New WDET ‘All Things Considered’ anchor and expanded news and content development teams
WDET has expanded its capacity for local journalism and digital content development with a number of recent hires made possible in large part thanks to increased support from listeners and Detroit-area businesses.
As a non-profit public media organization, WDET is committed to providing local news and cultural programming that reflects and responds to the needs of Detroit’s diverse communities on the radio, online and through in-person events.
As part of these hires, local veteran broadcast journalist Russ McNamara has been tapped as the new local anchor and editor of All Things Considered, NPR’s flagship news program that airs weekdays on WDET from 4 to 6 p.m.. McNamara had been a part-time news anchor at the station since December.
“Russ is an incredibly talented and dedicated journalist,” said WDET News Director Jerome Vaughn. “He’s knowledgeable and interested in what’s happening around Detroit. Russ will be a solid addition to Team WDET — guiding listeners through the local news during All Things Considered.” McNamara is a graduate of Central Michigan University and was most recently the evening anchor and reporter at WWJ Newsradio 950.
Additional hires include:
- Shiraz Ahmed as Digital and Engagement Editor (most recently was a creative content editor at GTB)
- Tony Brown as Digital Distribution Manager (formerly digital producer for Michigan Radio)
- Latoya Cross as Producer for CultureShift (formerly Senior Editor, Entertainment & Culture of EBONY Magazine and JETMag.com)
- Alaina Fruge as Producer for Detroit Today (formerly producer for The Mildred Gaddis and Cliff Russell radio programs)
- David Leins as Program Coordinator, Detroit StoryMakers (most recently worked as a communications specialist at the Arab American National Museum)
