Category: Field Notes

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The Current: The Future of Vidwest

Since 2019, Columbia’s non-profit Vidwest Studios has “worked to advance the art of cinematic storytelling in Missouri and to serve Columbia’s growing grassroots media community.” For all of those years, funding for the community media center was provided by the City of Columbia. That funding is not guaranteed for next year.

Vidwest co-founder and studio manager Matt Schacht was a guest on The Current recently. He talked about the services Vidwest provides to a community full of creatives. With City funding for the media center proposed to end this fiscal year, Matt made the case for public funding via a City of Columbia contract for community media services.

The show also featured writings from participants at the Missouri Writers Project Summer Camp. Thanks to teacher Alicia Flavin for sharing the audio.

This program originally aired on Wednesday, July 29, 2026 on KOPN 89.5fm. New episodes of The Current air live each Wednesday from 5:00 to 6:00pm on 89.5fm in mid-Missouri and online at KOPN.org.

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The Current: The Center Project looks ahead and Boone County’s Clerk talks elections

The Center Project The Center Project provides safe, affirming space, programs and resources for LGBTQIA+ people in Mid-Missouri. On a recent episode of ‘The Current’, the Project’s new Executive Director Mel Constantine Miseo discussed their work and plans for the future of the Columbia-based non-profit.

Also on the show, Boone County Clerk Brianna Lennon previewed the August 4 election including shifting congressional maps. She also talked about the myriad challenges facing election professionals across these United States and in Missouri.

This program originally aired on Wednesday, July 22, 2026 on KOPN 89.5fm. New episodes of The Current air live each Wednesday from 5:00 to 6:00pm on 89.5fm in mid-Missouri and online at KOPN.org

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The Current: Live in-studio with The Onions

Local Columbia, Missouri pop band The Onions stopped by KOPN recently. Heather and Trevor visited with Taylor Bacon and John Galbrith about their musical histories, their friendship, and how success looks to them. The show featured a few live performances from the band’s latest albums.

This program originally aired on Wednesday, May 27, 2026 on KOPN 89.5fm. New episodes of The Current air live each Wednesday from 5:00 to 6:00pm on 89.5fm in mid-Missouri and online at KOPN.org.

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The Current: True/False Preview

This weekend, the True/False Film Festival returns to Columbia. Heather O’Connor and Trevor Harris interviewed three members of the fest team with a look ahead to some of the films and concerts happening this weekend.

This interview originally aired March 4, 2026 on ‘The Current’ on 89.5fm KOPN, Columbia.

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The Current: Mick Brewer on the Power in Communication

Dr. Mick Brewer is an Associate Professor of Communication Studies at Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Missouri.

Our communications are what we say and what we don’t say. Some people say what they want, when they want. Others monitor what you say in order to seem more like members of the dominant group. Communications scholar Dr. Mick Brewer talked with Trevor Harris in advance of a lecture Brewer gave on how we adjust what we say and who we represent based on the setting.

This segment originally aired on February 4, 2026 on 89.5fm KOPN, Columbia, Missouri’s community radio station.

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The Current: No Mo’ Income Tax?

Among the major issues that the Missouri General Assembly is considering during its 103rd session is a proposal to eliminate the state’s income tax. Trevor Harris visited with The Missouri Independent‘s Deputy Editor Rudi Keller about the what such a move could mean for those who work and shop in Missouri.

This segment originally aired on KOPN, Columbia, Missouri’s community radio station on Weds., January 28, 2026.

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The Current: Community Radio Returns to St. Louis

After decades on the air, St. Louis community radio station KDHX went off the air last year. A group of station alumni and new volunteers have formed a new non-profit to continue creating radio of and from their place.

LOVE of Community Radio members Jean Ponzi and Rich Reese joined Heather O’Connor and Trevor Harris for a discussion of the past, present and future of non-commercial radio in St. Louis.

This segment originally aired on KOPN 89.5fm on January 21, 2026.

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Remembering Celia’s Story: Pamela Westbrooks Hodge and Tom Clapp

Born into slavery around 1846, Celia was sold in 1850 to Robert Newsom, a widowed Callaway County farmer. Celia bore Newsom two children. After five years of sexual assault from Newsom, Celia defended herself. Newsom died in the interaction. Celia was tried, found guilty and hung for murder.

Since last year, the Celia Newsom Legacy Foundation has been working towards recognition and justice for Celia. On a recent episode of ‘The Current’ on KOPN, Trevor Harris and Heather O’Connor aired an interview with the Foundation’s founding president Pamela Westbrooks Hodge and Fulton Human Rights Commissioner Tom Clapp. They talked about Celia’s legacy and an upcoming event commemorating her life and celebrating her recent pardon.

This interview originally aired on Columbia, Missouri community radio station KOPN 89.5fm on December 17, 2025.

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The Impact of AI on Education: An Interview with Sai Nuguri

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Artificial Intelligence (AI) seems to taking over our world. The myriad benefits of AI are often touted, but there are growing ethical and environmental concerns.

One face of the future of AI is that of Sai Nuguri. She is pursuing a PhD at the University of Missouri in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. Her work uses virtual reality (VR) and AI in learning environments that benefit neuro-diverse students.

Trevor Harris and Heather O’Connor talked to Nuguri recently about her research and the future of VR and AI. This is an excerpt of that interview.

This interview originally aired on December 3, 2025 on KOPN 89.5fm.

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‘The Current’: Improv with Colin Bowles

Colin Bowles was a guest on KOPN recently. The Columbia, Missouri actor talked about the improv acting classes he is teaching at Columbia Entertainment Company. Colin demonstrated the improv method to great success with Heather O’Connor.

An improve student showcase happens on Thursday, December 11 at Columbia Entertainment Company.

Here’s more information about Colin Bowles’ improv classes.

This segment originally aired on KOPN, Columbia 89.5fm on Wednesday, November 19.