State News

Statewide: The Pope Leo XIV effect

NPR Illinois | 91.9 UIS | By Sean Crawford

Published June 5, 2025 at 10:19 AM CDT

On this episode, we hear from Catholic leaders about the election of the first American pope. Leo XIV comes from the Chicago area, which has seen a drop in the number of people affiliated with the church. Will Leo be able to turn that around?

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* A Galesburg resident advocates for federal marijuana legalization through song.

* Those with student loan debt are feeling anxious as the Trump Administration closes pathways to lower payments and loan cancellations.

* Education reporter Emily Hays joins us to discuss education-related legislation that came up in the Illinois General Assembly's spring session.

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* A group of researchers hope to use VR gaming technology to teach people how to reverse an opiois overdose.

* Lauren Warnecke reports why some juveniles turn to guns.

* An investigation from Side Effects Public Media finds people with mental illness who are arrested may find themselves stuck in jail for months waiting for a court to determine if they are competent enough to stand trial.