The delta variant of the coronavirus continues to cause in uptick in COVID-19 cases in communities across Michigan. What does this mean for the state in the months ahead? And how are state health officials preparing for the rising tide of delta as unvaccinated kids head back to school? Today on the podcast, we talk to Michigan’s top doctor about those questions, and ask her what you should know about breakthrough cases and booster shots, too.  

GUESTS:

Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive for the state of Michigan

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Theatre companies have faced some unique challenges throughout the pandemic as a sector that is so dependent on being in the room with other actors, writers, directors, and patrons. Plowshares Theatre Company in Detroit occupies a pretty unique vantage point for COVID-19 in the theatrical lockdown, being an urban theatre with a distinctly Detroit style. Today, we check in on how the company has coped with all that’s happened in the past year and a half, and how it’s approaching plans for the future.

 

GUEST:

Gary Anderson, Producing artistic director for Plowshares Theatre Company

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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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