Voters in Jamestown Charter Township voted against renewing a millage that funds up to 85 percent of their local library. This, after the library faced backlash from local conservatives for offering LGBTQ+ content. One book in particular -- Gender Queer -- has become a target for some conservatives around the country, including a group called Jamestown Conservatives. But advocates of renewing the millage are organized too now, and two them join Stateside to talk about their plans to restore library funding.

GUESTS: 

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There is a fierce political fight over abortion rights happening in Michigan right now. But the decision to terminate a pregnancy is an incredibly personal one. Today, one mother–who is also a pediatrician–tells us her abortion story and shares why she thinks medical decisions about pregnancy should be left to patients and their doctors.

GUEST: 

Dr. Elaine Pomeranz, retired Michigan pediatrician

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On this week's politics rundown, we talk about why the petition drive looking to enshrine abortion rights into the state constitution is now headed to the Michigan Supreme Court. We'll also get into what President Biden's recent speech means for the Trump-backed candidates in Michigan. Zoe Clark is in the host chair again for today's episode with a panel discussing these two developments and more.

GUESTS:

Lauren Gibbons, reporter, Bridge Michigan

Colin Jackson, reporter, Michigan Public Radio Network

Rick Pluta, senior capitol correspondent, Michigan Public Radio Network

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The library at the University of Michigan found out that a prized manuscript attributed to astronomer Galileo is a 20th century forgery. Today, the dean of libraries shares the details of this farce. 

GUEST:

Donna Hayward, University of Michigan interim dean of libraries

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Drivers for The Detroit Bus Company showed up for work last week, only to find that catalytic converters had been stolen from multiple vehicles. Stateside host April Baer went to visit the company's headquarters, where they're working to up security after the break-in.

GUEST:

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Michigan voters may see a much-anticipated abortion rights ballot measure in the upcoming election. The group Reproductive Freedom for All submitted a record-breaking 752-thousand voter signatures in July in support of a plan to embed reproductive rights in the state constitution. 

However, the Michigan Board of State Canvassers meets tomorrow, and may decide to change the language voters would see on the ballot. Reporter Clara Hendrickson explains why Reproductive Freedom for All is now pushing back on the potentially misleading language that the state election supervisor initially drew up for petitions.

GUEST: 

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This past weekend, generations of readers gathered at Book Beat in Oak Park to celebrate the bookstore's 40th birthday. Its founders, Colleen Kammer and Cary Loren, joined Stateside for a conversation about the ups and downs of the industry over the last four decades.

GUESTS

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Ahead of the state GOP convention, a former primary candidate for governor says he wants to be lieutenant governor. The problem is, candidate Tudor Dixon has already picked a running mate, and it’s not him. We’ll also hear about a court decision that has given car accident victims a ray of hope. Laura Weber Davis is in the host chair again for today's episode with a panel, discussing these two developments and more in this week's political news.

GUESTS:

Allan Lengel, founder, Deadline Detroit

Nancy Derringer, reporter, Deadline Detroit

Violet Ikonomova, reporter, Deadline Detroit

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Pianist BLKBOK's been turning heads, since he was eight years old. Since then, he’s played jazz and blues, performed with acts like Cirque du Soleil, and toured with Justin Timberlake and Rihanna. BLKBOK is now stepping out as a solo, neo classical artist, with twin debut albums, Black Book and Black Book Deluxxe. 

GUEST:

BLKBOK, musician

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Oudolf Garden Detroit recently opened to the public on Belle Isle, and it's a wonderland of natural landscape. Landscape architect Piet Oudolf was behind the project. We caught up with him on his first visit to the finished garden.

GUEST:

Piet Oudolf, landscape architect

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