WGTE Public Media Blog

How Public Media Funding Affects Classical Music

Public media funding has long been a quiet but essential support for cultural life in the United States, especially for classical music on the radio. Today, as the media landscape shifts and federal support faces new challenges, that future is increasingly uncertain.Classical music broadcasting in the U.S. Read More

Meet the New Host of Morning Classics

I am so excited to join the team at WGTE! What a privilege to give back to the media communities that have shaped me.   A bit of background about me for our listeners:   I grew up in a loud home in Kansas City, with a percussionist brother, a bluegrass guitarist mother, and a very patient father. I have always loved singing, but I obeyed my mother and studied violin for as many Suzuki exercises as I could. I gladly put the instrument down and went on to study classical voice at Mizzou, LSU and BGSU.   On stage, I’m happiest in choir. Read More

Federal Judge's Ruling: What It Means for WGTE

People have been asking the recent federal judge's ruling regarding public media funding and what it means for WGTE Public Media. We want to provide clear, straightforward information.  On March 31, 2026, a federal judge ruled that a 2025 executive order aimed at defunding NPR and PBS violated free speech protections. While that decision is significant, it does not change the current funding reality for public media stations like ours.Where Things Currently StandCongress has already voted to rescind $1.1 billion in funding for public media. Read More

WGTE Welcomes Mickey Miller as Morning Classics Host on FM 91

WGTE Public Media is pleased to welcome Mickey Miller as Radio Host and Content Producer supporting WGTE FM 91’s classical music programming. In addition to hosting Morning Classics beginning April 1, 2026, her voice will be heard during Classical Overnights. A classically trained vocalist with a lifelong passion for classical music, Mickey Miller is also a longtime advocate for the arts. Read More

WGTE Debuts Two New Music Series

WGTE Public Media’s commitment to local programming continues with the March premieres of two programs, both of which spotlight local musical talent. Future Classics and Sessions present a wide spectrum of Northwest Ohio’s musical talent in a digital-first setting, with both series now available on the WGTE website.Future Classics presents some of the area’s brightest young classical musicians in performance and in conversation. Read More

Neighborhood Voices Project to Bring Visual Arts to Englewood, Uptown and Old West End Neighborhoods

For decades, WGTE has been dedicated to telling the stories of the people and institutions that make this region exceptional. Read More

Public Media: Mission-Driven Programming That Serves Our Community

There is a distinction between public and commercial media business models, seldom discerned by the casual observer: 

  • In public media, the “product” is the programming, and the “customer” is the audience.  
  • In commercial media, the “product” is the audience, and the “customer” is the advertiser. 
While much of commercial media programming is excellent, their approach comes with a different set of imperatives, profitability being a key measurement of success. Read More

The State of Classical Music 2026

In the spirit of The State of the Union address on February 24, I wanted to take the temperature of our classical listeners with The State of Classical Music (in the U.S., that is). Classical music – from Bach and Mozart to living composers and American orchestral innovation – remains a vibrant but vulnerable part of America’s cultural landscape. Its presence spans concert halls, festivals, digital streams, and, importantly, radio – a medium that has historically been one of the most accessible ways for millions to encounter and enjoy the genre. Read More

Music Was Breath and Blood for Hannah

Music was breath and blood for Hannah Lammie, a gifted singer, inspired librarian, humanitarian, and devoted wife, mother, sister, and daughter. Even before she was born in Connecticut, on Feb. 19, 1973, she absorbed the sounds and vibrations of great orchestral music, church classics, and flute lessons, as her mother Sally pursued her own musical career. With her sisters, Emily and Sarah, Hannah listened to folk music by such performers as Pete Seeger, Judy Collins and Bob Dylan. Read More