Galesburg's Morning News

The stage floor is cement, so don't expect a trap door — but Prairie Players Civic Theatre found other ways to make the magic happen. Allie Bryan, Connor Atwell, Lorie Larsen, and director Kenny Knox joined Galesburg's Morning News ahead of the July 17 opening of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella. They talked about: Why this version of Cinderella is closer to the original fairy tale than the Di...

A stage that's been dark since 1934 is putting on a show again. Fran Moore of the Altona Historical Society and Tim Holmes of the Galesburg Performing Arts Academy joined Galesburg's Morning News on Thursday, July 9, to talk about the restored Ransom Memorial Library Hall and the free Oklahoma! Youth Edition performance marking its reopening. They talked about: The restoration of Ransom Memorial L...

United Way is matching every dollar raised by this year's Taste of Galesburg raffle, up to $5,000, and sending all of it straight to Riverbend Food Bank. Jeannie Weber, Anthony Law, and Pippi Ardennia joined Galesburg's Morning News on Wednesday, July 8, to talk about it. Listen to the full interview below. They talked about: This year's Taste of Galesburg raffle prizes, and why winners no longer...

Orly KG, founder of Bad Momz of Comedy, joined Galesburg's Morning News on Tuesday, July 7, ahead of Saturday's show at The Orpheum. Listen to the full interview above. Orly KG founded Bad Momz of Comedy in 2022 after a career as a TV news reporter and 15 years running her own public relations firm. What started as a search for something to do once her kids became teenagers has grown into a tourin...

The 2026 Knox County Fair Queens joined Galesburg's Morning News on Monday, July 6, 2026 — opening day of the 175th Knox County Fair. Lillian Rogers of Gilson was crowned Miss Knox County Fair Queen, Mila Nolan of Knoxville was crowned Junior Miss Knox County Fair Queen, and Ensley Ball of Knoxville was crowned Little Miss Knox County Fair Queen — all at The Orpheum Theatre on June 27. Topics cove...

The Galesburg Orpheum Theatre just hit a major financial milestone — and the momentum doesn't stop there. A new season goes on sale Tuesday, a summer comedy lineup kicks off in less than two weeks, and a long-term renovation study is now in motion. Orpheum Executive Director Andrew Driscoll joined Galesburg's Morning News on Wednesday, July 2, to share all of it. Topics covered in this interview i...

Nikki Malley, owner of Malley Farms, joined Galesburg's Morning News on Tuesday, June 30, to preview Friday's First Fridays on Historic Seminary Street. First Fridays returns Friday, July 3, from 5 to 8 p.m. on Seminary Street in downtown Galesburg, giving the community a head start on the Fourth of July weekend. The headline act is the return of Frank F. Sydney's Western Bandit Volunteers, a belo...

Justin Thomas of J&M Displays joined Galesburg's Morning News on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, to preview Saturday's Big Bang BOOM — the area's largest Fourth of July fireworks display, returning to Lake Storey Park in Galesburg. This year's show marks America's 250th birthday. Topics covered in this interview include: How America's 250th birthday shaped this year's show Why blue is the hardest color to...

Pro wrestling is coming to Galesburg on the Fourth of July — and the Knox County YMCA is about to open something the community has never had before. Blake Benedict, co-owner of Reserve Artisan Ales, and Adam Sampson, executive director of the Knox County YMCA, joined Galesburg's Morning News on Monday, June 29, 2026, to talk about both. Topics covered in this interview include: How pro wrestling a...

Mary McGunnigal has lived in Galesburg since 1979. A few years ago, she started helping her daughter navigate an Ancestry.com subscription — and ended up tracing her family line all the way back to 1620 and the Mayflower. McGunnigal joined Galesburg's Morning News on Friday, June 26, 2026, to share the story of her discovery and offer tips for anyone who wants to try genealogy research themselves....

Michael Bennett, executive director of VNA Community Services, joined Galesburg's Morning News on Thursday, June 25, 2026, to preview Saturday's Rays & Graze festival and discuss the agency's work supporting Knox County seniors. VNA Community Services has delivered more than 280,000 meals to Knox County seniors since 2020 and is on track to serve more than 45,000 meals this year through its Home D...

Amber Bowcott, senior walk manager at the Alzheimer's Association, and Shirley Chu, owner of Tres Cafe, joined Galesburg's Morning News on Thursday, June 25, 2026. Bowcott discussed free local resources available to Knox County residents affected by Alzheimer's and dementia, including a monthly support group in Galesburg, care consultations, and a 24/7 helpline. She also shared updates on research...

