Tessera
Folgen

Illinois Public Media

@ilpublicmedia.bsky.social

Educating, informing, and inspiring communities through the power of public media. Heard, seen, and experienced on WILL-AM, FM, TV, Illinois Soul, and beyond! 📍 Based at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign 🌍 Serving central Illinois and more!

639 Posts1180 Follower184 Folgt
Illinois Public Media@ilpublicmedia.bsky.social · 2d ago

LIHEAP provides one-time benefits to income-eligible households, to assist with energy costs in the winter and summer months. In Champaign County, the LIHEAP office began in-person appointments on Thursday, Oct. 1. The office already has nearly 900 appointments booked for this month.

Energy costs could rise this winter. Low-income residents can apply for financial assistance - IPM Newsroom

The federally funded Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program provides one-time benefits to income-eligible households. The Champaign County LIHEAP office has nearly 900 scheduled appointments for th...

ipmnewsroom.org

The 21st Show@21st.show · 5d ago

James McBride is known for his writing, as well as his musicianship; however, he also spent time as a journalist. He spoke to The 21st Show about his time at Columbia's School of Journalism, and his experience working with journalists at The Washington Post and People Magazine.

The 21st Show@21st.show · 6d ago

Georgia Southern University history professor Bennett Parten talks to The 21st Show about Civil War Union General William Sherman and how even he had complex and racist views of slavery for his time, and was slow to the adoption of emancipation.

Illinois Public Media@ilpublicmedia.bsky.social · 6d ago

Two years ago, social workers from the early childhood learning nonprofit CU Early learned that weather was a top reason kids from Ivanhoe Estates were missing school. Families were walking from all over the neighborhood to wait for sometimes half an hour at the uncovered stop.

Urbana School District 116 families help design covered bus stop for Ivanhoe Estates - IPM Newsroom

University of Illinois architecture professor involved in the project, Joseph Altshuler, asked to set up a station at the Urbana neighborhood night where students and families could write and draw out...

ipmnewsroom.org

Illinois Public Media@ilpublicmedia.bsky.social · 7d ago

The number of Illinois high school students earning early college credit through “dual credit” partnerships keeps increasing significantly every year, sometimes saving students thousands of dollars in tuition fees.

As 'dual credit' programs keep growing, it's easier than ever for Illinois high schoolers to earn early college credit - IPM Newsroom

There are now more than 100,000 Illinois high schoolers earning dual credit, compared to around 67,000 in 2020.

ipmnewsroom.org

Illinois Public Media@ilpublicmedia.bsky.social · last wk.

Experts say adding areas where monarchs can eat, rest and lay their eggs, gives them a greater chance of completing their migration amid large-scale habitat loss – especially in states like Iowa and Illinois, where less than 0.1% of original prairie remains.

A 'Monarch Highway' in the central U.S. stalled. But states are still planting butterfly rest stops - IPM Newsroom

A decade ago, a federal task force announced a plan to help monarch butterflies along their great migration. The six-state effort along Interstate 35 didn’t take off as expected, but some roadsides ar...

ipmnewsroom.org

University of Illinois Press@illinoispress.bsky.social · last wk.

Illinois book examines quinceañeras in pop culture will.illinois.edu/21stshow/sto... cc: @ilpublicmedia.bsky.social @dleonboys

Illinois book examines quinceañeras in pop culture | Illinois Public Media

The quinceañera is a rite of passage in Latina culture, marking the transition from girlhood to womanhood. It’s also the subject of a new book of essays about the tradition and its place in popular


will.illinois.edu

Illinois Public Media@ilpublicmedia.bsky.social · last wk.

For Armando Sandoval, the memories of making homemade tortillas with his grandmother are something he has carried from his childhood and into his passion for cooking. Sandoval is the owner of Maize Mexican Grill, which he founded in 2011 and now has three locations across Champaign-Urbana.

