Radio Work - Cooper O'Kelly

WPGU 107.1, ESPN 93.5, WILL 580

At the beginning of my sophomore year, I got some advice from a mentor that inspired me to try out radio. Soon after, I joined our student-run radio station on campus, WPGU 107.1 FM, and haven't looked back since.

Currently, I'm a member of the WPGU executive board, as the director of both the Production and Sports departments. I actually founded the Sports Department and have managed it from the ground up, something I'm very proud of. In these roles, I've learned what it's like to be a leader, manage a team and build better communication skills. I also host a weekly on-air sports show, where I've learned to develop a better broadcasting presence, utilize WideOrbit and control the soundboard. As a member of the Production team, I've gained audio editing experience with Adobe Audition by editing ad spots and podcasts.

My radio work has continued to expand over the years, and I now work with two more outlets. I'm an intern with Champaign's local ESPN radio affiliate, ESPN 93.5 FM, where I've been learning what it's like to run a soundboard for a full-length, professional sports show and have been contributing to on-air content. I'm also a reporter at Illinois Public Media and WILL 580 AM, our local NPR affiliate. It’s been great to get more experience with audio editing, writing for radio, creating web stories and voicing spots. My work will be published online, go out over the air on Champaign-Urbana's NPR affiliate and be featured on IPM podcasts.

Illinois Public Media • February 17 2026

Kelly, Krishnamoorthi and Stratton participate in U.S. Senate candidate forum in Champaign - IPM Newsroom

CHAMPAIGN – Over 100 people showed up at Love Corner Church in Champaign Sunday to hear three Democratic candidates for U.S. Senate share their top priorities and answer questions from the audience.

The forum, hosted by the Illinois chapter of the NAACP and moderated by IPM News and Public Affairs Director Reginald Hardwick, featured the three frontrunners for the Democratic ticket: U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly, U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi and Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton.
Each candidate was a...