The Metro

Today on The Metro, Detroit Author Aaron Robertson joins the show to discuss his new book “The Black Utopians: Searching for Paradise and the Promised Land in America." We're also joined by Community Engagement Specialist for Safe & Just Michigan Ronnie Waters. He's moderating a panel called Life Beyond Life tonight on ending the practice of juvenile life sentences in the state. 

Today on The Metro, Founder of the Black Artists Archive Dr. Kelli Morgan joins the show to discuss how the organization is preserving the history and stories of Detroiters. Plus, retired WDIV Meteorologist Paul Gross joins the show to discuss Hurricane Helene and Michigan fall weather trends. 

Today on The Metro,  Detroit Fire Commissioner Chuck Simms and Medical Director Dr. Robert Dunne join the show to discuss how they're teaming up with the nonprofit Face Addiction Now to stop overdose deaths in the city. Also, State Capitol Reporter with the Michigan Public Radio Network Colin Jackson joins the show to discuss the Legislature's school spending bill.

Today on The Metro, Actor and playwright Roger Guenveur Smith joins the show ahead of his solo performance "Frederick Douglass Now" at The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History this weekend. Plus, Detroit artists Dorota and Steve Coy join the show to discuss the new Art Clvb app and upcoming Art Fair bringing together almost 200 artists to show and sell their work this weekend.

Today on The Metro, Recovery Support Specialist with Oakland County Paul Shankin joins the show to discuss how he's using his experience to help people fight addiction. Also, Gallery Director of the Scarab Club Dalia Reyes joins the show to discuss the Leni Sinclair Retrospective, featuring the Detroit artist and activist's work. 

Today on The Metro, Volunteer Specialist with Share Detroit Karen Boyd and Director of IT at Yanfeng Priya Gurumurthy join the show to discuss Southeast Michigan Women's Day of Service taking place on Thursday. Also, MichMash host and Slate Senior Producer Cheyna Roth joins the show to discuss how the messages behind "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie" and other children's books are getting twisted in politics. 

Detroit's Palmer Park has seen many improvements over the years, from renovated tennis and pickleball courts and a new dog park to a variety of habitat restoration projects. Now work is underway to maintain the park's 70 acres of old-growth forest. To discuss those efforts, we're joined by People for Palmer Park President Stacy Varner, and Bobbi Westerby — whose company is leading the restoration work. Also on The Metro, we catch up with the Detroit Documenters about possible changes to a permit for the Detroit Assembly Complex on Mack Avenue run by Stellantis.

Detroit was ranked the third worst U.S. city to live in for people with asthma in a new report published by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. Today on The Metro, allergy expert and native Detroiter Dr. Garen Wolff joins the show to talk about the report's findings and what Detroiters can do to improve their air quality. Also, Outlier Media has a new and improved text service aiming to help residents get answers to essential questions. We'll speak with Outlier Media Founder and Editor-in-Chief Sarah Alvarez about how the service is helping address information gaps in Detroit. 

Today on The Metro, we talk with Simone Sagovac, director of the Southwest Detroit Community Benefits Coalition, about problems the community is facing from construction of the Gordie Howe International Bridge. We also learn more about a cure for sickle cell disease with Outlier Media Science Reporter Koby Levin and Larenz Caldwell, who was born with sickle cell disease and underwent a stem cell transplant about six years ago. 

Today on "The Metro," Owner of Loui's Pizza Nykolas Sulkiwskyj joins the show. The pizzeria was recently named No. 1 pizza in the Midwest by Yelp. Also on the show is Detroit artist Monica Blaire and Executive Director of InsideOut Literary Arts Suma Rosen to discuss If the River Could Sing: A Celebration of Writing and River at Robert C. Valade Park in Detroit on Sept. 12.