NPR Illinois 91.9 UIS

10/06/2023

Davis said he was in the capitol with McCarthy on Tuesday, when the former speaker was voted out of his position.

“And it was surreal. I feel for him, I feel for all of us, who believed he was doing exactly what he said he was going to do, and which I believe was the best thing for the American people,” said Davis.

A former central Illinois congressman is calling Florida congressman Matt Gaetz a narcissist who sowed chaos after Gaetz led the effort to unseat House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, and warns the nation could face a government shutdown even after McCarthy sacrificed his speakership to avoid one.

10/05/2023

Most prison libraries across the nation depend on nonprofits and private donations for reading materials and other supplies.

State funding has dried up since the turn of the century, when the Illinois Department of Corrections budgeted $750,000 for books, down to $264,000 in 2005 and just $276 in 2017, an Illinois Public Media investigation found.

Each of the state’s 28 prisons will receive $15,000 for books, magazines and other supplies, the first time they’ve received public funding of any kind in six years.

10/05/2023

Lots of factors influence what we eat, everything from our taste preferences, to our budgets to our culture. So, the idea that food choice is also influenced by genetics is not surprising, a researcher says.

Researchers have identified genes linked to vegetarianism. This may help explain why some people who are motivated to give up meat for ethical, environmental or health reasons, don't always adhere.

10/05/2023

The screenings will be offered in Springfield and some other regional hospitals this month.

“The best prevention is early detection, and a mammography screening can help detect the early signs of breast cancer before it can be felt,” said Kristi Smith, mammography facilitator and breast care navigator at HSHS St. John’s Hospital.

10/05/2023

The Illinois congresswoman called Jordan "a man of faith who deeply believes in putting America first."

10/05/2023

It is the biggest health care strike in U.S. history, according to the unions.

In the largest health care strike in U.S. history, over 75,000 workers at Kaiser Permanente hospitals and medical facilities across the U.S. walked off the job on Wednesday morning.

10/05/2023

“I think there's been … a change in the climate around the country. And it has manifested itself in Illinois in several ways," said David Goldenberg - Midwest Regional Director of the ADL.

The report is titled "Hate in the Prairie State: Extremism and Antisemitism in Illinois"

10/04/2023

On Tuesday, he was taken down from both sides of the aisle, as eight Republicans joined all Democrats in a historic 216-210 vote to vacate the seat.

Kevin McCarthy's run as speaker was relatively short and anything but sweet.

10/04/2023

The governor’s office confirmed Smith’s resignation and said it would be conducting a national search to replace him. Pritzker announced Smith’s exit in an email announcing two other transitions, including the exit of Theresa Eagleson, director of the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, and Paula Basta, director of the Illinois Department on Aging.

The resignation comes a week after a blistering report from the Illinois auditor general highlighting delays in reporting child abuse to other authorities, protecting children allegedly abused and finding placements for kids.

10/04/2023

To qualify, students must be eligible to receive MAP grant funding, which requires a demonstration of financial need.

The financial aid program starts in Fall 2024. To qualify, students must be eligible to receive MAP grant funding, which requires a demonstration of financial need.

10/04/2023

The raids put Marion, a town of 1,900 residents some 150 miles (240 kilometers) southwest of Kansas City, at the center of a fierce national debate over press freedoms and cast an international spotlight on Cody and his tactics. The mayor last week suspended Cody from the chief's job indefinitely; he's facing one federal lawsuit, and others are expected.

Gideon Cody's resignation comes days after Cody was suspended for reasons that were not made public, and weeks after a prosecutor said that there wasn't sufficient evidence to justify the search.

10/04/2023

The federal government will test the emergency alert system by sending messages to millions of cellphones, TVs and radios. Prepare for your phone to emit loud sounds and vibrations.

10/04/2023

The 11th Annual UIS Music Solo Competition is right around the corner. Junior, Senior divisions (grades 5-12) and UIS College division. Winners receive a certificate of recognition and a performance as featured soloist with the UIS Orchestra in Sangamon Auditorium. NPR Illinois 91.9 UIS Illinois Symphony Orchestra UIS Performing Arts Center University of Illinois Springfield

10/03/2023

Preliminary autopsy results indicate the teen died from "multiple gunshot wounds."

The Illinois State Police is handling the investigation.

10/03/2023

The House has voted to remove Kevin McCarthy as speaker of the House, marking the first time in history that a speaker has been removed this way.

10/03/2023

An event you may have missed. Research on the region's younger children and daycare.

https://www.nprillinois.org/economy-business/2023-10-03/childcare-shortages-expenses-affecting-sangamon-families-quality-of-life-community-voices

Birth to Five Illinois: Region 51 (Sangamon and Menard Counties)
Citizens Club of Springfield

This Citizens Club of Springfield program features Ashley Earles, Birth to Five Illinois Regional Council Manager for Region 51, and Monique Nally, a member of the Birth to Five Family Council and a Parent Educator at Riverton Families First Birth to Three Program, who discuss the region’s strengt...

