Stateside Daily Archive

The school year is already here for some Michigan districts. For the rest, it’s right around the corner. And there’s one thing that seems to be on everybody’s mind: masks. Today on the pod, we’ll talk about why some counties have decided to issue mask mandates for schools—instead of leaving it to individual districts. And we’ll hear what kind of pushback they&rs...

Where were you when "Malice at The Palace" happened? Much of Michigan was watching the Detroit Pistons game that cataclysmic night in 2004 against the Indiana Pacers. The pandemonium is now the subject of a new Netflix documentary, "Untold: Malice at The Palace". GUEST: Larry Lage , sports writer for the Associated Press, was at The Palace of Auburn Hills on November 19, 2004 Looking for more conv...

Today, we’ll touch on the world of COVID politics… where perception is reality and has little to do with policy. GUEST: Rick Pluta , Capitol Bureau Chief, Michigan Public Radio Network Looking for more conversations from Stateside ? Right this way. If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work. Stateside’s theme music is by 14KT . Additional music by Blue Do...

The pawpaw, an elusive and unique fruit native to the U.S.’s mid-Atlantic region, has been an important food to plenty of Native people for a very long time. But in modern times, it’s just now getting traction in the culinary scene. Today, we learn how to find, cook, and consume a pawpaw. GUEST: Sara Bir, chef and author of The Pocket Pawpaw Cookbook Looking for more conversations from...

Kids in Pandemics Past and Present   You’ve seen the stories about more children across the country being hospitalized after contracting COVID-19’s Delta variant. And this isn’t the first time families, school districts, and public health officials have had to make hard decisions about children during a pandemic. Today on the pod, what to know about the Delta variant and the...

All the economic turmoil of the pandemic has led around 15,000 Michiganders to join new or existing unions in the past year and a half. That's according to a new story from MLive. Today on the pod, we’ll talk to the reporters about why the pandemic has led to a surge in union memership, and we’ll talk to a labor economist about how this moment compares to other pivotal times in America...

Summer storms and power outages have always been part of life in Michigan, but changing climate means an acceleration of the natural forces that drive our weather. Severe thunderstorms left more than 700,000 Michiganders without power last week, and some 20,000 are still without. That's almost a week later. Today, how utilities are addressing vulnerabilities in the grid. GUESTS:  Dan Scripps,...

The delta variant of the coronavirus continues to cause in uptick in COVID-19 cases in communities across Michigan. What does this mean for the state in the months ahead? And how are state health officials preparing for the rising tide of delta as unvaccinated kids head back to school? Today on the podcast, we talk to Michigan’s top doctor about those questions, and ask her what you should k...

Theatre companies have faced some unique challenges throughout the pandemic as a sector that is so dependent on being in the room with other actors, writers, directors, and patrons. Plowshares Theatre Company in Detroit occupies a pretty unique vantage point for COVID-19 in the theatrical lockdown, being an urban theatre with a distinctly Detroit style. Today, we check in on how the company has co...

Quite a few Michigan school districts serving highly populated areas say they’re not going to require students and staff to wear masks. This is despite the increase in cases driven by the Delta variant. Today, we’re talking about masking in Michigan schools and the debate surrounding this issue.  GUESTS: Sara Cwiek , reporter, Michigan Radio Kate Wells , reporter, Michigan Radio J...

Earlier this week, the U.N.'s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change published their sixth assessment report, and they’re using words that scientists don’t use lightly. Words like "unequivocal." This feels like something we’ve already known for a while, but this report is over 4000 pages long. What do we know now that we didn’t know before? And what does this report mean...

The Detroit Free Press has a new weekly podcast called On the Line. It's hosted by Cary Junior II, who is also a producer of the show. On the Line captures the sounds and stories of Detroit. Today, we'll hear some of the first episode and talk with Cary all about this new project. GUEST: Cary Junior II , Audio Producer at the Detroit Free Press Looking for more conversations from Stateside ? Right...

As we see COVID infection rates go up in Michigan, it’s clear the highly contagious Delta variant of COVID-19 has found its way into the state. Most of Michigan’s 83 counties are now considered to be places of substantial risk for the spread of COVID. Today, what you need to know about COVID infection rates, and how one county is approaching the threat of the Delta variant. CORRECTION:...

