WGLT's Sound Ideas

5.0 (2)
DAILY NEWS
UPDATED DAILY

Sound Ideas is WGLT's flagship news program. Every weekday, WGLT reporters go beyond soundbites for deeper conversations with Bloomington-Normal newsmakers, musicians, artists, and anyone with a story to share. This 30-minute newsmagazine is produced Monday through Friday.

4D AGO

After 20 years and 10 albums, B-N singer-songwriter Dan Hubbard is letting go and writing better than ever

Dan Hubbard didn’t set out to write a concept album. But as he compiled the six songs that became his first studio release since 2019, Hubbard said the thread of Letting Go felt obvious. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

6 min
4D AGO

Sorensen reflects on his year in Congress — with some legislative wins and health care at a standstill

On his final day in Washington for 2025, U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen is taking a victory lap after what he describes as a difficult, but productive year at the Capitol — and at home. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

4 min
4D AGO

Illinois State football's Niekamp family thrives on coaching, and playing, hard

As a senior at Normal Community High School, Tye Niekamp’s goal was “finding someone who was going to coach me hard” on the college level. He didn’t have to look far. The man for the job lived in the same house. Travis Niekamp is Illinois State’s defensive coordinator and inside linebackers coach. As a parent, he is “extremely proud” of sons Tye, the Redbirds’ All-American junior middle linebacker, and Dexter, a redshirt freshman linebacker. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

5 min
4D AGO

WGLT's Sound Ideas - Friday 12/19/2025

A pair of ISU football players have added pressure with their dad as their coach, U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen reviews the highs and lows of his year in Washington, a McLean County court program loses federal funding and seeks sales tax money to help, and a Bloomington singer-songwriter "let go" to write the best music of his career. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

23 min
5D AGO

B-N high schoolers: What is your favorite family holiday tradition?

Many families have their own go-to favorite holiday traditions -- the movie they all watch together, the cookies they bake every year, the grab-bag gift exchange. WGLT recently spent the day at Normal Community High School for an arts, communication and creative careers fair. While there, we asked some Unit 5 high schoolers about their favorite family holiday tradition. Here's what they had to say. WGLT student editor Kirk Whitsitt produced this audio postcard. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2 min
5D AGO

City manager: 2025 was a good year for the Town of Normal

2025 was a good year for the town, according to the city manager for the Town of Normal. City Manager Pam Reece said town achievements include a range of infrastructure projects, opening a refurbished skate park at Fairview Park, and advancing the town public arts plan. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

6 min
5D AGO

Ag sector alarm bells are going off

There are big warning signs in agriculture right now. And many experts are warning an aid package announced by the Trump administration is not likely to go very far or come soon enough. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

7 min
5D AGO

Bloomington residents and officials respond to new proactive property maintenance violation policy

In an effort to improve the city’s property values and reduce neighborhood blight, the City of Bloomington is moving to a proactive approach to property maintenance enforcement. It shifts away from the prior policy where city inspectors operated off complaints from residents. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

5 min

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5

out of 5

2 Ratings

Sound Ideas is WGLT's flagship news program. Every weekday, WGLT reporters go beyond soundbites for deeper conversations with Bloomington-Normal newsmakers, musicians, artists, and anyone with a story to share. This 30-minute newsmagazine is produced Monday through Friday.