Intersection Host Matthew Peddie Leaving WMFE After 10 Years
March 11, 2022 (ORLANDO) -- After nine years as host of Central Florida’s news and conversation program Intersection, Matthew Peddie will leave the show -- and his position with NPR affiliates WMFE and WMFV -- on March 25. His last episode will air on March 24 at noon and 9pm on 90.7 WMFE and 89.5 WMFV.
Peddie will be joining WUSF Public Media as the next host of the program Florida Matters. WMFE and WUSF are frequent collaborators, including on coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2020 elections.
Peddie started at WMFE in 2012 and began hosting Intersection in early 2013. Over the years, he has interviewed hundreds of guests, including voting rights activist Desmond Meade, author and journalist Carl Hiaasen and public radio icon Diane Rehm, and moderated WMFE events including a town hall in the months after the Pulse Nightclub shooting with survivors, first responders, city officials and LGBT/Latinx community leaders.
“It’s been a privilege to serve the listeners of WMFE and WMFV and to lead this tremendously talented group of journalists through award winning reporting, including an investigative series on the TSA, and important coverage of challenging events like the COVID-19 pandemic, racial justice protests and the 2020 presidential election,” said Peddie. “I will miss my colleagues on the WMFE news team, but I am excited about the next chapter of my journalism career, and I look forward to working with the WUSF news team as I continue to explore important issues and talk to Florida newsmakers.”
Intersection has been on the air for nearly 15 years, signing on in the Fall of 2007. With Peddie’s departure, WMFE and WMFV will take the opportunity to reimagine how best to serve Central Florida with independent, trustworthy journalism and information during these changing times.
“Matthew’s leadership has been invaluable during his tenure with WMFE/WMFV,” said News Director LaToya Dennis. “In addition to his role as host of Intersection, he also holds the title of assistant news director and has helped navigate the WMFE/WMFV newsrooms through difficult times. While we are excited about what’s next for Matt, he leaves behind big shoes to fill.”
Intersection will be on hiatus during this period of reflection. The Takeaway will air in its place on Thursdays at noon and 9pm on WMFE and WMFV, starting March 31. This national program, hosted by Melissa Harris-Perry, is already familiar to listeners, as it currently airs during the same time slots on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays.
“Matt has been a dedicated and engaged part of the WMFE team for the past decade, and we wish him all the best in his next chapter at our sister station at the other end of I-4," said WMFE/V’s President and General Manager Judith Smelser. "He will be sorely missed by his colleagues here, but we are excited about the opportunity to envision the next evolution of our public service journalism mission in Central Florida.”
About Community Communications Inc.:
Community Communications Inc. is a non-profit, member-supported, community-based public broadcasting company that operates 90.7 WMFE-FM, metro Orlando’s primary provider of NPR programming; 90.7-2 Classical; and 89.5 WMFV, public radio for The Villages, Leesburg and The Golden Triangle. Part of the community since 1980, Community Communications focuses on providing quality national and local news and programming.
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