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The Metro: What role will the US play in Israel’s conflict with Iran?

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.

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The Metro: New public health school emerging at Wayne State University

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.

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The Metro: James Craig’s mayoral campaign blends law enforcement and conservative politics

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.

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The Metro: Christian Vincent reflects on Noah’s Arc and his Detroit roots

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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.

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The Metro: Black-owned brewery to join the Detroit beer scene

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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.

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The Metro: Assassination shakes democracy as political violence rises in America

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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.

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The Metro: Mayoral candidate Joel Haashiim fights for Detroit grassroots power

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.

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The Metro: Meet Todd Perkins: Attorney, advocate, and Detroit mayoral hopeful

Come November, Detroit residents will decide who among them will lead the city into its next chapter by taking Mike Duggan’s place as mayor.

Today’s episode of The Metro features Todd Perkins, one of the ten mayoral candidates, as well as an Attorney, Founder and owner of The Perkins Law Group. He speaks with our host Tia Graham about what he thinks makes him the one for the job.

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The Metro: Immigrants face arrest at hearings as Trump policies spark nationwide protests

We’re coming off a powerful weekend of action. Millions of people in hundreds of cities were united in “No Kings” protests that swept the country. 

Americans were out to condemn what many see as President Donald Trump’s federal overreach, aggressive anti‑immigrant enforcement, and a military parade that celebrated him and the U.S. Army. 

In Los Angeles, protesters have been out for days and Trump responded with a page from the authoritarian playbook. He deployed thousands of National Guard troops and hundreds of active-duty Marines onto the streets of L.A. On Friday, for the first time in recent history, military personnel temporarily detained a civilian.

Here in Detroit, thousands raised their voices at Clark Park, shouting “down with deportations.” Local advocates say ICE agents recently arrested a Venezuelan family in Southwest Detroit moments after their asylum hearing was dismissed. At the McNamara federal courthouse, asylum seekers were detained just as judges ended their proceedings. 

That tactic — attend your immigration hearing and risk arrest — is becoming common.

An almost-graduated Detroit high school student was also detained during a traffic stop on his way to a school field trip. He was deported last week despite many calls from the community urging officials to let him temporarily stay. 

To help us think about this moment, we’re joined by attorney and professor Sabrina Balgamwalla. She’s the director of the Asylum and Immigration Law Clinic at Wayne State University

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The Metro: Fatherhood then and now, stories and lessons from dads

Father’s Day is this weekend, and today on The Metro we’re celebrating fatherhood, past and present. We’re joined by The Metro dads, Jerome Vaughn, David Leins and Jake Neher, plus listener dads calling in to share what fatherhood has taught them.

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

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The Metro: What Detroit’s Latino community wants from the next mayor

As Detroit’s mayoral race begins to take shape, residents will have to decide which candidates will address the issues most important to them. The candidates have outlined the issues they believe will improve the lives of Detroit residents, but what do residents and community leaders believe needs to be addressed by the next mayor?

Cindy Gamboa is the Executive director of MI Poder– a non profit civic engagement organization that services Michigan’s Latino population- and she’s joined  The Metro today to shed light on the subject.

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The Metro: Detroit’s Senior Olympics wraps with awards and celebration

Throughout its parks and recreation centers, the City of Detroit puts on its annual Senior Olympics, to make sure the city’s elders are supported and a part of our community. The competition ends this Saturday and concludes with an Awards Dinner Dance at Northwest Activities Center.

Cary Junior II spoke with Crystal Perkins, Director of the General Services Department, about this year’s event and what he’s most excited for—on today’s episode of The Metro.

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The Metro: No Kings protests planned nationwide this weekend

Protests against President Donald Trump’s executive order activating more than 4,000 National Guard members and 700 Marines in Los Angeles have ignited unrest across the country.

This weekend, “NO KINGS” protests are scheduled in multiple cities, drawing people from all backgrounds—including faith leaders like Rev. Barry Randolph. A lifelong Detroiter, Rev. Barry recently spoke at a press conference urging peaceful demonstrations and is now joining us on The Metro to share why he’s calling people to the streets this Saturday.

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The Metro: Mayoral candidate Rogelio Landin on growing Detroit and more

As Detroit continues its fight to stabilize population loss and rebuild its tax base, one mayoral write-in candidate believes the solution lies in physically expanding the city.

Rogelio Landin, 71, a longtime political figure, proposes annexing 28 distressed communities across Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne counties. His plan, he says, would not only increase Detroit’s population and tax revenue but also help address longstanding issues such as poverty, illiteracy, and failing schools.

“The fact that Detroit has lost 20,000 people annually over the past 50 years is unbelievable,” Landin says. But projections show 650,000 immigrants are expected in the region by 2050, and he believes Detroit must position itself to benefit from that growth.

Landin’s career includes work with the New Detroit coalition formed after the 1967 uprisings, where he focused on economic development, capital access, and minority inclusion. Now, he’s emphasizing community self-determination and inclusive policy as central pillars of his mayoral campaign.

The key to Landin’s platform is securing funding for education reform specifically boosting literacy rates and student proficiency. He also wants to broker deals connecting Detroit entrepreneurs with venture capital funding.

Landin believes Detroit must expand its boundaries to recover economically. “This isn’t just about redrawing lines,” he says. “It’s about making Detroit more inclusive, economically vibrant, and future-ready.”

Whether his bold vision gains traction remains to be seen, but Landin hopes to ignite a new conversation about what it means to grow Detroit.

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The Metro: American Jewish identity and the weight of rising antisemitism

Since October 7th, the world has felt different for many American Jews, and antisemitism has been on the rise. More recently, two people were shot dead outside a Jewish museum in Washington, D.C., and a man with a flamethrower in Colorado attacked Israeli hostage advocates.

