On Hand

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

Jill, Grand Rapids teacher

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Stateside’s theme music is by 14KT.

Additional music by Blue Dot Sessions.

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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 for us in Michigan, where heat waves and flooding have caused loss of all sorts?

GUESTS:

Michelle Martinez, acting Executive Director and founding member of the Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition

Jennifer Haverkamp, Director of the Graham Sustainability Institute

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Stateside’s theme music is by 14KT.

Additional music by Blue Dot Sessions.

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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

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Stateside’s theme music is by 14KT.

Additional music by Blue Dot Sessions.

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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: In the audio for this episode, April Baer says that Michigan has 80 counties. That is incorrect. The state has 83 counties. The error has been corrected in the copy above.

GUESTS:

Robin Erb, reporter with Bridge Michigan

Jemina Loveluck, Health Officer for Washtenaw County

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Stateside’s theme music is by 14KT.

Additional music by Blue Dot Sessions.

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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,  comedian, 5-year veteran of the Michigan comedy scene

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Stateside’s theme music is by 14KT.

Additional music by Blue Dot Sessions.

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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 of Tecumseh and the Prophet: the Shawnee Brothers Who Defied a Nation. 

Eric Hemenway, the director of archives and records for the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians and a member of the Michigan Historical Commission.

 

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Stateside’s theme music is by 14KT.

Additional music by Blue Dot Sessions.

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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

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Stateside’s theme music is by 14KT.

Additional music by Blue Dot Sessions.

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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.

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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-based singer and songwriter.

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Stateside’s theme music is by 14KT.

Additional music by Blue Dot Sessions.

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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 out the virtual Jim Crow Museum of Racist Memorabilia tour.

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If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work.

Stateside’s theme music is by 14KT.

Additional music by Blue Dot Sessions.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.