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.