WGLT's Sound Ideas

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.

University High School held a ceremony Friday celebrating its volleyball team for winning the IHSA Class 3A State Championship. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A community group in Bloomington-Normal is seeking public input as it looks for ways to reduce barriers to recovery services for people struggling with substance abuse and mental health disorders. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, a community survey aims to reveal gaps in mental health and substance abuse treatment in McLean County; research shows education works to rehabilitate incarcerated people, but quality programs don’t exist at every Illinois prison; University High School celebrates a state championship; and a prolific local music-maker has a new album--again. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

McLean County's three-year plan is the third of its kind, developed by an independent council of mental health stakeholders. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After a years-long fight to save the old water tower in McLean, work is now being done on the Depression-era relic that a community group hopes will help fuel a renaissance in the village of about 700 residents. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bloomington-Normal needs more affordable housing. What if we told you there was a way to create a bunch of unsubsidized housing at about half the cost of a traditional single-family home? That solution is manufactured homes, aka mobile homes. But that option is rarely discussed as policymakers and developers try to address a housing shortage that’s driven up rents and home prices across Bloomington-Normal. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, the last in WGLT's series on a mobile home operator's business practices, McLean County's new mental health plan more help for young adults and a McLean County village turns back time to boost traffic for the Route 66 centennial. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Home Sweet Home Ministries [HSHM] is getting ready to fill Bloomington’s first non-congregate shelter village, The Bridge, with residents in a few months. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Twin City mobile home park owner Oak Wood is a part of a larger trend of manufactured home (aka mobile home) communities being taken over by private equity. As individual owners have sold off this part of their portfolios, advocates for affordable housing have risen to meet the need. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A debate is emerging about the optimum size of the Town of Normal Fire Department and the positioning of fire stations. This comes with a study issued by the union representing firefighters. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, firefighters in Normal say the town's plans to close its College Avenue station will leave an older population at greater risk due to longer emergency response times, the third in WGLT's series on a mobile home operator's business practices and how its Bloomington-Normal tenants can advocate for themselves, plus Bloomington's shelter village details its rules and who can stay there. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Huge compensation agreements for the CEOs of Rivian and Tesla may not be excessive even though they range from several billion to a trillion dollars. Ajay Samant, dean of Illinois State University's College of Business, said the recent $4.6 billion contract for Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe has not raised too many eyebrows. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Students and staff at Bloomington High School agree the new cell phone policy is limiting distractions in the classroom. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Amanda Hodel and Kelly Abrahamson of Bloomington are neighbors. They both have dogs. They both struggle to make ends meet. And they’re both trapped. They can’t afford to move. And they can’t afford to stay. This is life for many when private equity buys the land out from under you. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, the second of WGLT's four-part series on mobile home operator Oak Wood business practices in Bloomington-Normal, Bloomington High School students are getting used to a cell phone ban at school and an ISU scholar says CEOs are making a lot more now, but a lot more is asked of them. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An Illinois State University alum who worked in financial management at USAID says he did not see waste, fraud and abuse at the now-defunct agency. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For decades, mobile homes [aka manufactured homes] were one of the most affordable housing options in Bloomington-Normal, especially for those with low or fixed incomes. Oak Wood’s arrival in the market has changed that. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, the first of WGLT's four-part series on mobile home operator Oak Wood business practices in Bloomington-Normal, an ISU alum who lost his job at US AID felt so much of his and the agency's work was misrepresented, and a union leader is pushing for a millionaires tax to bolster funding for education in Illinois. 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.