Stateside Daily Archive

In her fourth State of the State speech, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer focused on policy goals with some bipartisan support. But how much comradery will Democrats and Republicans be able to find in an election year? On today's episode, we'll break down what Whitmer said and how likely it is she'll get movement on her policy priorities. Plus, we dig in on one particular focus for the governor:...

In 2020, for the first time on record, Michigan saw more deaths than births. And while COVID-19 certainly added to the death numbers, it wasn't the only reason for the disparity. As a state, we've been dealing with much slower growth than other parts of the country. On today's episode, we'll talk to a demographer and an economist about how that might impact the way our state--and its economy--look...

"Let's see how grand your rapids are," was a playful challenge from RuPaul herself to Grand Rapids area native and drag queen, Orion Story. Otherwise known as Chace Lambert, Story became the first queen to represent Michigan on RuPaul’s Drag Race , which is currently on its 14th season. Today, we talk with Lambert about drag in Michigan and on the show.  GUEST:  Chance Lambert , We...

Simone Biles' withdrawal from the 2021 Olympic finals showed us how difficult, yet important it can be to prioritize self care as a star athlete. And the issue definitely hits home here in Michigan. Today, a former Michigan State runner reckons with the prevalence of eating disorders within the running world. GUEST:  Maggie Farrell, former Michigan State University cross country runner, grad...

Like many Michigan grandparents, piping plovers have flown south for the winter. But the endangered bird makes its summer home along the shores of the Great Lakes. And in Chicago, they eagerly await the return of a sort of piping plover celebrity couple: Monty and Rose. The pair has many fans in the city, a beer named in their honor, and a documentary about their journey. On today's episode, we ta...

New political maps, the retirement of Congresswoman Brenda Lawrence, and Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib announcing she’ll move to a new neighboring district have left Detroit with a rare opportunity: a wide open congressional seat. We talked to two Detroit politicos about who is in the running for the 13th District, and how race and class might play a role in the upcoming election.  GUESTS...

The University of Michigan has reached a settlement with survivors of Dr. Robert Anderson, a physician who worked in sports medicine and the University health system for 37 years and is accused of sexually abusing more than a thousand students. We talked to a reporter and a lawyer representing some of the survivors about the details.  GUESTS:  Kim Kozlowski, higher education reporter for...

This past weekend, after a closed-door meeting, the University of Michigan’s board of regents fired President Mark Schlissel for allegedly having an inappropriate relationship with a university employee. We talked to a Title IX attorney about what this says about the school's approach to sexual harassment cases—and what it might mean for the future.   GUEST:  Sarah Prescott,...

COVID has posed a grave threat to our elders these last two years. Even if your family has been lucky enough to dodge the worst, you're probably finding moments with the grandparents in your life that much sweeter. Two Michigan photographers travelled across the country to find some of those moments, taking portraits of grandmothers and archiving their wisdom in the new book, Grandmothers of Ameri...

Keeping Indigenous languages alive is not a small job. The more hands, the better. That’s why the team behind Ojibwe.net created an online platform to make learning the Anishinaabemowin language more accessible for language learners everywhere. GUESTS: Margaret Noodin, poet, teacher of language, professor in the departments of English and American Indian studies at the University of Wisconsi...

During the pandemic, the number of arrests for carrying a concealed weapon skyrocketed in Detroit. Police say they're responding to an increase in gun related crimes. But defense attorneys say the arrests have been heavy handed, burdening an already backlogged court system and further eroding public trust in police.  GUEST: Beenish Ahmed, criminal justice reporter, Michigan Radio Looking...

Ever feel like endless Zoom meetings are slowly draining your life force? It’s not just you; science says Zoom fatigue is a real phenomenon. The lag in a person’s response time “disrupts this automatic, neural process, and so it makes conversation more effortful,” says researcher and professor Julie Boland.  GUEST:  Julie Boland , professor of psychology & lin...

Former House speaker, republican Lee Chatfield, is being investigated by state and regional police. His sister-in-law has accused him of sexual assault, starting when she was in her mid teens.  This conversation and allegations against Lee Chatfield will be disturbing or triggering to some listeners. GUESTS: Kelly House, reporter, Bridge Michigan Jonathan Oosting, reporter, Bridge Michigan Lo...

