WGTE Public Media Blog

The Best of 2025

By Fritz Byers

What a difference a year makes . . .

I can’t bear to assay all the things about the world that look and feel different from how they looked and felt a year, or a little more than a year, ago. If you can keep track of which side likes Russian autocracy and which side misses the good old FBI, you’re better at cultural ping-pong than I. (Speaking of which, after watching Marty Supreme my family has launched a movement to replace the dining-room table with a ping-pong table. That’s the kind of change I can believe in.)
Read More

My Year in Jazz: 2025

Kim Kleinman, Contributing Writer

I don’t have the responsibility that Fritz has in providing us with the 12 hours of top-notch jazz programming each week. That is a daunting task I can only begin to imagine. There is so much wonderful music to listen to and he must have jazz playing every waking moment. Daunting sure, but it doesn’t sound all that bad to me.
Read More

A Few of My Favorite Things

By Rob Michaels
Contributing Writer

My favorite recordings acquired in 2025

Jazz - New

Patricia Brennan - Of the Near and Far (Pyroclastic)
Chicago Underground Duo - Hyperglyph (International Anthem)
Cosmic Ear - Traces (We Jazz)
Cosmic Tones Research Trio - s/t (Mississippi)
Sullivan Fortner - Southern Nights (Artwork)
Sinsuke Fujieta Group - Fukushima (SoFa)
Gustafson, Vandermark, Reid, Taylor - PIVOT (Silkheart) Read More

WGTE Presents Monroe Street United Methodist Church Documentary

WGTE Public Media is proud to premiere the latest edition of its award-winning Toledo Stories documentary series, Monroe St. United, on Thursday, December 18, at 8:00 p.m. The 30-minute program celebrates the 200th anniversary of Monroe Street United Methodist Church (MSUMC), which has been at the center of religious life in Toledo since 1825. Read More

Rodgers & Hart’s “Manhattan” at 100 – A Birthday Celebration

By John Bigelow
Contributing Writer It was a century ago, 1925, the middle of the Roaring Twenties, in New York. The country was on fire. Captains of industry, titans of finance, and show business impresarios were creating fortunes and reputations and making American into a world powerhouse. The Great War was over and it seemed there was nothing but smooth sailing ahead. Optimism was in the air. Read More

Monroe Street United Methodist Church

WGTE Public Media and Monroe Street United Methodist Church have embarked on a wonderful documentary project that will chronicle the 200 year history of the Monroe Street United Methodist Church.  This project is 75% finished and MSUMC needs your help to get it finished. 

In a city that’s seen hardship and hope, Monroe Street United Methodist Church has stood strong for 200 years. Read More

Friday's Featured Recording 9/19/25

This Friday’s featured recording: Pat Metheny’s 80/81  Read More