Julie King, executive director of the National Railroad Hall of Fame and one of the key organizers of Railroad Days, joined Galesburg's Morning News on Wednesday, June 24, 2026. King previewed the 48th annual Railroad Days festival, running Thursday, June 25, through Sunday, June 28, in downtown Galesburg. She also shared the latest on construction of the National Railroad Hall of Fame visitor cen...

LaDonna Green and Cindy Brinkmann of the Stoneware Museum of Monmouth join Galesburg's Morning News to preview the fifth annual Stoneware Fest and Swap Meet — Saturday, June 27, at 507 S. Sunny Lane in Monmouth. Free admission. Free parking. Free appraisals. Topics covered in this interview: How the event grew from 23 vendors in year one to more than 70 this year, representing eight states Why ven...

Harvey Schofield of the Knoxville American Legion joins Galesburg's Morning News to preview the Legion's big June 27 celebration — a "parking lot party" marking both America's 250th birthday and the Legion's 50th year in its current building. The event is Saturday, June 27, with doors open at noon at the Knoxville American Legion. Topics covered in this interview: Live music all day — J&J Entertai...

Yemm Auto Group General Manager Sara Yemm joins Galesburg's Morning News to preview the dealership's 3rd Annual Cars & Coffee event, happening Saturday, June 20, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 2195 N. Henderson St. in Galesburg. All vehicles are welcome — classic cars, muscle cars, sports cars, vans, motorcycles, lifted trucks, and everything in between. You don't need to own a show car to attend. Topic...

Richard Cangro, Professor and Director of Music Education at Western Illinois University, joins Galesburg's Morning News to preview the Knox-Galesburg Symphony's season finale, "Silver Screen Symphony," Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Orpheum Theater in Galesburg. Topics covered in this interview: What audiences can expect from Saturday's film and television score concert The featured violin solo for "T...

Monmouth Mayor Rod Davies and City Administrator Lew Steinbrecher join Galesburg's Morning News with an update on Wednesday's (June 17) storm damage, ongoing power restoration, and the city's recovery efforts. Topics covered in this interview: The overall scope of storm damage across Monmouth, including downed trees, power lines, and roof damage to city hall Significant property damage on the east...

Dick Anderson, President and CEO of Anderson State Bank, Josh Gibb, President and CEO of the Galesburg Community Foundation, and Pete Holmes, President of the ROWVA Public Schools Foundation, join Galesburg's Morning News to discuss the bank's 150th anniversary and the launch of the new ASB 150 Fund. Topics covered in this interview: The founding of Anderson State Bank in 1876 by A.B. Anderson, a...

Joy Boostrom, business manager and 41-year member of the Monmouth Municipal Band, joins Galesburg's Morning News to talk about the band's 96th season, its multi-generational membership, and what's ahead this summer. Topics covered in this interview: What it means for the band to reach its 96th season The band's multi-generational membership, ranging from recent high school graduates to musicians i...

Kara Downin, Resource Conservationist with the Knox County Soil and Water Conservation District, joins Galesburg's Morning News to preview two upcoming events and a reminder for landowners enrolled in a federal conservation program. Topics covered in this interview: A well sealing demonstration on Thursday, June 25, at 10 a.m. on the Carlson property on County Road 9, across from Ameren State cost...

Mary Beth Shomos — known in Galesburg as Mary Beth Erffmeyer, GHS Class of 1979 — joined Jay Redfern on Galesburg's Morning News on Monday, June 15, 2026, to reflect on two major efforts she helped lead on behalf of GHS band alumni: the naming of the Sally Rynott Music Wing at Galesburg Junior/Senior High School, and the creation of the GHS Band Alumni Legacy Fund through the Galesburg Community F...

Galesburg City Manager Eric Hanson joins Galesburg's Morning News ahead of the June 16 Galesburg City Council meeting to preview the agenda, including a significant update on the Galesburg Business Park, a new agreement with Burlington Junction Railway, and the latest on the Standish Park revitalization project. Topics covered in this interview: The Galesburg Gauntlet disc golf tournament at Lake...

Kelly Price, executive director, and Pam Perkins, board president of CASA of West Central Illinois, joined Galesburg's Morning News on Thursday, June 11, 2026, to preview Putts 'N' Pubs and talk about the organization's work on behalf of foster children across five counties. Putts 'N' Pubs is Saturday, July 11 — check-in at 2 p.m. at Reserve Artisan Ales, 185 S. Kellogg St. Event runs 3–7 p.m. Tic...

Pam Davidson, organizer of the second annual Knox County Miss Juneteenth Pageant, joined Galesburg's Morning News on Wednesday, June 10 to preview the event ahead of Saturday's pageant at the Knox College Center for Fine Arts. The pageant is Saturday, June 13. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. and the program begins at 5. Free to attend. Donations are welcome. Davidson talks about the history of Juneteenth,...