10/03/2023

Too Good To Go works with businesses to sell leftovers at a reduced price. This helps prevent food waste from ending up in landfills, where it decomposes and produces a potent planet-warming gas.

10/03/2023

The program will begin next fall.

10/03/2023

The investigation determined the dark colored vehicle continued traveling on U.S. Highway 40 and would have passed the semi-truck tanker that overturned, spilling anhydrous ammonia. Five people died from what is believed to be exposure to the toxic chemical.

The accident resulted in five deaths and multiple injuries from anhydrous ammonia exposure.

10/03/2023

The affidavit must be submitted by Jan. 1, 2024.

Under a new law that took effect earlier this year, residents in possession of assault weapons are required to submit an endorsement affidavit by Jan. 1, 2024.

10/03/2023

While greenhouse gas emissions keep rising, the IEA finds that there's still a path to reaching net-zero emissions by 2050 and limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, or 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit. That's what's needed to avoid the the worst effects of climate change, such as catastrophic flooding and deadly heatwaves.

Electric vehicles and solar power are growing quickly and offering hope the world could still meet climate change goals.

10/02/2023

The project involves five states, with the pipeline winding up in central Illinois.

A carbon capture company is asking Iowa regulators to put a "hold" on its application to build a pipeline.

10/02/2023

New show on NPR Illinois with an old friend, Jeremy Hobson -- The Middle. Produced in Illinois to present views from the middle...

Listen to this YouTube link for Governor Edgar from the debut episode.

The Middle airs live on NPR Illinois Thursdays at 8 p.m. Listen and call-in.

Macy from Minnesota calls The Middle. Reaction from former Illinois Governor Jim Edgar and Northwestern University professor Cynthia Wang.

10/02/2023

The coroner said a preliminary investigation indicated that the five all died from anhydrous ammonia exposure at the scene.

The crash caused a large plume of anhydrous ammonia that caused dangerous air conditions in Teutopolis. Residents were later allowed to return to their homes after being evacuated.

10/02/2023

When people talk about climate change, you often hear hopelessness. But what if we reframe the conversation? Humans are driving global warming; that means humans can find solutions to turn it around.

10/02/2023

Tickets for the event at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum are on sale.

10/02/2023

Mark Denzler is the President and CEO of the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association.

Mark Denzler is the President and CEO of the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association. He spoke to Community Voices about Illinois manufacturing, the future of electric vehicles in Illinois and a state-wide tour called Makers on the Move.

10/02/2023

The security breach was first reported July 3.

The update said intruders obtained the names of 92,274 Chicago, Springfield, and Urbana-Champaign students, none of their personal data fields were accessed.

10/01/2023

Anyone who spots the bug should photograph it for the department, and then kill it, according to officials.

If you see the bug, take a photo, squish it and then report it to the state Agriculture Department.

10/01/2023

The Illinois State Police is handling the investigation.

10/01/2023

The president agreed to expand work permits for asylum seekers from Venezuela. But what about those coming from other countries, including many now in Illinois?

09/30/2023

Retailers have long complained the so-called "swipe fees" they have to pay for accepting credit cards in the U.S. are much higher than those in Europe, where the fees are strictly regulated.

The grumbling has gotten louder since the pandemic, as more customers have switched from paying with cash to credit cards.

The fees merchants pay for accepting credit cards are much higher in the U.S. than in Europe. Ice cream shop owner Victor Garcia, for example, paid more than $25,000 in swipe fees last year.

09/30/2023

The law has been in legal limbo since 2017 when a federal judge put it on hold. Hannah Meisel has details:

Crisis pregnancy centers contend they shouldn’t be forced to convey ‘benefits’ of procedure

09/30/2023

The federal government hasn't faced this dilemma since 2018 when the federal government shut down for 35 days, stretching into the new year in 2019. As in shutdowns past, people across the country will see a pause in federal services, programming and pay.

A government shutdown is looming but not every federal office will close completely. Some critical services will continue as employees work without pay.

09/30/2023

The educational series begins Oct. 5.

09/30/2023

Illinois is the only state in the country that has a driving test requirement for people over a certain age. Illinois also requires more frequent driver’s license renewals for people over age 80, something only 23 states require.

Change spurred by COVID-19 pandemic increased testing age to 79.

09/29/2023

The Sangamon County Coroner said Friday there are questions over the identification of cremains and that decomposing bodies were left unrefrigerated.

The Sangamon County Coroner said questions continue about the identification of cremated remains and proper handling of bodies.

09/29/2023

When police pull over Black drivers in Illinois, it's mostly for non-moving violations.

09/29/2023

Our latest episode:

The state is still six months away from the presidential primary. We also discuss new rules for those wanting to keep assault weapons in Illinois and a step forward for legislative staff seeking to unionize.