Page 4 - Bryan Denham News Today

On today's episode, host Sarah Nardi talks to Ryan Denham about his recent tour of the Rivian plant in Normal. We'll preview a new podcast on WBEZ that's looking into conditions at Pontiac prison. And a new episode of WGLT's series Sound Health.

The electric automaker Rivian has already hired over 5,000 people in Normal, making it McLean County’s second-largest employer almost overnight. But now comes the hard part: Keeping them. And then growing again when the supply chain allows for the plant to increase production capacity.

WGLT's the Leadoff is everything you need to know for Thursday, March 31. Hear from Ryan Denham about encouraging new data from the Census about the economic health of McLean County. Plus, a decade of starting-and-stopping is coming to an end for the Bloomington Public Library as they finally reach the construction phase.

Many people interviewed by WGLT say they’re eager for Indians to take the next step in representation – serving in elected positions – and are hopeful that historic barriers to those opportunities can be overcome.

Krishna and Uma Balakrishnan are among the many Asian Indians in Bloomington-Normal who are navigating life as both parents and first-generation immigrants. No parent has it easy, but it takes a special blend of courage and resilience to raise kids to thrive in a culture you yourself as learning too.

WGLT's The Leadoff is everything you need to know for Wednesday, March 9, 2022. Correspondent Edith Brady-Lunny tells Ryan Denham about new context that's important to consider in the case of 29-year-old Kimberlee Burton. Burton has been charged with the concealment of a death and her daughter, seven-month-old Zaraz Walker has not been found. Plus, the Mayor of Normal says the stressed financial situation in Unit 5 could have wide-ranging affects on the community. Chris Koos also says ...

Advocates argue that children who commit crimes should always be prosecuted in the juvenile justice system. State's Attorney Don Knapp disagrees.

School surveys show nearly 40 students in McLean County are homebound because of behavioral health problems.

Editor's note: This is the second in a three-part WGLT series this week about court fines and fees in Illinois. Read and listen to part one.A new law…

It's been five years -- almost to the day -- since the word "Rivian" was first uttered publicly in Bloomington-Normal. WGLT's Sound Ideas has this look back at the last five years, from small meetings with taxing bodies ... to stealth mode ... to the Nasdaq.