April Baer Joins Michigan Radio as Host of ''Stateside''

RADIO ONLINE | Monday, December 9, 2019

April Baer

Veteran public radio journalist April Baer joins Michigan Radio to host the station's "Stateside" talk program. She'll take the helm of the show, weekdays from 3-4pm beginning Monday, January 6. Baer is replacing Cynthia Canty, who has been the host of the show for the past seven years and is retiring later this month. Michigan Radio serves Detroit, Ann Arbor and southeastern Michigan at 91.7 FM in, Grand Rapids and West Michigan at 104.1 FM and Flint at 91.1 FM.

Baer comes to Michigan Radio from Oregon where she has been the host of the weekly show "State of Wonder" on Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB) for the past six years. "State of Wonder" features interviews and reporting on the latest in visual arts, theater, music, literature, culture and more. Prior to that, she was the "Morning Edition" host and a reporter at OPB, covering beats including government and legal affairs, changing demographics and the arts.

"My experience covering government, legal affairs, military deployments, gun violence, the arts, and other topics leaves me well-prepared for the range of issues Stateside explores each day," said Baer. "I treat our work not as a checklist of stories, but as a dynamic space for civil public dialogue."

Hosting "Stateside" brings Baer back to her Midwest roots. She's originally from Ohio and worked as the "Morning Edition" host and Public Affairs Director at WCPN/Cleveland and WYSO/Yellow Springs. Baer has spent time in the state every year for the past 13 years, visiting places from Detroit to Marquette.

"We are thrilled to have April Baer join the Michigan Radio team," noted Michigan Radio Executive Director and General Manager Steve Schram. "She is an extremely talented and experienced journalist with a strong understanding of public radio and its core values. The Michigan-focused content of Stateside, anchored by an experienced professional like April, will help listeners across the state make sense of the events and issues affecting them."