Stateside

Ruth Ellis was an out lesbian and staunch advocate for LGBTQ and African American civil rights. The Detroit home Ellis shared with her longtime partner became a safe haven for young LGBTQ people from the city and beyond. Now, the Ruth Ellis Center is carrying on its namesake's legacy by providing services and community for LGBTQ youth—a group that faces a disproportionately high rate of homelessness...

Activists have been pushing for years to get the city of Detroit to stop shutting off water service to homes that fall behind on payments. Now, thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, that’s exactly what’s happening. On today's episode, you'll hear about the city’s decision to extend a water shut-off moratorium, put in place early in the pandemic, through 2022...

Pretty much everyone in Michigan has some kind of story about the Great Lakes—whether it’s summer swims, or ice fishing, or enjoying a sunrise or sunset along the shore. Unfortunately, there are some major threats to the health of the state’s most beloved natural resource. The cover story in the December issue of National Geographic takes a deep dive into some of them...

Writer Shikha Dalmia has brought her sharp, witty prose and classic libertarian ethos to the pages of the Detroit News, the New York Times, and the Wall Street Journal, among other publications. She’s also been an outspoken critic of President Donald Trump, even as many within the Libertarian Party have embraced him...

On today’s episode, we look at the COVID-19 pandemic through two lenses. One is a very personal story, and the other takes a much wider view. We’ll hear from a pastor who has presided over the funerals of more than 20 victims of COVID-19. And we’ll talk to a West Michigan reporter about why hospital capacity is more complicated than just one number. GUESTS: Jerry Bishop is the  senior pastor at LifeQuest Urban Outreach Center in Grand Rapids...

Even with the promise of a vaccine around the corner, Michigan schools still have massive unknowns to deal with, for this winter, and beyond. That includes the Detroit Public Schools Community District, which serves kids and families in a city that COVID-19 hit hard this spring. The district is moving to completely virtual schooling amid a rise in cases, and is figuring out how to support students remotely...

  Public health leaders in Michigan have their work cut out for them. That’s especially true in places where large public gatherings—which can become super spreader events—are a common sight. In Ingham County, you’ve got two such locales just down the road from each other. In Lansing, state lawmakers, lobbyists, and protesters from across the political spectrum gather regularly. And in East Lansing, you’ve got tens of thousands of Michigan State University students...

We’ve almost made it through the first semester of this pandemic school year. But as a second surge of COVID-19 cases hits the state, families are having to adjust to yet another iteration of 2020 “normal.” Huge upticks in COVID cases means many schools that had been hosting in-person classes are back online. On today’s podcast, a look at the challenge of parenting through a pandemic and some tips on how to help you survive...

While COVID-19 has put so many folks out of business, one industry is booming: cannabis. It’s been nearly one year since Michigan dispensaries were allowed to start selling marijuana for recreational purposes. And for many Michiganders, it came just in time. As people look for a way to take the edge off 2020, recreational cannabis sales are closing in on half a billion dollars. We talked to two people about why the cannabis industry is thriving in a year when most of us definitely are not...

It can be really hard to find your happy in a moment when so much of the world is in turmoil. If you need a little extra joy right now, Tunde Olaniran’s music is a good place to start. We talked to the Flint-based musician, artist, and activist about their latest single “WDWHI,” their love of the X-Men, and creating joy and art in tough times. GUEST: Tunde Olaniran, Flint-based musician, artist, choreographer, and activist...