Metro Detroit’s efforts to create a rapid mass transit system on par with other major regions has often gone off the rails. 

WDET explores some of that history in the latest episode of CuriosiD.

But one small slice of the transit puzzle is in place — the QLINE streetcars running along Detroit’s Woodard Avenue.

Former Washington, D.C.-based attorney Jared Fleisher was there at the advent of the QLINE. He’s now the vice president of government affairs for Rock, billionaire Dan Gilbert’s family of companies. 

In the interview below, Fleisher told WDET the QLINE is a marker for what Detroit could do with transit and how the region could roll into the future. 

The following interview has been edited for clarity and length.

Jared Fleisher: What we did with the QLINE had never been done before. Most major public infrastructure projects are led by public agencies like a transportation agency. Take yourself back to 2009, and in this case it was a ragtag nonprofit group saying, “Detroit is really struggling, economically and from a transit perspective. We want to do something to create a spark. And we, this ragtag nonprofit, wants to tear up Woodward Avenue and put in a streetcar — tear up the main avenue in a major American city.” As you can imagine, the U.S. Department of Transportation had never encountered this circumstance before. Washington had watched metro Detroit, going back to the Carter administration, never really be able to get its act together around transit. And therefore they did not take us very seriously or send money our way. They said, “You don’t even have a regional transit authority (RTA) in Metro Detroit. If you want us to approve the QLINE, which you’re saying is going to be the spark for a regional system, let’s actually create a RTA that could administer it.” 

So in 2012, before the QLINE broke ground, we worked together with the governor — and the Feds were big champions of this — to create the RTA. There were literally dozens and dozens of failed attempts over decades to create a regional authority, because of divisions between the different jurisdictions. Fast forward to 2016, and the backers of the QLINE led an effort, with community input, to develop a regional transit plan that would finally fund a regional system. It would have had rapid transit to Pontiac, rapid transit on Michigan Avenue out to Detroit Metro Airport. With support from the Kresge Foundation, Roger Penske, Dan Gilbert and others, it went on the ballot in 2016 and it lost by half-a-percent. And here we are, nine years later, and we still have not solved the issue of regional rapid transit. 

Quinn Klinefelter, WDET News: What is the reason these ballot proposals failed? Why has there been opposition to it? 

JF: I’ll be very candid with you. One of the realities of our region is that it’s diverse. The closer you are to the urban core, the more supportive of transit you are. But as you get into more rural areas, north Oakland County, north Macomb County, northwest Wayne County, they’re less oriented to transit. When Donald Trump won the election in 2016, he won by turning out a lot of the voters in those communities. And on the Democratic side, Hillary underperformed in the more urbanized areas. So the God’s honest true story about what happened in 2016 is that it was less about transit specifically and more about how the top of the ticket influenced everything on the ballot, including the transit referendum. And when there were attempts to go through the legislature to get it on the ballot in a different form, a narrower, more Coalition of the Willing kind of thing, the legislative majority at that time didn’t want to stick their necks out.

QK: You mentioned the diversity of the region. I’ve heard people bring up racism as an issue in transit. Do you think racism plays any part in all of this?  

JF: I don’t think that is the fundamental issue. For example, all of Macomb County votes for SMART, the suburban bus system. And that runs lines in and out of Detroit through Macomb. One of the biggest recent wins for transit, in 2022, was when Oakland County got rid of this “Swiss cheese” thing they had forever, where some communities were part of SMART and others said no to transit. Oakland County voted overwhelmingly for the whole county to be part of SMART. So I don’t think, if you’re trying to look at it analytically, they would say, “We don’t want those people coming here,” as what’s going on. I think the issue with regional transit is whether certain rural voters feel it’s worth it. Do I support investing my tax dollars in this? By the way, for the record, a lot of specialized transit has been developed over the last eight years to meet the needs of rural communities in a more tailored way. 

QK: So here we are now, in 2025. What’s your view of where regional transit is in the metro Detroit area? And where do you see the likelihood of it going in the future? 

JF: Recently, Wayne County Executive Warren Evans said he was going to try to end the Swiss cheese there, where certain communities opted-out and busses aren’t allowed to travel. They don’t participate in funding the Wayne County part of the network. Warren Evans has said they’re going to go to the ballot, in hopes that Wayne County voters pass it just like Oakland County voters did. So that’s progress. But what it’s not is the kind of modern rapid transit you see in your dynamic cities, your big cities, your great cities.

So, what’s the next step? Should we work together to really focus on one major rapid transit investment? For example, doing rapid transit up Woodward all the way to Pontiac, where Oakland County is investing so much into a new county campus and there’s other investment happening. Should we do one thing that is really, really significant? That comes full circle, right back to the QLINE. It’s successful, exceeding expectations as it carries one million or more people a year. It did its part. And now the question is, if resources become available, do we try to do a newer version of this movie, where we make a significant regional investment with the strategy that we can then use that to try to catalyze something even broader. 

