Stateside Daily Archive

For the first time ever, Michigan is going to have a primary vote on candidates for president about a month earlier than we usually do. Voters can also vote early and in person before election day. Today, we’re talking with Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson about the primaries, and what voters in Michigan need to know this February. GUEST: Jocelyn Benson , Michigan's Secretary of State  _...

This week we learned that six staffers have been fired from the Wayne County juvenile jail for failing to ensure the safety of a 12-year-old child, who was sexually allegedly assaulted in March of 2023. But there are now new investigations into other incidents of alleged assault, unsanitary conditions, and other medical care violations. GUEST : Christine MacDonald , investigative editor for the De...

Ann Arbor's dioxane problem from the Gelman Science contamination is in line to get federal help. The EPA announced that the Gelman contaminated site is a candidate for the National Priorities List, which means it’s eligible to become a Superfund site.  GUESTS : Brian Steglitz , public services area administrator for the City of Ann Arbor Bill Shuster , professor and chair of Civil and Environment...

“Come and Get It” is New York Times bestselling author Kiley Reid’s latest book set to the backdrop of dormitory life. But it’s not all dingy shower stalls and stained walls. “Come and Get It” tackles big questions around race and class on a college campus. GUEST : Kiley Reid, author and assistant professor at the University of Michigan ___ Looking for more conversations from Stateside? Right this...

Last week, Dearborn mayor Abdullah Hammoud and other leaders declined an invitation to meet with Biden’s re-election campaign officials. Today, we’re talking with mayor Hammoud about the Dearborn voting bloc; what’s changed, what hasn’t, and what he hopes for the future. GUEST : Abdullah Hammoud ,  mayor of Dearborn, Michigan ___ Looking for more conversations from Stateside? Right this way . If y...

We speak with the man behind "Gridiron Heroes," the Detroit Lions' fight song played after every touchdown at home games. GUEST : Theo Spight ,  "Gridiron Heroes” singer ___ Looking for more conversations from Stateside? Right this way . If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Yesterday evening, Governor Gretchen Whitmer delivered her 2024 State of the State address. In her speech, she detailed her plans to provide universal pre-K and two years of free community college to all Michiganders. Among other topics, she also discussed electric vehicle projects, efforts for more affordable housing, business incentive programs, and the state of the roads in Michigan. GUESTS : Z...

Periodicals, a new brick-and-mortar shop on the corner of Grand River and Warren in Detroit, deals in magazines. But this is not your grandmother’s tabloid rack.  We visited owner and founder Aleiya Olu at the shop to talk about her vision for the new space, and about the power of print media.  GUEST : Aleiya Olu , partner Olu & Company; owner and founder of Periodicals ___ Looking for more co...

Ann Arbor is one of the first public school boards to pass a resolution that calls for a bilateral ceasefire in Gaza. Today, we speak with one school board trustee about the resolution and why they voted "yes." GUEST: Rima Mohammad , trustee and president of the Ann Arbor School Board ___ Looking for more conversations from Stateside? Right this way . If you like what you hear on the pod, consider...

Unlike for adults facing prosecution in Michigan, there’s no centralized structure, training, or even budget when it comes to juvenile public defense. In some cases, children face charges with no attorney at all. Today, we’re talking about public legal defense in the juvenile justice system in Michigan and about House Bill 4630, which would provide funding for indigent defense for juveniles. GUEST...

A new book co-authored by a professor at Michigan State University suggests ways to bring Asian American history into the elementary school classroom, even if it’s not in the state curriculum. "Teaching Asian America in Elementary Classrooms" defies stereotypes about Asian people in the United States and focuses on the complexity of Asian American identity. GUESTS: Noreen Naseem Rodriguez , co-aut...

Temperatures dropped across the state this week. For housing insecure folks in Michigan, cold days are particularly dangerous. We look at the ongoing homelessness crisis and at how one Grand Rapids shelter is trying to keep people safe from the cold. GUEST: Adrienne Goodstal , president of Mel Trotter Ministries ___ Looking for more conversations from Stateside? Right this way . If you like what y...

A recent report found that Hillsdale College officials have ties to the Michigan fake elector scheme – the plot in which 16 false electors attempted to overturn the 2020 presidential election in Donald Trumps favor. GUEST: Danny Hakim , reporter for The New York Times ___ Looking for more conversations from Stateside? Right this way . If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our w...

