Michael Lyle
Morning Edition Host, ReporterEmail: michael.lyle@kunc.org
I serve as the afternoon host for KUNC鈥檚 Morning Editing. My job is to keep our listeners across Northern Colorado informed on the day鈥檚 top stories from around the communities we serve. On occasion, I switch roles and hit the streets of northern Colorado digging up human interest stories or covering a major event that鈥檚 taking place in our listening area.
Public media audiences are more than just passive listeners: they are engaged, critical thinkers, and care deeply about what happens in their community. That鈥檚 what I love about this job. They turn to us for the quality, unbiased journalistic approach they expect on a daily basis.
Before coming thousands of miles to Colorado, I worked as the Connecticut statewide reporter for NPR affiliate WSHU Public Radio in Fairfield, Connecticut and as the host for 鈥淲eekend Edition鈥� on Saturdays and Sundays for New England Public Media in Springfield, Massachusetts. In addition, I was a weekend news anchor at WTIC-AM 1080 in Hartford, Connecticut and served as an Adjunct Professor at Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Connecticut.
I am a four-time recipient of the Connecticut AP Broadcasters Association award and a two-time recipient of the Connecticut Society of Professional Journalists Award. I鈥檓 also a long-time member of the National Association of Black Journalists.
Education-wise, I hold a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism from the Cathy Hughes School of Communications at Howard University in Washington, D.C., and a Master's degree in Journalism from Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Connecticut.
When I鈥檓 not at work, I can usually be found playing video games, enjoying a concert and the great outdoors across the Rocky Mountains, playing some pick-up basketball or enjoying sporting events from all the major college and professional teams in the state. Full disclosure: college basketball is my forte. I get excited whenever March rolls around. It鈥檚 the best time of the year as far as sports goes in my opinion!
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Black students in Denver Public Schools make up about 14% of the district's student population, yet data shows there hasn't been much progress on improving their experiences in the classroom. The district has been working to change that. Chalkbeat Colorado reporter Melanie Asmar joined KUNC's Michael Lyle, Jr. to get more details on those efforts. -
Data from the Anti-Defamation League shows antisemitic attacks in Colorado have reached their highest levels in more than four decades. The situation has made some rabbis consider adding security at synagogues for more protection. The Colorado Sun reporter Olivia Prentzel spoke with KUNC's Michael Lyle, Jr. to get more on the story. -
The University of Colorado football team held its spring game Saturday at Folsom Field. Heavy rain and cold temperatures didn鈥檛 stop a crowd of over 28,000 people from coming to watch. KUNC鈥檚 Mike Lyle was there to get a closer look at all the excitement brewing for the upcoming season in Boulder. -
It's been several months since Colorado Parks and Wildlife released 10 gray wolves captured in Oregon with the hopes of reestablishing a population here. This week one of the wolves turned up dead in Larimer County. Federal wildlife officials are investigating but they say it appears the wolf died of natural causes. The Colorado Sun reporter Tracy Ross joined KUNC's Michael Lyle, Jr. to provide an update on the situation. -
Xcel Energy鈥檚 decision to proactively shut off power to 55,000 customers ahead of a wind storm has drawn scrutiny from state leaders and those affected by the outage. An investigation by our partners at Boulder Reporting Lab revealed there was widespread confusion among city staff as the situation unfolded. Boulder Reporting Lab reporter Tim Drugan covered the aftermath. He joined KUNC's Michael Lyle, Jr. to discuss findings from the investigation. -
The Colorado House passed a bill this month that supporters hope can help preserve affordable housing units. House Bill 1175 would give local governments a 鈥渞ight of first refusal鈥� to buy privately owned affordable housing once its rent restrictions expire. Colorado Sun reporter Michael Booth joined KUNC's Michael Lyle, Jr. to get more on the story. -
The State House recently passed a bill that would ban the purchase, sale and transfer of semi-automatic weapons. The bill passed 35-27 mainly along party lines. It now awaits approval in the Senate. Colorado Sun reporter David Krause spoke with KUNC's Michael Lyle, Jr. to get more on this complex situation. -
Several local organizations in cities and towns that support Colorado's universal preschool program recently sent a letter to the Governor's office expressing their concern about possible financial cutbacks that could occur within the next two years. Chalkbeat Colorado reporter Ann Schmike joined KUNC's Michael Lyle, Jr. to get more on this story. -
Sandra Fish, a veteran reporter with The Colorado Sun, was kicked out of the Republican Party鈥檚 state assembly in Pueblo recently. Fish was given a press pass when she entered the event but was later escorted out by a sheriff鈥檚 deputy. State GOP party chair Dave Williams said Fish was kicked out because he believes her reporting is "unfair." The Colorado Sun editor Larry Ryckman joined KUNC's Michael Lyle Jr. to discuss the aftermath of this story. -
Geologic hydrogen is becoming a sought after clean energy source. Colorado scientists are spreading the word about its potential uses and seeking support from federal lawmakers and private investors. The Colorado Sun reporter David Krause spoke with KUNC's Michael Lyle, Jr. about the latest.
