Galesburg's Morning News

In this Galesburg's Morning News interview, Joy Boostrom provides an overview of the Buchanan Community Chorus, founded in 1988 in Monmouth by Grace E. Buchanan as a "teaching chorus" to educate singers and audiences, supported by the Buchanan Center for the Arts and the Illinois Arts Council. The chorus focuses on vocal technique, breathing exercises, and lyrical interpretation, drawing members f...

In this Galesburg's Morning News interview, Dr. Sophia Omoro, ENT specialist and fashion designer, and American Idol alum Quentin Alexander, singer and creative director, discussed the Threads of Hope Fashion Show, set for Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025, at the Galesburg Community Arts Center. This unique fundraiser, a partnership between the Graham Hospital Foundation and the Blooming Lily Foundation, b...

Is the idea of “rights for robots” sci-fi nonsense or a conversation we need to have? In this Galesburg’s Morning News interview, Dr. Robert Geraci, Knight Distinguished Chair at Knox College, dives into the provocative topic of AI and robot rights, tied to the “Rights for Robots” event on Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025, at Galesburg’s Orpheum Theatre. Geraci, a leading scholar on religion and technology,...

On this episode of Galesburg's Morning News, we spoke with Galesburg City Manager Eric Hanson and Director of Finance Jennifer O’Hern to preview the Oct. 6, 2025, City Council meeting and discuss the $76.3 million draft budget for 2026. The 6 p.m. meeting at Galesburg City Hall includes the swearing-in of Angelica Mangieri as First Ward City Council Appointee and an update on the Galesburg Promise...

Get ready to light up the night with Galesburg High School’s Glow-Up Game. In this episode of Galesburg’s Morning News, Laurie Aten from Give Back, Galesburg joins us to share the excitement of this neon-themed fundraising event during the Galesburg vs. Geneseo football game on Friday, Oct. 3—kicking off with the freshman game at 5 p.m. and varsity at 7 p.m. Laurie dives into the fun activities, i...

Tune in to hear Tom Simkins, Special Projects Coordinator for the City of Galesburg, discuss the city’s ongoing effort to plant 700 trees by year-end, building on over 600 planted since 2022. Tom covers volunteer opportunities, funding, and the impact of greening initiatives. Key Highlights: Progress: Over 600 trees planted since 2022, aiming for 700 by December 2025, following Project 350’s 420 t...

In this episode of Galesburg's Morning News, we sit down with Tom Collopy, a 25-year board member of the Knox County Scenic Drive, to celebrate the event’s 50th anniversary. Held over the first two weekends of October (4-5 and 11-12), this self-guided tour features over 25 diverse stops, from Knoxville’s bustling vendor fair to the family-friendly Galva Farmgate Market and St. Augustine’s charitab...

In this Galesburg's Morning News interview with Kara Downin, Resource Conservationist for the Knox County Soil and Water Conservation District, the focus was on supporting farmers and landowners with sustainable land practices. Key topics included: Fall and winter fish sales for pond stocking, offering benefits like improved ecosystems and recreation through district programs. The importance of re...

Today on WGIL’s Galesburg's Morning News, Nicholas Regiacorte, Director of the Program in Creative Writing and Professor of English at Knox College, previewed an upcoming literary event featuring acclaimed writer Peter Orner, who will read from his new novel The Gossip Columnist’s Daughter on Friday, Oct. 3 at 4 p.m. at Seymour Library. The novel delves into the unsolved 1963 death of actress Kary...

Join us on Galesburg's Morning News as we celebrate Kastle Kreme's 50th anniversary season, wrapping up on Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025. Since John Sampson built the iconic 1595 W. Main Street structure in 1975 and Jerry Knowles made it a local hotspot in 1977, the beloved ice cream shop has been a multi-generational favorite. Owner Daren Davis, who took over with his family in 2015, shares the shop’s...

In this edition of Galesburg's Morning News we chat with Candace D'Agnolo, co-owner of the Dante & Dory's Pet Emporium, 354 E. Main St. in downtown Galesburg. Discover the story behind the three-day grand opening starting Friday, Sept. 26 at 3:30 p.m., featuring a ribbon-cutting, special deals, and "Dory's Demo Day" fun. Learn about their mission to support local pet owners with unique products an...

On Galesburg’s Morning News, Todd DeDecker, administrator of the Bishop Hill Heritage Association, discussed the upcoming Jordbruksdagarna festival, scheduled for Sept. 27-28, 2025, in Bishop Hill. The annual event, meaning "Agriculture Days" in Swedish, celebrates the village’s 1846 Swedish immigrant heritage with harvest-themed activities. Aired days before the festival, the segment offered list...

Join us for this Galesburg’s Morning News interview as we talked with Tri States Public Radio General Manager Heather Norman and reporter Jane Carlson about One Small Step, a StoryCorps initiative bringing strangers with different views together for 50-minute conversations to foster understanding—not debate. TSPR, one of just four stations nationwide selected for 2025 with a CPB grant, is recordin...

