As a senior at Normal Community High School, Tye Niekamp’s goal was “finding someone who was going to coach me hard” on the college level. He didn’t have to look far. The man for the job lived in the same house. Travis Niekamp is Illinois State’s defensive coordinator and inside linebackers coach. As a parent, he is “extremely proud” of sons Tye, the Redbirds’ All-American junior middle linebacker, and Dexter, a redshirt freshman linebacker.

As a senior at Normal Community High School, Tye Niekamp&rsquo;s goal was &ldquo;finding someone who was going to coach me hard&rdquo; on the college level.&nbsp;He didn&rsquo;t have to look far. The man for the job lived in the same house.&nbsp;Travis Niekamp is Illinois State&rsquo;s defensive coordinator and inside linebackers coach. As a parent, he is &ldquo;extremely proud&rdquo; of sons Tye, the Redbirds&rsquo; All-American junior middle linebacker, and Dexter, a redshirt freshman linebacker.

Sound Ideas is WGLT's signature local news series. Every weekday, WGLT reporters go beyond soundbites for deeper conversations with newsmakers, musicians, artists, and anyone with a story to share. New episodes air throughout the day on WGLT.

Sound Ideas is WGLT's signature local news series. Every weekday, WGLT reporters go beyond soundbites for deeper conversations with newsmakers, musicians, artists, and anyone with a story to share. New episodes air throughout the day on WGLT.

WGLT's Sound Ideas

WGLT's Sound Ideas is our flagship news program. Every weekday, WGLT reporters go beyond soundbites for deeper conversations with newsmakers, musicians, artists, and anyone with a story to share. This 30-minute newsmagazine is produced Monday through Friday. You can also subscribe to the Sound Ideas - Full Episodes podcast.

WGLT's Sound Ideas is our flagship news program. Every weekday, WGLT reporters go beyond soundbites for deeper conversations with newsmakers, musicians, artists, and anyone with a story to share. This 30-minute newsmagazine is produced Monday through Friday. You can also subscribe to the Sound Ideas - Full Episodes podcast.

Illinois State football's Niekamp family thrives on coaching, and playing, hard

The sketch comedy legend turned action star Bob Odenkirk brought a sneak peek of his new movie Normal to the Normal Theater on Thursday for a sold-out crowd. The Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul actor introduced the film and answered questions after the screening, alongside frequent collaborator and Normal screenwriter Derek Kolstad.

The sketch comedy legend turned action star Bob Odenkirk brought a sneak peek of his new movie Normal to the Normal Theater on Thursday for a sold-out crowd.&nbsp;The Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul actor introduced the film and answered questions after the screening, alongside frequent collaborator and Normal screenwriter Derek Kolstad.

At Normal Theater, Bob Odenkirk explains why his new movie borrowed the name 'Normal'

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/090e86c6-4ab6-4873-b560-afff01256522/clips/c6b2cdd1-d46d-4e2e-96e6-b4210170a4be/transcript

Few college basketball teams are still playing in April. Illinois State University is one of only two institutions that can boast that it had both of its programs playing in the national semifinals. Connecticut, whose teams advanced to the NCAA Final Fours this weekend, is the other. While the ISU men bowed out of the semifinals of the NIT on Thursday, the Redbird women look to become just the third national champion in ISU athletics history, following the 1969 Division II baseball title and last season’s College Basketball Invitational Championship for the men.

Few college basketball teams are still playing in April.&nbsp;Illinois State University is one of only two institutions that can boast that it had both of its programs playing in the national semifinals. Connecticut, whose teams advanced to the NCAA Final Fours this weekend, is the other.&nbsp;While the ISU men bowed out of the semifinals of the NIT on Thursday, the Redbird women look to become just the third national champion in ISU athletics history, following the 1969 Division II baseball title and last season&rsquo;s College Basketball Invitational Championship for the men.

Redbird women look to continue historic run for ISU hoops teams

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/090e86c6-4ab6-4873-b560-afff01256522/clips/84c64c87-807b-4efe-9740-b421016df6c2/transcript

The Catholic Diocese of Peoria has seen a recent jump in attendance in its parishes. Bishop Louis Tylka said the number of people participating in first communion and confirmation ceremonies at this year's Easter Vigil has doubled, and overall attendance has also significantly increased.

The Catholic Diocese of Peoria has seen a recent jump in attendance in its parishes.&nbsp;Bishop Louis Tylka said the number of people participating in first communion and confirmation ceremonies at this year's Easter Vigil has doubled, and overall attendance has also significantly increased.

Catholic Diocese of Peoria sees increased attendance amid reorganization of the church

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/090e86c6-4ab6-4873-b560-afff01256522/clips/adad590a-b94d-4835-b02d-b420015cbc27/transcript

Illinois State football's Niekamp family thrives on coaching, and playing, hard

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