WGLT's Sound Ideas

The Jan Brandt Gallery in Bloomington celebrates National Hispanic Heritage month by displaying works by Mexican-American artists.  During the installation of some of those works, Laura Kennedy spoke with an artist whose prints and sculptures have been inspired by recent tragic events in Mexico...

The community budget task force has presented its final recommendations to Aldermen and the community. Aldermen also took action on one of the funding recommendations in the task force presentation - a one-percent sales tax increase. WGLT's Mike McCurdy talked with two members of the task force during Sound Ideas.

Riding a bicycle from Chicago to St. Louis is a long ways on a bike. But it’s no comparison to the vast distances in the galaxy or universe, distances measured in light years or the distance light travels in a year. Dr. Lucianne Walkowicz is an astronomer with Chicago’s Adler Planetarium and a TED Senior Fellow. She’s also in the middle of a 300 mile bike ride, designed to bring some perspective to the universe.

A young artist is hoping to challenge preconceived ideas about mental illness in her latest work.  Laura Kennedy walked through the exhibit at the Rachel Cooper Gallery at Illinois State University.

There's danger afoot in the garden!  Host Patrick Murphy talks about some noxious plants to avoid.

  When our plants experience too much rain in the spring, it can be bad news all summer long.  Host Patrick Murphy grosses out sidekick Laura Kennedy with an explanation of what he calls 'plant snot.'

Host Patrick Murphy has an appreciation for farmers, plus some canning advice.

  David Davis is 200! Hear about the party to celebrate Judge Davis, plus how the David Davis Mansion is holding the fort in tough economic times.

  Get a preview of "Noises Off," the new show at Community Players in Bloomington.

Artist Brian Simpson talks about the new thing in art collecting:  3x5 artist cards.

  Listen up!  Dr. Matt Fraker talks about the most common ear issues that can impact our pets.

  Dr. Tim Anderson talks about the dangers of summer heat for our pets.

Get some pet grooming tips from the pros in this episode of Animal House.

The Town of Normal is following its twin to the south and developing a new comprehensive plan. The plan, when finished, will guide the Town for the next two decades. The City adopted its plan, guided by the McLean County Regional Planning Commission, earlier this year. And the Town of Normal plan won’t be adopted until late 2016, leaving plenty of time for community and citizen input.

Many equate putting money into the stock market with gambling. There are many similarities, especially when the market is as volatile as it's been lately. But there are even more similarities than you probably would have ever imagined. Willis Kern has more during Sound Money.

Proven financial practices and solid economic data often take a backseat to gambling-type behavior when it comes to personal investing. During this edition of Sound Money, Willis Kern tries to find out if that kind of activity is ever the right way to approach financial matters.

Western legend Wild Bill Hickock was born in Troy Grove, Illinois about an hour and twenty minutes north of Bloomington-Normal. Actor Walt Willey grew up in nearby Ottawa, Illinois before making his career on the soap opera All My Children. Willey learned of the central Illinois connection to Hickok only later in life, and was entranced by James Butler Hickok when he was looking for a one man show to do.

Most of us like to think we are sound financial stewards, basing our planning on solid economic data and proven practices, but that's not always the case. In this edition of Sound Money, Willis Kern explores the world of Behavioral Finance.

The stone house with the wrap-around porch and large turret is a fixture off Old Route 66 in Lexington. Locals know it as "The Castle." It's the home of longtime residents Chuck Wright (pictured) and his wife, Mary. The Wrights have spent 30 years restoring the residence. Now they are working to turn their property into a carnival-like venue for special events, complete with a restored carousel. In another of our occasional series on Unknown Illinois, GLT's Judy Valente takes you to the play land the Wrights are trying to create in the heart of Lexington.

In what may be the only case of its kind in the country, the Catholic diocese of Peoria returned a Bloomington priest to ministry who served time on felony drug charges. Neither the diocese nor the priest formally publicly disclosed his background to the people who attend the two parishes he serves. The handling of the case raises familiar questions about transparency in the Catholic Church and about balancing an individual's right to privacy with a congregation's right to know.

A key piece of funding that could go a long way to help solve the City of Bloomington structural deficit and help fund other initiatives is being discussed by Bloomington Aldermen. Mayor Tari Renner joined WGLT's Mike McCurdy during Sound Ideas.

In a month and a half, the new Illinois Wesleyan University President will take office. Eric Jensen is the current Provost at Hamline University in Saint Paul Minnesota. Just after the announcement of the presidency happened at IWU, Charlie Schlenker talked with Jensen about his vision of higher education, hopes for IWU in Bloomington and why he wanted the job.

People in Uptown Normal will be spending part of their time looking up on Saturday. Way up. WGLT's Mike McCurdy has more on the weekend celebration observing the Town’s 150th birthday and the Town’s circus history. McCurdy talks with someone with a storied history in the circus.

The great autumn bird migration has begun. Bird watchers are out in force looking for species traveling south from Canada to winter spots in Mexico and central America. In another of our occasional series on "Unknown Illinois," Audubon Society member Matt Winks (pictured) takes us on a trek through Bloomington, Illinois' Ewing II Park in search of singing warblers.

In late July and early August the Constitution Trail comes alive with chirping and buzzing, but most of of those sounds aren't from insects.  Take a listen to Mike McCurdy's recent night time bike ride.

A gunshot rings out on a farm just outside of Normal. Conservation police soon find a female bald eagle wounded in a field. The bird receives emergency treatment, but cannot rebound. For Mary Jo Adams, an Illinois master naturalist, news of the eagle's death is particularly devastating.

"It just kind of breaks my heart to see the nest empty now when we should be seeing one to three eaglets poking their heads out."