Stateside Daily Archive

As we inch closer to the midterms, we turn our focus to key Congressional races happening in Michigan. On today's pod, we talk to with state Sen. Tom Barrett. Then guest host Colin Jackson helms the show to talk about the competitive down-ballot races. GUESTS: Samuel J. Robinson, Detroit local reporter for Axios Alyssa McMurty, reporter at Gongwer News Service Alyssa Burr, political reporter for M...

Quality Scary is a Lansing-based horror film club and comedy series that exists at the weird intersection of frightening and funny.  Their brand is perfectly illustrated by their fictional ad for the Electronic Dream Phone. Their imagined version of this 90s toy is possessed by some horrifying voice.  Emily Syrja, Tricia Chamberlain, and Dan Hartley comprise the team behind Comedy Scary. They join...

Last Thursday, Michigan State University's President Samuel Stanley announced that he would be leaving the position in 90 days, citing his lose in confidence in the Board of Trustees. So what does this mean for the university and for the upcoming trustee election? GUEST:  David Jesse , reporter, Detroit Free Press __ Looking for more conversations from Stateside? Right this way . If you like what...

Today we break down what know about the complex web of money and power surrounding former State Speaker of the House Lee Chatfield. We’ll update you on where standing and evolving investigations are in this moment. GUEST:  Craig Mauger, reporter, Detroit News __ Looking for more conversations from Stateside? Right this way . If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work. Music...

Getting outside to watch the birds is a great way to slow down and relax in nature. But birding groups haven't always been an inclusive space. On today's pod, we talk about one effort to change that and create a welcoming space for BIPOC birders. GUESTS:  April Campbell, retired physician and founder of BIPOC Birders of Michigan Rukiya Colvin, Detroit-based freelance writer who profiled Campbell f...

On today’s show we examined the race in Michigan’s newly drawn 7th Congressional District. Several money tracking firms have named the race between incumbent Democratic Rep. Elissa Slotkin and Republican State Sen. Tom Barrett as the most expensive congressional races in the country when it comes to outside spending. This week, host Zoe Clark talked to Rep. Elissa Slotkin about what it is like to...

In a small town in the Upper Peninsula a backyard boxing club is drawing a lot of attention. This homegrown fight club first started as a joke, has grown into something so much more. Read the original article here . GUESTS:  John Carlisle , reporter, Detroit Free Press ___ Looking for more conversations from Stateside? Right this way . If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our...

Roland "Ro" Coit is a bit of a modern legend in the world of sneaker enthusiasts. The owner of Burn Rubber sneaker boutique in Royal Oak and Two 18 in Eastern Market was tapped by Nike to design an Air Jordan 2 with Detroit in mind. The limited edition shoe comes out this Friday.  GUEST on today's episode: Roland Coit , shoe designer and owner of Burn Rubber and Two 18 Music heard on today's episo...

Community members within the Dearborn Public School District have been in heated debate over several LGBTQ-positive books and their availability to students. The debate in Dearborn came to a head at a school board meeting this week. It’s not the first time a religious, conservative group has opposed the availability of books that include LGBTQ-positive stories and sentiments. However, unlike we’ve...

Today is Indigenous People's Day. However, this week also marks the 122nd anniversary of the day a group of white folks burned down a village on the northern tip of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula, violently forcing the Cheboiganing Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians to flee for their lives. A memorial at the University of Michigan Museum of Art commemorates the homes that were lost that day at Burt L...

With about a month to go in the campaign season, the It’s Just Politics crew zooms in on one of the three proposals on the ballot: Proposal 1 on legislature term limits and financial disclosures. GUESTS: Jason Roe, senior advisor for Voters for Transparency and Term Limits Patrick Anderson, CEO of Anderson Economic Group  Dave Boucher, state government and politics reporter, Detroit Free Press Ste...

This is Collision Course, a series about the changing of Michigan’s no-fault auto insurance law and how it’s upending the lives of thousands of people, including one hockey legend. Red Wings defensemen Vladimir Konstantinov is one of 18,000 people at risk of losing their care because of changes to Michigan auto no-fault laws. But some news in the Michigan courts could change all of that. Listen to...

Seven former public officials have been facing felony charges for their role during the Flint Water crisis. This week, those charges were dropped. Reporter Steve Carmody joins us to unravel Judge Kelly’s decision, as well as Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy’s response. Flint resident and activist Shea Cobb also joined us to share why the news is a devastating blow to those seeking justice for th...