Happy Juneteenth! This week, we’ve got even more ways to celebrate in Detroit, from parades and parties to genealogy workshops.

Plus, outdoor activities for the official start of summer, and a “y’all-inclusive” hoedown. Read on to learn more.

Juneteenth celebrations

The 15th Annual Juneteenth Community Festival in Detroit is on Thursday, June 19. The celebration starts with sunrise yoga at 6 a.m., followed by a community 5k at 9 a.m., a parade and car show down Woodward at 11 a.m., and a family festival in Avalon Village from 3–8 p.m. The festival will feature live entertainment, keynote speakers, a hair show and fun for all ages. For more information, visit juneteenthindetroit.com.

The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History is also celebrating Juneteenth on Thursday, June 19 with a wide range of activities. There will be a Juneteenth treasure hunt throughout the museum, art healing and unity workshops, a screening of “Clotilda: Last American Slave Ship,” cooking demonstrations, live music and dancing, and more. Festivities go from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and registration is required for some activities. To see the full lineup of events and learn more, visit thewright.org.

The Detroit Historical Museum is celebrating Juneteenth on Thursday, June 19 with a special educational program called, “The Moral and Social Scope of Juneteenth.” Starting at noon, this presentation features original poems, music and essays written by Detroit students, offering personal insights into the significance of Juneteenth. The museum will also be open for personal exploration from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. so visitors can engage with the rich stories that shape our city’s past and present. Admission is free with registration. For more information, visit detroithistorical.org.

Detroit house DJs Father Dukes and Kindle are celebrating Juneteenth at UFO Bar on Thursday, June 19. “Who All Gone Be There” features DJ sets by André Moore b2b John Adams, Chuk Ezeanya, Sawn, Kesswa, Gulley, Ameera, John FM and Father Dukes b2b Kindle. Doors open at 4 p.m. and the event goes until 2 a.m. This event is 21+. For more information, visit ra.co.

On Wednesday, June 25, Wayne State University is hosting a Juneteenth genealogy discovery event called “Building Forward with Wisdom.” Led by historian, professional genealogist and Detroit native Carolyn Carter, Ph.D., participants will use digital tools and access historical records to explore their family roots and uncover the stories that shaped their lineage. The workshop takes place at Bernath Auditorium from 5:30–7:30 p.m. Admission is free with registration. For more information, visit events.wayne.edu.

Pride parties

On Saturday, June 21, head to the Old Miami for “Howdy Fest 4.” This “y’all-inclusive” event features queer line dancing led by Stud Country, live country music, a mechanical bull, BBQ and drag performances. The event goes from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. and is 21+. Tickets are $20 online or $25 at the door. For more information, visit their Eventbrite.

Outdoor activities

On Saturday, June 21, the Greektown Neighborhood Partnership is hosting its first-ever Summer Wine Stroll, a celebration of local food, wine and community. Guests will stroll through Greektown, enjoying curated wine samples and small bites from nearly a dozen participating restaurants and bars. Check-in starts at 11:30 p.m. and the event goes until 4 p.m. This event is 21+ and tickets are $39. For more information, visit their Eventbrite page.

Also on Saturday, June 21, the Farmington Hills Nature Center is hosting a family-friendly Summer Solstice Celebration with hayrides, a campfire, and seasonal games and crafts in Heritage Park. The event runs from 6:30–8:30 p.m. and admission is $8. For more information, visit their website.

The annual Ford Fireworks return to Detroit on Monday, June 23. The show will take place over the Detroit River beginning at 10 p.m. Tickets for the Parade Company’s official Rooftop Party are sold out, but the show will be visible from plenty of other vantage points along the riverfront. For more information, visit theparade.org.

WDET’s second “What’s So Funny About Detroit?” comedy showcase of the summer is on Thursday, June 26. Hosted by In The Groove’s Ryan Patrick Hooper in the beautiful backyard of The Old Miami, this month’s comedians are Melanie Hearn, Tanya Vora, Andy Peters, Joey Aasim and Lee Ledbetter. There will be music by DJ Thornstryker in between sets and food and drinks will be available for purchase. Doors open at 6 p.m., the show starts at 7 p.m. and the event is 21+. Tickets are $25 in advance or $30 at the door. For more information, visit our events page.

Our friends from the 4th annual Howdy Fest stop by to talk about the importance of carving out queer space in the country world and the awesome bands (and mechanical bull!) they’ll have this Saturday at the Old Miami. Plus, new music from Foxwarren, Ezra Furman, Four Tet, David Byrne, Madison McFerrin and more.

