On Hand

Wasem Fruit Farm has been owned by Bruce and Jan Upston for decades. We visit the farm to meet the couple, look back on their history with the farm, and talk about how they came to the decision to retire. We also get to know Karl Thuemmel, the Wasem's new caretaker. 

GUESTS:

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Music in this episode is by Blue Dot Sessions.

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Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice Bridget Mary McCormack on her decision to step down from the state's highest court before the end of the year - six years before the end of her term. 

Meanwhile, in the gubernatorial race, Tudor Dixon's campaign is slowly picking up speed, and a group of Republicans has stepped forward in support of Governor Gretchen Whitmer.

Zoe Clark digs into this week's political news with politics reporters Chad Livengood and Stella Yue.

GUESTS:

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Music in this episode is by Blue Dot Sessions

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Journalist Danny Fenster ended up in one of the most notorious prisons in the world for simply doing his job. In May of 2021, he was taken prisoner in Myanmar, at a time when military leaders were consolidating their control over the country. Today, his story and what Myanmar is facing.

GUEST:

Danny Fenster,  Nieman fellow at Harvard University

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Chief Justice Bridget Mary McCormack will be stepping down from the court by the end of this year. The exact date has yet to be announced, but she will remain through the November election. Justice McCormack will go on to serve as the next president and CEO of a legal nonprofit that provides alternative dispute resolution services. The current leader of the organization made nearly $1 million in 2019.

Rick Pluta, who has long been covering the court, joined Stateside to discuss Justice McCormack's legacy within Michigan's justice system. 

Hear Pluta's conversation with Justice McCormack here.

GUESTS:

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

Music in this episode is by Blue Dot Sessions

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Many Detroit tenants are tired of battling the city's landlords over defective facilities and the rising costs of rent. Recognizing they were facing the same problems, one group of residents rallied to form the Detroit Tenants Association to hold their landlords accountable. 

GUESTS:

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Patti Smith is a lot of things: artist, musician, poet, ex-Michigander. She's had an incredible impact on punk rock music and continues to shape the scene with her performances. She also has her share of controversy, including song lyrics that use a racial slur. Today we talk about a new book about the icon and look into her cultural impact over the years.

GUEST:

Caryn Rose, author of Why Patti Smith Matters

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Host Zoe Clark wraps up the week in political news with analysts and reporters. They discuss the many races coming up in November. In Michigan, there’s the race for Governor, Secretary of State, and Attorney General. There are 13 races for Congress — and the entire state House and Senate are up for election. Plus, the future of abortion rights. Election denialism. A weakened economy and heightened inflation.

GUESTS

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Many Michigan communities have toxic chemicals from the industries that powered our state for generations. One of the most pressing problems is PFAS, a class of chemicals sometimes referred to as forever chemicals, for their extreme longevity. State environmental regulators estimate Michigan is home to more than 11,000 sites where PFAS have been used. But there's some new research from a lab in Chicago that's created a stir of hope for solutions. 

GUESTS: 

Dan Jones, professor of biochemistry and microbiology at Michigan State University.

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Stateside’s theme music is by 14KT.

Additional music in this episode is from Blue Dot Sessions.

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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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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 in this episode is from Blue Dot Sessions.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

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 epidsode by Blue Dot Sessions.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.