City launches new podcast

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The city of Springfield has launched a new podcast.

Called SGF Local Matters, the podcast is hosted by Mayor Ken McClure and Director of Public Information and Civic Engagement Cora Scott, according to a news release.

The goal of the podcast is to highlight "the area’s fascinating people" and give listeners and viewers a peek behind the scenes at city projects and initiatives, officials say.

“I am excited about having meaningful and interesting conversations with some of our community’s most interesting people, and in the ability to have an in-depth conversation about the many projects the city has underway,” McClure said in the release. “We hope people will tune in and maybe decide to engage further by joining a board or commission, or even participate in the civic process of making our city better.”

The first episode, available on the Apple and Spotify platforms and also posted to YouTube, features an interview with Mark Hecquet, president and CEO of the Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Scott said via email that one episode of SGF Local Matters is planned per month. New expenses were not recorded, she said, noting the city already had video production equipment.

The city previously introduced a podcast called Workforce Vibe, according to past reporting. Seventeen episodes ran from July 2021 to September 2022, according to its Spotify page.