Buoyed by record fundraising in the wake of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting’s dissolution, Baltimore Public Media’s 88.1 WYPR is expanding its news coverage this spring with new hosts, a revamped afternoon lineup, and a growing podcast portfolio.
Erica Kane will be promoted to weekday host of All Things Considered, while Taylor Holbrooks will continue to host Morning Edition. Gabe Ortis and Shawn Murphy will lead an updated early afternoon lineup focused on breaking news during the week and educational and culture-focused content on the weekends.
Beginning April 10, News Director Mat Bush will host the live WYPR News Roundup every Friday afternoon, covering local news and issues relevant to Maryland listeners. BPM is also expanding its podcast and digital content portfolio. Alongside the recent debuts of Five Minutes of Baltimore Histories and Thoughts on Tech and Things, the mini-series Pass the Mic will reformat as a weekly full-feature show.
Also slated for spring is a podcast exploring Maryland’s history and its role in America’s pursuit of independence, timed to the country’s semiquincentennial commemoration. Midday hosts Sheilah Kast and Tom Hall will transition to Host and Senior News Analyst, respectively, when the flagship program concludes on Thursday, April 3. The change follows Hall’s retirement announcement in December.
Kane said, “I’m honored to step into this role at WYPR and to connect with listeners across Baltimore and beyond. Radio has always been a powerful tool for building understanding and amplifying voices, and I’m excited to help tell the stories that matter most to our communities every day.”
BPM Chief of Content Danyell Irby said, “Every element of this schedule reflects our commitment to being present wherever Marylanders are and whenever they tune in. From the morning drive to late-night listening, from your radio to your podcast feed, Baltimore Public Media is investing in the stories and voices that connect this community to itself and to the world. We’re proud of what we’re building, and we’re just getting started.”
BPM Programming Director Maxie Jackson said, “This growth would not be possible without our members, who have stepped up in a major way since the dissolution of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. We’re seeing historic levels of engagement in our fundraising drives and translating that investment into action and expanded options for our audiences.”
