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Statewide

Reporting from in and around Illinois.Listen to Statewide on WNIJ Saturdays 6-7 a.m. and Sundays 6-7 p.m.

Statewide: Baseball Announcer Still Connecting With Fans; How Contact Tracing Works

NPR Illinois | 91.9 UIS | By Sean Crawford

Published April 23, 2020 at 6:22 PM CDT

On this episode, we chat with Chicago White Sox broadcaster Jason Benetti. The Illinois native tells us what he's doing to interact with fans while baseball is on hiatus.

A couple on the front lines of battling COVID-19 talk about sacricfices they've made, including separation from their children.

And if you are unsure how contact tracing works, we'll explain.

This week's lineup:

* Sean Crawford visits with baseball announcer Jason Benetti. Instead of being in the booth, he's spending this spring online, entertaining and connecting with fans.

* Amy Mayer of Harvest Public Media explains what impact coronavirus outbreaks at meatpacking plants is having on the nation's meat supply.

* Bryce and Brittanny Budimir of Kankakee are living apart from their children. She's a nurse. He's a firefighter. Both are putting themselves at risk during the pandemic.

* Peter Medlin of WNIJ finds out how some homegrown businesses are adapting to the current situation.

* Sam Dunklau finds out what challenges state government faces amid the loss of tax revenue.

Bloomington Cycle and Fitness mechanic Mick Hannah on the job. Bloomington-Normal bicycle stores are open but limiting access during the pandemic.

* Charlie Schlenker of WGLT tells us an essential business, bicycle shops, are rolling right along this spring.

* Chase Cavanaugh with WNIJ finds out how state agencies are ensuring the safety of the roads and who travels on them while a stay-at-home order is in effect.

* Steph Whiteside of WSIU reports on how doctors are handling routine medical needs when they can't see patients in person.

* Mary Hansen learns more about contact tracing, a key to slowing the spread of COVID-19.

Statewide for the week of April 24, 2020

Listen to Statewide across Illinois in:

Bloomington/Normal – WGLT 89.1 (Fridays 11 a.m. - Noon, Sundays 6-7 a.m.)
Carbondale – WSIU 91.9 (Fridays 2-3 p.m. and Sundays 6-7 a.m.)
Mount Vernon - WVSI 88.9 (Fridays 2-3 p.m. and Sundays 6-7 a.m.)
Olney - WUSI 90.3 (Fridays 2-3 p.m. and Sundays 6-7 a.m.)
Rockford/DeKalb – WNIJ 89.5 (Saturdays 6-7 a.m., Sundays 6-7 p.m.)
Springfield/Decatur - WUIS 91.9 (Fridays 11 a.m. - Noon, 11 p.m. - Midnight, Saturdays 9-10 a.m.)
Peoria – WCBU 89.9 (Fridays 6-7 p.m., Sundays 6-7 a.m.)
Pittsfield - WIPA 89.3 (Fridays 11 a.m. - Noon, 11 p.m. - Midnight, Saturdays 9-10 a.m.)
Urbana/Champaign – WILL 580 (Fridays 11 a.m. - Noon, 7-8 p.m.)
Quad Cities - WVIK HD 2 (Sundays 11 a.m. - Noon)