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WGLT's The Leadoff is everything you need to know for Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021. You'll hear about McLean County's corn crop looking really good this fall. Plus, anti-gun violence advocates talk about Monday's shootings in Normal.

Environmental Advocates tout equity provisions of the new energy policy bill that is supposed to help Illinois move to renewable energy. Reverend Tony Pierce of Illinois People's Action is a longtime advocate for fairness in the green-energy economy. The first black principal of Hammitt School in Normal talks about the importance of having an educator who looks like the students. Workforce educators say central Illinois needs more employees in the cannabis economy. And when the nurse giving you a shot tell you relax and this won't hurt a bit, they're not kidding. Fear of needles may be contributing to vaccine hesitancy.

WGLT's The Leadoff is everything you need to know for Tuesday, Sept. 14, 2021. You'll hear from an advocate for environmental equity on the state's new energy bill, which passed the Senate on Monday. Plus, an interview with the new principal of Hammitt school in Normal.

WGLT's The Leadoff is everything you need to know for Monday, Sept. 13, 2021. You'll hear the preliminary findings of the McLean County state's attorney about the shootings in north Normal. Plus, a central Illinois author talks about her new book.

Go inside the Rivian plant, where HOW they're building vehicles is just as interesting as what they're building. Rivian's manufacturing chief Erik Fields says it's like Google and Toyota had a baby. Hear how Rivian is balancing three vehicles, thousands of employees, and millions of battery cells. Plus, WGLT's Ryan Denham takes a test drive of the new R1T pickup truck. There's a strategy to reduce nitrate and phosphorous runoff into Illinois rivers that helps poison the Gulf of Mexico. The plan is going the wrong way based on the latest report. Yet there is hope for change in the ag community. And what's up with all the rain?

Find out what the Sonoran desert toad has to do with an ambient musician from Bloomington Normal. It's Bufo Alvarius from Stephen Holliger and his group Swim Ignorant Fire. And hear a preview of the upcoming Sugar Creek Arts Festival. The Salvation Army Homeless Shelter in Bloomington is getting ready for the winter season and this year that may include people evicted from homes and apartments. Oh, there's a staff shortage at the shelter too. And some people in Bloomington Normal get out of prison, but still feel like their looking at the rest of the community from behind bars, unable to participate. The Fully Free movement tries to remove barriers to re-entry.

WGLT's The Leadoff is everything you need to know for Monday, Sept. 27, 2021. You'll hear about a Bloomington nonprofit (focused on furniture recycling) that stepped up after the June flooding. Plus, an interview with Connect Transit's general manager about a driver shortage.

A state lawmaker is concerned about the future of local journalism in Illinois. And the big flood in June prompted increased demand for replacement furniture from a Bloomington charity. Bloomington Normal is the only metro area in the state to have fewer people employed than at this time last year, in spite of a low unemployment rate. If not for manufacturing sector hiring at Rivian the labor force numbers in McLean County wouldn't look too hot. And in the next episode of McHistory hear reminiscences of huge prairie fires in the 1830s and 40s.

You can see the effects of the nationwide workforce shortage in the operations of Unit 5 schools. Bus drivers, cafeteria workers, subs, and custodians, even food itself can be scarce. Plus, the head of the Bloomington Normal Economic Development Council says the economic recovery is slowing. A blues band coming to Bloomington has a new album honoring legend Hound Dog Taylor, but it's more than a tribute and covers. Listen to the music of Boston based GA-20. And the Coalescence Theater Project showcases Black Lives, Black Words, five plays from Black writers.

WGLT's The Leadoff is everything you need to know for Friday, Oct. 15, 2021. You'll hear about the latest trends on COVID in McLean County. Plus, a look at staffing challenges in the Unit 5 school district.