Josh Hakala
General Assignment ReporterJosh Hakala, a lifelong Michigander (East Lansing & Edwardsburg), comes to WEMU after more than two decades of working in a variety of fields within broadcasting and digital media. Most recently, he worked at Michigan Radio as a producer and a fill-in host. Prior to that, he worked for Advance Digital where he managed newspaper websites from across the country, including MLive.com. While his resume is filled with sports broadcasting experience (Big Ten Network, 97.1FM The Ticket, 610AM WIP etc.), radio reporting (90.1FM WRTI) and odd jobs (an editor for the FIFA video game series for EA Sports), he brings a passion for news and storytelling to WEMU.
Josh is also a proud graduate of Lansing Community College where he got his radio start as the sports director and on-air music host at WLNZ. He also got his BA from Temple University where he majored in Broadcasting, Telecommunications & Mass Media. While he loved his five years in Philadelphia, he returned to his home state of Michigan in 2008 where he is happy to find people don't sing the The Fresh Prince of Bel Air theme song whenever you tell them where you live (West Philadelphia).
When he is not at WEMU, he runs TheCup.us, a media outlet that covers the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, one of the oldest soccer tournaments in the world where amateur teams and the top professional teams all compete in a March Madness-style competition. He also does freelance play by play announcing for just about any sport (yes, even water polo), was inducted into the Greater Lansing Sports Hall of Fame (broadcaster) and still has a massive music collection as he clings to his CDs and vinyl records. He currently lives in Ann Arbor with his wife (the midwife) and three kids, two of which figured out a way to be born on the same day.
Contact Josh: jhakala3@emich.edu
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Two weeks ago, Assistant Superintendent Jazz Parks was chosen to take over as the interim superintendent for Ann Arbor Public Schools. Two weeks later, a contract is ready for the school board to approve. WEMU’s Josh Hakala reports.
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The Michigan Avenue branch of the Ypsilanti District Library flooded during a severe rainstorm back in July. Its closing has been a big loss to the community, but plans are in the works to come back bigger and better. WEMU's Josh Hakala and Concentrate Media's Rylee Barnsdale caught up with downtown branch manager Joy Cichewicz for the latest.
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The murder of Detroit synagogue president Samantha Woll has sent shockwaves through the Jewish community. The tragedy was felt in Washtenaw County and has raised concerns about security in the midst of the war in Israel. WEMU’s Josh Hakala reports.
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The Ypsilanti District Library and Eastern Michigan University are working to make menstruation products more accessible. In fact, the tampons and pads are available free of charge. As you’ll learn on WEMU’s 'On the Ground Ypsi,' the hope is to reduce the financial burden of these essential items while also getting rid of the stigma of menstruation. WEMU’s Josh Hakala and Concentrate Media’s Sarah Rigg get all the details in a conversation with Jesse John from EMU’s ‘Changing the Cycle’ program.
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Torchio Feaster was appointed this week to the Ann Arbor Board of Education. The local attorney has two kids in Ann Arbor Public Schools and hopes to hit the ground running. WEMU’s Josh Hakala reports.
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The empty seat on the Ann Arbor Board of Education was filled at last night’s meeting. WEMU's Josh Hakala reports.
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The Ann Arbor Board of Education selected an interim superintendent at last night’s meeting. WEMU's Josh Hakala reports.
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The Community Leadership Revolution, or CLR Academy, is a youth sports sampling program. It's expanding through the Ypsilanti area, and beyond. But sports are just a vehicle for the organization’s efforts to help kids live healthier lives. Among other things, it teaches them about nutrition, mental health, and building positive relationships. Washtenaw My Brother's Keeper program director Jamall Bufford is one of the founders of CLR. He joined WEMU's Josh Hakala and Concentrate Media's Rylee Barnsdale to discuss the program and its growth.
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The Ann Arbor Board of Education will meet tonight with the goal of filling a vacancy. WEMU’s Josh Hakala has a preview.
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The downtown Ann Arbor Starbucks location that received national attention over a unionizing effort has announced it is closing. After nearly two decades in business, October 28th will be the last day for the store at the corner of Liberty and Main Street. WEMU’s Josh Hakala reports.