The Current

12/18/2025

Remembering Celia's Story: as heard recently on 'The Current' on KOPN.

Born into slavery around 1836, Celia was sold in 1860 to Robert Newsom, a widowed Callaway County farmer. Celia bore Newsom two children. After five years of sexual assault by Newsom, Celia defende…

12/18/2025

Sai Nugari is a researcher who is using AI and VR to improve learning environments for neuro-divergent students. She talked with Trevor and Heather lately on 'The Current' on KOPN about her studies in the University of Missouri Computer Science Department and the future of AI.

Here's an excerpt of that interview just in case you missed it a couple weeks ago on the radio.

Screenshot 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. Sai Nugari is pursuing …

12/03/2025

https://recollectionagency.com/2025/12/03/the-current-on-kopn-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…

11/27/2025

Thanks to a collaboration with the Alternatives to Violence Program, we've been airing life stories from the Boonville Correctional Center the last few weeks. In case you missed it when we aired it, you're in good company. Most people missed it! Here's your chance to listen on your own time.

According to the Prison Policy Initiative, there were 24,000 people incarcerated in Missouri state prisons in 2024 with another 12,000 people housed in local jails. These prisoners are paying for t…

11/26/2025

Tune in to hear the saga behind Stephens Lake Park becoming the jewel that it is today. We’ll have Barbara Hoppe *and* Mike Sleadd in the studio! 5 p.m., 89.5 on the FM airwaves, and streaming at KOPN.org (and please forgive the misspelling below). ;)

Please take a minute to let us know what you enjoy about KOPN and what we can do to better serve you and the rest of our community!

11/02/2025

In case you missed it live last Wednesday, here's how it sounded when Heather O'Connor and Trevor Harris talked with the curators of a new show at the MU Museum of Art & Archaeology. Impressions: Black Spirit in America' runs through May 2026. Thanks to Dr. Donald Quist and Dr. Rima Girnius from MU for being guests on KOPN.

Dr. Donald Quist and Dr. Rima Girnius talk about the ongoing show at the MU Museum of Art and Archaeology, Impressions: Black Spirit in America. The show runs through May 2026. Details are here: https://maa.missouri.edu/exhibitions/impressions-black-spirit-america

09/02/2025

Pride Fest in Mid-Missouri is always something to look forward to. Put October 4&5 on your calendar! 🌈 there’s also a volunteer sign-up link if you’d like to get involved.

OCTOBER 4TH & 5TH 2025 In the North Village Arts District and streets surrounding Rose Music Hall

08/31/2025

📰 Coming Soon: "Can I Get That in Print?"
Columbia has long been a town known for its newspapers, and now, you'll be able to explore the story behind the presses! From early printing techniques to local publications, this exhibit uncovers the tools, stories, and people who brought words to life in Boone County.

📸 Pictured: Columbia Daily Tribune building at 7th and Cherry in the 1950s, a cornerstone of local journalism.

Exhibit opening soon at the Boone County History & Culture Center ! You won’t want to miss it.

08/31/2025

Missouri lawmakers will return to the Capitol to gerrymander the state’s congressional map in the hopes of creating a new Republican seat.

08/30/2025

The DBRL One Read kicks off this week with a conversation about North Woods that sparkles with enthusiasm and joy. Tune in Wednesday at 5, or check it out online through September 17 at KOPN.org. https://events.dbrl.org/event/14297751

Radio hosts Heather O'Connor and Trevor Harris will be joined by library staff for an in-depth exploration of the themes in this year's One Read book and the programs happening throughout the month of September.

08/21/2025

Enlightening activism: https://spinitron.com/KOPN/pl/21109378/The-Current
Thanks to Carol Denson, Karen Pasley and Kristi Perry for discussing numerous forms of activism and the tangible benefits; it was a terrific conversation! Click the link below to listen.

The Current is hosted by Heather O'Connor and Trevor Harris. The Current airs on KOPN 89.5FM | KOPN.org from 5-6pm Wednesdays.

08/16/2025

New Missourians to Abolish the Death Penalty Executive Director Heidi Moore dropped by the station last week to talk about a pending death sentence for Lance Shockley. Here's how things sounded when we talked live back on 8/6/2025.

New MADP Director Heidi Moore discusses her group's work in light of a October 14 death sentence for Lance Shockley. More information on the case is at https://www.madpmo.org/.