Pat Batcheller

Host and Senior News Editor at WDET-FM (Detroit MI)

Your host for local morning news on WDET-FM, Detroit’s NPR station. Boomer-adjacent Gen Xer. Henry Winkler fishing pics stan account. Have gum, will travel.

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Articles

Wayne County begins long-delayed railroad project

2 weeks ago | wdet.org | Pat Batcheller

Wayne County has broken ground on a project that’s supposed to reduce train delays in the Downriver area. The plan is to separate the railroad tracks from a section of Allen Rd. in Woodhaven. Crews will lower the road so that it runs underneath the tracks.
Sewage overflow raises stink in Oakland, Macomb counties

2 weeks ago | wdet.org | Pat Batcheller

A heavy rainstorm on April 2, 2025 filled Macomb County’s Red Run Drain with more than one million gallons of raw sewage from Oakland County. Macomb County Public Works Commissioner Candice Miller described the murky mess she found in the drain the next day. “It looks like chocolate pudding,” Miller says. The fetid water came from a sewer pipe that empties into the drain, festooning it with some not-so-festive decorations.
Michigan leaders reflect on the loss of Pope Francis, a 'powerful, prophetic and loving voice'

3 weeks ago | wdet.org | Nargis Rahman |Pat Batcheller

Several Michigan leaders released statements today in response to the news of Pope Francis’ death, including Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Detroit Archbishop Edward Weisenburger. Subscribe to the Detroit Evening Report on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts. The leader of the Roman Catholic Church died on Monday morning at the age of 88. Francis was the first Latin American pope and the first Jesuit in the position.
DNR says northern Michigan forests don't look the same after historic ice storm

1 month ago | wdet.org | Pat Batcheller

An ice storm at the end of March caused widespread damage throughout northern Michigan. The Department of Natural Resources says an untold number of trees and power poles snapped or fell over under the weight of an inch or more of ice. Some landed on people’s houses, causing roof damage. Some trees look like toothpicksDNR Incident Response Team spokesperson Kathleen Lavey says the coating was so thick it bent pine trees out of shape.
New soccer stadium in Detroit could open in 2027

1 month ago | wdet.org | Pat Batcheller

Detroit City Football Club has called Hamtramck home since 2016. The team moved from its original grounds at Cass Technical High School and raised almost $750,000 to upgrade historic Keyworth Stadium. Now, DCFC plans to build a new stadium in Corktown. The club bought the vacant Southwest Detroit Hospital in 2024. Owners plan to demolish the building and clean up the property on Michigan Avenue near I-75 and I-96. Co-owner Alex Wright says they want a modern facility.
Detroit will get another area code before the end of 2025

1 month ago | wdet.org | Pat Batcheller

Detroit’s iconic area code is getting some company. The Michigan Public Service Commission says the city and adjacent suburbs will run out of available 313 numbers by the end of 2027. When that happens, new phone lines will start with 679. The new area code will share the same space as 313. Ryan McAnany directs the MPSC’s telecommunications division. He says 679 will not replace 313, and people with 313 numbers will not have to change them.
NWS kicks off training on how to spot and report severe weather

1 month ago | wdet.org | Pat Batcheller

Tornado season has arrived, and the National Weather Service has started its annual training sessions for Skywarn spotters. Jackie Anderson is the warning coordination meteorologist at the NWS forecast office in White Lake Township. She says the information spotters provide is crucial during tornadoes, severe thunderstorms, and flooding rains. “When we’re issuing warnings, we’re looking at what’s going on with radar,” she said.
Garlin Gilchrist announces bid for governor, saying he's a 'problem solver'

2 months ago | wdet.org | Pat Batcheller

Michigan Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II wants the top job in state government. He has declared his candidacy for governor in 2026, seeking to succeed Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. She can’t run again because of term limits. Gilchrist is seeking the Democratic Party nomination. He’s the third Democrat to enter the race. Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson are also running.
Local meteorologist says weather service layoffs risk public safety

2 months ago | wdet.org | Pat Batcheller

The Trump administration’s purge of federal workers includes layoffs at the National Weather Service. An NWS spokesperson would not say how many people lost their jobs. NPR reports that the firings raise concerns over the agency’s ability to forecast hurricanes. The cuts could also affect America’s fishing industry. Detroit area meteorologist Paul Gross says the government’s decision to stop launching weather balloons in western Alaska impacts the rest of the country.
Michigan DNR prepares for wildfire season

2 months ago | wdet.org | Pat Batcheller

Michigan averages more than 200 wildfires per year. The Department of Natural Resources says fires burned almost 1,500 acres statewide in 2024. Most happen in the spring. Trees, grass, brush and leaves that dried out over the winter can catch fire easily. Warm temperatures, high winds and low humidity can turn small fires into big ones. The DNR has more than 60 full-time firefighters and lots of heavy equipment to contain the flames.