WGLT-FM: Assorted stories from WGLT-FM : NPR

This season of the Illinois Shakespeare Festival deftly combines the thrill of both a battle and a heart won, familiar faces revisiting cherished roles, and a chance to imagine "what if" about The Bard.

Kansas City native Samantha Fish said her hometown was a great playground for learning her craft. “There’s such a steep tradition there. It’s a great jazz and blues town, and a jam scene,” said Fish. “You could go out every night and play with some incredible, top-notch blues players.”

John Stark is in his first year as the Artistic Director of the Illinois Shakespeare Festival and the Chicago Tribune ranks the festival number one in summer must see events. Nothing like pressure! More on the summer season with Laura Kennedy. Plus, Ryan Denham looks at the competitive pressures State Farm Insurance is facing. Plus, the Blues and roots music of Samantha Fish is refreshing and varied. Jon Norton has more. And it's GLT's Grow.

Hear about the drug sometimes called synthetic marijuana or spice. Twenty year-old Alejandro is an addict who says the drug is nothing like marijuana. GLT's Ryan Denham reports on the deadly spike in spice deaths in central Illinois. Charlie Schlenker talks with a longtime central Illinois TV host who gets to sleep in. For years, Garry Moore was the first news staffer on the job and on the air at WEEK-TV. And Mayor Tari Renner is in studio. He'll answer questions about about early council

Following passage in Normal, Mayor Tari Renner said Tuesday that a Welcoming City immigration ordinance could return to a Bloomington City Council agenda in June.

K2. Spice. Black Mamba. Research chemicals. Potpourri. New psychoactive substances.

Democratic Congressional Candidate Betsy Dirksen Londrigan says GOP claims of success with the tax bill are misplaced. Ryan Denham talks with Dirksen Londrigan about her campaign against incumbent Congressman Rodney Davis in the 13th district. Get an update from Normal’s top cop on a body cam pilot project. The project is coming to an end and Chief Rick Bleichner talks with CS about what’s next. And you’ll meet singer-songwriter David Berchtold. He talks with GLT’s Jon Norton just before his

Today's programming is made possible in part by GLT Day Sponsors Scott and Jennie King, celebrating their 47th wedding anniversary, and 39 years of listening to WGLT. They'd like to sincerely thank the thousands of other public radio contributors - past, present, and future - who improve the quality of life in Central Illinois by supporting GLT.

Today's programming is made possible in part by GLT Day Sponsors Janine Toth and Joe Strano who are celebrating 25 years of marriage and 28 years of supporting public radio.

Today’s programming is made possible in part by GLT Day Sponsors Janet and John Tulley, honoring their daughter Anna Tulley and the other graduates in University High School’s Class of 2018. Congratulations to all, especially the cowgirls!

Today's programming is brought to you in part by GLT day Sponsors Jean and Dennis Lawyer who are celebrating their 44th wedding anniversary. They encourage you to join them in making a contribution to WGLT.

Today’s programming is made possible in part by GLT Day Sponsors Angela and Dan Yandel as they celebrate their ninth wedding anniversary. They look forward to sharing many more happy years together tuned in to their favorite radio station, GLT.

Piedmont Blues radiated from David Berchtold ’s guitar before he even knew that style existed.

Prairie Fire Theater teams up with theater students from Illinois Wesleyan University to stage an original children's opera that aims to be fun as well as thought-provoking.

Hotel and Lodging Association head Ray Ceresa says the average room rate in Bloomington Normal is now below 90 bucks a night. Even slight declines make a difference. Ryan Denham talks with Ceresa about the dismal hotel occupancy rate. Can the Illinois General Assembly pass a budget. Former governor Jim Edgar thinks so. Find out what Bloomington State Senator Jason Barickman thinks. Charlie Schlenker has the interview. And there's no shortage of material for the Capital Steps musical, political