Ryan Denham
Content DirectorRyan is an award-winning journalist and digital strategist. He joined WGLT full-time in 2017 as Digital Content Director and became interim Content Director in 2025.
Under Ryan's leadership, WGLT.org has become the go-to destination for local news in Bloomington-Normal. WGLT has expanded its digital offerings to include multiple daily podcasts, short-form video storytelling, and award-winning photography.
Ryan has earned a National Murrow Award, a national Public Media Journalists Association award, several Regional Murrow Awards, and multiple Crystal Mic Awards from the Illinois News Broadcasters Association, among other station and team-based honors.
Ryan also serves as WGLT's internship coordinator, working closely with Illinois State University students.
Ryan started his career as a copy editor and later business and city government reporter at The Pantagraph in 2006. He later worked for WJBC radio in Bloomington and for Illinois State's University Marketing and Communications [UMC] and Web and Interactive Communications [WEB] offices.
He lives in Normal with his wife, Therese, and two children. You can contact Ryan at rmdenha@ilstu.edu or (309) 438-5426.
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The actor and comedian Bob Odenkirk will visit Normal next week for a preview screening of his new film "Normal," and yes, it's happening at the Normal Theater. Here's what we know about the availability of tickets day-of at the theater's box office. -
Seis personas —incluyendo a dos menores— fueron baleadas la madrugada del domingo en un barrio residencial de Normal, justo al sur del campus de Illinois State University, informaron las autoridades. Es uno de los pocos tiroteos masivos en la historia reciente de Bloomington-Normal. -
The Bloomington City Council is expected to vote Monday on changes to a redevelopment agreement for the former State Farm building downtown, including a $42 million Phase 1 that would bring a Starbucks to the property by July 2027. -
Six people — including two juveniles — were shot early Sunday morning in a residential neighborhood in Normal just south of the Illinois State University campus, authorities said. It's one of the few mass shootings in recent Bloomington-Normal history. -
The electric automaker Rivian said Thursday that it signed a new partnership with Uber that would put up to 50,000 Rivian robotaxis on the streets over the next several years. In exchange, Uber will invest up to $1.25 billion in Rivian, which makes its EVs in Normal. -
With too much space and more remote workers, State Farm said Thursday that it plans to consolidate its workforce into the Corporate South complex in Bloomington and close its Corporate Headquarters and Illinois Operations Center by the end of 2027. -
Turnout in McLean County (including Bloomington voters) reached only 21.2% in this midterm, nonpresidential year primary election. That’s the third straight decline in turnout in elections of this type. -
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Bloomington-Normal and Greater Peoria again avoided the worst of a spring storm system that moved through the area Sunday. A winter weather advisory remains in effect until 1 p.m. Monday. -
Actor Bob Odenkirk will appear in person April 2 at the Normal Theater to talk about his new film "Normal." After a 7 p.m. screening, Odenkirk will be joined on stage by screenwriter Derek Kolstad for a discussion about the movie.
