The Metro

Research shows social media activates the same dopamine-driven reward pathways in the brain as addictive substances — and the average American teen spends nearly five hours a day on these platforms. The U.S. Surgeon General has warned that teens who use social media for more than three hours a day face double the risk of depression and anxiety.

Now the courts are getting involved: in Los Angeles, a jury is hearing claims that Meta and YouTube deliberately designed their platforms to addict children.  In New Mexico, the state AG is suing Meta for allegedly failing to protect minors from sexual exploitation.

Michigan just banned smartphones in the classroom — a law that takes effect this fall. The lawmaker who wrote the bill, Republican State Representative Mark Tisdel of Rochester Hills, joins host Robyn Vincent to discuss what it takes to protect kids from platforms built to hook them.

Black love stories are seen as a niche genre that often centers trauma, or love under the conditions of poverty and strife. This may be true from some, but it doesn’t paint the whole picture. 

The State of Racial Diversity in Romance Publishing Report tracks the publication of books by writers of color across genres. According to findings, only 11% of the books published within the romance genre were from writers of color. 

So, what does it mean to call Black love "niche"? And who decides which love stories are universal?

Sylvia Hubbard is an author of over 70 romance novels. She joined The Metro's Tia Graham to talk more about diversity within the romance genre.

We reflect on the 2026 winter Olympics while we look toward Woman’s History Month and highlight the hard work and dedication the women of Team USA displayed in Italy. Ketra Armstrong, a professor of sport management at the University of Michigan, joined the show to reflect on their accomplishments.

In 2022, food prices increased by almost 10% — the largest increase since 1979. And while they haven’t increased as much since then, fruits and vegetables are still becoming pricier. Lettuce, for example, is up over 7% since last year. Why? And how much have prices changed because of President Donald Trump’s tariffs and immigration policies?

Bill Loupée is the COO of Ben B. Schwartz & Sons wholesaler, which operates out of Detroit. He spoke with The Metro's Robyn Vincent.

Part of the affordability crisis hitting American families is happening on our plates. Tariffs, labor shortages, and trucking problems are driving food prices up — and in Detroit, many households face food insecurity, Congress just gutted the federal safety net millions of families depend on.

Natosha Tallman of the Northend Christian Community Development Corporation says the answer isn't more charity. It is infrastructure: commercial kitchens, cold storage, distribution, and ownership. She joined host Robyn Vincent to discuss the system her team is building, where Detroiters grow food, process it, sell it, and keep the money.

"As I Die and Wheeze" is a melodramatic comedy following the impact a death has on the family. Southern twin sisters, complete opposites, thought the sky was the limit until the death of their daddy. Now, the twins face debt, scheming suitors and a spicy, sharp tongued aunty. 

"As I Die and Wheeze" is showing at Planet Ant theater in Hamtramck through the end of the month. It is written by Katie McGraw and Maggie O’Reilly and directed by Bryan Lark. 

Maggie and Bryan joined us on The Metro to talk more about the play and the importance of theater and laughter right now. 

On Wednesday, the Great Lakes Water Authority will vote on a nearly 7% water rate increase and a 6% sewer increase. Last year, GLWA proposed an even bigger hike — close to 8% for water — but public testimony at the hearing pushed the board to lower it.

Wednesday’s hearing is another chance for residents to weigh in. What's driving these increases — and why does water keep getting more expensive?

Suzanne Coffey is CEO of the Great Lakes Water Authority or GLWA. She spoke with The Metro's Robyn Vincent.

Harriet Tubman was born into slavery and grew up in one of the darkest moments in this country’s history. She is often compared to Moses and described as a one woman army. 

She was a land owner, a civil war spy and hero, and an ecologist. Most notably, Harriet Tubman guided over 70 people into freedom.

Tiya Miles is a professor of history at Harvard University. She wrote "Night Flyer: Harriet Tubman and the Faith Dreams of a Free People," a biographical look into Harriet Tubman’s life. In "Night Flyer", Miles details how religion helped Harriet Tubman be strong and spurred her on to accomplish great feats in dark times.

It was a remarkable week for Michigan utilities. A federal judge fined DTE Energy $100 million for Clean Air Act violations at its Zug Island facility — then state regulators approved another $242.4 million rate hike for DTE, which posted over $1.5 billion in operating earnings.

So today we ask: who's in charge of utility costs and safety in Michigan — and when things go wrong, who's accountable? To get some answers, Nick Schroeck, Dean of the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law and a former special assistant prosecutor during the Flint Water Crisis, joins Robyn Vincent on The Metro.

Detroit's police chief vowed to fire two officers who called U.S. Border Patrol during traffic stops, violating department policy and leading to federal detentions. Eight days later, he backed down.

Ahead of the Board of Police Commissioners' vote on the officers' misconduct, Robyn Vincent spoke with Noah Kincade from Outlier Media's Documenters program, which trains community members to attend public meetings and hold city leaders accountable. Their documentation helped reveal the problem goes beyond two officers.