As WDET closes out its 75th anniversary year, we’ll be providing your soundtrack for the holiday season!

In celebration of legendary broadcaster Ed Love’s contributions to jazz, our city, and to Detroit public radio, WDET will be re-airing Love’s landmark program Evolution of Jazz, giving you a soundtrack for the holiday season.

Ed Love began broadcasting jazz in 1960 at various radio stations, and has spent more than 40 years on WDET’s airwaves. At 92 years old, Love still delights our listeners with his Destination Jazz program, first launched at WDET in 1983.

Tune in from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays beginning Wednesday, Dec. 25 through Friday, Jan. 3 to hear highlights from Love’s six seasons of Evolution of Jazz. 

You can pick up some Ed Love goodies at Support WDET Detroit — there are two Ed Love t-shirts and Ed’s list of Who’s Who in Jazz in Ed’s handwritten booklet.

On Saturday, Dec. 21, Modern Music host Jon Moshier is once again teaming up with Detroit record collector and DJ Dave Lawson to bring you a brand-new collection of rare and sometimes unusual holiday tunes. From vintage rock and soul, country and western, funk, electronic experimentations and lounge music, it’s the best holiday music you’ve ever heard!

Tune into The (Not So) Modern Music Holiday Special from 4-6 p.m. this Saturday, or if you miss it, catch the re-air at 10 p.m. on Christmas Eve.

Many of our music hosts will be playing their favorite releases of 2024 before the year’s end. Visit wdet.org/playlists to view track lists or listen to your favorite shows on-demand for two weeks after they air.

As WDET welcomes Noel Night visitors throughout the day and into the evening on Saturday, we’ll also be hosting the station’s first ever fundraiser game show — “WHAT GIVES?” — broadcasting LIVE from 6-10 p.m. at WDET Studios.

Hosted by WDET’s own Ryan Patrick Hooper and Amanda Le Claire, the game show is designed to test contestants’ knowledge of our fair city while helping to raise money for Detroit Public Radio.

Tune in to join the fun, or better yet, come on down to WDET Studios and watch the show live! We’ll be hosting Noel Night visitors until 10 p.m. on Saturday, offering tours of the station, opportunities to meet your favorite WDET hosts, sweet treats, coffee, hot cocoa and more!

And for those who haven’t yet made a gift to WDET during our 2024 On Air Holiday Fundraiser, today is the last day to support your favorite public radio station before fundraiser ends. All new members who make a donation during the Holiday Fundraiser will be treated to a brand new WDET Stadium Scarf! For a full list of thank you gifts available during fundraiser, visit wdet.org/thanks.

Click here to listen live!

WDET is located at 4600 Cass Avenue, on the first floor of Wayne State’s University Tower building. 

Tonight on The Detroit Evening Report, we cover a bill package moving forward in the state legislature that would protect Indigenous students’ rights to wear tribal regalia to graduation ceremonies; the upcoming deadline to apply for Detroit Neighborhood Beautification grants and more.

Subscribe to the Detroit Evening Report on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

Anti-discrimination legislation for indigenous students moves forward

State legislation that will allow indigenous students to wear traditional tribal regalia to graduation ceremonies is moving forward. At least 12 other states have passed similar laws to allow indigenous people to honor their traditions at public events. Tribals members say the move will help build trust with schools in their communities. Regalia and objects that would be protected under the new law would be any items that hold tribal ancestral or ceremonial significance for Native American people, such as headdresses, masks, feathers, or beadwork.  The House Higher Education Committee approved the bills to go to vote. 

 New report offers latest data on Arab American community

A new report released by the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey is being called the most comprehensive data on Arab Muslim and Chaldean Americans across the country. It’s called the “Portrait of Arab Americans” and estimates there are between 3 and 5 million Arab Americans nationwide. Historically, the community has been undercounted because Arabs have been legally categorized as white in government data such as the census. To view the report or for more information visit arabnarratives.org.

Application window open for Detroit Neighborhood Beautification grants

The deadline to apply for a grant through Detroit’s Neighborhood Beautification Program is Dec. 13. Block clubs, neighborhood associations, nonprofit organizations and faith-based groups can apply for grants ranging from $500 to $15,000. Grants can be used for community gardens, public space improvements, and clean up activities. This is the fifth and final round of the beautification program. The city is looking to award up to 96 organizations a total of $1.4 million. Visit the city of Detroit’s website for more information.

We The People, Detroit vs. Everybody launch ‘Water for Everybody’ campaign

Detroit vs Everybody and We the People of Detroit will celebrate Human Rights Day with the launch of the “Water for Everybody” campaign. The campaign aims to raise awareness about water justice and advocacy for equitable water policies. The event will feature community leaders, influencers, and policymakers taking the Water Affordability Pledge to spotlight water access as a basic human need. The event will be at the Detroit Vs Everybody Store on 44 W Columbia Street in Detroit on Tuesday, December 10th from 4:00pm to 7:00 pm. 

Highland Park tree lighting

Highland Park is hosting its City Tree Lighting and A Christmas in the Park event from 3-6 p.m. this Saturday, Dec. 7, with the lighting ceremony beginning at 6 p.m. The event will feature music, crafts and treats and take place at Massachusetts Park, 12170 Woodward Ave., Highland Park. To volunteer or sponsor, contact Sydney Spight at 248-228-6369.  

