WXXI Names Mikhaela Singleton as New Host of NPR’s Morning Edition

WXXI Public Media has announced a major change to its radio lineup, naming veteran journalist Mikhaela Singleton as the new local host of NPR’s Morning Edition on WXXI News.

Mikhaela Singleton

Singleton officially joins the station Monday, May 18, when she will co-host the morning program alongside longtime host Beth Adams during a transition week airing from 5 to 9 a.m. on WXXI News (FM 105.9) and WRUR-FM. Singleton is scheduled to assume full-time hosting duties on May 26.

As part of the transition, Adams will move to afternoons as host of NPR’s All Things Considered, filling the role vacated earlier this year following the retirement of longtime host Alex Crichton.

Singleton brings more than a decade of broadcast journalism experience to the public media station. Most recently, she worked as a news anchor at WROC-TV. Her previous reporting roles included positions at WTEN-TV in Albany and WRBL-TV in Columbus, Georgia.

Beyond broadcasting, Singleton has also been active in community organizations across the Rochester area, serving on the board of the M.K. Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence and working with groups including APAPA Rochester, the Women’s Foundation of Genesee Valley, and ROC the Future. She earned a degree in digital and broadcast journalism from University of Georgia.

In her new role, Singleton will guide listeners through regional and national news coverage during NPR’s flagship morning program while also delivering local reports and hosting the station’s WXXI Daily News podcast.

“I’m honored to receive the Morning Edition reins from Beth Adams, who has led the people of this community through their mornings in the most polished and insightful way,” Singleton said in a statement. “The station has long earned the love and respect of Greater Rochester’s people, and I’m proud to be a part of that legacy.”

Adams has hosted Morning Edition since joining WXXI in 2012 following a long career in commercial radio, including more than 20 years at WHAM Morning News. During her tenure, she earned recognition from organizations including the New York State Associated Press Broadcasters Association, the Radio Television Digital News Association, and the Public Media Journalists Association.

“My time as Morning Edition host has been the most rewarding experience of my career,” Adams said. “I know Mikhaela will bring a fresh energy to the show and her charisma and talent make her an ideal host.”

WXXI Public Media also operates The Little Theatre and publishes CITY Magazine.