Shows / The 21st Show
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The 21st ShowWe interviewed all three candidates for U.S. Senate in Illinois — hear the highlights
Election Day is less than a week away, and one of the biggest choices before Illinois voters is who will succeed retiring U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin. Democratic Lt…
The 21st ShowWe interviewed all three candidates for Illinois governor — hear the highlights
Among the choices before voters in this year's election — which is less than a week away — is who should be the governor of Illinois. Incumbent Democrat J-B…
The 21st ShowCongresswoman Lauren Underwood: ‘I’m not asking for people to make politics their hobby’
U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood has represented Illinois' 14th Congressional District since 2019. Today the 14th encompasses a large triangle in north-central…
The 21st ShowWhen calling 9-1-1 brings more harm than help
Americans have spent years arguing about how police, paramedics, and other emergency personnel respond when dispatched to help people in crisis. But UChicago…
The 21st ShowIllinois author Daniel Kraus, from ‘Night of the Living Dead’ to a Pulitzer Prize
Illinois-based writer Daniel Kraus has been having a remarkable year. He won a Pulitzer Prize for his novel Angel Down. Another, Whalefall, was made into a…
The 21st ShowHigh costs put strain on Illinois farmers during harvest
Harvest season is well underway across Illinois. According to the USDA, 63% of corn and 66% of soybeans had been harvested as of Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026. It’s…
The 21st ShowRecapping the only debate in the race to be Illinois’ next U.S. senator
Tuesday night was the only scheduled debate in the campaign to be the next U.S. Senator from Illinois. Republican Don Tracy faced off against Democratic…
The 21st ShowSenate candidate Whitfield Harrington Jr. wants Illinois to move beyond two-party system
Whitfield Harrington Jr., a pastor from Chicago, is running to be the next U.S. Senator from Illinois. He registered as the candidate of the American Center…
The 21st ShowWhy a virus hunter fears human behavior more than viruses
Tony Goldberg has traveled the globe investigating diseases that can move between animals and people. Sometimes that means studying the parasites that attack…
The 21st ShowWhat Trump can — and can’t — do to the midterms
With just weeks until the Nov. 3 midterm elections, many people are worried about what could happen — from federal agents at polling places to the president…
The 21st ShowRecapping the only debate in the Illinois governor’s race
This week in Chicago the two major-party candidates for Illinois governor faced off in their only debate: Democratic incumbent Gov. J.B. Pritzker, and his…
The 21st ShowFrom Illinois to Rome, how we got an ‘American Pope’
NPR’s Daniel Burke and Scott Detrow spent a year researching the backstory of how an altar boy from Illinois became the leader of the global Catholic Church…
The 21st ShowLt. Gov. Juliana Stratton on Iran war, ICE accountability, and her campaign for U.S. Senate
Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton is the Democratic nominee for U.S. senator from Illinois, seeking to succeed Sen. Dick Durbin when his term ends in January 2027. In…
The 21st Show‘We Interrupt This Program’: Bill Odenkirk’s new play asks whether we’re alone in the universe
Illinois native Bill Odenkirk has written for “The Simpsons” and “Futurama.” Now he’s bringing a theatrical production to Champaign — exploring the question of…
The 21st ShowCongressman Mike Bost on gas prices, war in Iran, and why he won’t debate his Democratic opponent
Republican Congressman Mike Bost is running for another term in Illinois’ 12th District, which includes roughly the bottom third of Illinois. We’ll talk with…
The 21st ShowBest of: AI is changing how we interact with the world
Artificial intelligence is everywhere, from internet searches to event flyers to customer service phone calls. But what effect is it having on people who use…
The 21st ShowJoshua Johnson: Embrace conflict, not contempt
Joshua Johnson was the host NPR’s flagship talk program, 1A. He also had shows on MSNBC and NBC News Now. Today he’s delivering satirical news for The Onion…
The 21st ShowAuthor James McBride on seeking the good in dark times
James McBride is a man of many talents: musician, screenwriter, and an award-winning author. His latest novel, “The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store,” was a huge…
The 21st ShowHow Sherman’s March to the Sea became ‘America’s largest emancipation’
Among the most famous episodes in the Civil War is General William Sherman’s “March to the Sea.” It split the Confederacy in half and helped bring about the…
The 21st ShowAfter federal funding, cuts and ‘rage giving’ at Illinois public media stations
It's been one year since the Corporation for Public Broadcasting began winding down. That came after the Trump administration realized a longtime conservative…
The 21st ShowNPR president Katherine Maher on a year without federal funding
It's been one year since the Corporation for Public Broadcasting began winding down. That came after the Trump administration realized a longtime conservative…
The 21st ShowIllinois book examines quinceañeras in pop culture
The quinceañera is a rite of passage in Latina culture, marking the transition from girlhood to womanhood. It’s also the subject of a new book of essays about…
The 21st ShowIllinois scholar Mateo Mohammad Farzaneh on America’s war with Iran
It’s been more than seven months since America and Israel escalated a decades-long conflict. We’ll talk with an Illinois-based Iranian-American scholar about…
The 21st ShowCollin Corbett, independent candidate for Illinois governor
Collin Corbett was a Republican political consultant — until a few months ago. Now, he’s an independent candidate for governor. He joined us live for a…
The 21st ShowFrom Korea to Illinois with composer Juri Seo
Composer Juri Seo was born in Korea, educated at the University of Illinois, and is now based at Princeton, in New Jersey. She returns to Illinois this week to…
The 21st ShowWhy are we seeing more mountain lions in Illinois?
