News

Stateside: Banking for marijuana industry; sorting invasive and native fish; tax foreclosure lawsuit

By • 20 hours ago

Today on Stateside, a lack of legal banking options in the marijuana industry means that many businesses are operating solely in cash—creating significant safety risks and limiting the industry's growth. Plus, a Michigan Supreme Court case is testing how much money the government can collect from tax-delinquent homeowners. 

Watch Live: Senate impeachment trial continues in Washington, D.C.

By Noelle Riley • Jan 21, 2020
ANNETTE ELIZABETH ALLEN / NPR

The Senate is holding a trial on the impeachment of President Trump, who is accused by the U.S. House of abusing his power and obstructing Congress.

Stateside: Voter realignment in Detroit, notable Michigan reads, and MLK’s 1963 visit to Detroit

By • Jan 20, 2020

Today on Stateside, we step back in time to the summer of 1963, to hear how Martin Luther King Junior set the stage in Detroit for the March on Washington later that year. Plus, we go over this year's list of Michigan Notable Books, which includes everything from new fiction to gripping history.

The Truest Love on the Coldest Night Under a Waning Moon: this week on the Storyteller's Night Sky

By Mary Stewart Adams • Jan 20, 2020

It’s the third full week of January, and though we are one month past Winter Solstice and the sunlight is growing stronger each day, statistics show that this is the time of year when we actually experience the coldest temperatures.

Federal prosecutors plan second trial for State Rep. Inman

By • Jan 17, 2020
Rick Pluta

Federal prosecutors say they will pursue a retrial in the case of a state legislator accused of soliciting a bribe and attempted extortion.

State Rep. Larry Inman (R-Williamsburg) allegedly tried to get campaign contributions in exchange for changing his vote on legislation to repeal the state’s “prevailing wage” law.

A jury couldn’t reach a verdict on the bribery and extortion charges in December. The jury found Inman not guilty on a third charge of lying to an FBI agent.

Points North, Ep. 44: FishPass to set global stage, but will it get delayed?

By Noelle Riley • Jan 17, 2020
Kaye LaFond / Interlochen Public Radio

Rivers all over the world have the same problem — fish can’t swim up them because of dams.

 

Fisheries biologists want to see if they can leave dams in place but allow certain fish to pass, but it’s complicated and the idea has created controversy in Traverse City. 

Horizon Books to unveil new plans in coming weeks

By • Jan 16, 2020
Earlier this week, the owners of Horizon Books in Traverse City, announced the store would be closing sometime this year.
Dan Wanschura / Interlochen Public Radio

Horizon Books in Traverse City is closing. The iconic bookstore has been a popular gathering place on Front Street for almost 60 years.

 

Stateside: Michigan sues 3M over PFAS; cost of Flint water crisis; Jeff Daniels premieres new play

By • Jan 15, 2020

Today on Stateside, it’s been four years since the state announced a criminal investigation into the Flint water crisis. We talked to two journalists who covered the crisis about lessons learned on government accountability and public health. Plus, the state of Michigan files suit against some of the biggest names in corporate America over PFAS contamination. We'll hear about how a similar case played out in Minnesota. 

Michigan farmers 'shocked' that federal government revokes Turkish cherry tariffs

By • Jan 15, 2020
Max Johnston / Interlochen Public Radio

The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) announced Tuesday that they are revoking tariffs on Turkish dried tart cherry producers.

Northern Michigan firefighter helps battle flames in Australia

By • Jan 15, 2020
Huron Manistee National Forests

 

A firefighter from northern Michigan is helping battle wildfires in Australia.

 

Huron-Manistee National Forests employee Brian Stearns was hand-picked by the U.S. Forest Service for his leadership and firefighting experience.

 

 

 

 

 

Stateside: Detroit tax foreclosures; Dems and GOP plan for 2020 in Michigan; 365 days of sunrises

By • Jan 14, 2020

Today on Stateside, we take a deeper look at how property tax foreclosures in Detroit created a pileup of city-owned properties, and left residents to care for the most desolate blocks. Plus, a Michigan photographer captures a whole year of sunrises in the Upper Peninsula. 

Michigan officials request data from 1953 to present on Line 5 pipeline

By • Jan 14, 2020
Kaye LaFond / Interlochen Public Radio

The state of Michigan is asking Enbridge Energy for more information about its oil and natural gas liquids pipeline that runs through the Straits of Mackinac.