The new Maize mural in Champaign tells a story of food, family and culture - IPM Newsroom

The mural by local artist JosĂ© Vazquez reflects owner Armando Sandoval’s childhood memories of cooking with his grandmother in rural Mexico.

ipmnewsroom.org

Illinois Public Media@ilpublicmedia.bsky.social · 2w ago

Uh oh! We hate to leave you in the lurch, but WILL AM 580 will briefly be off the air this afternoon. đŸ˜«We're doing some preventative maintenance at our AM transmitter site. In the meantime, we will miss you! You can always stream online or tune in to WILL FM 90.9 or at 101.1 FM if you miss us too. 😱

WILL AM 580 will temporarily be off the air for repairs from 1:30 to 3:30 PM today.
Illinois Public Media@ilpublicmedia.bsky.social · 2w ago

Champaign County needs about 120 more election judges to open all its intended polling locations on Election Day. The county plans to have 64 election locations on Nov. 3; if unchanged, the current number of election judge vacancies would force 29 of those to stay closed.

Champaign County voters could see polling locations close — unless more people become election judges - IPM Newsroom

Champaign County currently has a shortage of 120 election judges. If the gap isn’t filled, the county may see certain polling locations close on Election Day, affecting voters’ experiences.

ipmnewsroom.org

Illinois Public Media@ilpublicmedia.bsky.social · 2w ago

The University of Illinois College of Education hosted its biennial Youth Literature Festival this weekend, bringing 14 nationally recognized authors and illustrators to Champaign-Urbana.

Youth Literature Festival brings authors, storytelling to Champaign-Urbana - IPM Newsroom

The free, family-friendly event — held every two years since 2008 — is designed to place literature and the arts at the center of young people’s lives.

ipmnewsroom.org

Illinois Public Media@ilpublicmedia.bsky.social · 2w ago

The 5th annual C-U Marching Showcase brought together the Champaign Central Marching Maroons, the Urbana Tiger Marching Band and the Champaign Centennial Marching Chargers for a night of food, fun and performance on Sept. 23.

C-U Marching Showcase unites local high schools through music - IPM Newsroom

Marching bands from Urbana High School, Central and Centennial gathered for a night of food, fun and performance. The annual event serves as a fundraiser for the bands.

ipmnewsroom.org

Illinois Public Media@ilpublicmedia.bsky.social · 2w ago

Voters will decide in November whether Champaign’s Unit 4 school district can move forward on a $192 million plan for major school improvements across the district. The referendum, “Building Better Schools,” aims to address the district’s facility needs.

Unit 4 opens its middle school doors as Champaign voters weigh $192 million renovation plan - IPM Newsroom

Middle schools are overcrowded and in need of updates and expansions, district officials say, noting that annual tax rates won’t increase as a result of the “Building Better Schools” referendum.

ipmnewsroom.org

Illinois Public Media@ilpublicmedia.bsky.social · 2w ago

“We believe this contract truly prioritizes our students, teachers and staff. We will be supporting the district in their efforts to pass a referendum for our junior high,” Mahomet Seymour Education Association spokesperson Cam Zindars said in a statement.

UPDATE: Mahomet-Seymour staff and district reach tentative agreement days before possible strike - IPM Newsroom

Several union members urged the school board on Monday night to prioritize the well-being of their staff.

ipmnewsroom.org

Illinois Public Media@ilpublicmedia.bsky.social · 4w ago

More than 120 years after his death, local historians finally feel confident of the burial spot for the first Black man to vote in Illinois. A reddish granite headstone sits in a quiet plot near the back of El Paso’s Evergreen Cemetery. It proudly bears the name David A Strother.

El Paso burial site of first Black man to vote in Illinois confirmed 121 years after his death - IPM Newsroom

More than 120 years after his death, local historians finally feel confident of the burial spot for the first Black man to vote in Illinois.

ipmnewsroom.org

Prairie Research Institute@prairieresearch.bsky.social · 4w ago

đŸŒ§ïž Why did central Illinois get hit so hard with flooding this August? In the latest episode of Weather Realness from @ilpublicmedia.bsky.social, @ilclimatologist.bsky.social and atmospheric scientist Deanna Hence break down the science behind it. Listen here: will.illinois.edu/weatherrealn...

The science behind Illinois’ August flooding | Illinois Public Media

We talk about flooding in central Illinois and why Illinois keeps getting hit with heavy rainfall.

will.illinois.edu

Illinois Public Media@ilpublicmedia.bsky.social · 4w ago

Parkland College in Champaign and Lake Land College in Mattoon are among five downstate community colleges receiving capital grant money from the state to build and equip new Manufacturing Training Academies.

