🏆 Kay Wilson challenges donors to support WGLT’s internship program during Birds Give Back. She will add $2,500 to our giving day totals when we reach $5,000! Together, we can fund at least three internships.
About WGLT
WGLT is Bloomington-Normal’s Public Media and part of the NPR Network. The station is licensed to and operates from Illinois State University and shares a home on campus with The Vidette, ISU’s student media organization.
WGLT is McLean County’s leader in local news and provides the
highest quality national and international news via the NPR Network.
Award-winning local news is featured in the weekday morning podcast, The
Leadoff, and in the weekday evening news magazine, Sound Ideas.
Support the next generation of journalism on Birds Give Back!
WGLT is dedicated to developing the next generation of journalists, providing valuable training opportunities that promote diversity in the field and strengthen newsrooms.
Your support during Birds Give Back will help fund student internships in journalism, photography, audio production, on-air hosting and beyond, ensuring the future of our newsroom and the media industry at large.
WGLT Executive Director and NPR Board Member R.C. McBride: "WGLT has more than doubled the size of its student internship program in recent years, focusing on nurturing the next generation of diverse broadcast and journalistic talent. Journalism plays a vital role in a healthy democracy, and the work of current and future journalists is essential to the future of our community, nation, and the world. As the media industry continues to face challenges like rising disinformation and financial instability, WGLT is doubling down on its investment in student journalists and local news, because the nonprofit news model works, and Central Illinois deserves top-tier, local journalism."
Meet WGLT’s Audio Editor and Production Intern Lou Warner
Lou Warner (pictured above) joined the WGLT team in 2024, bringing creativity and versatility to the station. From adding flair to on-air promos to sharing community updates about Central Illinois via WGLT’s on-air announcements, Lou’s voice is a familiar one on the airwaves.
An ISU School of
Communication senior majoring in mass media arts, Lou also serves as the studio
manager for the student-run radio station WZND. Beyond the studio, Lou is an
accomplished freelance voice actor and editor, with work that has earned
international recognition.
Lou Warner: “My internship at WGLT has given me the chance
to challenge myself. Before this, I’d never done a newscast, and I’d never
edited a podcast. There are so many new tools in my belt now than when I first
started. If I wasn't working at WGLT, I’d be scrambling for scholarships and
another job. This pays for my degree and allows me to get practical experience
while I’m at it. This is a sweet gig! After I graduate, I hope to pursue
creative production. I want to make cool things with cool people. And if I’m
really lucky, I’d like to do it abroad.”
WGLT and Redbirds by the numbers
25: WGLT interns annually
$2,500: Funds approximately one internship
$70,000: Annual internship budget