Statewide: Why Fewer Geese Make The Trip To Southern Illinois; The Return of Small Town Festivals

Throughout the midwest, pandemic restrictions are being eased.  That's good news for smaller communities who rely on the economic boost of annual festivals and events.  After a year that saw nearly all of them canceled, many are back on for 2021.  

As recently as 30 years ago, southern Illinois was a major destination for Canada geese over winter.  But the geese don't show up in the same numbers as before. We'll look for some answers why. 

And we'll learn about a program to get more young students of color to make a career in the classroom. 

Those stories and more on this week's Statewide. 

This week:

* Katie Peikes with Harvest Public Media reports on how many small towns are once again hosting festivals and the importance of these events on their local economy.

* Rich Egger with TriStates Public Radio tells us about a special gift given to Macomb High School graduates.

* WBEZ's Susie An has details on legislation that would require Illinois schools teach Asian American history.

* Yvonne Boose with WNIJ introduces us to a someone who has found ways to intertwine many of her passions.

* Michael Puente reports from Gary, Indiana where a new casino has opened. But local officials are worried the impact a Chicago casino would have on their city.

* WGLT's Dana Vollmer tells us about a Bloomington school district initiative to get more young people of color interested in becoming teachers.

Credit Kevin Boucher/WSIU

* Kevin Boucher with WSIU reports from the Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge in southern Illinois and finds out why the number of Canada geese coming to the area is much lower in recent decades.

* Professor Brian Gaines with the University of Illinois' Institute of Government and Public Affairs discusses public sentiment about redistricting. 

* Eric Schmid from St. Louis Public Radio finds out more about cadets training in Illinois for the newly formed Space Force.

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.)
• Quad Cities - WVIK 105.7 HD-2 (Fridays 11 a.m. - noon)
• Rockford/DeKalb – WNIJ 89.5 (Saturdays 6-7 a.m., Sundays 2-3 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 11-noon, 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.)