Special to The Truth
WGTE Public Media is proud to announce the debut of a one-hour news and information program, The Local Thread, which will air for 13 weeks on WGTE FM 91 beginning Monday, January 5, 2026.
The Local Thread is a collaborative series presented in partnership with La Prensa, The Toledo Free Press, The Sojourner’s Truth, Toledo Public Schools and veteran journalist Jerry Anderson. The program unites local voices and trusted storytellers from across the region, weaving together the people, issues and ideas shaping our community—and strengthening the fabric of our social life.
The program will air weekdays at 7:00 p.m. New episodes will be released on all major podcast platforms the morning of each broadcast, giving listeners early access to every conversation.
“The Local Thread brings our community’s voices together in a way we’ve never done before, setting out to build something that’s truly collaborative,” said Shane Potgieter, the show’s Executive Producer. “Together, we’re creating a community news series that’s relevant, deeply connected and unapologetically local.”
By presenting a broad coalition of local journalists and storytellers, the program helps WGTE and its partnering organizations fulfill their commitment to presenting diverse perspectives on the regional scene.
According to Fletcher Word, owner and publisher of The Sojourner’s Truth and one of the program’s hosts, “At The Sojourner’s Truth, we pride ourselves on keeping everyone involved and informed. We are so very excited to be part of The Local Thread as it will enable us to better inform so many more in our community about what others are doing to help and enhance the lives of our neighbors.”
WGTE Public Media, licensed and operated by The Public Broadcasting Foundation of Northwest Ohio, is a non-profit, non-commercial, educational TV and radio broadcaster and center of learning for northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan. WGTE is proud to be a PBS and NPR member station. It was founded as a low-power educational television broadcaster in 1953. Education remains at the heart of what we do every day. From our entertaining, informative and educational programs that air on WGTE TV and FM 91 to our professional development opportunities for K-12 teachers and preschool daycare providers and community engagement activities, WGTE makes northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan a better place to live. For more information, visit www.wgte.org.
If you would like more information about this topic, please call Marcus Harrison at 419-380-4646, or email marcus_harrison@wgte.org.