Michigan is set to receive around $1.5 billion dollars over the next 18 years from a settlement with pharmaceutical companies that produce and distribute opioids. Half of the money coming to the state will be distributed to local governments. And now, with money rolling in, counties and municipalities are trying to figure out how to spend it.

GUEST:

Robin Erb, health reporter for Bridge Michigan 

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In Michigan's primary election, more than 13% of people who voted on the Democratic ballot cast an “uncommitted” vote, which was enough votes to be awarded a couple delegates at the Democratic National Convention. These voters want a permanent ceasefire to put an end to the five-month long U-S-backed Israeli bombardment and siege of Palestine. Today we’re going to hear again from the organizers behind this campaign to vote "uncommitted” and hear about what comes next?

GUESTS:

Abbas Alawieh, political strategist and spokesman for Listen to Michigan

Layla Elabed, campaign manager for Listen to Michigan 

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Early voting had been going on for a while, but Michigan had our in-person primary elections on Tuesday. To no surprise, the winners were Joe Biden and Donald Trump. However, there’s always a lot to think about as we get breakdowns of who voters supported, and where in Michigan they turned out. 

GUESTS:

Colin Jackson, reporter for the Michigan Public Radio Network

Rick Pluta, senior capitol correspondent for the Michigan Public Radio Network

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“The Future,” a new speculative novel by the Montreal-based writer Catherine Leroux, reimagines what a Francophone Detroit would be like today if the French had never ceded the city to the British in 1760. The novel contends with histories of forced migration, poverty, and environmental degradation, and explores how a city adapts in the face of climate change.

GUEST:

Catherine Leroux, author of "The Future"

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What can AI tell us about public opinions on climate change? Researchers at the University of Michigan are experimenting with new technology to measure public attitudes by using social media posts on X (formerly Twitter.) And their findings may surprise you.

GUEST:

Joshua Newell, professor in the School for Environment and Sustainability at the University of Michigan 

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In February, the animal we turn to as a nation to tell us about the heralding of spring is the groundhog. But birders know that the real messenger of the changing seasons lives in the sky. Birds that leave our region for the winter will soon return. There's plenty to prepare for now. And more than a few birds to check out while we wait.

GUEST:

• April Campbell, a long-time birder, retired MD and the founder of BIPOC Birders of Michigan

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Yesterday on the podcast we talked to two organizers from the “Vote Uncommitted” campaign among Arab American and other voters in Michigan. Today we’ll get analysis on that movement from Detroit Free Press editorial page editor Nancy Kaffer.

GUEST:

• Nancy Kaffer, editorial page editor, Detroit Free Press

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Listen to Michigan is leveraging political power by casting "uncommitted" votes rather than voting for President Joe Biden in the 2024 Michigan primary.

GUESTS:

Layla Elabed, campaign manager for Listen to Michigan 

Abbas Alawieh, political strategist and spokesman for Listen to Michigan

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Michigan Senator Stephanie Chang and a group of collaborators came up with a plan to fund delinquent water bills and offer more affordable costs to low income households. Today, we’re looking at what this water-affordability plan would do, and we’ll dig into the years of water advocacy in places like Detroit that preceded it. 

GUESTS:

Stephanie Chang,  Michigan Senator representing the 3rd district

Gary Brown, director of the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department

Jim Nash, Oakland County's Water Resources commissioner

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Isle Royale – Lake Superior’s island National Park – is a naturalist's playground. It’s home to an estimated 30 odd wolves and nearly 1000 moose – all protected from hunting. For decades now, a team of researchers have been surveying the wolf and moose populations, but this winter with record breaking warm weather, the census did not go as planned. 

GUEST:

Rolf Peterson,  research professor in Forest Resources and Environmental Science at Michigan Technological University

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