
Two new sculptures join Urbana Parks’ permanent collection
The Urbana Park District recently acquired two marble sculptures for its permanent art display at Meadowbrook Park. Sculpted into a slab of swirling diverted petals, artist Jon Isherwood titled them “The Gifting Angel” and “After Giverny,” referencing impressionist artist Claude Monet’s waterlilies.

NPR to trim $5 million this year as public radio stations struggle to pay bills
At NPR and many member stations, listener contributions have spiked up significantly. They are helping to make up for the cuts, at least in the short term.

WILL Call: What’s Happening in Central Illinois Sep. 18 – Sep. 21
Riggs Oktoberfest, Pygmalion, fall festivals, and more are happening in central Illinois this week.

WILL Call: What’s Happening in Central Illinois Sep. 11 – Sep. 14
Opening night of one play and auditions for another at the Station Theatre, a jazz walk, an arts festival, and more are happening in Central Illinois this week.

BERTHA rocks ELLNORA guitar festival with ‘Grateful Drag’
In 2020, Melody Walker and her friend Caitlin Doyle decided they wanted to form an all-female Grateful Dead cover band. After a few male friends expressed interest in taking part in the group, they allowed it — as long as they dressed like women.

‘KPop Demon Hunters’ lead actress Arden Cho talks about her days at the University of Illinois
A University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana graduate stars in Netflix’s most popular original movie.

217 Today: What’s Happening in Central Illinois Sep. 4 – Sep. 7
In today’s deep dive, we’ll learn about what is coming to the Central Illinois area in the world of arts, culture and entertainment.

WILL Call: What’s Happening in Central Illinois Sep. 4 – Sep. 7
ELLNORA Guitar Festival, a night market, a broomcorn festival, and more are happening in Central Illinois this week.

Jim Meadows signs off for the final time
After over 25 years at Illinois Pubic Media, Jim Meadows is retiring. He reflects on his career with Morning Edition host Kimberly Schofield.

WILL Call: What’s Happening in Central Illinois Aug. 28 – Aug. 31
A sweetcorn festival, a popcorn festival, a blues festival, a cheese festival, and more are happening in Central Illinois this week.

‘Here for the audience and nobody else’: NPR’s Michel Martin discusses career, importance of public media
NPR Morning Edition host talks early hours and the importance of public media with IPM’s Kimberly Schofield.

Ari Shapiro says farewell to NPR
Shapiro began his career at NPR as an intern for Nina Totenberg. He went on to be an International Correspondent, a White House Correspondent and a Justice Correspondent.