There’s been a rare sighting of a mountain lion in southern Illinois. We’ll talk about how they and other apex predators end up here — and what it means.
The 21st ShowAuthor examines how political violence became a ‘mainstream phenomena’
A new book, “Our Own Worst Enemies: America in the Age of Violent Populism," argues that the biggest threat to American democracy is coming from within, as…
The 21st ShowPokemon Go continues to excite Illinois fans 10 years on
A decade ago, Pokémon Go sent Illinoisans into parks and parking lots … chasing virtual cartoon creatures with their phones. The craze faded, but the game and…
The 21st ShowRep. Darin LaHood defends Iran war, discusses tariffs and immigration solutions
Representative Darin LaHood is campaigning for a sixth term representing Illinois’ 16th Congressional District. He defends his stance on tariffs and shares his…
The 21st ShowFrom Peoria to potential sainthood: The life and legacy of Fulton Sheen
Born in raised in downstate Illinois, Archbishop Fulton Sheen reached millions and millions of Catholics through his radio and TV shows... Now, he’s a…
The 21st ShowInvestigation uncovers disturbing conditions in Illinois county jails
A new investigation from the Illinois Answers Project documents tens of thousands of incidents in county jails in recent years … from fires to escape attempts…
The 21st ShowGOP congressional hopeful Jim Marter on ‘misuse’ of AI, immigration, and election integrity
Two years ago, software consultant Jim Marter ran against Democratic Rep. Lauren Underwood in Illinois’ 14th House District. Marter lost that race and this…
The 21st ShowRoute 66 in Illinois: The history behind ‘America’s First Black Town’
As we wrap up our trip across the 21st state’s portion of Route 66, we take a look at the tiny Village of Brooklyn, located on the cusp of the Mississippi…
The 21st ShowRoute 66 in Illinois: Springfield museum restores old road signs from Mother Road
As we continue to tour across the 21st state’s portion of Route 66, we’re making a stop at the Ace Sign Museum in Springfield, which restores and collects…
The 21st ShowRoute 66 in Illinois: How a small town became a mob hub during Prohibition
A book released earlier this year explores mob activity in the Prohibition era along Route 66 specifically through the lens of Benld, Illinois.
The 21st ShowRoute 66 in Illinois: American Giants Museum keeps Americana alive
Atlanta, Illinois is the next stop on our Route 66 journey. The American Giants Museum restores iconic large size statues of figures in American culture.
The 21st ShowBehind the scenes of a psychological thriller filmed in Central Illinois
A film made in Central Illinois is getting its big premiere. Vijay M. Rajan, writer and director of the psychological thriller “Dark Soul River" joins the…
The 21st ShowRoute 66 in Illinois: New film explores highway from Chicago to Los Angeles
We continue our series reflecting on 100 years of Route 66 — particularly the 300-or-so miles of it that span the 21st state. However, Route 66 goes well…
- The 21st Show
Route 66 in Illinois: New film explores highway from coast-to-coast
We continue our series reflecting on 100 years of Route 66 — particularly the 300-or-so miles of it that span the 21st state. However, Route 66 goes well…
The 21st ShowRoute 66 in Illinois: A look into McLean County’s ties to the Mother Road
As we continue our journey on Route 66, we’re stopping in Bloomington-Normal to check out the McLean County Museum of History.
