From the WGLT Newsroom, I'm Ben Howell. It may become harder for speech and hearing students at Illinois State University to meet graduation requirements because of federal Medicaid cuts. Maggie Vertichio is a 2nd-year audiology student at ISU's Speech and Hearing Clinic. Vertico says if fewer Medicaid clients can receive care at the clinic, it will be harder.

From the WGLT Newsroom, I'm Ben Howell. It may become harder for speech and hearing students at Illinois State University to meet graduation requirements because of federal Medicaid cuts. Maggie Vertichio is a 2nd-year audiology student at ISU's Speech and Hearing Clinic. Vertico says if fewer Medicaid clients can receive care at the clinic, it will be harder.

To reach the required 1800 clinical hours to graduate.

To reach the required 1800 clinical hours to graduate.

And that's not just clinical hours sitting in the clinic, that is clinical hours of actively seeing and serving

And that's not just clinical hours sitting in the clinic, that is clinical hours of actively seeing and serving

patients.

patients.

Most of the clinic's clients rely on Medicaid. One of the leaders behind a new homeless shelter village says he hopes the project sparks a broader conversation about housing needs in Bloomington normal.

Most of the clinic's clients rely on Medicaid. One of the leaders behind a new homeless shelter village says he hopes the project sparks a broader conversation about housing needs in Bloomington normal.

Robbie Ozenga with Catalyst Construction is working on the bridge. Ozenga says the bridge is just one piece of a broader housing puzzle.

Robbie Ozenga with Catalyst Construction is working on the bridge. Ozenga says the bridge is just one piece of a broader housing puzzle.

Bloomington Normal has always been a place of innovation, generosity, and faith in action. So let this project be a signal that we are still that kind of community.

Bloomington Normal has always been a place of innovation, generosity, and faith in action. So let this project be a signal that we are still that kind of community.

Community leaders gathered for the project's groundbreaking ceremony this morning.

Community leaders gathered for the project's groundbreaking ceremony this morning.

Congressman Darren LaHood is defending cuts to a nationwide food assistance program or SNAPP. Since COVID, we've expanded SNAP and our nutrition programs by up to 50% more government spending. Now that the economy is getting back on track and we're out of the COVID, uh, window, we were a couple of years ago, we gotta put in place provisions that cut back on our spending. Lahood has said he wants to narrow the large federal budget deficit and the big beautiful bill is a start.

Congressman Darren LaHood is defending cuts to a nationwide food assistance program or SNAPP. Since COVID, we've expanded SNAP and our nutrition programs by up to 50% more government spending. Now that the economy is getting back on track and we're out of the COVID, uh, window, we were a couple of years ago, we gotta put in place provisions that cut back on our spending. Lahood has said he wants to narrow the large federal budget deficit and the big beautiful bill is a start.

The roof of a Bloomington church collapsed last night. City officials say the building remains unstable. A city spokesperson said no injuries were reported when the roof of Reconciled Church at 411 East Mulberry Street had caved. Church officials have not yet said what's next for the church or the building.

The roof of a Bloomington church collapsed last night. City officials say the building remains unstable. A city spokesperson said no injuries were reported when the roof of Reconciled Church at 411 East Mulberry Street had caved. Church officials have not yet said what's next for the church or the building.

And the McLean County Health Department is reporting the first mosquito pool in the county to test positive for West Nile virus this year. The test was confirmed on Monday in Bloomington in the 61705 zip code. West Nile virus spreads by mosquitoes biting people after feeding on an infected bird. There were nearly 70 human West Nile virus cases in Illinois last year and 13 deaths. I'm

And the McLean County Health Department is reporting the first mosquito pool in the county to test positive for West Nile virus this year. The test was confirmed on Monday in Bloomington in the 61705 zip code. West Nile virus spreads by mosquitoes biting people after feeding on an infected bird. There were nearly 70 human West Nile virus cases in Illinois last year and 13 deaths. I'm