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Second Friday of the month (third Friday in five-week months) at 6:45 am, 8:45 am and 5:44 pm. Why's That? explores the things in Southwest Michigan – people, places, names – that spark your curiosity. We want to know what makes you wonder when you're out and about.

WSW: What is "Why's That?"

WMUK

If you’ve ever wondered how a street got its name or the history of some older building in Southwest Michigan, WMUK might be able to help. 

Beginning this month, Why’s That will be regularly heard the second Friday of every month. But that is subject to change, in fact it’s changed already. A listener question about herbicide spraying along highways in Southwest Michigan called for an answer during the summer months. So it aired in August.

WMUK’s Sehvilla Mann says the idea first launched at WBEZ in Chicago with a project called “Curious City.” Other stations have followed with their own versions.

So far listeners have asked WMUK about names, including those of towns in the region, the Gibson Smokestack and what’s in the city of Kalamazoo’s groundwater that leaves its mark on some dishes.

An on-air promo included examples from staff members of the types of questions that could be asked. In response some listeners have told us they can provide the answers to who is the Eddie in “Eddie’s Lane” and how that small spot in the Stuart Neighborhood is considered a park. Those will be coming soon.

Questions can be submitted through the WMUK website. Listeners can remain anonymous, but Mann says they can also be part of the story and come along for interviews.

Gordon Evans became WMUK's Content Director in 2019 after more than 20 years as an anchor, host and reporter. A 1990 graduate of Michigan State, he began work at WMUK in 1996.
Sehvilla Mann joined WMUK’s news team in 2014 as a reporter on the local government and education beats. She covered those topics and more in eight years of reporting for the Station, before becoming news director in 2022.
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