The regents of University of Florida had already offered Ono the gig, and he had accepted. But the larger governing body - the Board of Governors - rejected that plan as pressure mounted from Republican lawmakers and influential voices decried Ono as too liberal.

At the meeting on June 3, 2025, the members of the Board of Governors peppered Ono with questions about his record of support of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs. DEI programs have become a target of the Republican Party under President Donald Trump. Ono halted DEI programs at U-M after Trump took office this year.

Ono told the board members this week that he stood by his decision to walk away from DEI.

"My evolution over the past 18 months or more... has really focused on my personal experience seeing DEI programs - that were started with all good intensions - what impact they've had on campuses," said Ono.

Board members also pushed on Ono's handling of pro-Palestinian campus protests, and questioned whether he came out with enough forceful support of Israel in the days after the Oct. 7th attack in 2023. Conversely, many pro-Palestinian supporters on campus and in Ann Arbor railed against Ono while president at U-M for being too supportive of Israel and for continuing university investment in Israeli businesses.

The Florida Board of Governors rejected Ono's appointment by a 10-6 vote. It's unclear what Ono will do now.

His departure from U-M came after three difficult years, in which the university was challenged on multiple fronts.

The reason and manner of Florida’s apparent rejection are also historic, and say a lot about this moment.

Today, we’ve invited back Jamal Watson, editor of the online journal, Diverse: Issues in Higher Education to explain what happened and what's next for Ono.

Watson is also a Professor of Strategic Communication and Public Relations at Trinity Washington University.

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The mistrial in the criminal case against former Grand Rapids police officer Christopher Schurr, who shot and killed Patrick Lyoya, has left the Lyoya family vowing to continue seeking justice through civil court. Some legal experts argue that police training and the difficulty of convicting officers played a key role in the hung jury decision.

GUEST:

Ekow Yankah, Associate Dean for Faculty and Research and holds the title of Thomas M. Cooley Professor of Law at the University of Michigan Law School. He's also a professor of philosophy at the university.

Looking for more conversations from Stateside? Right this way.

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Music in this episode by Blue Dot Sessions.

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Abra Berens, cookbook author and culinary director at Granor Farm in Three Oaks, offered a risotto recipe that works as the perfect catchall for your farmers market finds this spring. 

After you hear her tips, find the full recipe below:

Spring Risotto

This risotto can absorb any random spring vegetables like asparagus or ramps even baby carrots or radish. I just slice them thinly or into a small dice and then add in place of the peas. The broth is a great way to use up old parmesan rinds, but isn’t strictly necessary. 

• 1 onion, sliced thinly
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ cup dry white wine
• 1 ½ cup risotto rice
• 8 cups water, parmesan broth, or stock, brought to a boil
• 2 cups shelled peas, fresh or frozen
• 1 lemon, zest and juice

 

1. In a large frying pan, heat a glug of olive oil over medium heat
2. Add the onion and garlic with a hefty pinch of salt and sweat until soft but not browned
3. Add the wine and reduce until dry
4. Add the rice and toast for a couple of minutes
5. Add a ladle full of hot liquid to the rice and stir continuously until the liquid is absorbed
6. Continue with an additional ladle of liquid and stir until that is absorbed
7. Continue adding ladle after ladle of liquid allowing to absorb fully between additions
8. When the rice is 90% cooked, add the peas and an additional ladle of liquid
9. Finish with the lemon zest and juice along 
10. Taste and adjust seasoning as desired
11. To serve finish with a hefty glug of olive oil and any herbs or pea shoot over the top

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The City of Dearborn is buying or parcels of land along an industrial stretch on the south end of town. The idea is to turn this strip into a green park buffer between industry and residential, in order to tamp down pollution of all sorts. 

GUEST:

Ali Abazeed, public health director, City of Dearborn

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Music in this episode by Blue Dot Sessions.

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Detroit artist Akea Brionne uses a digital loom to create painterly tapestries rooted in the Black experience. Her fresh approach to an age old craft recently earned Brionne accolades, and a $50,000 prize, from the Knight Foundation. We sat down with the Louisiana-born artist to talk about how she blends history and technology–and the stories she’s telling in her work.

GUEST:

Akea Brionne, Detroit-based artist

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Music in this episode by Blue Dot Sessions.

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For decades, many Michigan farmers have relied on the herbicide Roundup for weed control. But the federal government has two conflicting policies that may affect whether they can continue to use this highly effective - and dangerous - product. At issue is Roundup’s active ingredient – glyphosate.

Environmental Reporter Keith Schneider is senior editor and chief correspondent at Circle of Blue. He recently wrote about the long history of research on this product’s carcinogenic properties, all the while its maker says the product can be used safely as directed.

Today, we’ll be talking with Keith about Michigan’s most popular farm herbicide, it's health risks, and how it’s regulated.

Background reading: 

Conflict Over a Blockbuster Farm Chemical

RFK Jr. tells farmers, GOPT not to worry about his report targeting pesticides

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A deep dive into the history of contamination by the Gelman plume in Ann Arbor. We hear about how it started, its impacts to water and human health, and what's being done about it today. 

Michigan Public's Elinor Epperson dug deep into the history of the Gelman plume.

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Music in this episode by Blue Dot Sessions.

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It's festival season! As Detroiters prepare for Movement this weekend, we revisit a conversation with the festival's founder, DJ Carl Craig. 

Read the original story here.

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Music in this episode by Carl Craig.

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Planned Parenthood of Michigan closed four clinics this year.

Kate Wells, health reporter for Michigan Public, explained why operational costs and the loss of Title X funding may be the biggest threat to abortion access. She also discussed the role telehealth services have played in changing the reproductive care landscape, particularly in rural areas.

Looking for more conversations from Stateside? Right this way.

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Music in this episode by Blue Dot Sessions.

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Malcolm X would have turned 100 years old today. We revisit a series of conversations about why Americans so often overlook Malcolm X when it comes to Black History Month celebrations and formal education spaces. 

GUEST:

• Ven Johnson, the attorney representing flood victims in Gladwin, Midland, and Saginaw counties, is involved in a lawsuit accusing the state of intentionally delaying the legal process and avoiding accountability.

Also heard on this episode: 

• Mid-Michigan dam restorations are picking back up, with residents to pay nearly $218M  from WCMU Public Media reporter Teresa Homsi.

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