliance has played a huge role in Illinois State’s run to Monday night’s FCS National Championship game in Nashville. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

WGLT's Joe Deacon and Braden Fogerson join host Jon Norton for a preview of the FCS championship game between ISU football and Montana State. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Illinois State football’s second national championship appearance is a chance to reflect on Brock Spack’s head coaching tenure for those who were there from the beginning. WGLT's Braden Fogerson reports. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dan Hubbard didn’t set out to write a concept album. But as he compiled the six songs that became his first studio release since 2019, Hubbard said the thread of Letting Go felt obvious. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On his final day in Washington for 2025, U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen is taking a victory lap after what he describes as a difficult, but productive year at the Capitol — and at home. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As a senior at Normal Community High School, Tye Niekamp’s goal was “finding someone who was going to coach me hard” on the college level. He didn’t have to look far. The man for the job lived in the same house. Travis Niekamp is Illinois State’s defensive coordinator and inside linebackers coach. As a parent, he is “extremely proud” of sons Tye, the Redbirds’ All-American junior middle linebacker, and Dexter, a redshirt freshman linebacker. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A pair of ISU football players have added pressure with their dad as their coach, U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen reviews the highs and lows of his year in Washington, a McLean County court program loses federal funding and seeks sales tax money to help, and a Bloomington singer-songwriter "let go" to write the best music of his career. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many families have their own go-to favorite holiday traditions -- the movie they all watch together, the cookies they bake every year, the grab-bag gift exchange. WGLT recently spent the day at Normal Community High School for an arts, communication and creative careers fair. While there, we asked some Unit 5 high schoolers about their favorite family holiday tradition. Here's what they had to say. WGLT student editor Kirk Whitsitt produced this audio postcard. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2025 was a good year for the town, according to the city manager for the Town of Normal. City Manager Pam Reece said town achievements include a range of infrastructure projects, opening a refurbished skate park at Fairview Park, and advancing the town public arts plan. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are big warning signs in agriculture right now. And many experts are warning an aid package announced by the Trump administration is not likely to go very far or come soon enough. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In an effort to improve the city’s property values and reduce neighborhood blight, the City of Bloomington is moving to a proactive approach to property maintenance enforcement. It shifts away from the prior policy where city inspectors operated off complaints from residents. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bloomington plans to take a more pro-active approach to property maintenance, but there's concern it could lead to nit-picking. The Town of Normal outlines its accomplishments for the year. Plus, anxiety and instability remain high in the ag sector, and a $12 billion bailout may not help much. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Bloomington-Normal historian says bicycles were once a top export from the state of Illinois with manufacturing centers in the state, including Peoria and Chicago, making two-thirds of all bicycles sold in the country in 1898. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Governor J-B Pritzker failed in his recent attempt to set price rate controls on the insurance industry. Illinois is the only state that does not regulate insurance rates. This came after the governor attacked State Farm over its homeowner policy increases. In part two of our conversation with Country Financial, executive vice president Rob McDade tells WGLT's Eric Stock, the current system is best for consumers. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.