GLT's Sound Ideas - Full Episodes

John Stark is in his first year as the Artistic Director of the Illinois Shakespeare Festival and the Chicago Tribune ranks the festival number one in summer must see events. Nothing like pressure! More on the summer season with Laura Kennedy. Plus, Ryan Denham looks at the competitive pressures State Farm Insurance is facing. Plus, the Blues and roots music of Samantha Fish is refreshing and varied. Jon Norton has more. And it's GLT's Grow.

Hear about the drug sometimes called synthetic marijuana or spice. Twenty year-old Alejandro is an addict who says the drug is nothing like marijuana. GLT's Ryan Denham reports on the deadly spike in spice deaths in central Illinois. Charlie Schlenker talks with a longtime central Illinois TV host who gets to sleep in. For years, Garry Moore was the first news staffer on the job and on the air at WEEK-TV. And Mayor Tari Renner is in studio. He'll answer questions about about early council

Democratic Congressional Candidate Betsy Dirksen Londrigan says GOP claims of success with the tax bill are misplaced. Ryan Denham talks with Dirksen Londrigan about her campaign against incumbent Congressman Rodney Davis in the 13th district. Get an update from Normal’s top cop on a body cam pilot project. The project is coming to an end and Chief Rick Bleichner talks with CS about what’s next. And you’ll meet singer-songwriter David Berchtold. He talks with GLT’s Jon Norton just before his

Hotel and Lodging Association head Ray Ceresa says the average room rate in Bloomington Normal is now below 90 bucks a night. Even slight declines make a difference. Ryan Denham talks with Ceresa about the dismal hotel occupancy rate. Can the Illinois General Assembly pass a budget. Former governor Jim Edgar thinks so. Find out what Bloomington State Senator Jason Barickman thinks. Charlie Schlenker has the interview. And there's no shortage of material for the Capital Steps musical, political

Retired Town of Normal City Manager Mark Peterson is sounding a warning about the unwillingness of elected officials to compromise. He's concerned big decision will be driven by a crisis. Find out how dysfunction on the state and federal level is affecting local government ability to deliver services. It's graduation weekend. Jon Norton talks with a journalism student, who also just happened to be the first African American Illinois State University homecoming queen. And find out how so-called

It's an examination of healthcare. Crystal balls all over the nation are remarkably cloudy when it comes to healthcare. Colleen Kannaday is the CEO of Advocate BroMenn Healthcare in Normal. Also hear from Kannaday about the effects of a merger between the Advocate and Aurora health systems in Illinois and Wisconsin. Plus, It's time to say good bye to Laura Kennedy. Jon Norton talks with GLT's retiring Diva. And it's GLT's Grow.

It's an examination of the effect of the Welcoming City ordinance in the Town of Normal. Police Chief Rick Bleichner says it's not a ban on communication with federal authorities. Chief Bleichner and Mayor Chris Koos talk with Charlie Schlenker about the Town's new Welcoming City ordinance in Normal. Besides caffeine, find out what it takes to create 48 websites for 48 non profits in 48 hours. Ryan Denham reports on the United Way Hackathon, which helps non profit agencies communicate online.

State Farm's exit from downtown Bloomington is affecting some of the businesses that remain. You'll hear from a County Board member, Bloomington Alderman, city officials and business owners about proposals on the table to revitalize the city's downtown. Judy Valente and Colleen Reynolds report. During the GLT Date Book, Laura Kennedy tells you how a Phantom of the Opera themed event will raise money for the arts. And you'll hear from former Fugazi drummer Brandon Canty. GLT's Jon Norton talks

Hear from democratic activist Susan Cortesi as she discusses why the first flush of democratic party enthusiasm and involvement after the election of President Trump is over. GLT's Ryan Denham reports on the maturing indivisible movement. And The Psych Geeks are in for another conversation with Laura Kennedy talking about Night of the Living Dead. Plus, Jon Norton talks with some of the central Illinois bands and artists entered in the NPR Tiny Desk Contest.

Find out how the Community Health Care Clinic in Normal is keeping people out of the emergency room. Director Angie McGlaughlin says the clinic is saving a million bucks a year in hospital costs. GLT's Colleen Reynolds also explores the start of dental services at the clinic. Low income McLean County residents facing foreclosure are losing a key resource that has been keeping many of them in their homes. Judy Valente the interview. And hear two stories on the gun control debate in Springfield.

Sen. Dick Durbin talks about the dangers of e-cigarettes during a visit to Bloomington-Normal. GLT's Charlie Schlenker talks to state Sen. Jason Barickman about politically engaged young people. Laura Kennedy chats with GLT's Culture Maven about the legacy of the classic film "Rosemary's Baby." And Jon Norton previews this month's Capitol Steps show at the BCPA.

It's an update on the trail east project with Normal City Manager Pam Reece, who says buildings on east Beaufort would require a substantial investment if they are NOT torn down. One of those buildings includes a popular mural. GLT's Charlie Schlenker talks with Normal City Manager Pam Reece. You'll hear from an Ameren Illinois worker helping to restore infrastructure in Puerto Rico. Ameren's Erik Eskra talks with GLT's Jon Norton about the hurricane devastation and restoration efforts. And

It's a conversation about how to preserve strong public universities in an era of falling enrollment. ISU President Larry Dietz says a lot of things have been tried in other states. Charlie Schlenker talks with President Dietz about what DOES work: expanding financial aid to students who need it to attend college. You'll hear from two ISU graduate students about the importance of early childhood intervention...and on the availability of intervention programs in McLean County. And during an

It's an exploration of how people with autism view the world. Marty Murphy says her life is very different from neuro-standard people. Charlie Schlenker talks with Muprhy and Chuck Hartseil of Autism McLean. GLT's Laura Kennedy profiles a Bloomington-Normal mandolin group. Orpheus Mandolin Orchestra plays at the Normal Theater this weekend. And Jon Norton talks with Bloomington-Normal grown blues musician Mathew Curry about life on the road. He's been touring off and on for the last four years.

As State Farm makes big changes to its workforce, it's not just the Geicos and Progressives bringing competition to Bloomington's largest employer. State Farm vice president Laurette Stiles talks to GLT's Ryan Denham about emerging "insurtech" startups that are shaking up her industry. You'll also hear an in-depth report with industry watchers on the changing landscape...and how State Farm is reacting and adapting. And Laura Kennedy talks with the woman who has led the LIFE Center for