The 21st ShowRoute 66 in Illinois: Exploring Old Joliet Prison
We continue our Route 66 journey heading southwest to the city of Joliet. Operating from 1858 through 2002, the Old Joliet Prison is now a tourist site. A…
The 21st ShowRoute 66 in Illinois: Starting out in Chicago
Route 66, America’s most famous highway is turning 100 this year, and Illinois is bound up in more than 300 miles of its stories. To kick off our week-long…
The 21st Show25 years later, Illinoisans remember where they were on 9/11
Nearly 3,000 Americans were killed on the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City. Twenty-five years later, Illinoisans share…
The 21st ShowWhat do land-grant universities owe Native Americans?
Tristan Ahtone is a member of the Kiowa Tribe and editor-at-large at Grist. His award-winning investigation “Land-Grab Universities” revealed how the 1862…
The 21st ShowNew book explores nuances surrounding pregnancy loss
Many pregnancies end not with birth, but with loss and that can leave a lasting mark on the people who experience it. A new book takes a deep dive into this.
The 21st ShowThe life-changing magic of working ‘Four Days a Week’
Economist and sociologist Juliet Schor has spent years documenting how Americans are overworked — but her latest research suggests a solution: shaving one day…
The 21st ShowJournalist in pursuit of Obama’s infamous tan suit
An Illinois-based journalist is searching for President Barack Obama's controversial tan suit after it was given away.
The 21st ShowWhat does tourism look like in Illinois’ smaller cities?
What does downstate Illinois have to offer to visitors?
The 21st ShowJournalist Niala Boodhoo on seeking spiritual wisdom
Niala Boodhoo has more than two decades of experience in journalism — including, as the founding host and executive producer of the 21st Show. She is launching…
The 21st ShowSinger Pokey LaFarge on new album, upcoming tour
Illinois native Pokey LaFarge is back in the 21st state for some performances He discusses an upcoming national tour as well as his new album that will be…
The 21st ShowWhere does Illinois stand in U.S.-Canada trade war?
Illinois has deep economic ties to Canada and counts the country as it’s number one international trading partner. Meanwhile, a trade war with Canada has the…
The 21st ShowWhat to know about Illinois’ cell phone ban in schools
School districts across Illinois will be required to ban cell phones and other devices during the school day starting next school year. A state lawmaker, an…
The 21st ShowGOP congressional candidate Jeff Wilson on tariffs, energy production, and immigration policy
Republican Jeff Wilson is hoping to make Illinois' 13th congressional district red again. Running against incumbent Nikki Budzinski, the former Champaign…
The 21st ShowSeeking third term, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski talks rising costs, data centers, and AI regulation
Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski is looking to represent Illinois' 13th district for a third term. She discusses what's been accomplished for the district so far…
The 21st ShowWhat’s next in a federal case involving dangerous working conditions at a Southern Illinois coal mine?
Federal charges have been filed against four managers of a Southern Illinois coal mine. This stems from a fire back in 2021. The men are accused of failing to…
The 21st ShowNearly 50 years later, Oscar-winning filmmaker recounts making highly acclaimed documentary
In the early 1970's, a young filmmaker named Barbara Kopple heard a story on NPR about leadership elections for the United Mine Workers of America, which was…
The 21st ShowDemocratic congressional hopeful Paul Nolley on Iran war, ‘chaotic’ tariffs, and workers’ rights
In 2024, Republican Darin LaHood was re-elected unopposed in Illinois’ 16th district. This year, he has a challenger. Democrat Paul Nolley discusses what he…
The 21st ShowArtist sisters to debut sculpture at Burning Man festival
"Octopolis,” a 20-foot-tall sculpture made from — among other things — salvaged metal and reclaimed fabric will be featured at Burning Man in Nevada this…
The 21st ShowHow to handle pesticide drift
The pesticides that farmers use can drift miles beyond where they’re originally used-harming plants, trees, and people. We’ll talk about how it happens as well…
The 21st ShowA new women’s pro baseball league is playing in Springfield. But Illinois has always been part of the women’s baseball scene
Two years after the launch of the Women’s Pro Baseball League, the inaugural season is taking place right now — in Springfield, Illinois. We’ll talk about the…