It’s officially fall, which means it’s also harvesting time for many of Michigan’s wineries. Despite the romantic image of the sun shining over rolling fields of ripe, juicy grapes, this time of year can also be a season of chaos for growers, distilleries and winemakers. Black Star Farms, founded in 1998 by a team of grape growers looking to showcase northwest Michigan’s agriculture, partners with...

Writer Desiree Cooper's new children's book—titled Nothing Special —celebrates the intergenerational friendship between her grandson Jax and her own father. Its lush multimedia illustrations and the story, drawn from Cooper's own life, finds joy in the quiet moments of childhood. We talked to Cooper about how the book came to life and what she learned in the process.  GUEST:  Desiree Cooper, write...

We are 39 days away from election day and there's a lot going on in Michigan politics this week. On today's It's Just Politics, we speak with the Ottawa County Clerk about how the absentee voting process is going and get some of your questions answered. We'll also get into news from Lansing. The state legislature was busy this week during what is likely to be their last voting day before the Novem...

This is Collision Course, a series about the changing of Michigan’s no-fault auto insurance law and how it’s upending the lives of thousands of people, including one hockey legend. Red Wings defensemen Vladimir Konstantinov is one of 18,000 people at risk of losing their care because of changes to Michigan auto no-fault laws. His network of family, friends, and fans are rallying together to help s...

Election officials in Michigan are dealing with a wave of ballot challenges from the AUgust primary--and expecting more for November’s election. The New York Times reported on concerted efforts to slow down or confuse the process of counting ballots. And election challenges are coming in droves, at the cost of taxpayer dollars, and risking voter confidence in the process. GUEST:  Alexandra Berzon,...

Artist Tatyana Fazlalizadeh, who is best known for her public art series Stop Telling Women to Smile , is bringing multiple art installations to the University of Michigan throughout this fall. Her works include an exhibition at the Institute for Humanities Gallery, and a series of murals that will be on display across campus. She joined the show to discuss her methodology for the new murals, and...

A child care desert is a region where three children compete for every available slot at an in-home or group center. The Michigan League for Public Policy, a Lansing-based nonprofit, created a list of 11 childcare deserts in Michigan. However, a consortium of newsrooms was able to track down more accurate data and found the actual number to be much higher.  Reporter Derek Kravitz co-authored the r...

Tudor Dixon and fellow Republicans give their reaction to the state superintendent advising that teachers do not disclose the gender identity to their students’ parents, and old writing from congressional candidate, John Gibbs says he thought women should not be able to vote. GUESTS: Jonathan Oosting , capitol and politics reporter for Bridge Michigan  Samuel J. Robinson , Detroit-based reporter f...

A few weeks ago, a white Black Bear was spotted in the Upper Peninsula. Today, we’ll talk about what makes this bear special, and how we struggle to protect things that are special in the natural world. GUESTS: Cody Norton , large carnivore specialist with the Michigan Department of Natural Resource Austin Ayres , Natural Resources Department, Keweenaw Bay Indian Community —— Looking for more conv...

There’s a new art installation at the Washtenaw County Courthouse over the next month that’s designed to challenge a space in America—a space that’s known for its demoralizing confines.  The project is called RE:CLAIM. It’s a partnership with five  groups: Youth Arts Alliance , the Interfaith Council for Peace & Justice , Washtenaw My Brother's Keeper , Amplify Project , Title Track , and the...

Boblo Island Amusement Park closed its gates in 1993, but to get to the island, you had to take one of the Boblo boats – mighty steamships with four decks of passengers. The park and the boats are relics of a time when Detroit was one of the industrial capitals of the country. A new film, Boblo Boats: A Detroit Ferry Tale , documents the boats' place in Detroit's history, as well as more recent ef...

Wasem Fruit Farm has been owned by Bruce and Jan Upston for decades. We visit the farm to meet the couple, look back on their history with the farm, and talk about how they came to the decision to retire. We also get to know Karl Thuemmel, the Wasem's new caretaker.  GUESTS: Bruce Upston , owner of Wasem Fruit Farm Jan Upston , owner of Wasem Fruit Farm Karl Thuemmel , future owner of Wasem Fruit...