And the award(s) go to…WDET

By: Natalie Albrecht

18 June 2026 at 18:41

After another year of standout reporting, storytelling and music programming, WDET has earned more than 40 awards from some of the industry’s most respected journalism and broadcasting organizations.

“It’s a great honor for the WDET staff to receive these awards. We work long hours to bring Detroiters the news, music and conversation that they deserve,” said News Director Jerome Vaughn. “Despite the challenges we face, we will continue providing listeners with the information they need to understand what’s going on in the region and make informed decisions in the voting booth.”

Leading the honors is a Regional Edward R. Murrow Award, one of broadcast journalism’s most prestigious recognitions. WDET also received awards from the Michigan Association of Broadcasters, the Society of Professional Journalists, Public Media Journalists Association and the National Headliner Awards.

The awards reflect the scope of WDET’s work, recognizing excellence in journalism, music programming, digital content and community storytelling.

Station Manager Mary Zatina feels that the awards WDET received reflects the importance of quality local journalism. “I am super proud of the WDET team. These awards from external experts underscore that the station staff are truly fulfilling our mission of community service and doing so with professionalism and excellence.”

Local-interest series such as “Citizen Vox Project,” “CuriosiD” and the culture-focused “Container on The Metro” were among the recognized projects, alongside award-winning reporting from programs including “The Metro,” “All Things Considered: Detroit” and “Morning Edition Detroit.”

“These awards reflect the talent, diligence and creativity of our entire team. Whether it’s local journalism, music programming or community storytelling, our staff works every day to create content that is distinctly Detroit and deeply connected to the people we serve. It’s gratifying to see that work recognized by our peers,” said Program Director Adam Fox.

Pat Batcheller wins the Region 7 Murrow for ‘Morning Edition Detroit’ newscast

The award-winning 7 a.m. broadcast of “Morning Edition Detroit” on Oct. 16, 2025, featured coverage of Detroit’s mayoral debate and residents’ reactions, city beautification efforts and other local news from across the region.

As in all of his broadcasts, Batcheller navigates seamlessly between news, weather and traffic, demonstrating the skill and versatility of a seasoned host and trusted reporter.

“Our newscasts are a team effort. I’m grateful to work with journalists who go out and get good stories and bring people’s voices into our daily coverage of what’s happening in our community,” said Batcheller.

This marks his first Murrow Award.

Local Awards

Society of Professional Journalist awards

The Society of Professional Journalists honored WDET journalists with first place in several reporting categories, such as arts, auto, investigative, education, sports and more. Stories documenting ICE detention and global conflict from local perspectives spoke to the key issues of today, earning The Metro several awards.

First place

Arts Reporting/Criticism
“Container on the Metro: Elonte Davis”
Tia Graham, Conor Anderson, Jose Llanas, David Leins

Autos Reporting/Reviews
“CuriosiD: Did Automakers Sabotage Public Transit?”
Quinn Klinefelter

Breaking/Spot News Reporting
“Activists gather outside Somerset Mall for ‘Tesla Takedown’ rally”
Alex McLenon

Community/Local News Reporting
“Dearborn brands itself as ‘The Coffee Capital'”
Bre’Anna Tinsley

Consumer/Watchdog/Investigative Reporting
“Windsorites annoyed, disappointed with Trump’s treatment of Canada”
Russ McNamara

Education Reporting
“DSA West African Dance Students Bring Kwanzaa to the Community”
Sascha Raiyn

Feature Reporting
“CuriosiD: What’s the Oldest Bar in Detroit?”
Ryan Patrick Hooper

General News/Enterprise Reporting
“Shustho: Mind, Body, and Spirit”
Nargis Rahman

News/Public Affairs (regular scheduled programs)
“The Metro: Expunged on paper, not in court. A Hmong dad’s detention in Michigan”
Robyn Vincent, Sam Corey, Tia Graham, Cary Junior II, David Leins

Newscast
7:04 a.m. WDET news 10/16/25
Pat Batcheller

Sports Reporting
“Detroit Grand Prix Secures New Contract Despite Uncertainties”
Alex McLenon

Second place

Arts Reporting/Criticism
“Container on the Metro: Bev Love”
Tia Graham, Conor Anderson, Jose Llanas, David Leins

Autos Reporting/Reviews
“Ford Motor Company opens new world headquarters building”

Alex McLenon

Breaking/Spot News Reporting
No Kings Protest 06/14/25
Russ McNamara

Feature Reporting
“CuriosiD: What Up Doe?”
Russ McNamara

General News/Enterprise Reporting
“CuriosiD: Why isn’t Lake St. Clair a “Great Lake”?”
Pat Batcheller

News/Public Affairs (regular scheduled programs)
“The Metro: A voyage toward Gaza and into custody”
Robyn Vincent, Sam Corey, Tia Graham, Cary Junior II, David Leins

