Statewide: A Pioneer For Workplace Safety; Can Ethanol Be Part Of A Clean Energy Future?

On this episode, we learn about a woman who helped save millions of lives. Alice Hamilton fought industry leaders, politicians and even some employees to improve workplace safety.

We also hear how some restaurants are having trouble getting enough employees. What does that mean for those who are back on the job?

And the ethanol industry is pushing for changes to make it more viable as the country heads toward a future with cleaner energy. But researchers have doubts.

Those stories and more on this week's Statewide.

* Peter Medlin with WNIJ tells us how a northern Illinois community is feeling as the future of nuclear power plant, and the jobs that go with it, remains uncertain.

* Katie Peikes with Harvest Public Media reports on steps being taken to make ethanol more of a player in slowing climate change.

* WBEZ's Sarah Karp explains how schools are working to prevent the pandemic from having long term academic impacts on students.

* Maureen McKinney speaks with the National Asian Pacific American Women's Forum about a study on hate incidents.

* Jordan Mead of WCBU talks with those working in the understaffed restaurant industry about challenges they're facing.

* WGLT's Ryan Denham has the story of a viral video showing a young man learning he's been accepted to college.

* Edie Rubinowitz with WBEZ's Curious City tells us about Alice Hamilton. She was a pioneering force in demanding improvements at workplaces in Chicago and across the country. Despite her accomplishments, few know about her.