Do you have a community story we should tell? Let us know in an email at detroiteveningreport@wdet.org.

Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel will deliver his 12th annual State of Macomb County address in Clinton Township at on Wednesday.

The former Macomb County sheriff is expected to cover a wide range of topics, including this year’s accomplishments and partnerships, as well as the year’s challenges and other highlights. He will also layout his plans for the county in 2025 — with some contemplating whether he may signal a potential run for Michigan governor in 2026.

The address comes just a few weeks after Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan announced he would not seek reelection in 2025. Duggan, a longtime Democrat, just announced on Wednesday that he will be running for governor of Michigan in 2026 as an independent.

The crowd of attendees at the State of Macomb County address will be invitation-only, but it will be livestreamed on Macomb County’s website via YouTube.

Tune in at 6 p.m. to watch the stream below.

WDET kickstarted its 2024 Holiday Fundraiser on Giving Tuesday, and for those who already made a gift to the station, your support is greatly appreciated!

As WDET’s 75th anniversary year comes to a close,

Throughout the five-day fundraiser, listeners who make a donation during their favorite WDET programs will have an opportunity to win exciting incentives.

Gregory Porter tickets

Make a donation of any amount during The Metro from 10 a.m.-noon on Wednesday and Friday; In The Groove with Ryan Patrick Hooper from 12-4 p.m. Thursday; or during Alternate Take with Liz Warner from 8-10 p.m. Thursday, and you will be entered into a drawing for two tickets to see Grammy-winning Jazz vocalist Gregory Porter at the Detroit Opera House on Dec. 12.

There will also be an opportunity to win a pair of tickets on Saturday — the last day of WDET’s Holiday Fundraiser — during Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music from 2-4 p.m.

Samara Joy tickets

Tune in and make a gift to WDET during The Metro from 10 a.m.-noon on Thursday; In The Groove from 12-4 p.m. Wednesday and Friday; The Boulevard with Waajeed from 8-10 p.m. Wednesday; or during Ann Delisi’s Essential Music from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, and you could win a pair of tickets to see Grammy-award winning jazz vocalist Samara Joy on her A Joyful Holiday tour, coming to Detroit’s Fisher Theatre on Thursday, Dec. 19.

NY Times Digital subscription

Make a donation of any amount during Morning Edition from 5-10 a.m. on Wednesday or Friday, during All Things Considered with host Russ McNamara from 4-6 p.m. Thursday, or during Weekend Edition from 8-10 a.m. Saturday, and you’ll be entered to win a year-long New York Times digital subscription.

HollyDazzle tickets

Make a donation during Morning Edition from 5-10 a.m on Thursday; during All Things Considered from 4-6 p.m. Wednesday and Friday; or during Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me! from 10-11 a.m. on Saturday to win tickets to HollyDazzle, a holiday light display and winter wonderland featuring more than a dozen Christmas scenes and millions of lights, nestled within the grounds of the Michigan Renaissance Festival in Holly.

Bowlero bowling passes

Lastly, listeners who make a gift of any amount during Modern Music with Jon Moshier from 4-6 p.m. on Saturday could win two free passes to Bowlero Lanes & Lounge in Royal Oak.

Tune in to WDET at 101.9 FM to hear the latest incentives being offered before the 2024 Holiday Fundraiser ends on Dec. 7.

For several years, WDET has participated in Giving Tuesday as a one-day fundraiser.

This year, Giving Tuesday will mark the first day of WDET’s Holiday Fundraiser – a five-day fundraising event that will come to a close on Saturday, Dec. 7, with Midtown Detroit’s 50th annual Noel Night celebration, of which WDET will be participating!

WDET is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, and we couldn’t have gotten to where we are today without support from members and listeners like you. In this eventful year, WDET made significant program changes and as a result, our audience has grown. At 75, WDET is not slowing down, and we continue to strive every day to bring Detroiters the high-quality news, music and conversation they have come to rely upon over the years.

If you would like to be part of WDET’s future, consider making a gift today. Those who make a donation during fundraiser can select from a variety of thank you gifts at wdet.org/thanks and choose the amount that’s right for you.

Three new gifts will be available during WDET’s Holiday Fundraiser, including:

• An Evening with David Sedaris: When you donate $100/month, you’ll receive four tickets to “An Evening with David Sedaris” on April 8 at Detroit’s Fisher Theatre, as well as a copy of Sedaris’ hilarious books “Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim” and “Happy Go Lucky.”
• Essential Music Tour with Ann Delisi + Rob Reinhart: For a gift of $75/month, you and a guest will be treated to brunch, an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of WDET Studios with Ann Delisi and Rob Reinhart, and a live studio performance by Syrian American guitarist, pianist and composer Kareem Kanouh on Jan. 18, 2024. You and your guest will also receive an Ann Delisi T-Shirt!
• NEW MEMBERS ONLY – WDET Stadium Scarf: New members who make a gift of any amount during the Holiday Fundraiser will get a limited edition WDET stadium scarf.

Help keep WDET sustainable for the next 75 years, and make your gift today!