pictures of those featured with text over the wall remembering life behind the iron curtain

New documentary from Uni High explores life behind the Iron Curtain

A new two-part audio history series created by students at University Laboratory High School captures the voices of central Illinois community members with ties to the former Soviet Union and other Eastern Bloc countries. Over the Wall: Remembering Life Behind the Iron Curtain will have its broadcast premiere Sunday (Jan. 26) at 8 pm on WILL-AM 580. After its debut, parts one and two of the documentary will be available to stream as podcast episodes on the Illinois Youth Media website and across various podcast platforms.

Picture of Kennedy Vincent Illinois Soul and Dialogue logos with text We want to create a space where we can all connect, integrate, and build together. Listening and relating to other people’s stories is important, especially when we can relate to someone

Kennedy Vincent named new host of Illinois Soul’s weekly program Dialogue

With the launch of Illinois Soul came a new weekly local community affairs magazine program, Dialogue, highlighting issues important to Black communities in central Illinois. Illinois Public Media is excited to welcome Kennedy Vincent as the new permanent host of the program and as a specialty reporter for Black and immigrant communities for IPM News.

illinois soul logo

Illinois Public Media to launch new radio station focused on news and culture authentically reflecting the Black experience

Illinois Public Media is proud to announce the launch of Illinois Soul, a new radio station highlighting Black experiences, celebrating Black culture, elevating Black voices, and showcasing Black music. This new audio service will make its on-air debut February 1, 2024, at the start of Black History Month and will be broadcast on WILL-FM 101.1 and available to stream live at illinoissoul.org.

the middle with jeremy hobson text over bridge

New national public radio talk show to debut from central Illinois

Illinois Public Media is proud to serve as the host and a partner station for The Middle with Jeremy Hobson’s return to the airwaves this fall. The award-winning journalist is headed back to Campbell Hall and the WILL radio studios here in Urbana, Illinois to launch the national, now weekly, live call-in show, which premieres on September 28.

woman sits in stands with laptop and headphones

Illinois Public Media ramps up local congressional coverage

Illinois Public Media has contracted with veteran Washington, D.C.-based congressional reporter Linda Kenyon to join the IPM News team for the next election cycle. Kenyon will report on national issues out of the U.S. Capitol, connecting them to central Illinois.

Illinois Public Media wins Regional Edward R. Murrow Award for centenary coverage

The Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA) has honored Illinois Public Media with excellence in radio in a “Small Market – Best News Series” for a collection of four features exploring the history, impacts, and programs of interest throughout WILL-AM’s first century, all written and produced by long time WILL reporter, Jim Meadows.

A long bridge over water with text The Middle with Jeremy Hobson

Illinois Public Media hosts Jeremy Hobson for launch of new national political call-in special, ‘The Middle’

Illinois Public Media is honored to host the launch and serve as the distribution partner for the new national call-in series, The Middle. Award-winning journalist and Champaign-Urbana native Jeremy Hobson presents a special four-part series focused on the midterm elections, aiming to listen to everyday Americans and elevate the voices of those who live between the coasts.