Michael Lyle Jr.

Weekend Host/Producer

Michael Lyle Jr. joined the New England Public Radio news team in early 2019.

Before he joined NEPR, Michael served as a News and Sports Anchor/Reporter and Producer for AM 1220 WQUN in Hamden, Connecticut and also serves as Weekend News Anchor at WTIC-AM 1080 in Hartford, Connecticut. He is a four-time recipient of the Connecticut AP Broadcasters Association award and a two-time recipient of the Connecticut Society of Professional Journalists Award.

Mike also serves as the Vice President of Broadcast for the Southern New England Association of Black Journalists, an affiliate chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists, which was honored in 2015 as the Professional Chapter of the Year.

Mike holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Howard University in Washington, D.C., and a Master's degree in Journalism from Quinnipiac University in Hamden, CT. He is also serving in the world of college academia, instructing a course in sports literature at Quinnipiac University, starting in the fall 2019 semester.

Ways to Connect

As COVID Rules End In Mass., Uncertainty About Mask Use And Vaccination Efforts

By • May 28, 2021
A bus, shown here in Chicopee, Massachusetts, has been converted into a mobile vaccination site. The seats on the bus were removed to make room for four vaccination wells, where nurses give the shots.
Karen Brown / NEPM

This weekend, nearly all COVID-19 safety restrictions will be lifted in Massachusetts. That includes mask requirements — at least for people who are vaccinated.

Hartford Yard Goats Set To Welcome Back Fans For 2021 Season

By • May 7, 2021
Dunkin' Donuts Park in Hartford, where the Yard Goats play.
Carrie Healy / NEPM

The minor league baseball season was canceled a year ago due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Hartford Yard Goats, the Double-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies, were among those impacted by the shutdown.

Basketball Courts In Springfield, Mass., Remain Closed Amid COVID-19 Fears

By • May 3, 2021
Officials across the country closed many outdoor basketball courts due to COVID-19 concerns.
Guettarda / Creative Commons

Springfield, Massachusetts, officials continue to field suggestions on reopening many of the city's basketball courts. They were closed at the beginning of the pandemic last year to help mitigate the spread of the coronavirus.

'Underlying Systemic Racism': Disparities In Alzheimer's Diagnoses And Care Outlined In New Report

By • Mar 25, 2021
A couple looking at a brochure about Alzheimer's disease.
Courtesy / Alzheimer's Association

In Massachusetts and Connecticut, more than 200,000 residents age 65 and older are living with Alzheimer's disease. That's according to a recent report from the Alzheimer's Association.

Another disturbing statistic from the report is that Black, Hispanic and Native Americans are at greater risk. This, combined with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, poses a greater challenge for those individuals to get the proper health care that's needed.

'If You Live In Skin That Isn't White,' There Is No Surprise To 'Visible And Deadly Aggressions'

By • Mar 19, 2021
Minister Bernard Smith of Bethlehem Baptist Community Church addresses the crowd in Holyoke, Mass., on June 2, 2020, while march organizers confer among themselves.
Ben James / NEPR

There was stunning news this week of a series of murders in the Atlanta area, where a white man killed eight people including six Asian women.

The man charged has reportedly confessed to the killings but said he was not motivated by racism. This has sparked renewed discussion around updating and clarifying hate crime laws in Massachusetts.

Unemployment Rate Falls In Much Of New England, But Not Connecticut Or Rhode Island

By • Dec 18, 2020
The Sierra Grille restaurant in Northampton, Massachusetts, announced in October 2020 it was closing.
Greta Jochem / Daily Hamphire Gazette / gazettenet.com

The latest unemployment rates decreased in four of the six New England states.

As Electors Gather To Formalize 2020 Results, Harris' AKA Sisters Reflect On 'Renewed Sense Of Hope'

By • Dec 11, 2020
The Hartford chapter of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority holds a get-out-the-vote rally prior to Election Day in downtown Hartford.
AKA Hartford Chapter / Courtesy AKA Hartford Chapter

On Monday, electors gather in each state and cast their votes for president and vice president. It will be a major step for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris on their way to the White House.

As COVID-19 Concerns Grow, An 'Unworkable' Solution Proposed

By • Oct 16, 2020
An ice cream shop in summer 2020 at Look Park in Northampton, Massachusetts.
Sam Hudzik / NEPM

Concern is growing in parts of New England about the potential for another spike in COVID-19 cases.

Celtics, Sun Continue Playoff Runs This Weekend

By • Sep 18, 2020
Connecticut Sun All-Star center Jonquel Jones decided to sit out the 2020 WNBA season due to COVID-19 concerns.
Frankie Graziano / Connecticut Public Radio

It’s a big weekend for playoff basketball in New England.

UMass Offers COVID-19 Isolation Spaces For Off-Campus Students

By • Sep 4, 2020
A COVID-19 testing site at the Mullins Center on the UMass Amherst campus.
Adam Frenier / NEPR

UMass Amherst said 17 students have tested positive for COVID19 since April — all but one who lives off-campus.

Conn. Sun Prep To Play As WNBA, Ga. Senator Clash Over Black Lives Matter Movement

By • Jul 15, 2020
Tanisha Wright (30) looks for an opening as she's guarded by Chiney Ogwumike (13) in a July 2018 Lynx vs Sun game at Target Center.
Lorie Shaull / Creative Commons / flickr.com/people/number7cloud/

The Connecticut Sun continue preparations for the 2020 WNBA season despite recent controversial comments from Georgia Senator and Atlanta Dream co-owner Kelly Loeffler about the Black Lives Matter movement. 

With COVID-19 Surge In Florida, Jonquel Jones Opts Out Of Conn. Sun's Short Season

By • Jun 23, 2020
Connecticut Sun All-Star center Jonquel Jones decided to sit out the 2020 WNBA season due to COVID-19 concerns.
Frankie Graziano / Connecticut Public Radio

Connecticut Sun All-Star center Jonquel Jones said she will not play in the 2020 WNBA season due to COVID-19 concerns. 

With Shortened 2020 Season Ahead, Connecticut Sun Aim For Safety Amid Pandemic

By • Jun 16, 2020
The Connecticut Sun lost to the Washington Mystics in the 2019 WNBA Finals.
Michael Lyle Jr. / NEPR

The Connecticut Sun are getting ready to tip-off the WNBA season. The league was scheduled to begin play in May, but that was delayed due to COVID-19.

Rep. Neal Won't Say If He Agrees Or Disagrees With Mayor Sarno's Attempt To Block Refugees

By & • Jan 24, 2020
Massachusetts U.S. Rep. Richard Neal (left) attended Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno's inauguration gala on January 11, 2020. Sarno (right) is shown here with his wife, Carla.
Frederick Gore / MassLive / masslive.com/photos

Massachusetts U.S. Rep. Richard Neal is declining to say if he agrees with Mayor Domenic Sarno's attempt to block refugee resettlement in Springfield. 

Nonprofit: Homelessness Decreases In Connecticut, But Sustained Investment Needed

By • Jan 23, 2020
Tents in the woods off of I-293 in Manchester, New Hampshire
Ryan Caron King / Connecticut Public Radio

In Massachusetts, a recent federal report found homelessness dropped 8% in 2018. The decline was even more severe in Connecticut, at 24%.