WGLT is the recipient of a $20,000 grant stemming from a partnership between the Institute for Nonprofit News (INN) and the Google News Initiative (GNI). The grant will fund expanded news coverage of the K-12 education systems, including Unit 5, District 87, ISU Lab Schools, and additional McLean County districts such as Heyworth, LeRoy, Lexington, Olympia, Tri-Valley, as well as private schools.
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WGLT proposed this expanded coverage area after participation in GNI’s Fundamentals Lab as part of a cohort with other news organizations across the country.
“The WGLT newsroom has long felt that K-12 is a vastly underserved area of coverage,” said News Director Eric Stock. “We hope this grant will lead to lasting change in the way we cover education and attract new audiences to engage with this public service.”
WGLT’s K-12 expanded coverage area will launch later this winter. This is the second news coverage area WGLT has expanded in recent years. Mental health coverage continues as part of our Report for America partnership.
“WGLT is McLean County’s trusted leader in local news,” said Executive Director R.C. McBride. “McLean County deserves this level of coverage as a public service, and we’re thrilled to have the increased resources to provide it.”
The community can directly support expanded news reporting initiatives at WGLT like education and mental health by donating or underwriting. Contact Melissa Libert for more information.
