Public Radio International and WNYC announced that Celeste Headlee will join “The Takeaway” as co-host to John Hockenberry. The announcement was made at the annual Public Radio Program Directors Conference this week in Cleveland.
Headlee becomes full-time with the show on Sept. 21 after several stints as a guest co-host this summer. Most recently, she was Midwest correspondent for NPR’s “Day to Day.” Previous positions include a reporting stint at WDET(FM), Detroit and an anchor position at KNAU(FM), Flagstaff, Ariz. Headlee is a classically trained soprano who has performed at the Michigan Opera Theater and recitals around the country.
“The Takeaway” is co-produced by WNYC Radio and PRI, in editorial collaboration with The BBC World Service, The New York Times and WGBH Boston. The broadcast airs from the New York studios of WNYC(FM).
Headlee replaces co-host Adaora Udoji, who had joined the program from Court TV and CNN, and was with the broadcast from its April 2008 launch. Udoji Went on maternity leave this spring and chose to not return, according to a WNYC spokesperson.