Michael Leland comes to Wisconsin Public Radio from Michigan Radio, the public station based in Ann Arbor. During his time at Michigan Radio, the station's news staff won several dozen awards for its coverage, including the Michigan Association of Broadcasters' "Public Station of the Year" three straight years. Michael also regularly contributed stories to NPR's news programs, as well as Marketplace and other shows.
Michael also spent 10 years with the Voice of America, first as a news anchor in Washington, and later as VOA's Midwest Bureau Chief in Chicago. It was there that he developed a love for the Chicago White Sox and indifference toward that city's other baseball team.
In his 20-year-long (and counting) career, Michael has also worked as a weekend newscaster at NPR in Washington, at WBEZ in Chicago, and at stations in the St. Louis and Cincinnati areas.
Michael enjoys reporting that involves letting people tell their stories. He has a special interest in immigrant communities, and has done much reporting on Iraqis in Southeast Michigan, as well as Chicago's various immigrant groups.
Michael grew up in Worcester, Massachusetts, graduated from Curry College near Boston, and got his masters degree from Kansas State University. His friends in New England think this whole Midwest thing is just a phase and that he'll return to Boston one day. Michael's not so sure about that.
