There is still a lot of optimism regarding hemp as a cash crop in Illinois and other states. But the first year since it became legal to grow shows there is still a lot of work to be done. We'll hear from some farmers.
Are people from the midwest nicer than those in other parts of the country? And how can you you measure it?
Those stories and more on this episode of Statewide.
Our lineup:
* Peter Medlin of WNIJ tells us about STEAM trainings, to help teachers prepare students for careers in science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics.
* Dusty Rhodes talks with Marcus Chathfield, who gives his view of behaivor modifcation programs. Dusty recently produced a series on how many kids are shipped to programs out of state, often at taxpayer expense.
* Connie Kuntz and Sue Stephens of WNIJ report on last week's Rockford Women's March, one of many held across the country.
* WBEZ's Andrew Meriwether goes in search of "midwestern nice" and finds out if we are a kinder and gentler people.
* Dana Cronin with Harvest Public Media learned some of the problems faced by new hemp growers in Illinois and what can be done for the future.
* Maureen McKinney interviews professor Jason Pierceson of the University of Illinois Springfield about a new encyclopedia that focuses on LGBTQ individuals in American government.
Listen to Statewide across Illinois in:
- Bloomington/Normal – WGLT 89.1 (Fridays 11 a.m. - Noon, Sundays 6-7 a.m.)
- Carbondale – WSIU 91.9 (Fridays 2-3 p.m. and Sundays 6-7 a.m.)
- Mount Vernon - WVSI 88.9 (Fridays 2-3 p.m. and Sundays 6-7 a.m.)
- Olney - WUSI 90.3 (Fridays 2-3 p.m. and Sundays 6-7 a.m.)
- Rockford/DeKalb – WNIJ 89.5 (Saturdays 6-7 a.m., Sundays 6-7 p.m.)
- Springfield/Decatur - WUIS 91.9 (Fridays 11 a.m. - Noon, 11 p.m. - Midnight, Saturdays 9-10 a.m.)
- Peoria – WCBU 89.9 (Fridays 6-7 p.m., Sundays 6-7 a.m.)
- Pittsfield - WIPA 89.3 (Fridays 11 a.m. - Noon, 11 p.m. - Midnight, Saturdays 9-10 a.m.)
- Urbana/Champaign – WILL 580 (Fridays 11 a.m. - Noon, 7-8 p.m.)