Check the playlist below and listen to the episode for two weeks after it airs using the player above.

In The Groove with Ryan Patrick Hooper playlist for June 18, 2025

• “Strange” – Foxwarren
• “Alone (Four Tet Remix)” – The Cure
• “Into Dust (Still Falling)” – Four Tet
• “Power of the Moon” – Ezra Furman
• “Rock & Roll” – The Velvet Underground
• “Needles in the Camel’s Eye” – Brian Eno
• “Everybody Laughs” – David Byrne & Ghost Train Orchestra
• “Born Under Punches (The Heat Goes On)” – Talking Heads
• “Transmuted Matter” – Stereolab
• “One Pillow” – Theo Croker, Estelle & Kassa Overall
• “Ain’t It Nice” – Madison McFerrin
• “Mr. Man” – Air
• “Lovin’ You” – Johnny “Guitar” Watson
• “Save Their Souls” – Bohannon
• “Nobody New” – The Marias
• “Mi Swing Es Tropical” – Quantic, Nickodemus, Tempo & The Candela Allstars
• “Cumbia Espacial (feat. N. Hardem)” – El León Pardo
• “Una Mañana” – Caramelo Haze
• “Be Thankful For What You’ve Got (Live)” – Orgone
• “Peaceful Place” – Leon Bridges
• “Don’t Get Me Started” – The Smile
• “False Start Dub” – Kings Of High Speed & JKriv
• “Right Back to It (feat. MJ Lenderman)” – Waxahatchee
• “Elderberry Wine” – Wednesday
• “Cowboys Are Frequently Secretly Fond of Each Other (Alternate Version)” – Willie Nelson
• “Sugar Man” – Rodriguez
• “Parade” – Kevin Morby
• “Dream Baby Dream” – Suicide
• “Everything Is Simple” – Widowspeak
• “Everybody’s Stalking” – Badly Drawn Boy
• “Thirty One” – Butcher Brown

Listen to In the Groove with host Ryan Patrick Hooper weekdays from noon-3 p.m. ET on 101.9 WDET or stream on-demand at wdet.org.

On Friday, Israel launched attacks on Iran, intending to hit Iran’s uranium enrichment site, where it is building nuclear arms, as well as the country’s military sites.

Iran has since retaliated with aerial attacks on Israel. Over the course of a week, the Israeli military has killed at least 224 people in Iran, and Iran has killed 24 people in Israel. This past weekend, Israel asked the U.S. to join its side in the war, since Israel lacks the capacity to destroy the space where Iran is developing nuclear weapons. 

Although, CNN reports that U.S. intelligence officials are saying Tehran was up to three years away from fully developing a weapon, and that it’s not actively pursuing a bomb. Still, the U.S. continues to provide weapons and warplanes to Israel, including a recent shipment. But it has yet to directly engage militarily in the war, and Trump, thus far, has called for Iran’s “Unconditional surrender.”

Saeed Khan, an associate professor of teaching in near eastern studies at Wayne State University, joined The Metro on Wednesday to discuss what this says about Israel’s role in the Middle East, and how America will respond.

Use the media player above to hear the full conversation.

Listen to The Metro weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon ET on 101.9 FM and streaming on-demand.

More stories from The Metro

Wayne State University is opening the city’s first standalone School of Public Health. The school is designed to train health care professionals who will embed in Detroit’s neighborhoods. Construction is set to begin this fall on a $200 million dollar health sciences research building, with community input central to the operation.

Dr. Bernard Costello, Wayne State’s senior vice president for health affairs, is utilizing this opportunity as a tool to lead an effort to reignite public trust in Detroit health institutions via real and equitable change. Knowing Detroiters struggle with chronic illnesses and limited access to care, he joined The Metro to talk about what opening this school means for our community.

Use the media player above to hear the full conversation.

Listen to The Metro weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon ET on 101.9 FM and streaming on-demand.

More stories from The Metro

The Motown Museum announced this week that it will pause tours of the Detroit institution for one year so that it can finish a multi-million dollar expansion project. 

The museum will temporarily stop public tours on Oct. 1. Other operations at the site — such as the retail store — will remain open, and Rocket Plaza will continue to hold performances and other activities. 

The final stage of the $75 million dollar project includes the construction of a new building and installation of exhibits. 

The museum — located at the site of the original Motown studios — opened in 1985. 