Newscast 7:04 p.m.
WDET News 11/05/25
Alex McLenon

Sports Reporting
“Lions fans struggle to believe team is Super Bowl favorite”
Quinn Klinefelter

News Photography
No Kings Protest 10/20/25
Russ McNamara

Third place

Arts Reporting/Criticism
“Container on the Metro: Ijania Cortez”
Tia Graham, Conor Anderson, Jose Llanas, David Leins

Feature Reporting
“WDET Origins: 75th Anniversary”
Jerome Vaughn

General News/Enterprise Reporting
“Former Russian hostage Paul Whelan still feels trapped by Michigan red tape”
Quinn Klinefelter

News/Public Affairs (regular scheduled programs)
“The Metro: They came to America as toddlers, decades later one is detained by ICE”
Robyn Vincent, Sam Corey, Tia Graham, Cary Junior II, David Leins

Newscast
11:04 a.m. WDET news 09/25/25
Amanda LeClaire

News Photography
June No Kings Protest 06/14/25
Russ McNamara

Fourth place

Arts Reporting/Criticism

“Container on the Metro: La Cecille”
Tia Graham, Conor Anderson, Jose Llanas, David Leins

Newscast
8:04 a.m. WDET news 02/18/25
Pat Batcheller

Michigan Association of Broadcasters

The Michigan Association of Broadcasters recognized WDET’s work in the social sphere and gave a nod to music shows like Waajeed’s The Boulevard and Mike Latulippe’s The Detroit Move— a great send off to the latter show, which retired this past winter.

Best

Special Interest & Cultural Programming
“Detroit to Gloryland”
Credits: Sascha Raiyn

Use of Multiplatform Media – Promotional/Membership Materials
Coney Dog
Credits: Ryan Patrick Hooper, Conor Anderson, Sophia Jozwiak, Jose Llanas

Membership Appeal
Fall OAF 2025 – “The Boulevard”
Credits: Sam Beaubien, Wajeed

Mini-Documentary or Series
“CuriosiD”
Credits: WDET News

Merit

Marketing Materials & Promos
WDET Music Show Promo 2
Credits: Sam Beaubien, Conor Anderson, Jose Llanes, Nate Bender

Musical Programming
“The Detroit Move”
Credits: Mike Latulippe

Special Interest & Cultural Programming
“Container on the Metro”
Credits: Tia Graham, Conor Anderson, Jose Llanes, David Leins

Use of Multiplatform Media – Programming Materials
“Container on the Metro”
Credits: Tia Graham, Conor Anderson, Jose Llanes, David Leins

Use of Multiplatform Media – Promotional/Membership Materials
Trust fall
Credits: Ryan Patrick Hooper, Cary Junior II, Sophia Jozwiak

Membership Appeal
Fall OAF 2025 – Protest
Credits: Sam Beaubien, Russ McNamara

Community Involvement
“Citizen Vox Project”
Credits: WDET News

National Awards

National Headliner Awards

Founded in 1934 by the Press Club of Atlantic City, the National Headliner Awards are among the oldest and most respected journalism competitions in the country. Earning national recognition in the contest is an achievement in itself, and WDET received two awards this year.

Third place recognition

Radio local documentary or public affairs
“The Metro”
The Metro staff

Radio local news series
“Trump Tariff Effects”
Russ McNamara

Public Media Journalists Association

The Public Media Journalists Association (PMJA) champions journalistic excellence across public media, honoring journalists whose work informs, engages and empowers their communities. The national awards program recognizes some of the best reporting and storytelling from stations across the country. This year, WDET earned five PMJA awards, highlighting the impact of its journalism and community-focused programming.

PMJA awards

Arts Feature
First Place
“Container on the Metro – Bevlove”
Tia Graham, Conor Anderson, Jose Llanes

Audience Engagement
First Place
“CuriosiD”
WDET

Second Place
“Detroit to Gloryland” (Yosemite)
Sascha Raiyn

Human Interest Feature
First Place
“CuriosiD: What is the origin of “What up doe?””
Russ McNamara

Interview
Second Place
“Former Russian hostage Paul Whelan still feels trapped by Michigan red tape”
Quinn Klinefelter

Support local journalism.

WDET strives to cover what’s happening in your community. As a public media institution, we maintain our ability to explore the music and culture of our region through independent support from readers like you. If you value WDET as your source of news, music and conversation, please make a gift today.

Give now »

The post And the award(s) go to…WDET appeared first on WDET 101.9 FM.

WDET 101.9 FM
Ann Delisi: A conversation with Grammy Award winning musician Tony Rich
14 April 2026 at 16:29

Ann Delisi: A conversation with Grammy Award winning musician Tony Rich

WDET 101.9 FM

By: Ann Delisi

14 April 2026 at 16:29

On October 24, 2025, Ann Delisi was invited by her friend and collaborator, Chef James Rigato, to interview 4-time Grammy Award-winning musician, songwriter and producer Tony Rich in the intimate setting of Chef Rigato’s award-winning restaurant, Mabel Gray.

