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Matt Brookens grew up in Springfield, got his film degree in Chicago, and works on productions in Los Angeles. Illinois Hell Hole is his passion project he has made into a radio film. -
Getty ImagesTwo-time Olympic gold medalist Ryan Held announced his retirement from professional swimming in August. The Springfield native earned both of his gold medals as part of the U.S. Men's 4×100 Freestyle Relay teams in 2016 and 2024.Held joins Community Voices to reflect on his swimming career, share his ongoing ties to his hometown of Springfield, and talk about the importance of supporting young athletes. He also discusses his career transition to a role at Goldman Sachs, and how swimming will continue to play a role in his life beyond competition.
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Editor Fletcher Farrar and Publisher Michelle Ownsby discuss the first 50 years of Springfield's alternative weekly, Illinois Times, and how it is evolving to increase its coverage of local news. -
Christina Shutt highlights artifacts from the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in new book, exhibit. -
Bea Bonner does her exit interview on Community Voices with Sean Crawford and Randy Eccles after eight years at NPR Illinois. -
The Springfield and Central Illinois African American History Museum has officially reopened. The museum had temporarily closed to undergo significant renovations aimed at creating a more immersive and interactive experience for visitors -
Keagan Cross and Harrison Ketchum of The Lovelorn share how the band is organizing a one-day festival to highlight central Illinois musicians after several festivals didn't take place this past year. The New Soil Music Festival is Nov. 1, 2025, 2 to 11 p.m. at Boondock's Pub. -
Community Voices contributor Craig McFarland talks with cast members Olivia Garrett and Jackson Thornton along with directors Nicole and John Sivak about the musical created from the film coming to the Hoogland Center for the Arts. -
Elnora Brooks and Calia Cole join Community Voices to share the work of R&B Live Ladies Edition and to elevate R&B in the central Illinois music scene. -
The Legacy Theatre will present the regional premier of Come From Away, September 26-28, October 2-5 and 8-12. -
Spencer Theatre Company’s production of Frankenstein runs October 10–12 and October 17–19 at the Hoogland Center for the Arts. -
The exhibit opened Sept. 18, 2025, at the Lincoln Library, Springfield's Public Library (directions/hours) as "Radio that Listens to You: 50 Years of NPR Illinois." It will run through May 2026. Michel Martin, NPR Morning Edition co-host, helped open the exhibit along with current and former staff, volunteers, students, donors, and friends (see slide show).
