Russ McNamara is a reporter and host of All Things Considered for 101.9 WDET, presenting local news to the station’s loyal listeners. McNamara has been working in radio since he was 17 - and in news since 2012. He also worked as play-by-play announcer for Wayne State University basketball for seven years. Born in the Upper Peninsula, McNamara is a lifelong Michigander. He is a 2002 graduate of Central Michigan University’s Broadcast and Cinematic Arts Program.

McNamara has been honored by the Associated Press, the Radio and Television Digital News Association, and the Michigan Association of Broadcasters for his work.

He is an amateur photographer, enjoys backpacking, bonfires and traveling with his wife, Sara.

Michigan’s Health Director on Lifting of COVID-19 Restrictions: “It’s the Right Time to Move Forward”

Michigan is lifting all indoor capacity restrictions and mask requirements 10 days early. The state's main coronavirus order will expire...

State Rep. Cynthia Johnson Says She Will Not Back Down After Receiving Another Racist and Violent Threat

State Rep. Cynthia Johnson is both empathetic and defiant after receiving a racist and violent voicemail.  The Democratic lawmaker from...

Democratic Lawmakers in Michigan House Unveil Package of Police Reform Bills

Michigan House Democrats on Tuesday announced a wide-ranging package of police reform legislation that would attempt to hold law enforcement...

Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, Democratic Lawmakers Seek More Funding to Help Ease Delays at Branch Offices

Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson wants the Legislature to add employees and allow overtime payments at branch offices.   Benson...

Confidential Tipline for Students to Report Guns, Mental Health Crises Sees Big Drop in 2020

The state’s confidential OK2SAY hotline for students received fewer tips last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a...

Michigan GOP Senators Advance Bill to Prevent COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate for Children Under 18

Republican Senators in Michigan have pushed through a bill that would prohibit state and local health officials from requiring COVID-19...

Michigan Senators Introduce Bills Addressing Police Reform

A State Senate committee is scheduled to take up a package of police reform bills this week.   Democratic Sen. Stephanie...

Detroit’s Black Middle Class Is Disappearing

Detroit has a middle class that’s nearly unobtainable for many African American and Latinx people, while economic growth continues for whites....

“We’re Here Today to Support the Palestinian People,” Say Protesters at Dearborn Police Station

Russ McNamara/WDET About 1,000 protesters gathered at the Dearborn Police Station on Tuesday to show their support for the Palestinian...

Duggan Taps State Civil Rights Director to Lead Detroit Police Department as Interim Chief

After leading the Michigan Department of Civil Rights less than a year, former Detroit assistant police chief James White is returning as interim...

New Report Shows American Journalists Attacked and Arrested at an Unprecedented Rate in 2020

Fibonacci Blue/Flickr Since the murder of George Floyd last May, millions of Americans protested in the streets calling for changes to policing and...

Officials to Enlist Doctors’ Help in Combatting Michigan’s Lagging Vaccination Rates

Earlier this week, Michigan hit the 55% vaccinated benchmark to remove work-from-home requirements. Now state officials are trying to figure out a...