On Hand

A very rare sighting in the thumb region of Michigan this winter: an orange snowy owl. But how did it get that way?

GUEST: 

Sheri McWhirter, climate and environment reporter for MLive

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You've probably been hearing a lot of a particular term in the news and social media in the past few weeks: constitutional crisis. There are many people who believe the first few weeks of President Donald Trump's second-term administration have brought the United States dangerously close to one. We talked to Richard Primus, a constitutional law expert at the University of Michigan, about how to tell if you're in a constitutional crisis, and how the country has navigated them in years past. 

GUEST: 

Richard Primus, law professor at the University of Michigan

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Music in this episode by Blue Dot Sessions.

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Singer Isis Damil is young, but she's spent her lifetime crafting her uniquely Detroit sound. Now she's the new voice of WDIV's iconic "Go 4 It" theme song, and she's building her catalogue with her band.

GUEST:

Isis Damil, singer

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The University of Michigan's Index of Consumer Sentiment saw an irregular drop in February. And economist joined us to break down the numbers, and put them into context.

GUEST:

Joanne Hsu, economist; director of the Survey of Consumers at the University of Michigan

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Music in this episode by Blue Dot Sessions.

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When we tell stories, we have the opportunity to connect across generations. And sometimes, those connections can become catalysts that shift the course of our lives. Michigan Public’s Christopher Johnson introduces us to Detroit storyteller, Dwight Stackhouse, whose journey led him from the pulpit to the stage to James Baldwin—and beyond. 

GUEST:

Dwight Stackhouse, writer and storyteller

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The Great Lakes are renowned for both its commercial and sport fishing industries.

Long before that, the gifts of the inland seas provided both sustenance and economic trading power to the Indigenous peoples who lived in the region. But, there was a time, not long ago, where the fisheries of the Great Lakes were almost left for dead.

A new documentary, narrated by actor J.K. Simmons, explores the decades-long hunt to identify and subdue one of the biggest threats to Great Lakes fisheries: the sea lamprey.

The film, The Fish Thief: A Great Lakes Mystery, was commissioned to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Great Lakes Fishery Commission, the agency tasked with controlling sea lamprey.

On this episode, we’ll be exploring how 19th and 20th century shipping opened the door for new vessels - and new threats to Great Lakes wildlife. 

GUESTS:

• Lindsey Haskin, director of The Fish Thief: A Great Lakes Mystery

• Mike Siefkes, director of sea lamprey control with the Great Lakes Fishery Commission

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Michigan is in the midst of one of the worst flu seasons in years. There have already been more than 10,000 flu-related hospitalizations in the state this flu season, and outpatient visits for flu-like symptoms are the highest they have been in 15 years. We talked to Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, the state's chief medical executive, about flu season and the best ways to protect yourself. 

GUEST: 

Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive for the state of Michigan 

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Music in this episode by Blue Dot Sessions.

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This current outbreak of avian influenza, which started in March 2022, has been wreaking havoc throughout bird populations, domestic or otherwise. Causing high mortality rates amongst birds, bird flu has also spread to some dairy cattle and domestic pets.

Kimberly Dodd, dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine at Michigan State University, said the virus tends to evolve over time, so pet owners should limit the exposure of their pets to sick or dead birds in the area.

Dodd also said to contact the Department of Natural Resources if you come across a dead bird, and if you have to remove the bird from the area, wear personal protective equipment (PPE), like masks and gloves, and double bag the bird before throwing it away.

While the risk of avian flu to the general population is low, it's higher for those who directly deal with animals that may be infected, such as farmers or veterinarians. But, according to Dodd, veterinary clinics around the country are being extra precautionary.

GUEST:

• Kimberly Dodd, dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine at Michigan State University

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Music in this episode by Blue Dot Sessions.

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Industry experts discuss the swift impact of the Trump administration's new policies on the Michigan's agricultural industry, from research funding, to farm staffing, to international trade. 

GUESTS ON TODAY’S SHOW:

• David Tschirley, director of the Innovation Lab for Food Security Policy Research, Capacity, and Influence at Michigan State University

• Chuck Lippstreu, president of the Michigan Agri-Business Association

Looking for more conversations from Stateside? Right this way.

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

Music in this episode by Blue Dot Sessions.

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One of the worlds largest real estate cryptocurrency marketplace has been sweeping up properties and selling them to multiple investors sometimes even to hundreds. And because there's not one person tenants can turn to when things go wrong, problems on these properties are piling up.

GUESTS:

Aaron Mondry, Senior Reporter at Outlier Media

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