Other headlines for Wednesday, June 18, 2025:

• Detroit’s Greater Grace Temple is holding an event from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday to prepare residents for jobs using artificial intelligence. The Juneteenth National Digital Opportunity Bible Study is part of an effort to train Black communities for the emerging uses of AI in the workforce.  The event will provide workshops on digital literacy and workforce tool kits, which include info on data privacy and cybersecurity.
• Another Republican has jumped into the race to become the next governor of Michigan. Former state legislator Tom Leonard announced his candidacy on Tuesday.  He served as Michigan’s Speaker of the House in 2017 and 2018.
• Gas prices in metro Detroit are expected to rise in the coming days, according to AAA Michigan. Right now, the average price of gas in the area is $3.26 per gallon — up from $3.15 last week. Prices are expected to rise because of the conflict in the Middle East.
• Detroiters face a risk of possible severe storms this afternoon and tonight.  The National Weather Service says a front moving into the area will mix with hot, humid air, creating the conditions for strong storms.  Forecasters have given Metro Detroit a slight risk of severe weather.
• The Detroit Tigers continue to set the pace for the rest of MLB with the best record in baseball, 47 wins and 27 losses, with a month to go until the All-Star Break. The Tigers beat the Pittsburgh Pirates at Comerica Park Tuesday night 7 to 3.  The two teams are scheduled to play again Wednesday night. First pitch is at 6:40 p.m.

Do you have a community story we should tell? Let us know in an email at detroiteveningreport@wdet.org.

The National Weather Service briefly issued a Tornado Warning just after 1 p.m. on Wednesday for parts of Macomb and Oakland counties.

The warning was canceled shortly after it was issued, but a Flash Flood Warning was issued shortly after for central Macomb County that will remain in effect until 4:45 p.m.

A severe thunderstorms capable of producing a tornado was spotted over Royal Oak near Troy around 1:12 p.m., according to NWS. The storm moved northeast toward Macomb County, impacting the cities of Warren, Sterling Heights, Clinton Township, Fraser and Roseville. A line of thunderstorms is expected to move through portions of southeast Michigan throughout the evening resulting is possible flooding and power outages in the region.

The NWS urges residents to avoid driving on flooded roads and taking necessary precautions to avoid dangerous conditions.

Check back for more updates to this story.

Michigan is facing a health care provider shortage, especially for underserved communities in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties.

The Detroit Tri-County Social Work Health Career Opportunity Academy, called “The Academy,” trains students with disadvantaged backgrounds to increase the number of people going into health care fields.

Bridget Weller, a professor of Social Work at Wayne State University, says the shortage was exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“When we think about the state of Michigan, 72 of the 83 counties do not have enough providers to meet the needs of people residing there, including the three counties that with around Detroit,” she said.

In Michigan, about 3.5 million people do not have a provider or services. She says the lack of services disproportionately impacts rural and urban settings. 

Weller says by 2032, 20% of jobs needed are in health care settings, including nurses, social workers, dental hygienists, physical therapists and others. 

Weller says the health care provider shortage affects underserved communities — people who are often experiencing poverty, with higher rates of disease burden and less access to medical care. 

“Almost anybody you talk to about trying to see a provider — either mental health or physical health — how often have you gone to see a provider and they weren’t available, or they left because of burnout and burden, followed by issues around [whether] they understand your culture or your language?” she said.

Weller says that also leads to higher mortality rates, higher likelihood of getting chronic conditions, and lower likelihood of getting diagnosed properly.

“These high-need areas in these underserved communities are disproportionately impacted when we don’t have health care providers to meet those needs,” she said.

Workforce development with a purpose 

The Academy was created nearly two years ago to work with universities and community colleges to provide supplemental educational instruction for people seeking careers in health care. 

“One of the things that my team and I are doing is we’ve been implementing workforce development programs where we receive funding that provides enhanced training for people who are pursuing degrees, particularly at community colleges and at university settings,” she said.

The program provides enhanced training, 180 hours of training with a $2,100 scholarship and a $2,100 stipend. 

Weller says student graduates, or ambassadors, are from educationally or economically disadvantaged backgrounds. 

“We have a number of tremendous needs, including homelessness. I think we had about 16% of the people in our program experiencing homelessness, as well as selling plasma and things like that.” 

Addressing the health care provider shortage 

The Academy says there is a 92% graduation rate. 

“Moreover, 89% of our students have gone on to the next level of their education, so either going from an associate’s degree to a bachelor’s degree, or bachelor’s degree to a master’s degree,” Weller said.

About 30% of those individuals are a part of the health care workforce. 

Weller says the program shows students need educational and financial support to pursue health care fields, which in turn may help reduce the health care provider shortage in Michigan. 

“I think if we do that, then we’ve got a chance at addressing a lot of the needs that are available,” she said.

Weller says students from underserved communities tend to go back and work in their communities. 

“And so the more efforts that we can do to supporting students with those experiences, I think long term, we will be in a much better position to help underserved communities, because we try to get students from the communities with the hopes, because we know data shows people go back to their communities.” 

