WGLT's Sound Ideas

A Bloomington-based early childhood program for low-income families has won renewal of a critical grant to keep operating for at least another five years. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

District 87 changed its policy for Bloomington High School that bans cell phones throughout the school day. Unit 5 refreshed its policy to keep student phones away during class in all but a few circumstances. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Normal Town Council has reviewed elements of a new strategic plan and approved changes to the Enterprise Zone that would offer development incentives in portions of Bloomington-Normal, including Bloomington's under-performing Eastland Mall. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Waiting Room Records is hosting its 4th annual free music fest, We’re Just Trying to Do Something Nice, Okay? at the Connie Link Amphitheater at 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 30. The show will raise donations to support Clover’s Cat Club, an animal rescue service in Normal. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Amid Republican party efforts to gain congressional seats through off-cycle redistricting in Texas, there's an effort to revive a push for an Illinois state constitutional amendment to make political redistricting less ... well ... political. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The McLean County supervisor of assessments will start publishing assessed value changes and township equalization factors for the 2025 assessment year — some of the ingredients that determine what you property owners in property taxes. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, Unit 5 and District 87 have new policies meant to limit cell phone use, but some teachers are skeptical, there's a new bipartisan effort underway to redo how Illinois draws its legislative maps, property assessments in McLean County are going up again as the housing shortage continues, and Bloomington-Normal record stores take the tunes outside their doors to a free concert. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rader Family Farms in Normal invites the public to its sixth annual Sunflower Days Festival. Adam Rader, of Rader Family Farms, said this year the farm has about 19 varieties of sunflowers for visitors to walk through, take photos with and pick. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The regional superintendent of schools for McLean, DeWitt, Livingston and Logan counties will not run for re-election. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, the regional schools superintendent is ready to call it a career soon after two decades helping educators, Normal approves expanding an area for tax incentives -- even for projects already approved, and Rader Family Farms shows off more sunflower varieties than you ever thought existed. 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.

The Promise Council of McLean County completed the District 87 leg of its Caring Adults program Wednesday. Students at Oakland Elementary were greeted by cheering parents, educators and other community supporters as they walked into school. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With countless court cases shaping life in the Trump era, the new head of Illinois State University’s Legal Studies program says public education about the legal system is critical to maintaining trust in it. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, some in Bloomington-Normal's unhoused community find power and purpose in putting pen to paper, high-profile legal cases have sparked an interest in the legal profession for more students, and students in Bloomington-Normal get a warm welcome to help kick off a new school year. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Churches of diverse ethnic backgrounds in Bloomington-Normal offer their congregants emotional and spiritual support. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Facebook group providing frequent reports on weather events in Illinois has gained traction. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The new owner of a group of weekly newspapers that includes the Normalite has plans for growth and plenty of optimism about the future of local news – even in print. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A series of flyers with a logo that evokes a swastika inside an American flag has caused alarm after being found around Bloomington — with no clear answer who made them. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, you'll hear about flyers circulating around Bloomington that are causing alarm. Plus, how houses of worship in Bloomington-Normal are evolving to meet the growing immigrant population. You'll hear from the new owner of the Normalite Newspaper Group. And meet the creator of a Facebook group laser-focused on Central Illinois weather. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new union representing employees at Illinois State University’s lab schools hopes to begin negotiating its first contract sometime this fall. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.