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On today's episode, you'll hear an interview with Normal City Manager Pam Reece. Plus, a look at staff churn in McLean County law enforcement agencies. And what the Advent season has in common with drag.

The McLean County Nursing Home has lost $3.5 million in three years in spite of efforts to narrow the gap and has had three directors in that time. Yet, the new head of the nursing home is optimistic things can turn around. A prominent lawyer involved in high profile race and police cases is now part of the effort by the family of ISU graduate students Jelani Day to find out what happened to him. And the Economic Development Council thinks the BN Advantage marketing campaign needs a reboot. Hear how to choose which of the many faces of Bloomington Normal will emerge as THE brand.

The culture wars may never end, though the rolling boil right now might occasionally reduce to a simmer. A central Illinois historian says the takeaway is that the fights over masks and what is taught in schools hide real class divisions that are getting worse. McLean County is looking at endless COVID even as the winter numbers spike. The health department says Bloomington Normal should get used to testing and tracing long term. And the Mayor of Normal stops by to talk about pandemic relief money and the surge in COVID cases.

The new director of the Bloomington Election Commission says those who want to combine the commission with the county clerk should do a study to prove cost savings and address the reasons the commission was created in the first place to remove partisanship from the process. The President of Eureka College says the pandemic has been a forcing mechanism for higher education change already under way. Bloomington Normal has had many distinguished writers and poets over the decades. Meet Harold Sinclair in the next episode of our series McHistory. And a new book from scholars at ISU looks at how school dress codes sexualize young girls.

On today's episode, a look at how a conservative radio station in Bloomington-Normal is steering the local conversation in a new way. Plus, the U.S. energy secretary talks about electric vehicle battery supply chain issues. And Datebook previews an upcoming Illinois Symphony Orchestra show.

On today's episode, an interview with Illinois State University President Terri Goss Kinzy. Plus, a look at the state of pawn shops in McLean County at this point in the economy. And a new book chronicles the fascinating history of the David Davis Mansion in Bloomington.

U.S. Representative Rodney Davis says he won't run for Governor, and will try to retain his congressional seat in a newly drawn district. Davis says he looks forward to a committee chairmanship if Republicans take the House next year. Sensors embedded in roadways can improve bad weather service and save money. Hear about a vision of SMART cities and how municipalities can decide which new techie tools to choose. And Inclusive Education Coalition Founder Aditi Sharma says her group is planning to buy new book titles for McLean County teachers to use in classroom diversity curriculum.

A Bloomington Normal woman who fought her way out of the hole of addiction is extending helping hands to others like her. Hear about an art exhibit that evokes a sense of place in central Illinois showing at Heartland Community College. Businesses have had a lot of projects delayed because of supply chain issues and inflationary cost increases, cities too, The O'Neil park project is one casualty. City Manager Tim Gleason has more. And a recent ISU graduate is campaigning for better fire protection in rental housing.

On today's episode, you'll learn what it's like to be a 911 dispatcher in Bloomington. Their team just earned international recognition. Plus, an interview with Bloomington City Council member Donna Boelen about funding library expansion. And Lyndsay Jones interviews longtime activist Bruce Lang for World AIDS Day.

WGLT's The Leadoff is everything you need to know for Thursday, Dec. 2, 2021. You'll hear about the latest on pedestrian safety after an Illinois State University student was killed by a vehicle. Plus, a west-side food garden turns to art to raise money.