Listen: Ann Delisi’s full conversation with Tony Rich

Celebrating the 30th Anniversary of his album “Words”, Rich came to Mabel Gray to perform songs from the album and talk with Ann about the importance of his relationship with his father, living in Detroit and fascinating stories about his life in the music business.

They talked in front of an enthusiastic audience of friends, family and fans.

Support the shows you love.

WDET’s unique music programs are dedicated to exploring the music and culture of our region and the world. Keep the music going. Please make a gift today. Give now »

The post Ann Delisi: A conversation with Grammy Award winning musician Tony Rich appeared first on WDET 101.9 FM.

The Oakland Press
The Grammys are here with Kendrick Lamar leading the nominees
1 February 2026 at 17:46

The Grammys are here with Kendrick Lamar leading the nominees

The Oakland Press

By: Associated press

1 February 2026 at 17:46

By MARIA SHERMAN, Associated Press

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The 68th annual Grammy Awards will take place Sunday with a dramatically different tone than last year.

The 2025 award show was completely reimagined and refocused to relief efforts following the devastating Los Angeles-area wildfires. In 2026, focus has been placed once again on the music, where Kendrick Lamar, Lady Gaga, Bad Bunny and more will go head-to-head.

Comedian Trevor Noah will host for a sixth and final year and history could be made when some of the biggest names in music gather. Here’s some key things to know ahead of Sunday’s show at the Crypto.com Arena.

How to watch the show and red carpet

The main show will air live on CBS beginning at 8 p.m. Eastern on Feb. 1.

The Grammys can also be watched through live TV streaming services that include CBS in their lineup, like Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV and FuboTV.

Paramount+ premium plan subscribers will be able to stream the Grammys live; Paramount+ essential subscribers will have on-demand access the next day.

The premiere ceremony will take place just ahead of the Grammys’ ceremony at 3:30 p.m. Eastern, 12:30 p.m. Pacific at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. It can be streamed at the Recording Academy’s YouTube channel and on live.GRAMMY.com.

The Associated Press will stream a four-hour red carpet show with interviews and fashion footage. It will be streamed on YouTube and APNews.com ahead of the Grammys on Sunday.

Who’s nominated at the 2025 Grammys

Kendrick Lamar leads the 2026 Grammy Award nominations with nine. Lady Gaga, Jack Antonoff and Canadian record producer/songwriter Cirkut follow with seven nominations each.

Sabrina Carpenter, Bad Bunny, Leon Thomas and Serban Ghenea all boast six nominations. Andrew Watt, Clipse, Doechii, Sounwave, SZA, Turnstile and Tyler, the Creator have five each.

Jack Antonoff, Kendrick Lamar, and Lady Gaga are shown in a combination of photos. — This combination of photos show Jack Antonoff, left, Kendrick Lamar, center, and Lady Gaga. (AP Photo)

Who’s attending and performing at the Grammys

Doechii, Harry Styles, Carole King, Chappell Roan, Charli xcx, Jeff Goldblum, Karol G, Lainey Wilson, Marcello Hernández, Nikki Glaser, Q-Tip, Queen Latifah and Teyana Taylor will present at the 2026 Grammys.

Performers include Justin Bieber, Clipse, Pharrell Williams, Sabrina Carpenter Bruno Mars, Rosé, Tyler, the Creator, Lady Gaga and all eight of this year’s best new artist nominees: Leon Thomas, Olivia Dean, global girl group Katseye, The Marías, Addison Rae, sombr, Alex Warren and Lola Young.

Reba McEntire, Brandy Clark and Lukas Nelson will take the stage for the in memoriam. Ms. Lauryn Hill will pay tribute to D’Angelo and Roberta Flack. Post Malone, Andrew Watt, Chad Smith, Duff McKagan and Slash will honor Ozzy Osbourne.

Karol G arrives at the Pre-Grammy Gala on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026, at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

FILE – Kendrick Lamar performs during halftime of the NFL Super Bowl 59 football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II, File)

How to watch tonight’s 2026 Grammys

The Oakland Press

By: Associated press

1 February 2026 at 17:37

By MARIA SHERMAN, Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) — Sunday’s Grammys mark a return to normalcy after the 2025 show was altered to focus on Los Angeles-area wildfire relief efforts.

“I think we will see some history-making moments,” Recording Academy CEO and President Harvey Mason jr. told The Associated Press. “With artists being nominated in categories they haven’t been previously nominated in, and a new crop of talent coming through the system this year — I think we’re going to see some really exciting results.”

Here’s how to watch the 2026 Grammys, including how to stream and where you can see music’s biggest stars walking the red carpet.

How do I watch the Grammys?

The main show will air live from LA’s Crypto.com Arena on CBS beginning at 8 p.m. Eastern. Paramount+ premium plan subscribers will be able to stream the telecast live, too. (Paramount+ essential subscribers will have on-demand access the next day.)