Join Jeannie Weber, executive director of United Way of West Central Illinois, and Jackie Arteaga as they preview the 4th Annual Hispanic Heritage Festival, happening Saturday, September 20, 6 p.m. to midnight at Public Square in Monmouth. This free event has grown from 1,500 to an expected 5,000-7,000 attendees, uniting a 60-mile radius. They discuss its start from community talks, the power of f...

On this episode of Galesburg's Morning News, we sat down with Andy Crawford, Managing Director of Knox College’s Music Performance Program, to preview the Fall 2025 music season. Jazz Night, a Galesburg tradition since 1991, is moving to Smokin’ Willies Barbecue on Cherry Street, kicking off this Thursday, Sept. 18, with free performances by the student-led Cherry Street Combo from 7 to 10 p.m. Th...

On Monday night, a large crowd of Galesburg residents, including many seniors, packed the City Council chambers and an overflow room to support VNA Community Services’ request for consistent city funding to sustain its senior programs. Executive Director Michael Bennett led the effort, presenting petitions with 850 signatures during public comment to demonstrate strong community support. WGIL spok...

Don’t miss the chilling Misery at Prairie Players Civic Theatre, now running through September 21 at 160 S. Seminary St. in Galesburg. Join Galesburg’s Morning News as we talk with actor James Hutchings (Paul Sheldon), board member Cheri Siebken, and set designer Charlie Vestal about this gripping stage adaptation of Stephen King’s novel. Dive into the intense story of novelist Paul Sheldon, trapp...

In this episode of Galesburg’s Morning News, Michael Bennett, Executive Director of VNA Community Services (Volunteer Network on Aging), discusses the nonprofit’s century-long mission to support Knox County seniors with meals, counseling, and social programs. Facing a growing $120,000 local cash match to unlock over $700,000 in federal Title III funds, VNA is seeking a $50,000 annual commitment fr...

Join us as Laurie Aten, a key volunteer with Give Back, Galesburg, shares how this volunteer-led organization is transforming pediatric health and wellness in Galesburg. Learn about their impactful initiatives, like the Gold-Out basketball games and the upcoming Glow-Up football game on Oct. 3, which fund programs such as the Kleine Pediatric Wellness Center, "Fit Pit" playgrounds at local element...

On Galesburg’s Morning News, Jay Redfern and Tyler Gumm welcomed Pam Perkins and Martin Reichel from Galesburg Sunrise Rotary to discuss their 4th Annual Ball Drop Fundraiser, set for Saturday, Sept. 13, at 1:30 p.m. at Rotary Park on West Losey Street. This unique event involves dropping numbered golf balls from a Galesburg Fire Department ladder truck, with prizes of $1,000, $500, and $250 for t...

Knox College Head Football Coach Aaron Willits joins Jay Redfern and Tyler Gumm on Galesburg’s Morning News to discuss the 2025 Prairie Fire season. After a tough 14-13 loss to Eureka College in the Lincoln Bowl season opener, Coach Willits highlights the promise of a young roster—nearly 60% freshmen, led by sophomore QB Clay McClellan and standouts like Jahprece Johnson and Aaron Estes. He shares...

Join us for an inspiring look at the 2025 West Central Illinois Out of the Darkness Walk, happening Saturday, Sept. 13 at Lake Storey Park Shelter #2 in Galesburg. Hosted by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), this event raises awareness and supports those affected by suicide. In this interview, Jim Melvin shares his journey after losing his daughter Erin, the walk’s role in bre...

Explore the dynamic partnership between Knox College and the City of Galesburg in this WGIL Radio interview with Phil Dickinson, owner of Landmark Cafe & Creperie, and Knox College President Andrew McGadney.  Recorded during the 2025 First Fridays season, they discuss how Knox’s sponsorship of community events like First Fridays strengthens ties with Galesburg, fostering collaboration and growth....

In this WGIL interview on Galesburg's Morning News, we sit down with Harrel W. Timmons, the namesake of the Harrel W. Timmons Galesburg Regional Airport, ahead of its dedication ceremony on September 5, 2025, during the 54th Annual National Stearman Fly-In. Timmons founded Jet Air Inc. in 1969, serving as its president until 2023 and transforming the airport into a hub for recreational pilots, cor...

In this episode of Galesburg's Morning News, Chris Stokes, a Stearman owner/pilot from Lincoln, Nebraska, and a United Airlines commercial pilot, shared his passion for Stearman biplanes and his experiences at the 54th Annual National Stearman Fly-In (Sept. 1-6, 2025) at Harrel W. Timmons Galesburg Regional Airport. Stokes discussed his 1942 Stearman’s history, the thrill and challenges of flying...