The Local Lens - Lawrenceville Unfiltered - Podcast

06/17/2026

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06/16/2026

🚨 NEW PODCAST EPISODE – EPISODE 25

In this episode of The Local Lens – Lawrenceville Unfiltered, we sit down with Keith Bellinger to break down the latest Lawrenceville City Council meeting and the issues that continue to dominate public discussion.

Topics include:

• The council's discussion of the latest U.S. EPA inspection report
• Public comments regarding wastewater operations and accountability
• Proposed changes to public comment rules at council meetings
• The annual appropriations ordinance
• Discussion of ward boundary changes
• Timekeeping and oversight issues
• Approval of side-by-sides on city streets
• A donation to Destiny Rescue and efforts to combat child trafficking

We also discuss the growing role that citizen involvement is playing in shaping local government decisions and why public engagement matters.

▶️ Watch Episode 25 here:
https://youtu.be/vIsbFvee3QU

Stay informed. Stay engaged. Your voice matters.

In this episode, Louie and Dwayne sit down with local resident Keit...

06/10/2026

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The Local Lens – Lawrenceville Unfiltered exists for one purpose: to provide an honest, unfiltered look at our hometown. We investigate issues in local government, bring clarity to decisions that impact residents, and feature candid conversations with the people who call Lawrenceville home. And we...

06/08/2026

Don’t just follow us on our page, go to our YouTube channel and subscribe. It’s free and it helps us out tremendously!

Just go to:

The Local Lens – Lawrenceville Unfiltered exists for one purpose: to provide an honest, unfiltered look at our hometown. We investigate issues in local government, bring clarity to decisions that impact residents, and feature candid conversations with the people who call Lawrenceville home. And we...

06/04/2026

🎶 NEW PODCAST EPISODE – EPISODE 24

In this episode of The Local Lens – Lawrenceville Unfiltered, we sit down with John "JC" Couch of Simply Jesus and One Cause to talk about faith, music ministry, and the upcoming FREEDOM Tour coming to Lawrenceville on June 13.

We discuss how JC got involved in Christian music, the mission behind the groups he serves with, and the purpose of the FREEDOM Tour, which combines music, worship, testimony, and education to raise awareness and support organizations working to help children affected by exploitation and trafficking.

This is a powerful conversation about faith, service, community, and making a difference.

▶️ Watch Episode 24 here:
https://youtu.be/5B1UB-4iRYI

🎟 Event Tickets:
https://therealonecause.com/freedomlawrenceville

Please consider sharing this episode and helping spread the word about this upcoming community event.

In this episode, Louie and Dwayne sit down with John "JC" Crouch, a...

06/03/2026

🎙️ NEW EPISODE RECORDING TONIGHT 🎙️

It’s been a little over two weeks since our last episode, but we’re heading back into the studio tonight to record a brand-new episode of The Local Lens – Lawrenceville Unfiltered.

Our guest is bringing an incredibly important topic to the table—one that we believe will spark conversation, raise awareness, and get people thinking.

We’re not ready to reveal all the details just yet, but trust us when we say...

YOU WON’T WANT TO MISS THIS ONE.

Stay tuned for updates, behind-the-scenes photos, and information on when the episode will be released.

👀 Any guesses what the topic might be?

05/30/2026

We know it’s been a little quiet lately on The Local Lens - Lawrenceville Unfiltered.

Life has a way of keeping people busy, and both Louie and Dwayne have had schedules that have been a bit more hectic than usual over the past few weeks. While we haven’t released a new episode recently, we want everyone to know that we’re still here and still moving forward.

We currently have several guests lined up for future episodes, and we’re also in the process of scheduling conversations with additional guests. We’re excited about what’s coming and look forward to bringing you more local stories, local voices, and local conversations soon.

If you enjoy what we’re doing, thank you for your continued support and patience.

And if you think you would make an interesting guest—or know someone who would—we’d love to hear from you. We’re always looking to sit down with local leaders, business owners, entrepreneurs, community advocates, public officials, longtime residents, and people with unique stories to tell.

Send us a message and let’s have a conversation.

REAL CONVERSATIONS.
REAL ISSUES.
REAL PEOPLE.

05/19/2026

TONIGHT’S TOWN HALL EVENT IS NOW AVAILABLE TO WATCH.

This special presentation from The Local Lens - Lawrenceville Unfiltered is a full recording of the independent community town hall held on May 18, 2026 at the Ruckers Retro Building in Lawrenceville.

During the event, Louie Campbell, Dwayne Volkman, and Scott Durrant discussed publicly available information related to the ongoing Illinois EPA issues involving the City of Lawrenceville’s wastewater treatment plant and drinking water system.

Topics discussed included:
• Illinois EPA notices and correspondence
• Wastewater treatment and reporting concerns
• Drinking water issues
• Infrastructure and compliance discussions
• Transparency and accountability
• Questions from members of the community

This was an open public forum intended to help residents better understand the information and documents surrounding these issues.

WATCH THE FULL RECORDING HERE:
https://youtu.be/RfdD_OnWd8s

Please LIKE, SHARE, and SUBSCRIBE to help us continue producing independent local content and long-form community discussions.

05/19/2026

🚨 NEW PODCAST EPISODE – EPISODE 23

In this episode of The Local Lens – Lawrenceville Unfiltered, we sit down with Staci Middagh to break down the latest city council meeting and the major issues discussed.

Topics include:
• Sewer rate increases tied to financing for a new WWTP
• Public comments regarding the utilities department
• Equipment purchases and financial discussions
• Proposed changes to the golf cart ordinance
• Playground equipment and city property matters
• Questions surrounding compliance with the city’s timeclock policy

We also discuss information presented about the proposed wastewater treatment plant project and the ongoing concerns many residents continue to raise about transparency and accountability.

▶️ Watch Episode 23 here:
https://youtu.be/zGn_PDkdqY0

Stay informed. Stay engaged.

05/04/2026

🎶 NEW PODCAST EPISODE – EPISODE 22

In this episode of The Local Lens – Lawrenceville Unfiltered, we sit down with Mike Harris from Mount Carmel to talk about a program that has brought free, family-friendly concerts to the community for the past 7 years.

Held at Merchants Park, this event series has grown into something that brings people together and creates real community connection.

Mike shares how it started, how it’s sustained, and what it takes to build something like this from the ground up.

We also talk about how something similar could potentially happen right here in Lawrenceville.

▶️ Watch Episode 22 here:
https://youtu.be/vBJbLbmf-wA

This is a great conversation about community, creativity, and what’s possible when people come together.

Episode 22 – Bringing Free Live Music to a Small Town: A Conversation with Mike Harris