After Toyota beat out GM for the top-selling automaker in the U.S. market last year, some analysts say American automakers have lost their home turf dominance. At the same time, the Big Three have been making big investments in an electric future, which was clear from their offerings at this week's Consumers Electronic Show in Las Vegas. On today's episode, we checked in with some folks who cover...

The game changed for a lot of people on Jan 6th 2021. Maybe for no one more than West Michigan Republican Congressman Peter Meijer. As the successor to Justin Amash, a Libertarian star, he was never really as closely identified with Donald Trump as some House members. But when he was among just a handful of Republicans to vote to impeach the former president for his actions that day, Meijer found...

It's not just the auto industry grappling with major pandemic supply chain disruptions. Everyday items like ketchup, dumbbells, and worst of all, coffee are also seeing shortages and price hikes. So, what is actually driving this disruption? And what does it mean for the average consumer? We asked journalist Sonari Glinton to share what he's learned about this issue in his recent reporting. &...

A lot of people hoped that by this point in the pandemic, there'd be a finish line in sight. But with case numbers and deaths still alarmingly high, that's clearly not the case. Instead, epidemiologist Debra Furr-Holden told Stateside , we have to learn to live with the virus, and get real about the danger it still poses.  GUEST:  Debra Furr-Holden, epidemiologist and professor of public...

The state's new political maps have gotten a final stamp of approval from the independent redistricting commission. But one lawsuit  is already in the works over how lines were drawn in and around Detroit. On today's episode, we'll talk to a reporter about the response to the new maps and a state lawmaker who says they dilute the power of Black voters.  GUESTS:  Clara Hendrickson, R...

For a long time, if you asked Alice Randall where she was from, she’d say Detroit-Alabama. The Detroit-born writer grew up surrounded by relatives who had come north from Alabama. She wrote about that experience recently for the Oxford American. On today's episode, you'll hear Randall talk about her experience “Up South” and the profound cultural mark the northern migration of Bl...

The co-hosts of "Songs from the Trail" on WVBI, Jackson Smith and Steve Girbach, share their picks for favorite musical releases of 2021 (okay... and Steve sneaks a 2020 release in there, too.)  GUESTS: Jackson Smith, co-host, Songs from the Trail Steve Girbach, co-host, Songs from the Trail   Looking for more conversations from Stateside ? Right this way . If you like what you hear on t...

A strange sickness is sweeping through Detroit, leaving unbearable grief and overwhelmed city hospitals and morgues in its wake. That’s the eerily familiar world into which writer adrienne maree brown’s debut novella drops us. Grievers is the first story in a trilogy published by Black Dawn, a speculative fiction imprint from AK Press. The seed of this story took root a long time...

One of the big business stories out of Michigan this year was Larry Bell selling Bell's Brewery. The maker of craft brew favorites Oberon and Two Hearted Ale, Bell has said publicly that he would never sell. But 2021 is the year that changed his tune. GUEST: Larry Bell, founder of Bell's Brewery Dustin Walsh, reporter, Crain's Detroit Business   Looking for more conversations from Stateside ?...

Eggnog, hot toddies, mulled wine, coquito. For a lot of folks, a little tipple is what we do during the holidays. But for those who’d rather abstain, we thankfully have a lot more options than just hot chocolate or O’Doul’s these days. Today on the pod, holiday cheer and non-alcoholic beer. Plus, a cocktail recipe for those who want a little booze at their holiday table.  GU...

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has published December jobs report. And, like so many things in the COVID-19 pandemic, well, it’s complicated. Unemployment is down. 82% of jobs lost in the pandemic are back. But, growth in new job openings last month was much slower than expected. That’s despite all the “now hiring” signs you’re seeing around town. Econo...

Dozens of parents showed up to speak at the Oxford School Board meeting—the first since the deadly shooting at the town's high school two weeks ago. The question for the school district now: how to rebuild trust and community after unimaginable loss. GUEST:  David Jesse, reporter for the Detroit Free Press. Find his article about the board meeting and parent response here. Looking for m...