More than $100,000 will be invested in the WGLT newsroom and operations for expanded local news beats and audience growth. Awards from the Driehaus Foundation and Field Foundation will support continued and expanded education coverage, new economy/business coverage, plus software investments to meet the needs of our growing digital audience.
Expanded local news coverage
Driehaus Foundation funds will go toward the continuation of K-12 education coverage launched by WGLT in 2025 with support from the Google News Initiative/Institute for Nonprofit News. With more than 50 stories reported attracting more than 70,000 web views, in addition to on-air listeners, education coverage developed a quick and dedicated audience. Now, K-12 education coverage will continue, and the beat will expand to include a focus on higher education.
“Everybody has a stake in McLean County’s schools, colleges and universities – whether you’re a parent, student, teacher, or taxpayer,” said Content Director Ryan Denham. “This support from Driehaus Foundation means our readers and listeners will be more informed about the pressures facing our education systems and the successes that happen here every day.”
Former WGLT intern and 2024 Illinois State University graduate Braden Fogerson has served as education correspondent with support from the WGLT newsroom and the mentorship of News Director Eric Stock.
Field Foundation funds will support WGLT’s launch of a new economy/business coverage area examining the Bloomington-Normal economy and the people, businesses, and outside forces shaping it. With a dedicated journalist exploring this traditionally underreported area, WGLT will expand news coverage to major employers, small-business owners and community leaders providing additional avenues for connection and understanding with community residents.
Audience growth and engagement
Additional funds from Driehaus Foundation will allow WGLT to invest in new software to better serve our growing digital audience. Thousands of WGLT users rely on regular e-newsletters for news, and we’ve outgrown current user limits and functionality. The investment from Driehaus will help WGLT upgrade our communication systems, increase audience, and better serve user needs. New technology will also support the upcoming launch of a new business/economy e-newsletter.
“WGLT celebrates this investment and the recognition of our hard-working and award-winning newsroom,” said Executive Director R.C. McBride. “The federal defunding of public media continues to be an enormous challenge for WGLT to navigate. This investment helps to ensure our local news product remains strong and stable allowing us to serve our community with the highest quality content they deserve.”
