It is a member station of National Public Radio (NPR) and has a news--talk--information format.

The studios and offices for WESA and sister station 91.3 WYEP-FM are on Bedford Square at South 12th Street.

The station also had a significant local and regional news effort, including in-depth coverage of a variety of issues.

WDUQ entered into a management agreement to handle RIS's day-to-day business operations in late 2005.

[5] In October, 2007, WDUQ sparked controversy regarding the corporate underwriting it received from Planned Parenthood of Western Pennsylvania.

[6] In exchange for a gift of more than $5,000, WDUQ began airing a series of public service announcements (PSAs) for Planned Parenthood on October 8, 2007.

The messages focused on breast and cervical cancer screening, STD treatment, and abstinence education.

This could be an opportunity for Duquesne to reallocate assets for the enhancement of our educational enterprise and for the station to thrive on its own".

[10][11] The station's production facility moved to WYEP's Community Broadcast Center on the South Side and back-office functions were combined.