Two local community colleges to implement manufacturing training programs with state grant - IPM Newsroom

Governor JB Pritzker said that the new training academies will help more Illinoisans learn in-demand skills, and give manufacturers more reasons to keep and expand jobs in Illinois.

ipmnewsroom.org

Illinois Public Media@ilpublicmedia.bsky.social · 4w ago

The Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District recently announced changes aimed at improving riders’ experiences, including a new bus route, efforts to improve on-time performance and progress on terminal renovations.

C-U Mass Transit District riders may notice some changes — now and in the future - IPM Newsroom

The Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District has made some bus route changes to offer better service to its riders and has taken steps toward the redesign of the Illinois Terminal.

ipmnewsroom.org

Illinois Public Media@ilpublicmedia.bsky.social · 4w ago

The Community Engagement & Violence Prevention Office, which opened Thursday, Sept. 10, is part of the larger Philo Road Ahead Initiative led by Urbana Mayor DeShawn Williams. One of the main goals of the new office is to connect residents with the resources they need.

Philo Road Ahead Initiative moves forward with opening of Community Engagement & Violence Prevention Office - IPM Newsroom

Urbana Mayor DeShawn Williams stands in front of the newly opened Community Engagement & Violence Prevention Office in Urbana on Sept. 10, 2026. He says the goal is to improve safety and help resident...

ipmnewsroom.org

Illinois Public Media@ilpublicmedia.bsky.social · last mo.

Jim Meadows was a full-time reporter at Illinois Public Media on September 11, 2001, and he shared some reflections with IPM News and Public Affairs Director Reginald Hardwick earlier this week. Listen or read the interview in the link below.

IPM News reporter recalls Champaign-Urbana's reaction to September 11 terror attacks - IPM Newsroom

Jim Meadows was a full-time reporter at Illinois Public Media on that day, and he shared some reflections with IPM News and Public Affairs Director Reginald Hardwick earlier this week.

ipmnewsroom.org

Illinois Public Media@ilpublicmedia.bsky.social · last mo.

A federal judge is weighing whether to block the End-of-Life Options for Terminally Ill Patients Act, or EOLA, from its Sept. 12 operative date after hearing arguments Friday in a lawsuit that alleges EOLA discriminates against people with disabilities.

Judge weighing arguments to halt Illinois’ ‘medical aid in dying’ law ahead of Sept. 12 start - IPM Newsroom

Disability rights advocates worry about potential for coercion and want more state oversight.

ipmnewsroom.org

Illinois Public Media@ilpublicmedia.bsky.social · last mo.

Workers at The Literary — a bookstore, cafe and bar in downtown Champaign — voted to unionize in late August. A day before the vote, former owner Jenny Shima sold The Literary to Jeffrey and Lauren Brokish, according to reporting from Smile Politely.

Workers at The Literary are hopeful unionization and new ownership will bring positive changes - IPM Newsroom

The Literary - a bookstore, bar and cafe in downtown Champaign - is under new ownership. Newly unionized workers hope to see better wages, more predictable shift scheduling and better staffing going f...

ipmnewsroom.org

Illinois Public Media@ilpublicmedia.bsky.social · last mo.

Decatur resident Ranjohd Singh is a general and colorectal surgeon at Decatur Memorial Hospital. He emigrated from India in 2003 to attend medical school. Singh is a member of the Sikh Religious Society of Central Illinois. He lives in Decatur with his wife and two teenage children.

America @ 250: Ranjodh Singh asks that his fellow Americans see God in everybody - IPM Newsroom

Decatur resident Ranjohd Singh is a general and colorectal surgeon at Decatur Memorial Hospital and a member of the Sikh Religious Society of Central Illinois. He lives in Decatur with his wife and tw...

ipmnewsroom.org

Illinois Public Media@ilpublicmedia.bsky.social · last mo.

The NRCS was founded almost a century ago in response to the Dust Bowl. But it lost nearly a quarter of its staff nationally in 2025 after President Donald Trump’s sweeping cuts to the federal workforce, leaving many farmers with less access to environmental conservation practices.

U.S. farmers lost conservation experts in Trump's federal cuts. Now they're hurting for help - IPM Newsroom

The Natural Resources Conservation Service lost nearly a quarter of its staff nationwide in 2025 after the Trump administration’s cuts to the federal government. Many were local experts that help farm...

ipmnewsroom.org