The last of four music director candidates takes the podium May 4 for Illinois Symphony Orchestra's season closer. In place of a planned appearance from finalist Naomi Woo, alternate Alejandro Gómez Guillén returns to vie for ISO’s top artistic job.Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donationSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

ReggieCon returns to Normal this weekend. The four-day celebration of creativity begins Saturday at Illinois State University, featuring creators and creative thinkers from campus and beyond. There’s a games and comics showcase, a digital music showcase, speakers galore, and panel discussions focused on video games, monsters, and apocalyptic writing, to name a few.Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donationSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen takes part in a bipartisan trip to the southern border, creative thinkers across the country converge on ISU for ReggieCon, plus the final candidate for Illinois Symphony music director prepares for a season-ending performance.Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donationSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This time could be different on immigration. That's the hope Democratic congressman Eric Sorensen has for a trip to the Arizona border. WGLT's Charlie Schlenker reports.Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donationSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Central Illinois doctors point out that while symptoms of long COVID, or post-COVID conditions, are detailed, they’re expansive, making the condition hard to diagnose.Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donationSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aondover Tarhule, who became ISU's 21st president last month after a year in the interim role, said the university is grappling with ongoing delays in the student aid award process, as well as responding to the prevalence of artificial intelligence tech and a looming drop in graduating high school seniors. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donationSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The state’s goal of getting 1 million EVs on the road by 2030 is a lofty one. And to hit it, even communities like Bloomington-Normal that have a high EV IQ — thanks to Rivian and a resurrected EVTown initiative — will need more education and hand-holding.Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donationSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, you'll hear an interview with Illinois State University President Aondover Tarhule. Plus, how consumer education is still need on electric vehicles, even in Rivian's backyard. Plus, a new episode of Sound Health looks at long COVID.Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donationSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The town of Normal saw a 24% increase in reported crimes last year. That includes significant increases in assault and battery, theft and car burglaries.Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donationSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Illinois State University’s new indoor practice facility is getting more use than expected, according to interim athletics director Jeri Beggs. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donationSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Illinois is moving its statewide call center for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline from Bloomington to Southern Illinois starting in July. Rod Ebert, board president for PATH Crisis Center, said Tuesday that everyone was surprised by the news. WGLT's Melissa Ellin reports.Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donationSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies Program at Illinois State University turns 50 this year. An exhibit at Milner Library details the history of the program, tracing social movements aligned with a growing body of research addressing gaps in the literature. WGLT's Lauren Warnecke has this profile how it started -- and how it's going.Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donationSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From casinos to video gaming machines to sports betting apps on cell phones, access to gambling has expanded significantly in recent years. While that has led to increased tax revenue across Illinois, it's also accompanied by a growing problem: gambling addiction. Joe Deacon from our partner station WCBU reports.Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donationSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, Normal's police chief discusses an increase in crime and crashes, ISU marks 50 years for its Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies program, plus how added exposure to gambling has fueled more addiction.Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donationSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

City Manager Tim Gleason exited Bloomington city government Monday night after Deputy City Manager Jeff Jurgens was approved as his replacement. Billy Tyus, the other deputy city manager, did not seek the position and will remain in his current role.Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donationSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, a Bloomington nonprofit is forced to layoff dozens of employees who staff a suicide and crisis call center, Bloomington's incoming city manager makes the housing crisis one of his early priorities, plus ISU's interim athletics director discusses use of its new indoor practice facility plus new NCAA guidance on Name, Image and Likeness.Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donationSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Bloomington-based nonprofit PATH has lost out on a $9.5 million 988 call center contract, meaning dozens of employees who work there will be laid off after the end of the current fiscal year on June 30, according to an email obtained by WGLT from interim CEO and Executive Director Adam Carter. WGLT's Melissa Ellin reports.  Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donationSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jeremy Hayes is the outgoing executive director of the Bloomington Housing Authority. He left the position on April 15 and will serve in an advisory capacity to the agency until it finds another executive director. The agency serves the lowest-income renters in McLean County. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donationSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A rise in appeals cases following the implementation of the Pretrial Fairness Act last year has led the Illinois Supreme Court to adopt new rules that govern such appeals. WGLT's Lyndsay Jones reports.Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donationSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A spike in measles cases in the Chicago area has public health officials on watch across Illinois. Illinois has seen 66 cases this year through April 22. That’s more than half of the 125 cases around the country. The U.S. saw only 58 measles cases nationwide in 2023.Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donationSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.