WKAR - Public Media from Michigan State University

06/13/2026

Michigan voters will decide in this election whether to hold a constitutional convention, a vote that happens every 16 years to determine if the state constitution should be rewritten. Christy McGillivray of Voters not Politicians says now is not the time.

On Off the Record this week, correspondents Kyle Melinn, Emily Lawler, and Craig Mauger join Tim Skubick to discuss the mandated vote and McGillivray's opposition to the convention process and political timing.

The panel also discusses the Michigan K-12 budget deadlock, the Gordie Howe Bridge Closure, Gary Peters as a potential MSU president and more.

Watch the full episode on WKAR News on YouTube at the link in the comments.

06/12/2026

A powerful story from 1826 of a woman whose significance still resonates today was brought to life on stage — and is now coming to your screen.

Sally: A Solo Play by Sandra Seaton, starring Sabrina Sloan, makes its world broadcast premiere on June 19 at 9 p.m. on WKAR TV 23.1 and streaming in the free PBS app.

The broadcast airs in celebration of the national Juneteenth holiday as part of the station’s WKAR America 250 line-up of original programming.

The WKAR original is produced in cooperation with Wharton Center for Performing Arts.

06/11/2026

Commemorate America 250 with WKAR Classical!

Explore the music of brilliant immigrant musicians who helped shape the sound and history of the United States with Linda Kernohan on Rhythm and Refuge: Classical Music Comes Home to America.

The four-episode series begins with "Revolution and Reinvention", featuring gifted composers and musicians from Russia and the former Soviet Union. Enjoy Rachmaninoff and Stravinsky, as well as MSU College of Music artist faculty members violinist Dmitri Berlinsky and cellist Suren Bagratuni, and local pianist and Grammy-nominated recording engineer Sergei Kvitko.

Listen live Fridays at 11am & Saturdays at 4pm starting June 12 on 90.5FM and streaming at wkar.org. 🎧

New on 90.5 Classical, WKAR’s Linda Kernohan highlights the experiences of musicians who were immigrants to the United States.

06/11/2026

Great news! The deadline to submit your heirloom to Our Michigan Family History has been extended to Monday, June 15!

There’s still time to pull out those family heirlooms with unique Michigan stories through the weekend. Your submitted story could be selected to be featured during the event at the Michigan History Center on Saturday, June 27.

Whether you have an heirloom to feature or want to preserve the story of your heirloom with a recording, come to the Michigan History Center on Saturday, June 27 to explore the family history of our Great Lakes state to commemorate America 250. Your story could be selected to be featured in upcoming social media or television content from WKAR as well!

Learn more or submit your heirloom and story at https://bit.ly/Our-MI-Family-History

Part of America250MI

06/09/2026

Clear your schedules, your June plans are officially sorted!

WKAR is out and about in the community all month long and we can’t wait to connect with you.

Swipe through to see our full June calendar. Which event are you most excited for?

06/08/2026

Celebrate America 250 with WKAR 🇺🇸

Tuesdays at 9 p.m., learn from the stories that have shaped Michigan and our nation as we approach the United States Semiquincentennial.

Beginning on Tuesday, June 9, Woodstock: Three Days that Defined a Generation. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the three-day concert that became a defining moment of a generation's counterculture revolution. Revisit the historic event through the voices of those who were present.

Watch Woodstock: Three Days that Defined a Generation on Tuesday, June 9 at 9 p.m. on WKAR TV 23.1 and streaming on wkar.org and the free PBS app.

Find more WKAR programming and coverage commemorating America 250 at the link in the comments.

06/06/2026

Will data centers increase utility costs for Michigan residents?

As Michigan looks to attract more data centers and technology investment, questions remain about who will bear the cost of the infrastructure needed to support them.

On Off the Record this week, the correspondents discuss concerns over energy demand, utility rates, and whether existing protections are enough to prevent higher electric bills for Michigan households.

Watch the full episode on WKAR News on YouTube at the link in the comments.

06/05/2026

A recent New Mexico trial found a social media company guilty of misleading users on the safety of its platforms regarding children, finding that the company engaged in trade practices that took advantage of vulnerable youth.

On this episode of Impact: Michigan, Nancy Costello of explains the findings, asserting that the effort to bring children online is no accident.

Impact: Michigan host Sheri Jones and local experts Dr. Andrea Calabrese of Child and Family Charities, Nancy Costello of MSU College of Law, Dar Meshi of Michigan State University College of Communication Arts & Sciences , and Jenny Radesky of University of Michigan Medical School, discuss the ever-growing concerns around the dangers of social media as it relates to teen mental health, while highlighting resources and efforts underway to create a safer and healthier digital environment.

Watch the new episode of Impact: Michigan, Social Media, Teens & Mental Health on the WKAR News YouTube channel at the link in the comments.

06/05/2026

Longtime WKAR team member Richard “Rick” Thomas II has been honored with the Carl E. Lee Broadcast Engineering Excellence Award by the MAB - Michigan Association of Broadcasters.

Rick has ensured that the mid-Michigan community receives free and accessible public media programming from WKAR through his broadcast technology expertise for nearly five decades.

Please join us in congratulating Rick on this well-deserved honor. 👏

Richard Thomas II has been named the TV recipient of the Carl E. Lee Award by the Michigan Association of Broadcasters.

06/04/2026

The WKAR Library Pop-up Tour is coming to a city near you 📍📚

The WKAR education team is visiting local libraries throughout mid-Michigan for some summer fun that will help keep your kids far from the dreaded 'summer slide'.

Join us for fun learning activities from the Michigan Learning Channel and WKAR, PBS KIDS swag, and of course, FREE BOOKS!

Check out the full summer 2026 schedule below. See you at the library! 👋