The mother of the Oxford High School shooter has asked to be released from prison while she appeals her involuntary manslaughter convictions. The attorney for Jennifer Crumbley filed the request this week with the Michigan Court of Appeals.

Her attorney argues that Crumbley should not be forced to remain prison while the legalities of the first-of-its-kind case are sorted out.

“At present, Mrs. Crumbley has been incarcerated for over three-and-a-half years,” says the filing dated Tuesday. “She should not be forced to serve additional years of incarceration before the appellate courts can decide, with finality, her dispositive and substantial legal questions of first impression which may result in her convictions being vacated.”  

Michael Dezsi, Crumbley’s attorney, told the Michigan Public Radio Network that Crumbley does not pose a threat if she is released on bond.

“The other thing that she has to prove in order to get a bond on appeal is that she has a substantial issue of law or fact and I don’t think anybody can deny that Mrs. Crumbley has a substantial question of law that she is presenting on appeal, namely which is did she even commit a crime in the first place,” he said.

Dezsi said the state’s manslaughter statute has never been used in this way to level charges against the parent of a murderer.

“They were different from anything we’ve ever seen before and it is our position that there certainly is no law in Michigan that allows for the prosecution to charge her for the intentional criminal acts of a third person, whether that be her son or somebody else,” he said.

Last week, an Oakland County judge denied the requests of Jennifer Crumbley and her husband, James, for new trials. Judge Cheryl Matthews held the Crumbleys received fair trials, although the prosecution should have shared details of some witness agreements.

Crumbley’s son is serving a life-without-parole sentence for the 2021 school shooting that killed four students and injured seven people. A jury convicted Jennifer and James Crumbley of involuntary manslaughter after prosecutors argued they failed to address clear signs their son was spiraling toward violence.

A spokesperson for Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald said her office opposes releasing Jennifer Crumbley in part because she would be a flight risk.

“A jury convicted Jennifer Crumbley for her actions that led to the deaths of Hana St. Juliana, Tate Myre, Madisyn Baldwin, and Justin Shilling. That verdict was upheld after careful review by the Circuit Court,” said spokesperson Jeff Wattrick in an email. “Bond has been denied multiple times previously because Mrs. Crumbley was, and remains, a flight risk with no known ties to the community and a past attempt to conceal her whereabouts. The interests of justice are served by again denying bond so she can continue serving her sentence.”

Deszi said he expects the Court of Appeals to rule quickly on his motion. The court will also have to rule on whether to hear the appeal. He said whichever side loses will almost certainly take the case to the Michigan Supreme Court.

Come November, Detroit residents will decide who will lead the city into its next chapter. Nine candidates and a write-in say they have a path forward.

Former Detroit Police Chief James Craig is among them. Serving as chief from 2013 to 2021, he helped speed up police response times and implemented “Project Green Light” for businesses to get police attention more quickly, among other accomplishments. Craig also served as police chief in both Cincinnati and Portland, Maine.

After retiring from law enforcement, Craig ran for governor in 2022 on the Republican ticket, but was removed from the ballot due to alleged fraudulent signatures on his nominating petitions. He also ran for a Michigan U.S. Senate seat last year, but suspended his campaign after it failed to gain momentum.

Now, Craig is the only Republican candidate running for mayor of Detroit, and he says he’d use his experience rooting out waste in government to increase efficiency and utilize city resources better. 

He joined The Metro on Tuesday to talk about his mayoral bid and what sets him apart. Only two candidates will move forward to November’s general election following the Aug. 5 primary.

Use the media player above to hear the full conversation.

Listen to The Metro weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon ET on 101.9 FM and streaming on-demand.

More stories from The Metro

What a busy night on MI Local! We premiered so much new music by metro area artists; we had exciting in-studio guests talking about an expansive emo-centric music festival happening next weekend, AND I announced that voting is now open for Sounds Like Detroit, 2025!

This is the chance for WDET listeners to cast their vote for the next Tiny Desk stars! Over 150 local musicians entered the 2025 NPR Tiny Desk Contest this year, and while none claimed the national title, Detroit’s talent is truly one of a kind! Now, we want your help to bring four standout Detroit Tiny Desk performers to the Sounds Like Detroit stage on Aug. 14 at Batch Brewing Company.

Find more info, and a link to the Sounds Like Detroit ballot, here. Voting ends July 3!

Meanwhile, on this week’s MI Local...

I opened the show with some gritty new rock ‘n’ roll from Cherry Drop, who have an album release party next Friday night at the Ghost Light in Hamtramck. We also hear new punk-rock sounds from Gusher, and a sneak-preview of a new EP by singer-songwriter Nadine Chronopoulos, who fronts the band known as DENO. MI Local gives you the chance to hear bands from all over Michigan, of course, so we also heard new alt-country/Americana sounds coming from Ypsilanti, from the project known as Cowgirl!

