WGLT's Sound Ideas

On today's episode, the city of Bloomington formally backs the plan for a shelter village -- and calls on Normal to lend it's support too, candidates are lining up to try to run Congressman Darin LaHood out of Washington, and the latest edition of McHistory takes up back to the Taylor Swift of their time. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A lifelong resident of Rockford is joining a growing field of candidates from both the left and right looking to unseat Illinois U.S. Congressman Darin LaHood in 2026. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Home Sweet Home Ministries plans to begin negotiations to acquire the site for a proposed shelter village, now that the Bloomington nonprofit's plan to help the unhoused has won the unanimous support of the city council. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, Illinois Wesleyan University responds to a federal investigation about campus demonstrations the Trump administration said were anti-semitic, there's a push in Springfield to lift Illinois' near 40-year-ban on new large-scale nuclear reactors but environmental groups say more nuclear is not the answer, survivors raise concerns about new Pope’s record on clerical sexual abuse, and Rivian's founder offers advice to this spring's college graduates. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Illinois Wesleyan is among more than 60 institutions the Department of Education is investigating for alleged antisemitic discrimination. The complaint was filed in March 2024. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Illinois’ energy demand will outmatch its supply by 2030, according to a study from the consulting firm The Power Bureau. That's why some lawmakers are trying to end a 40-year moratorium on the construction of large-scale nuclear reactors. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rivian founder and CEO RJ Scaringe on Saturday told graduating students at his alma mater to stay idealistic and curious and to “tune out the noise” ‒ and that life’s biggest challenges are when you learn the most. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Carl’s Pro Band will close May 15, leaving The Music Shoppe as the sole musical instrument store in Bloomington-Normal. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hangar Art Co. unveiled a rare exhibit last week with Women Taking Up Space, a show inspired by Mexican artist Cesar Cruz's aim “to comfort the disturbed and to disturb the comfortable.” Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After his first school year on the job, new Illinois Wesleyan University President Sheahon Zenger paints a portrait of an institution "re-claiming its birthright" as a liberal arts education center in Central Illinois. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, Illinois Wesleyan University President Sheahon Zenger discusses his first year on the job, a musical instrument store that's spanned two generations in Bloomington prepares to close, and a group of Bloomington women find power through their artwork. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kingdom City Boxing hosted the Battle of the Midwest boxing tournament at the Boys and Girls Club of Bloomington-Normal on Sunday. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bob Conkling announced his retirement after a season in which ISU won its second Midwest Independent Conference championship in three years and third overall under Conkling. He was named the league’s Coach of the Year for the third time. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Connect Transit, the transit agency that provides public transportation in Bloomington-Normal, confirms it will be taking over rural transportation in McLean County on July 1. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Without giving itself to the Town of Normal, Illinois Art Station [IAS] founder Laura Berk said the arts nonprofit was likely to fold. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Illinois State University President Aondover Tarhule recently joined over 400 college presidents in a public statement warning of growing political interference in higher education. The statement criticizes what it calls “unprecedented government overreach,” as former President Trump continues to threaten funding for institutions that don’t align with his political goals. He talks to 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, ISU is among hundreds of colleges and universities pushing back against what they call unprecedented government overreach from the Trump administration, Illinois Art Station's founder says money problems led to its transition, Connect Transit plans to take over rural transit in McLean County, some Bloomington-Normal youth learn discipline through boxing, and ISU's retiring gymnastics coach raises concerns for the future of college athletics. 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.

Leaders at the electric automaker Rivian said Tuesday they’ve recorded their second straight profitable quarter to start 2025, even as President Trump’s tariffs present “significant uncertainty” and will raise production costs by several thousand dollars per vehicle. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Several former members of Foundation Church in Normal, as well as family of current members, say the nondenominational Christian church has caused them harm — and in some cases, spiritually abused them. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.