WCMU Public Media has been awarded a $40,000 grant from the Midland Area Community Foundation to support expanded local journalism in the Great Lakes Bay Region. The funding, provided through the Foundation’s Community Investment Fund, will directly support WCMU’s Great Lakes Bay Region Reporter initiative. This investment will strengthen coverage of local issues, amplify community voices, and provide in-depth reporting on topics that matter most to residents across the region.

“We are grateful to the Midland Area Community Foundation for their commitment to community-informed journalism,” said Richard Westover, General Manager of WCMU Public Media. “This support allows us to deepen our reporting in the Great Lakes Bay Region and better serve audiences with accurate, relevant, and impactful stories.”

The Midland Area Community Foundation exists to cultivate the power of giving within our community, support long-term transformation, and help ensure all residents thrive.

WCMU’s Great Lakes Bay Region Reporter will focus on issues including local government, economic development, education, and quality of life—helping residents stay informed and engaged. WCMU is looking to fill the role by September 1, 2026. WCMU has made further grant requests to other organizations to help fully fund this position.