Lynette Kalsnes

Editor, Arts and Culture
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Lynette Kalsnes is editor of the Arts and Culture Desk at WBEZ, and supervises the Pritzker Journalism Fellowship.

Lynette joined WBEZ in September 2003. Before becoming a desk editor, Lynette was WBEZ's arts and culture reporter, with a special interest in covering the area's unique and diverse neighborhoods, including their religious and ethnic traditions. She manages the Fellows, and established the curriculum and training program.

She previously had covered issues including science and immigration, including deep dives into immigrant housing and resettlement for Chicago Matters, and water policy for Front & Center. Before that, she worked as a producer running the News Desk.

Her work has appeared on National Public Radio and Great Lakes Radio Consortium, and been recognized by PRNDI, the RTNDA Murrow award, the Illinois Associated Press and by the Chicago Headline Club with three Lisagor awards. Prior to joining WBEZ, Lynette reported for more than a dozen years at newspapers including the Chicago Tribune, Kalamazoo Gazette, Fairbanks Daily News-Miner and the Medina County Gazette, earning several awards.

Lynette is a Fellow with the News Literacy Project, and serves on the board of the Association for Women Journalists-Chicago, chairing the Program Committee. Lynette has a B.A. in journalism with honors from Michigan State University, and studied abroad in England. Originally from Minnesota, Lynette resides in Chicago with her husband.

Recent stories by this author

Audience becomes jury in courtroom drama

Oct. 13, 2011
An Evanston playwright hopes to make his audience members examine their own religious and racial divisions. He’s written a play called Defamation.

Prominent radio host runs for office — in Poland

Oct. 7, 2011
Cable TV news is already full with coverage of the upcoming presidential race, which happens to be more than a year away still. But for thousands of Chicagoans, one important election season ends this very weekend. Polish people living in the U.S. are voting in their general election Saturday.

Sculptor who died in plane crash that killed Polish leaders honored

Sep. 23, 2011
A Chicago area artist who died in the plane crash that killed the Polish president and dozens of other Polish leaders last year is being remembered this weekend. He’s beloved in the Polish community because of a monument he sculpted that stands in a Niles cemetery.

Exhibit gives genocide survivors a new voice

Sep. 21, 2011
A new exhibit at the Cambodian American Heritage Museum and Killing Fields Memorial sent chills up Soung San’s spine.“Remembering the Killing Fields” uses artifacts, images and oral histories to tell the stories of Cambodians now living in Illinois who survived the Khmer Rouge.Soung San, who survive

In exhibit, survivors remember the Killing Fields

Sep. 21, 2011
A new exhibit at the Cambodian American Heritage Museum and Killing Fields Memorial sent chills up Soung San’s spine.“Remembering the Killing Fields” uses artifacts, images and oral histories to tell the stories of Cambodians now living in Illinois who survived the Khmer Rouge.Soung San, who survive

Lyric Opera singers' union threatens to strike

Aug. 12, 2011
The union representing singers and dancers at Lyric Opera of Chicago is threatening to strike.The American Guild of Musical Artists represents nearly everyone on stage at the Lyric: the singers, the dancers, the actors and the production staff.

Photos: Climate change in Lake Superior

Jul. 14, 2011
 Wednesday we reported how climate change isn’t just hitting polar bears and melting glaciers. Scientists and advocates say it’s hitting the Great Lakes too. Now, see the land and people who are feeling and researching the impact.

Climate change hits mightiest of the Great Lakes

Jul. 13, 2011
Climate change isn’t just hitting polar bears and melting glaciers. Scientists and advocates say it’s affecting the Great Lakes too, even Lake Superior, the lake that’s so big, all the other Great Lakes could fit inside with room to spare.

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