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PODCAST · news

The Leadoff

WGLT's The Leadoff podcast was a morning news digest all about Bloomington-Normal. New episodes were released between 2019 and 2025. The final episode was released Dec. 19, 2025.Transcripts are available in the Apple Podcasts app, inside each episode.

  1. 20

    The Leadoff - Friday 6/2/23

    WGLT's The Leadoff is everything you need to know to start your day for Friday, June 2, 2023. You'll hear about Reps. Darin LaHood and Eric Sorensen's votes on the debt limit bill. Plus, a preview of Heartland Theatre's 10-Play Festival with WGLT's Lauren Warnecke.

  2. 19

    The Leadoff - Thursday 6/1/23

    WGLT's The Leadoff is everything you need to know to start your day for Thursday, June 1, 2023. You'll hear about The Salvation Army looking for help cooling people off during this heat wave. Plus, WGLT's Statehouse reporter recaps the busy spring legislative session.

  3. 18

    The Leadoff - Wednesday 5/31/23

    WGLT's The Leadoff is everything you need to know to start your day for Wednesday, May 31, 2023. You'll hear about a mentoring program for women to work alongside state lawmakers. Plus, an interview with McLean County History Makers Charles and Willie Halbert.

  4. 17

    The Leadoff - Tuesday 5/30/23

    WGLT's The Leadoff is everything you need to know to start your day for Tuesday, May 30, 2023. You'll hear about the potential for prevailing wages being required for construction of a Bloomington housing project. Plus, an interview with the McLean County Fatherhood Coalition.

  5. 16

    The Leadoff - Friday 5/26/23

    WGLT's The Leadoff is everything you need to know to start your day for Friday, May 26, 2023. You'll hear about a big name change for Children's Home & Aid, a nonprofit that works in Bloomington. Plus, an interview with two District 87 leaders.

  6. 15

    The Leadoff - Thursday 5/25/23

    WGLT's The Leadoff is everything you need to know to start your day for Thursday, May 25, 2023. You'll hear about gender imbalances in higher education enrollment, including in central Illinois. Plus, McLean County's Social Justice Walking Tour goes virtual.

  7. 14

    The Leadoff - Wednesday 5/24/23

    WGLT's The Leadoff is everything you need to know to start your day for Wednesday, May 24, 2023. You'll hear about Sen. Dick Durbin's visit to Bloomington. Plus, an interview with one of the developers working on an $18.5 million housing project near downtown Bloomington.

  8. 13

    The Leadoff - Tuesday 5/23/23

    WGLT's The Leadoff is everything you need to know to start your day for Tuesday, May 23, 2023. You'll hear about the results of a survey of internet service in rural McLean County. Plus, how the post-pandemic era may be an opportunity for community health workers in Illinois.

  9. 12

    The Leadoff - Monday 5/22/23

    WGLT's The Leadoff is everything you need to know to start your day for Monday, May 22, 2023. You'll hear about the bill changing Central Illinois Regional Airport's tax base which has now won final approval in Springfield. Plus, an interview with YWCA McLean County about expansion plans for its rape crisis center.

  10. 11

    The Leadoff - Friday 5/19/23

    WGLT's The Leadoff is everything you need to start your day for Friday, May 19, 2023. You'll hear about asbestos removal planning at the Normal Public Library. Plus, a preview of this weekend's "History of Beer in Bloomington" event at Keg Grove Brewing.

  11. 10

    The Leadoff - Thursday 5/18/23

    WGLT's The Leadoff is everything you need to know to start your day for Thursday, May 18, 2023. You'll hear about the late Parker Lawlis, a former Normal Town Council who recently died at age 88. Plus, part two of our series about maternal care deserts in rural Illinois.

  12. 9

    The Leadoff - Wednesday 5/17/23

    WGLT's The Leadoff is everything you need to know to start your day for Wednesday, May 17, 2023. You'll hear about a concerning spike in gun violence in Bloomington, as seen in the police department's latest annual report. Plus, why rural hospitals are closing their baby units.

  13. 8

    The Leadoff - Tuesday 5/16/23

    WGLT's The Leadoff is everything you need to know to start your day for Tuesday, May 16, 2023. You'll hear about the rebranding of a community garden on Bloomington's west side. Plus, you'll learn about a long COVID study focused on Central Illinois.

  14. 7

    The Leadoff - Monday 5/15/23

    WGLT's The Leadoff is everything you need to know to start your day for Monday, March 15, 2023. You'll hear about Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' visit to central Illinois. Plus, meet the 93-year-old crossing guard who's become something of a celebrity in the neighborhood around Glenn Elementary in Normal.

  15. 6

    The Leadoff - Friday 5/12/23

    WGLT's The Leadoff is everything you need to know to start your day for Friday, May 12, 2023. You'll hear about how the end of the COVID emergency impacts access to vaccines and testing locally. Plus, an interview with a new appointee to a state clean energy board.

  16. 5

    The Leadoff - Thursday 5/11/23

    WGLT's The Leadoff is everything you need to know to start your day for Thursday, May 11, 2023. You'll hear about a long-lost painting turning up at Bloomington Public Library. Plus, the Ecology Action Center shares some pointers on how to recycle in Bloomington-Normal.

  17. 4

    The Leadoff - Wednesday 5/10/23

    WGLT's The Leadoff is everything you need to know to start your day for Wednesday, May 10, 2023. You'll hear the latest on the investigation into the death of an Illinois State University alum who was a Chicago cop. Plus, meet one of Bloomington-Normal's best cake makers.

  18. 3

    The Leadoff - Tuesday 5/9/23

    WGLT's The Leadoff is everything you need to know to start your day for Tuesday, May 9, 2023. You'll hear about the return to school in Olympia, where a fire damaged a building. Plus, an interview with Democratic U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen during a recent Twin City visit.

  19. 2

    The Leadoff - Monday 5/8/23

    WGLT's The Leadoff is everything you need to know to start your day for Monday, May 8, 2023. You'll hear about high-speed passenger rail's impact on Bloomington-Normal. Plus, Lyndsay Jones looks at the homeschooling community in McLean County.

  20. 1

    The Leadoff - Friday 5/5/23

    WGLT's The Leadoff is everything you need to know to start your day for Friday, May 5, 2023. You'll hear about Easterseals Central Illinois being desperate to hire more camp counselors at Timber Pointe. Plus, an Illinois Wesleyan University alum's writing career takes flight.

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

WGLT's The Leadoff podcast was a morning news digest all about Bloomington-Normal. New episodes were released between 2019 and 2025. The final episode was released Dec. 19, 2025.Transcripts are available in the Apple Podcasts app, inside each episode.

HOSTED BY

WGLT

CATEGORIES

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does The Leadoff have?

The Leadoff currently has 20 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.

What is The Leadoff about?

WGLT's The Leadoff podcast was a morning news digest all about Bloomington-Normal. New episodes were released between 2019 and 2025. The final episode was released Dec. 19, 2025.Transcripts are available in the Apple Podcasts app, inside each episode.

How often does The Leadoff release new episodes?

The Leadoff has 20 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.

Where can I listen to The Leadoff?

You can listen to The Leadoff on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.

Who hosts The Leadoff?

The Leadoff is created and hosted by WGLT.
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