The City of Bloomington has announced this year's winners of its annual Black History Essay Contest. You'll hear them over the next week on WGLT's Sound Ideas, or you can listen on-demand below.

The City of Bloomington has announced this year's winners of its annual Black History Essay Contest. You'll hear them over the next week on WGLT's Sound Ideas, or you can listen on-demand below.

Black History Month essay contest winners (2025)

Sound Ideas is WGLT's flagship news program. Every weekday, WGLT reporters go beyond soundbites for deeper conversations with Bloomington-Normal newsmakers, musicians, artists, and anyone with a story to share. This 30-minute newsmagazine is produced Monday through Friday.

Sound Ideas is WGLT's flagship news program. Every weekday, WGLT reporters go beyond soundbites for deeper conversations with Bloomington-Normal newsmakers, musicians, artists, and anyone with a story to share. This 30-minute newsmagazine is produced Monday through Friday.

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.

Zayla Nixon

Dan Hubbard didn’t set out to write a concept album. But as he compiled the six songs that became his first studio release since 2019, Hubbard said the thread of Letting Go felt obvious.

Dan Hubbard didn&rsquo;t set out to write a concept album. But as he compiled the six songs that became his first studio release since 2019, Hubbard said the thread of Letting Go felt obvious.

After 20 years and 10 albums, B-N singer-songwriter Dan Hubbard is letting go and writing better than ever

On his final day in Washington for 2025, U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen is taking a victory lap after what he describes as a difficult, but productive year at the Capitol — and at home.

On his final day in Washington for 2025, U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen is taking a victory lap after what he describes as a difficult, but productive year at the Capitol &mdash; and at home.

Sorensen reflects on his year in Congress — with some legislative wins and health care at a standstill

As a senior at Normal Community High School, Tye Niekamp’s goal was “finding someone who was going to coach me hard” on the college level. He didn’t have to look far. The man for the job lived in the same house. Travis Niekamp is Illinois State’s defensive coordinator and inside linebackers coach. As a parent, he is “extremely proud” of sons Tye, the Redbirds’ All-American junior middle linebacker, and Dexter, a redshirt freshman linebacker.

As a senior at Normal Community High School, Tye Niekamp&rsquo;s goal was &ldquo;finding someone who was going to coach me hard&rdquo; on the college level.&nbsp;He didn&rsquo;t have to look far. The man for the job lived in the same house.&nbsp;Travis Niekamp is Illinois State&rsquo;s defensive coordinator and inside linebackers coach. As a parent, he is &ldquo;extremely proud&rdquo; of sons Tye, the Redbirds&rsquo; All-American junior middle linebacker, and Dexter, a redshirt freshman linebacker.

Zayla Nixon

Black History Month essay contest winners (2025)

In 1 playlist(s)

WGLT's Sound Ideas

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips