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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.

On today’s episode, you’ll hear from the McLean County Health Department’s administrator about the ebbs and flows of public health messaging. Plus, the President of Heartland Community College talks about partnering with Ferrero apprenticeships. And a new installment of Beyond Sports introduces you to a remarkable Illinois Wesleyan softball player.

A twisty thin ribbon of rural ground connecting cities is what a lot of the Illinois Congressional districts look like in the Democratic draft map released today. Republicans are howling. Political scientists say it not very good for democracy. The Mayor of Normal wants a second census count next year because he's not sure the current one is right. Rocker Bob Mould draws parallels to the 1980s Aids crisis and the early years of the Trump administration on his latest album. And hear from the new diversity and inclusion director at Unit 5 schools.

Bloomington Mayor Mboka Mwilambwe has a pick to fill a vacant council seat. He has a majority of council members in favor. But that's apparently not enough to move forward. The clock is ticking though and Ward six still doesn't have a voice on the council. Some of the people facing eviction hearings in Bloomington Normal say they hope landlords will work with them, but they're sheepish about it, acknowledging they put the landlords through the wringer. The Illinois eviction moratorium has expired and a diversion program isn't supposed to save everyone. The City of Bloomington is soon to open applications for a flood repair grant or loan program. And the West Bloomington Revitalization Project is gearing up to give the gift of a good night's sleep to a bunch of kids with the annual Bed Blitz.

ArtGasm returns to the Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts on Oct. 16, bringing the fantastical fairy tales and characters from the Brothers' Grimm tales to the ballroom with this year's theme, "Grimm Fantasy."

Illinois State University professor David Lane explores the world of tattooists in his new book, "The Other End of the Needle: Continuity and Change among Tattoo Workers."

A $75 million expansion at a candy plant in southwest Bloomington will create 50 new jobs. The Ferrero facility will make chocolate for various products, including Butterfinger, 100-Grand, Crunch and Raisinets. There's more on that very sweet prospect. A criminal justice sciences expert says the Lasalle County Sheriff's Department is guilty of bad PR in the Jelani Day case. Ralph Weisheit says even news releases that don't say much are better than nothing. He says the public also is to blame for having unreasonable expectations on the speed of lab tests. And OSF Saint Joseph Medical Center's new nine million dollar cancer center is done and operating.

WGLT begins a new series about life work balance. 'Life's Work' today is about the restaurant industry, a business in which balance is a little like being on a tight rope. A call comes in central Illinois for retired attorneys and judges to help those who need it pro bono. The Chief Medical Officer at Carle BoMenn says doctors get really frustrated at blind rejection of the Coronavirus vaccine. COVID patients in Bloomington Normal are getting younger and sicker. And the brothers Grimm infuse an event in Bloomington with darkness as well as light.

The West Bloomington Revitalization Project's Bed Blitz returns on Saturday. At the last Bed Blitz in 2019, over 120 beds were given away.