WDET's Adam Fox

On Monday, November 25, Wayne State University's WDET-FM will refresh its programming schedule again with changes informed by additional input from our community. Sixty percent of the new schedule will feature local programming — up from 51% previously. The station has said they will include more daily local coverage of news, arts and culture, with more input and call-in dialogue from listeners on an expanded The Metro, more local and national reporting on Morning Edition, and more opportunities for listeners to hear their one-of-a-kind music programming every weekday evening with an expanded weeknight music schedule.

Other changes include more music overnights with rebroadcasts of In the Groove Monday-Friday starting at midnight; Jeremy Hobson’s The Middle joins WDET’s roster of national current affairs programming; Fresh Air adds a Friday episode; and On Point, Latino USA, Fresh Air Weekend, The Treatment and Sound Opinions will occupy new time slots.  

After almost a decade of service to WDET listeners, Stephen Henderson will wind up his tenure as a daily host with the conclusion of the program Created Equal. The nationally syndicated show On the Media will also be discontinued.

“We want to thank and acknowledge Stephen Henderson for his important contributions to our city and our station. Although Created Equal will no longer be a part of our schedule, WDET remains committed to pursuing stories that highlight the challenges of inequality and the promise of opportunity in our communities, throughout our programming and journalism,” said WDET Program Director, Adam Fox. “We are extremely proud and grateful for Stephen’s tenure at WDET, and we know Stephen’s commitment to our community will continue.” 

General Manager Mary Zatina noted that, valuing transparency, WDET leadership made the choice to implement these changes now, before our Holiday On-Air Fundraiser.

“Growing listener and member bases and delivering the exceptional programming expected from WDET Public Radio is important as we improve our financial stability for the next 75 years serving Detroit,” Zatina said. “WDET ended Fiscal 2024 in a deficit, and we are working hard to improve our financial position.”