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Heaven'lee Anne Henderson-O'Brien, 15, is a ninth grader at Normal West high school in Unit 5. Henderson-O'Brien tells a famous story, a horrible story of racial violence, and a story she believes must not be forgotten. Note: This reading includes graphic descriptions of violence and racial epithets.

Heaven'lee Anne Henderson-O'Brien, 15, is a ninth grader at Normal West high school in Unit 5. Henderson-O'Brien tells a famous story, a horrible story of racial violence, and a story she believes must not be forgotten. Note: This reading includes graphic descriptions of violence and racial epithets.

Hear the winning essays from the City of Bloomington's 2024 Black History Essay Contest.

Hear the winning essays from the City of Bloomington's 2024 Black History Essay Contest.

Black History Month essay contest winners (2024)

Sound Ideas is WGLT's signature local news series. Every weekday, WGLT reporters go beyond soundbites for deeper conversations with newsmakers, musicians, artists, and anyone with a story to share. New episodes air throughout the day on WGLT.

Sound Ideas is WGLT's signature local news series. Every weekday, WGLT reporters go beyond soundbites for deeper conversations with newsmakers, musicians, artists, and anyone with a story to share. New episodes air throughout the day on WGLT.

WGLT's Sound Ideas

WGLT's Sound Ideas is our flagship news program. Every weekday, WGLT reporters go beyond soundbites for deeper conversations with newsmakers, musicians, artists, and anyone with a story to share. This 30-minute newsmagazine is produced Monday through Friday. You can also subscribe to the Sound Ideas - Full Episodes podcast.

WGLT's Sound Ideas is our flagship news program. Every weekday, WGLT reporters go beyond soundbites for deeper conversations with newsmakers, musicians, artists, and anyone with a story to share. This 30-minute newsmagazine is produced Monday through Friday. You can also subscribe to the Sound Ideas - Full Episodes podcast.

Heaven'lee Anne Henderson-O'Brien

Central Illinois political leaders say they learned a lesson from Tuesday night’s results in the 2026 midterm election: voters are speaking for change.

Central Illinois political leaders say they learned a lesson from Tuesday night&rsquo;s results in the 2026 midterm election: voters are speaking for change.

Lessons Central Illinois leaders learned from the 2026 midterm election results

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/090e86c6-4ab6-4873-b560-afff01256522/clips/b6413bf6-2e1a-4305-844d-b4f9006fe5cf/transcript

For the first time in 44 years, a Democrat will hold countywide elected office in McLean County. Democrat Joshua Crockett defeated incumbent Republican Kathy Michael on Tuesday as she sought a fifth term as McLean County clerk.

With all but a handful of precincts left to count, McLean County Democratic Party Chair Patrick Cortesi declared victory at around 9:30 p.m. with Crockett ultimately edging out Michael by a 12-point margin. Crockett was leading with 56% of the vote with 100% of precincts reporting unofficial results.

For the first time in 44 years, a Democrat will hold countywide elected office in McLean County. Democrat Joshua Crockett defeated incumbent Republican Kathy Michael on Tuesday as she sought a fifth term as McLean County clerk.
With all but a handful of precincts left to count, McLean County Democratic Party Chair Patrick Cortesi declared victory at around 9:30 p.m. with Crockett ultimately edging out Michael by a 12-point margin. Crockett was leading with 56% of the vote with 100% of precincts reporting unofficial results.

Joshua Crockett defeats McLean County Clerk Kathy Michael, becoming first countywide Democrat in four decades

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/090e86c6-4ab6-4873-b560-afff01256522/clips/320370a1-4d84-4044-8f1e-b4f801073b56/transcript

McLean County Board Chair Elizabeth Johnston said she was pleased with the results and that voters "voted in their best interests." Johnston said people are more attuned to politics thanks to national issues, but that she didn't think it was the only reason Democrats saw success locally.

"It's really about the candidates themselves," she said. "We've continued for eight years to increase the caliber of candidates that we have and it's really resonated with the voters."

McLean County Board Chair Elizabeth Johnston said she was pleased with the results and that voters "voted in their best interests." Johnston said people are more attuned to politics thanks to national issues, but that she didn't think it was the only reason Democrats saw success locally.
"It's really about the candidates themselves," she said. "We've continued for eight years to increase the caliber of candidates that we have and it's really resonated with the voters."

Democrats increase McLean County Board majority as Republicans hold rural districts

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/090e86c6-4ab6-4873-b560-afff01256522/clips/c92d7a70-fcc1-47bc-98c4-b4f80106c23b/transcript

Heaven'lee Anne Henderson-O'Brien

Black History Month essay contest winners (2024)

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