There has not been much to laugh about since the pandemic struck. So after a year that included major social and political events, what is it like to get back on the comedy stage? We talk with two Detroit-based comedians who also happen to both be part of the LGBTQ community. GUEST: Joe Aasim , comedian, host of monthly comedy night in Hamtramck called Neapolitan Ice Cream Diana Graham ,  com...

The Shawnee Chief Tecumseh's name is well known throughout the Great Lakes region, but what about the person and his enduring legacy? Stateside explores the issue with the author of the most recent biography of the leader. We then speak with a member Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians for a native Michigan interpretation.  Guests: Peter Cozzens , historian, former diplomat and author o...

Jonah Mixon-Webster’s poetry collection, Stereo(TYPE), is about to be reborn. It came out in 2018, published by Ahsahta Press. Later this month, it’s coming back, published by a much larger imprint, Knopf. If you’ve never read him before, you’re in for a totally immersive experience. GUEST: Jonah Mixon-Webster , poet and author Looking for more conversations from State...

As the popularity of paddle boarding booms in Michigan, Stateside Host speaking with custom paddleboard maker Jason Thelen of Little Bay Boards in Petoskey. Thelen shares his journey from hobby to profession. And what are Michigan's rules and regulations for paddleboarders.... or there any? DNR conservation officer Cpl. Ivan Perez shines some light on some gray areas. See omnystudio.com/listener f...

Sometimes you just need music that hits when you’re holding absolutely still. Lucky for us, Ann Arbor singer-songwriter Izzy Johnson delivers just that in their first solo release. The new album Earth Tones is filled with meditative, calming melodies that might just enchant your socks off.  You can listen to Izzy Johnson’s new album Earth Tones here. GUEST: Izzy Johnson, Ann Arbor...

Former longtime Senator representing Michigan, Carl Levin, has died. He was 87.  Levin is remembered and respected as a serious lawmaker who revered the Senate’s role in government, the nuance of policy and policymaking, bipartisan collegiality, and serving his constituents.  GUESTS: Sen. Carl Levin Rep. Debbie Dingell , congresswoman and wife of the late Rep. John Dingell Check ou...

Dr. David Pilgrim is a museum curator at Ferris State University's Jim Crow Museum of Racist Memorabilia. It's home to 14,000 mostly racist artifacts. Today we’re talking with Pilgrim about how this Michigan museum uses objects of intolerance to teach tolerance, and about the future of the museum with it’s $18.5 million expansion.  GUESTS: David Pilgrim , Jim Crow Museum of R...

Over the past year, multiple children's hospitals say that they have seen a surge in eating disorder admissions. Providers say the pandemic was likely what triggered this, mostly among teens, and many parents are struggling to get them help. Michigan Radio's Kate Wells reports on what advice experts and parents who've been through this have for families. GUESTS: Kate Wells , reporter, Michigan Rad...

Federal prosecutors and attorneys for an armed anti-government militia continue to lay groundwork for a trial set for later this year. The group of mostly-Michigan men, the so-called Wolverine Watchmen, are accused of plotting last year to kidnap Governor Gretchen Whitmer. The defense has indicated it will show jurors that the plot never would have happened, had FBI informants not drawn the militi...

This summer’s relative freedrom been such a relief for millions of cooped-up Michiganders. But the pandemic isn’t over yet, folks. Today on the pod, we’ll talk to a public health officer for a county that’s seeing cases rise—including ones associated with the more contagious delta variant—even as vaccinations continue to lag. GUEST: Rebecca Burns, health officer...

For many of us the Summer Olympics is a quadrennial moment when we can let our inner dilettante really shine. Miraculous overnight experts on the decathlon, swimming, and beach volleyball. And now… add to that list, BMX freestyle.  GUEST: Hannah Roberts, BMX Freestyle Olympian for Team U.S.A. Looking for more conversations from Stateside ? Right this way . If you like what you hear on...

Maybe you’ve seen the trailer for the movie Zola . Maybe you read the viral tweet thread that inspired it all. But did you know that the wild story—and the woman who shared it with the world—started out right here in Michigan? On today’s pod, we talk to the real-life Zola about her wild road trip and the film adaptation’s smart takes on sex work, race, and f...