WGLT's Sound Ideas

WGLT has been tracking the cost of living in Bloomington-Normal since January, to find out whether President Trump's promise to "bring prices way down" has happened yet. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Every year starting in late October, the red Toys for Tots boxes start appearing in nearby businesses, institutions and restaurants in Bloomington-Normal. The 110 drop boxes remain fairly vacant until the holiday shopping season. Come December, Director Troy Ziegler and the McLean County Toys for Tots volunteers answer emails and phone calls to collect the now full boxes. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The structure of college classes will have to change in an AI world. That's according to Roy Magnuson, the director of the newly created Adaptive Edge Institute at Illinois State University. The institute studies new technologies and how they influence teaching. Right now, the hot tech-thing is Generative AI. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, WGLT tracks prices on various goods and services in Bloomington-Normal, a new institute at ISU aims to help students the educators navigate the new world of AI, plus McLean County Toys for Tots has been providing Christmas joy to children for a quarter century. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Bloomington-Normal Deaf Club is bringing holiday festivities to kids who often miss out on some of the fun the season can bring. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen discusses healthcare funding, executive power, socialism, the Epstein files and Ukraine; a running shoe store in Normal prepares for its final lap after 30 years in business and students at a sign language class in Normal get a surprise visit from a signing Santa. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you've run a 5K race or attended any run or walk in Bloomington-Normal in the last 30 years, you probably know Mitch Hobbs. Often Running, the running shoe and apparel store in Uptown Normal that Hobbs has managed since 1995, is closing soon. Hobbs said the store will likely close in the next few weeks once its remaining inventory is sold. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

U.S. Rep Eric Sorensen advocated for an extension of Obamacare subsidies and other ways to reduce health care costs for consumers during a visit Tuesday to Carle BroMenn Medical Center in Normal. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On a new episode of WGLT's McHistory series: It has been many decades since Downtown Bloomington was the premier destination for shoppers in the community. There was a time, though, when there were four large department stores downtown. One of them was My Store. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Andy Goveia was one of more than 550 K-12 teachers across the country to enter the contest held by KI Furniture. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fall weather is hanging on in Bloomington-Normal, but there’s no denying that the holidays are here. WGLT's list of more than 40 seasonal shows, things to do and places to shop is not exhaustive but is aimed at filling your December calendars and hearts with the spirit of the season. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Illinois public universities have reached their highest enrollment levels in 10 years, according to the Illinois Board of Higher Education [IBHE] that reports nearly 190,000 students are enrolled across the state for the Fall 2025 semester. Illinois State University’s student body increased by 2.1%, an enrollment record for a fourth consecutive year. ISU announced the figures in September, including a 448-student increase, for a total of 21,994 students. Deputy Governor for Education Martin Torres said Gov. JB Pritzker’s state budgets have delivered the largest investment in higher education in a generation. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, the governor's office discusses a 10-year high for Illinois' public universities, a junior high classroom in Normal is getting a makeover after winning a nationwide contest, the latest McHistory takes us back to the time when downtown Bloomington was the premier destination for shoppers and a preview of all the things to do during the holiday season in Bloomington-Normal. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Starved Rock State Park is home to bluffs, canyons and waterfalls among a number of trails. Tourists and visitors consider the wildlife and activities along the Illinois River to be wonderful for sightseeing and adventure. For Dave Glacinski, it is his home away from home. The Central Illinois native and Lexington resident volunteers at least once a week. In August, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources named Glacinski among the 2025 outstanding volunteers of the year, for his work at the state park about an hour north of Bloomington-Normal. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A big chunk of the counselors and social workers in McLean County just got trained in a rising therapy model that can help people overcome anxiety, depression, and PTSD. It's called Eye Movement and Desensitization and Reprocessing, or EMDR. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Parkside Junior High School seventh-grader Edder Diaz, who died in a fire earlier this month, was remembered fondly Saturday in a way his friends and family say the young athlete would have loved — with a smiling crowd cheering on runners. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, the family of a seventh-grader who died after a fire finds hope after tragedy, McLean County invests in eye movement and memory therapy training for counselors and social workers, a Lexington man who goes to Starved Rock weekly to clear his mind is honored for his volunteerism, plus we pay tribute to a man whose Christmas decor brightened Bloomington-Normal for decades. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Immigration Project hopes to expand its Rapid Response team and find more willing volunteers to help do it. The Rapid Response team that was created earlier this year is looking for volunteers who are willing to help during rumored ICE sightings, connect detained people to free legal services, provide social service support for impacted families, and help Bloomington-Normal community members know their rights. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Illinois, the number of lockdowns has been on the rise. State prisons are now in lockdown almost twice as many days per year as they were during the pandemic. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stefen Robinson, a musician who plays in Bloomington-Normal under the moniker Yea Big, has new music out—again. To Lower the Fever of Feeling is on top of a veritable pile of music released this year, and the first under Robinson's new indie label called Black Flag Bonsai Club. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.