Joining me in-studio were Kyle Minch of The Pleasant Underground, and Spencer Roger from NOXP, both of whom have substantial experience in booking and promoting a wide range of live music events that showcase local talent. The Pleasant Underground began as a series of DIY House Shows, first hosted in the basement of a house in Pleasant Ridge (hence the name), focusing on groups that fit into the genres of indie rock, punk, Midwest emo, or post-hardcore. Next weekend, June 27-30, their third annual PUG Fest takes over downtown Ferndale, filling six venues with full lineups of high-energy bands.

Along with an interview with Minch and Rogers, we listened to a handful of bands that you can catch at PUG Fest, including the hard-rock quintet known as Former Critics, who just released the new single, “Clover.”

See the playlist below and listen to the episode on-demand for two weeks after it airs using the media player above.

MI Local Playlist for June 17, 2025

• “Feel It” – Cherry Drop
• “Bat Night” – Gusher
• “Redhead Queen” – DENO
• “Get A Load of My Love” – Emily Seward
• “Invisible Fist” – Na Bonsai
• “With Doubt” – Cowgirl
• “Caroline” – Isaac Burgess
• “A Hard Day’s Night”– The Last War
• “Graveyard Girl” – TOED
• “Clover” – Former Critics
• “Motions” – Lester.
• “Winter Clothes” – Low Phase

A belated birthday party for the legendary Motown songwriter Lamont Dozier, who I had the chance to interview back in 2020 when his memoir “How Sweet It Is: A Songwriter’s Reflections on Music, Motown and the Mystery of the Muse” was released. I re-aired that interview and played one of my favorite solo tracks of his… plus new music from Nilufer Yanya, Resavoir & Matt Gold, Mansur Brown, Leon Thomas and more.

Check the playlist below and listen to the episode for two weeks after it airs using the player above.

In The Groove with Ryan Patrick Hooper playlist for June 17, 2025

• “Cold Heart” – Nilufer Yanya
• “Diversey Beach (feat. Mei Semones)” – Resavoir & Matt Gold
• “Weather Report (Live At Shinjuku Riquid Room / 1997)” – Fishmans
• “Alone” – Mansur Brown
• “HOW FAST” – Leon Thomas
• “All I Ever Am (Mura Masa Remix)” – The Cure
• “Crossbow” – Tamar Aphek
• “Only In Dreams (Weezer cover)” – Mock Orange
• “Room At The Top” – Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
• “Love Is A Painting” – Bug Club
• “Breaking Point” – Brandee Younger
• “Found A Light (Beale Street)” – BADBADNOTGOOD & V.C.R
• “Moon Eyes” – Obongjayar
• “Red Moon” – Tom Misch
• “Red Room” – Hiatus Kaiyote
• “Free (Acoustic Version)” – Prince
• “Goin’ to See My Baby” – The Fatback Band
• “South of the River (Detroit Swindle Remix)” – Tom Misch
• “Wednesday Night People” – Moodymann
• “Tea Leaf Dancers” – Flying Lotus
• “I Wanna Stay” – The Love Unlimited Orchestra
• “Lovely Day (Tall Black Guy Remix)” – Jill Scott
• “Why Am I Alive Now?” – ANOHNI
• “You’ve Been In Love Too Long (Single Version)” – Martha Reeves & The Vandellas
• “ELEVATOR” – Gavin Turek
• “Klapp Klapp” – Little Dragon
• “Going Back To My Roots (12” Version)” – Lamont Dozier
• “Maria No Mas” – Fantastique
• “Mirando” – Ratatat

Listen to In the Groove with host Ryan Patrick Hooper weekdays from noon-3 p.m. ET on 101.9 WDET or stream on-demand at wdet.org.

Subscribe to The Metro on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

Christian Vincent joins us on The Metro to talk about Noah’s Arc, the 2005 TV drama centered on a group of queer Black men, and the impact it’s had on media.

Christian, who plays Ricky in the series, is also a dancer and choreographer who grew up just across the river in Windsor, Ontario. He joins us to discuss the Noah’s Arc universe—and how his time living, training, and working in Detroit helped shape his journey.

Listen to The Metro weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon ET on 101.9 FM and streaming  on demand.

More stories from The Metro

Subscribe to The Metro on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

Located in the Cass Corridor, Roar Brewery is gearing up for its grand opening. Detroit is known for its many exports, and beer happens to be one of those significant Detroit staples, playing an important role in our city.