Stateside: Detroit foreclosure investigation; the new Detroit Auto Show; 2020 election polling

By • Jan 13, 2020

Today on Stateside, an investigation finds the city Detroit overcharged tens of thousands of homeowners for property taxes. What recourse is there for people who lost their homes as a result? We'll talk to the reporters who broke the story. Also, how the polls misread voters in 2016 – especially ones without a party affiliation.

Venus and Mars are all right tonight: this week on the Storyteller's Night Sky

By Mary Stewart Adams • Jan 13, 2020

In ancient astrological wisdom, the influence of Venus and Mars on lovers was considered strongest when they were square to or opposite one another in the sky, and this month they’re setting up for just such a configuration.

Inman recall effort knocked down due to lack of signatures

By • Jan 10, 2020
Max Johnston / Interlochen Public Radio

Updated 01/10/2020 at 5:22 p.m.

The recall effort against State Rep. Larry Inman (R-Williamsburg) is officially over. 

The Michigan Secretary of State's office found that the group behind the recall fell 208 signatures short of the 12,201 they needed to trigger a recall election.

A conversation with new Stateside host April Baer

By • Jan 10, 2020

It’s a New Year and Michigan Radio has added a new voice. April Baer is the host of Stateside. She joined Doug Tribou on Morning Edition to talk about her Midwest roots and her path to Michigan Radio.

Points North, Ep. 43: Glen Arbor proposed development, veganism and STEM kits for kids

By Noelle Riley • Jan 10, 2020
Noelle Riley / Interlochen Public Radio

This week on Points North, we talk to the publisher of the Glen Arbor Sun about a proposed housing development near Crystal Lake. Also, a man lost nearly 80 pounds on a plant-based diet. 

 

Plus, kids now have access to STEM learning at regional libraries. 

 

Stateside: Ballot proposal on LGBTQ protections; public mental health system; is homework useful?

By • Jan 8, 2020

Today on Stateside, a new campaign wants to add protections for LGBTQ people to the state's existing civil rights law. Plus, a conversation with a Detroit-born author and Instagram influencer who wants to challenge stereotypes about fat, black, and Muslim women. 

Grand Traverse County opts-in to federal refugee resettlement

By • Jan 8, 2020
Taylor Wizner / Interlochen Public Radio

International refugees can continue resettlement in Grand Traverse County through the federal government, according to a unanimous vote of the county board of commissioners Wednesday morning.

New snow squall siren alerts cell phone users about bad weather in northwest Michigan

By • Jan 7, 2020
Flicker

Cell phones throughout the region let out a siren noise mid-morning Tuesday.

That’s because the National Weather Service added a new weather category to its alert system for snow squalls.

Inman recall effort gets extra day to resubmit signatures

By • Jan 7, 2020
Max Johnston / Interlochen Public Radio

The group behind the recall effort to remove Rep. Larry Inman (R-Williamsburg) from office got some breathing room Tuesday.

Michigan driver's licenses could one day designate gender as 'M,' 'F,' or 'X'

By • Jan 7, 2020
Michigan Secretary of State

Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson is considering adding a third option so people don't have to identify as either male or female on their driver's licenses.

Stateside: Sen. Peters on Iran; Medicaid work requirements; the woeful state of sports in Detroit

By • Jan 6, 2020

Today on Stateside, we welcome new host April Baer. She jumps right into things by chatting with Senator Gary Peters, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Homeland Security Committee, about the current situation developing in Iran and whether or not there is an "imminent threat" to American lives, as the Trump administration has claimed. Plus, it appears to be the Dark Ages of Detroit sports. What will it take to turn them around? 

Michigan community colleges looking to eliminate barriers for students

By Sara Bykes • Jan 6, 2020

Community colleges across the state are starting the new year with a new program to help relieve economic instability among students. 

Officials said access to basic needs like food, housing and transportation are issues that can affect student success and even student retention. 

The Michigan Building Economic Stability Today (MI-Best) initiative has $442,000 in grant funding to help eliminate barriers for students.

Gaylord Community Schools home to state’s first electric school buses

By Sara Byks • Jan 6, 2020
Flicker

Students at Gaylord Community Schools may be seeing new vehicles at the bus stop in 2020. The district is home to Michigan’s first electric school buses. 

Officials said a state grant allowed the school district to buy two brand-new electric school buses that normally cost $342,000 for only $83,000.

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