Detroit police said that crime in the city dropped nearly 20% in 2023 compared to 2022. But crime stats can be more complicated than they look.  Today, we’re looking at what these numbers really tell us. Plus the two reporters who bring us this story tell us about what other stories they have eyes on this year. GUESTS: Adam Yahya Rayes , data reporter for Michigan Public Briana Rice , criminal jus...

Mornings can be hard. But there are small practices you can make for better ones. Detroit-based podcast producer Zak Rosen has the scoop on some petite and practical changes to make your morning that much smoother.   GUEST: Zak Rosen , producer and host of The Best Advice Show ___ Looking for more conversations from Stateside? Right this way . If you like what you hear on the pod, consider support...

It’s been three months since Israel's attack on Gaza. More than 23,000 Palestinian people have been killed. Today, we’re talking about media, representation and how what we see, read, and listen to affects our perception of the world. GUESTS: Dr. Muniba Saleem , associate professor in the Department of Communication at UC Santa Barbara Dr. Nour Kteily , professor of management & organizations...

We are now Michigan Public! We’ve been known as Michigan Radio, for years, but here's the thing, we are way more than radio. We're on-demand, online, and in real life for our live events. New year, new name, and the same great storytelling. GUEST: Wendy Turner , general manager at Michigan Public ___ Looking for more conversations from Stateside? Right this way . If you like what you hear on the p...

With the Michigan Wolverines' National Championship victory yesterday and the Detroit Lions' upcoming playoff game against the Los Angeles Rams this Sunday, it's a historic week for Michigan football. GUESTS: Al Martin , sports reporter and host at WKAR John Niyo , sports columnist at the Detroit Free Press ___ Looking for more conversations from Stateside? Right this way . If you like what you he...

Stellantis announced that they’ll be sitting out two major events this year citing cost concerns – the Consumer Electronics Show and the Chicago Auto Show. This also came out: the Detroit Three will not be advertising during the 2024 Super Bowl. Today, a new year of cars and marketing, and what this could signal about the future. GUEST: Jamie LaReau , reporter at the Detroit Free Press ___ Looking...

Lindsey Renee Sims is the host of the Rhythm & Soul Patrol show, airing on WPON 1460 AM, Monday through Thursday.  She plays a thoughtful mix of The Temptations, Aretha Franklin, Bobby Womack, Marvin Gaye, and others, delivered with nuggets of historic context.  But everything she spins is before her time – Lindsey’s just 21 years old. The show’s gained a loyal following, not just in Metro Det...

In the year since Kristina Karamo was elected chair of the Michigan Republican, critics say she hasn’t delivered financially. The party is in disarray, financially and ideologically. Now some members of the MIGOP want Karamo out. They're calling for a vote this Saturday to remove her as chair of the party. GUEST: Jonathan Oosting , Capitol reporter for Bridge Magazine ___ Looking for more conversa...

Michigan is one of just a few states that outlaw compensated surrogacy contracts, which has made surrogacy a nearly impossible option for many people in the state. But this might be changing. A new bill package aims to legalize surrogacy contracts and create parameters around parentage.  GUEST: Adam Taylor , mentor for MI Medicine's peer mentor program ___ Looking for more conversations from State...

Michigan secured a close victory over Alabama in overtime at the Rose Bowl, sending them to the College Football Playoff National Championship next week in Houston. This win comes after a tumultuous season for Michigan, with head coach Jim Harbaugh being suspended twice and potential administrative penalties yet to come.  GUEST: John U. Bacon , sports commentator ___ Looking for more conversations...

We get a taste of what musician Joe Hertler is listening to on his Michigan music playlist. And we look back at the legacy of Amp Fiddler, a Detroit legendary musician who died this week. GUESTS: Joe Hertler , Joe Hertler and the Rainbow Seekers Sam Beaubien , Will Sessions and WDET See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Detroit food scene is abuzz, and this year did not disappoint. We’ve seen chefs in the area pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in the city – from the proliferation of Yemeni coffee houses to the rise of Instagram-ready restaurants. GUEST: Lyndsay Green, food critic and writer for the Detroit Free Press ___ Looking for more conversations from Stateside? Right this way . If you like what...