Roar Brewery plans to add to the legacy that is Detroit beer as a Black-owned brewery, opening its doors next month. Founder and US veteran Evan Fay wants to make sure Roar is a space the community can feel at home, and he joins us on The Metro today to welcome us in.

Listen to The Metro weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon ET on 101.9 FM and streaming  on demand.

More stories from The Metro

Subscribe to The Metro on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

On Saturday, as millions of people protested what they see as President Trump’s federal overreach, an assassin allegedly killed a former Minnesota state lawmaker and her husband. The victims were on a manifesto with about 70 names connected to abortion rights advocates and Democratic officials.

Historian Jeremi Suri says this tension and violence is nothing new, reminiscent of the assassination of Lincoln, the social upheaval of the 1960s, even the January 6th Insurrection and its aftershocks. He joins us on The Metro today to give us more on how history repeats itself, and what this violence means for our democracy.

Listen to The Metro weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon ET on 101.9 FM and streaming  on demand.

More stories from The Metro

Subscribe to The Metro on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

Subscribe to the Detroit Evening Report on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

Davis Aerospace High School returns to airport campus with expanded aviation training

Davis Aerospace Technical High School is returning to its original home at the Coleman A. Young International Airport—a move that will once again give students access to the runway and hands-on aviation training.

The school, which offers free aviation courses including drone certification and pilot licensing, was relocated in 2013 while the city was under state management. Since then, students have been unable to obtain federal certification in aviation mechanics due to lack of airport access.

Detroit Public Schools Community District Superintendent Nikolai Vitti says the move is meant to correct a decision made under emergency management.

“We’ve gone about reforming the school district,” Vitti says. “Sometimes everyone’s quick to get rid of everything and say nothing worked in the past, and this was the complete opposite of that. This was about bringing something back that absolutely made sense and should have never been taken away from the district and the city.”

The airport’s three-level terminal will be converted into the school’s new campus, which is scheduled to open in fall 2026. The relocation is expected to allow the high school to expand its enrollment to 200 students.

Principal Michelle Davis says this year, nine students passed their FAA drone certification course, and four passed the written portion of the private pilot’s license test. With the move, those students will be able to fly next year—something the school hasn’t been able to offer since 2013.

The relocation will cost nearly $15 million, with funding split between the school district and the state.

Detroit mayoral candidates clash over jobs, housing at debate

Affordable housing and job creation were at the forefront of a spirited Detroit mayoral debate held Monday night at Wayne State University. About half of the candidates running for the city’s top office took part in the event.

City Council President Mary Sheffield said Detroit must find ways to use downtown investment to lift up neighborhoods across the city.

Reverend Solomon Kinloch Jr. pledged to lead both his congregation and the city if elected mayor, while former Detroit Police Chief James Craig described himself as a “proven leader.”

But the most pointed moment of the evening came during closing remarks from former City Council President Saunteel Jenkins, who targeted each of her rivals with sharp criticism:

“More guns in schools… locking up our kids… Craig is your guy. If you want a part-time mayor who’s working two full-time jobs… Kinloch is ready. If you want a mayor who shows up on Instagram but doesn’t show up for meetings… follow Mary. Thank you.”

The crowd responded audibly before Craig replied:

“Gloves are off now!”

Kinloch pushed back in his final statement, saying:

“Detroit cannot build up by tearing others down.”

District 5 voters invited to meet City Council candidates at Eastern Market

BridgeDetroit is hosting a Meet the Candidates event this Wednesday at Eastern Market for residents of Detroit’s District 5. All seven candidates running to replace City Council President Mary Sheffield are expected to attend.

The event offers voters a chance to ask questions, hear directly from the candidates, and enjoy a meal—Greek food will be served.

District 5 residents are encouraged to bring their curiosity and their appetite. Attendees are asked to RSVP in advance.

Event Details
What: Meet the Candidates – Detroit City Council District 5
When: Wednesday, June 19, 2025
Where: Eastern Market
RSVP: Reserve your spot on Eventbrite

Detroit Public Library celebrates Juneteenth with family events across the city

The Detroit Public Library is celebrating Juneteenth all week long with family-friendly events at branches across the city.

At the Main Library on Woodward Avenue, the annual Juneteenth Celebration takes place Wednesday and will feature special guests from the Midwest Invitational Rodeo. Visitors can enjoy pony rides, a petting zoo, lawn games, arts and crafts, face painting, line dancing, and more. The event also marks the kickoff of the library’s Summer Reading Program.

Other highlights this week include:

• Movie night at the Campbell Branch
• A Juneteenth Jamboree at the Edison and Elmwood Park branches
• Storytimes, storytelling, and history programs for all ages throughout the city

To explore the full schedule of events, visit detroitlibrary.org.

