Central Michigan University students play a key role in producing news at WCMU.
Thursday marks Student Press Freedom Day, a celebration of the contributions student journalists make in newsrooms across the country. Organized by the Student Press Law Center in Washington DC, 2025 marks the eighth annual celebration. This year's theme is "At the ForeFront."
The day is also meant to highlight the challenges student journalists face. As part of its work, the SPLC advocates for state-based legislation that protects and restores students' First Amendment freedoms to practice journalism.
For years, Central Michigan University students have played a significant role in the WCMU newsroom. Each semester, WCMU employs up to four students to work as reporters. They cover all kinds of stories from across central and northern Michigan, including breaking news, elections, agriculture and more.
Since 2019, WCMU has helped train the next generation of journalists through the Michigan News Group Internship while addressing rural news deserts in central and northern Michigan. The program places CMU students with local newspapers where they cover the community and produce content for the newspaper and WCMU, and the websites of both.
Below are examples of the great reporting WCMU's current cohort of student journalists have contributed to the newsroom so far this year. This year's group includes: Kylie Sczepanksi, Blace Carpenter, Brianna Edgar and Jozef Korzeniewski.
Adam Miedema
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WCMU
Kylie Sczepanski is studying broadcasting and journalism at Central Michigan University.
According to the Secretary of State's office, over 145,000 people cast their ballot on the first day of early in-person voting in Michigan. It's the first presidential election the process has been made available in the state.
A national media company announced its plan to centralize weather operations, laying off local meteorologists across the country. ABC 12 in Flint was among the stations impacted by the announcement.
Adam Miedema
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WCMU
Blace Carpenter is a rising junior studying journalism and multimedia design at Central Michigan University.
The Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe is looking into a five to 10-year plan to renovate and restore the remaining buildings of the Mount Pleasant Indian Industrial School (MIIBS) in the hopes of opening the campus to the public and honoring those affected by its dreadful history.
Isabella County voters struck down a $3.7 million millage in November that would’ve supported 20 positions within the sheriff’s department. Now state police will fill the void.
Adam Miedema
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WCMU
Brianna Edgar is a senior studying English at Central Michigan University.
Everything you need to know before casting your ballot in the 2024 general election, including voter registration, how to request an absentee ballot, where you can vote early, what'll be on your ballot and more.
Commercial poultry and dairy operations must implement a series of health safety measures by May 8 to help try and slow the outbreak of bird flu. According to the USDA, over 6.6 million birds were affected by the virus during the month of April in Michigan.
Adam Miedema
/
WCMU
Jozef Korzeniewski is a senior studying broadcasting and journalism at Central Michigan University.
WCMU's summer cohort of four newsroom interns covered a wide range of stories, including First Lady Jill Biden’s visit to Traverse City, potential water shutoffs at some Mount Pleasant apartments, the story of card game unique to northeast Michigan, what 'track-life' means to one demolition derby racer in Cadillac and much more.
