Ryan Denham

Ryan Denham started his career as a copy editor and later business and city government reporter at The Pantagraph in 2006. He later worked for WJBC radio in Bloomington. He now works in website development for Illinois State University and is a freelance reporter for WGLT.

Pritzker Touts Affordability In Higher Ed Plan During ISU Stop

By • Sep 27, 2018

Democratic candidate for governor JB Pritzker unveiled his higher education plan Wednesday during a stop at Illinois State University, pledging to spend millions more on financial aid for low-income students and those considering out-of-state schools.

Winners and Losers As Illinois Universities Report Fall Enrollment

By & IPR Contributors • Sep 13, 2018

Illinois’ public universities have finished tallying up their student bodies for the new school year, and once again it’s a mix of winners and losers.

As Airbnb Scene Thrives, Hotels Want Regulation

By • Jul 4, 2018
Ryan Denham / WGLT

A semipro baseball team. A band performing at the Castle Theatre. A mom visiting to watch her son play college football. A family reunion. An author writing a book about historic Route 66.

They’ve all stayed at Kevin Lewis’ house—one of the top Airbnb destinations in Bloomington-Normal. Lewis turned his 103-year-old bungalow on Locust Street into a short-term rental property, first as a way to make some extra money during a financial slump. Almost two years later, he’s still doing it.

Durbin Wants To Snuff Out Kid-Oriented Marketing Of E-Cigarettes

By • May 2, 2018
Ryan Denham / WGLT

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin called Tuesday for tougher regulations on e-cigarettes, especially the “insidious” marketing of flavored products to children.

Flanked by doctors and public health officials, the senior Democratic senator from Illinois said he wants to ban flavored e-cigarette products and standardize regulations on how e-cigs are sold — including where and the minimum age of customers.

Durbin Fears 'Mistakes' In Rushed Republican Tax Bill

By • Dec 15, 2017
J. Scott Applewhite/AP

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin criticized Republicans on Thursday for rushing to deliver a sweeping overhaul of tax laws before Christmas—a package that the senior Illinois Democrat says gives too much away to wealthy Americans and large corporations.

Like It Or Not: How Facebook Reshaped Political Campaigns In Illinois

By • Nov 24, 2017

Facebook is facing tough questions in the wake of the 2016 presidential election. Did Russians use social media to sway the election? Why is there so much fake news? Why isn’t Facebook more transparent?

Pritzker Says He'll Blend Business, Government Expertise

By • Oct 20, 2017

Democratic candidate for governor JB Pritzker said Thursday he knows the difference between running a business and running government and is experienced in both, unlike the two other wealthy businessmen—Bruce Rauner and Donald Trump—who’ve struggled in their transition to public office.