There are a few candidates running as outsiders in Detroit’s mayoral election. They say they aren’t typical politicians and that they plan to prioritize the needs of residents in neighborhoods first. Joel Haashiim is one of those outsiders.

He’s a businessman who first opened a store on Seven Mile and Hartwell Street at the age of 20. Now, the 73-year-old is running on a platform to stop billionaires like Dan Gilbert and the Ilitch family from controlling local politics. Haashim says he wants to put power into people’s hands. To do this, he says he wants to bring back “Citizens’ District Councils,” and start a public bank. 

Haashiim joined The Metro to share more about his platform and priorities for the city if elected Detroit’s next mayor.

Use the media player above to hear the full conversation.

Listen to The Metro weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon ET on 101.9 FM and streaming on-demand.

More stories from The Metro

Smashing into the work week with an upbeat musical punch to the face featuring fresh songs from Yazmin Lacey, Original Koffee, Brandee Younger, Sessa and more, plus David Byrne readies a new album and tour stop in Detroit. A special artist spotlight on Brooklyn trio Nation of Language, who are getting ready to release their 4th album on Sub Pop and have a tour date at the Majestic this September! You heard about it here on In The Groove…

Check the playlist below and listen to the episode for two weeks after it airs using the player above.

In The Groove with Ryan Patrick Hooper playlist for June 16, 2025

• “Ain’t I Good For You” – Yazmin Lacey
• “KOFFEE” – Original Koffee
• “Royalty” – Hypnotic Brass Ensemble
• “Get Free (feat. Amber Coffman)” – Major Lazer
• “New Pinnacle” – Brandee Younger
• “Seasons (Waiting on You) [BADBADNOTGOOD Reinterpretation]” – Future Islands
• “Looking For You” – Nino Ferrer
• “Get It Up For Live” – Ned Doheny
• “Peg (DJ Snatch Edit)” – Steely Dan
• “I Wish (The Reflex Edit)” – Stevie Wonder
• “Vento a Favor” – Sessa
• “Zombie” – Goat
• “Don’t Believe the Dancers” – Tony Allen & Adrian Younge
• “Castles Made of Sand” – Jimi Hendrix
• “Revolution (Esher Demo)” – Beatles
• “Frosted” – Scrimshire
• “Immortal Hands” – Stereolab
• “Lltb (feat. Wet)” – Jam City
• “You got time and I got money” – Smerz
• “Bitter Sweet Symphony” – The Verve
• “A Forest (Tree Mix)” – The Cure
• “A1” – Darkside
• “Waiting For The Punchline (Swallertrip)” – Franc Moody
• “Everybody Laughs” – David Byrne & Ghost Train Orchestra
• “This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody) [Live]” – Talking Heads
• “Gold Lion” – Yeah Yeah Yeahs
• “Say My Name” – Belair Lip Bombs
• “Across That Fine Line” – Nation of Language
• “Inept Apollo” – Nation of Language
• “I’m Not Ready For The Change” – Nation of Language
• “Papa Don’t Take No Mess” – James Brown

Listen to In the Groove with host Ryan Patrick Hooper weekdays from noon-3 p.m. ET on 101.9 WDET or stream on-demand at wdet.org.

Exploring music from Thandii, Chicano Batman, Cousin Kula, DJ Koze, Young Marble Giants, Bug Club and more.

Check the playlist below and listen to the episode for two weeks after it airs using the player above.

In The Groove with Ryan Patrick Hooper playlist for June 13, 2025

• “It Only Takes 2” – Thandii
• “Burn” – Afriqua
• “Color My Life” – Chicano Batman
• “Dirty Money” – Antibalas
• “Clothes Off” – Cousin Kula
• “Stay High” – Brittany Howard
• “I Feel for You (Acoustic Demo)” – Prince & the Revolution
• “Harlem” – Bill Withers
• “Slip Away (feat. Menahan Street Band)” – Charles Bradley
• “Aruna” – DJ Koze
• “I Can’t Go for That (No Can Do) [Kon Rework]” – Daryl Hall & John Oates
• “Consulate Case” – Surprise Chef
• “Bangoro (Gitkin Remix)” – Bab L’ Bluz
• “Since I’ve Been Loving You” – Led Zeppelin
• “All My Love (Ween Cover)” – Led Zeppelin
• “Brand – New – Life” – Young Marble Giants
• “I Was Dancing in the Lesbian Bar” – Jonathan Richman
• “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” – The Slits
• “Jealous Boy” – The Bug Club
• “Love Is A Painting” – The Bug Club
• “Marriage” – The Bug Club

Listen to In the Groove with host Ryan Patrick Hooper weekdays from noon-3 p.m. ET on 101.9 WDET or stream on-demand at wdet.org.