Michael Leland,
News Director

Michael joined Michigan Radio in 2002. He leads the station’s news staff in looking for important and interesting stories about the state every day. This year, Michigan Radio has won more than 20 awards for its news coverage from the Michigan Association of Broadcasters, the Michigan Associated Press, and the Detroit Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists.

Michael grew up in Worcester, Massachusetts, and has spent most of his professional life at stations in the Midwest: Cincinnati, St. Louis and Chicago. Before joining Michigan Radio, Michael was the Chicago-based Midwest reporter for Voice of America Radio. He has also worked as a weekend newscaster at NPR in Washington.

Michael is active in Public Radio News Directors, Inc., and is vice-president of the Michigan Associated Press Broadcasters Association.



What does the News Director do?
Michael meets with reporters individually or as a staff to discuss story ideas. He also edits many of the stories you hear each day, and does some reporting of his own.

Michael also meets with the station manager to talk about projects the news department might pursue in the future, and he reads and answers listener emails about our news coverage.

Do you have a question, comment or idea for Michigan Radio news? Send us a note: mleland@umich.edu