At the same time, Israel, a Jewish-majority country, has continued its attacks against Hamas in Gaza. On Sunday, 13 Palestinians were killed and over 150 injured after Israeli troops and American contractors opened fire on crowds waiting for food near two aid distribution sites. Israel’s months-long blockade of food aid has left one in five Palestinians on the brink of starvation.

Since October 7, 2023, an estimated 57,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli attacks. So where does this leave American Jews? What does it mean to hold a range of difficult, sometimes opposing, views on an issue that remains a lightning rod in American discourse?

This tension has long shaped American Jewish identity. Today on The Metro, we explore the evolving challenges faced by American Jews—focusing on the rise in antisemitism and the often-misunderstood distinction between anti-Zionism and antisemitism. While Zionism refers to Jewish nationalism, antisemitism is rooted in prejudice against Jews.

The 1967 Six-Day War marked a major turning point, deepening loyalty to Israel for some American Jews while prompting resistance from others—particularly those influenced by anti-colonial movements during the Vietnam War era. Over time, Israel’s role in American Jewish identity has become increasingly divisive.

Julian Levinson, professor of American Jewish studies at the University of Michigan, works with students—many of them young Jews—to hold space for multiple perspectives. He emphasizes the importance of engaging with the complexity, rather than flattening it.

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The Metro: Walking the wire of survival in ‘The Razor’s Edge’

The documentary “The Razor’s Edge” opens in the woods of northern Michigan, where people are living in tents beneath a thick blanket of snow. A lone winter hat dangles from a branch; plastic bags and scattered trash mark the spaces between their fragile shelters. They tell us this place is a last resort.

For many people in Michigan and across the nation, living without stable housing is a daily reality. Keith Famie’sThe Razor’s Edge” gives us an unfiltered glimpse into that world, capturing the complexity of life without a stable home, and the harsh connection between poverty and food insecurity.

Famie’s Emmy-nominated documentary explores how real change can happen, and underscores why humanizing the problem matters so much. On the heels of his Emmy nomination, Famie joined The Metro to discuss the people he’s met, the misconceptions he’s challenged, and the lives impacted by this film.

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The Metro: Black Twitter’s evolution as a pillar of pop culture

From the start, Black Twitter permeated popular culture and sparked social change. An ecosystem in it’s own right, Black people went to twitter to read about what went down, and to watch the timeline react with jokes, memes and laughter. 

Professor Sherri Williams joins us on The Metro today to share how Black Twitter transformed the way we watch our favorite shows together, drawing from her book Black Social Television: Black Social Television: How Black Twitter Changed Television and more.

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The Metro:  Detroit vs Speculators: The lawsuit that never was

For a long time, one of Detroit’s biggest challenges was blight. Generational disinvestment and residential flight left about 80,000 homes blighted by 2014. Since then, the city has removed or rehabbed thousands of properties. But blight and disinvestment have given way to a different problem: housing speculation.

To make quick profits, speculators, often from outside Detroit, buy homes cheaply, rent them out, and invest little to nothing in upkeep.

The City of Detroit once filed suit against several major speculators but dropped the cases more than a year ago, leaving many to wonder what happened and what harm remains. Will the city resume efforts to hold them accountable?

Today on The Metro, Aaron Mondry, senior reporter at Outlier Media, explores how rent-to-own housing agreements can be exploitative. These deals often lack legal protections and leave buyers vulnerable to eviction if payments are missed.

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The Metro: Routine checkups boost men’s lifespan

Studies show women live longer than men. According to the CDC, women are expected to live about five years longer. While there isn’t a single explanation for this gap, several contributing factors shed light on the disparity.

Biology and hormones may play a role, along with external factors like job-related risks. Men are also more likely to smoke, drink heavily, and skip annual checkups.

To raise awareness and promote healthier habits, June was established as Men’s Health Month. On The Metro today, we spoke with Harold Neighbors, professor emeritus at the University of Michigan School of Public Health.

As Professor Neighbors explained, men often face societal pressures that discourage them from seeking mental and physical health care. A national organization is working to change that.

Demetrius Scott is leading those efforts in Detroit as the local coordinator for the African-American Male Wellness Agency, a nonprofit focused on reducing health disparities among Black men through free programs and services.

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The Metro: Canadian wildfire smoke is clouding Michigan skies. An expert shares how to stay safe

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The skies over Southeast Michigan have been thick with smoke due to over 200 wildfires burning in Canada. Fire officials have classified roughly half of those as “out of control.” 

These fires come with many consequences. They have led to thousands of evacuations, with people leaving their homes under duress. The fires have also released vast plumes of smoke, degrading air quality across the American Midwest.

Health experts warn that wildfire smoke poses risks not just to vulnerable groups, but to everyone. Fine particulate matter in the smoke can enter the lungs and bloodstream, leading to serious health issues. 

To discuss the health impacts of wildfire smoke and the broader implications for public health, Dr. Omer Awan joined The Metro.

Use the media player above to hear the full conversation.

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The Metro: Satori Shakoor ‘Confessions of a menopausal femme fatale’

So little is discussed about “The Change”. That’s right Menopause is not widely discussed and can bring a sense of feeling ashamed. It’s something that’s often held close to a woman’s chest, a secret that only she knows. 

While some do share their experiences, many women continue to struggle with finding community when preparing for and enduring menopause. 

Menopause It’s a biological process when a menstruating woman no longer has periods. Each woman experiences the stage differently, whether it’s with hot flashes, sleep problems or a low libido. But all menstruating women will experience menopause; it’s just a matter of when. 

A new comedy special aims to tackle the inevitable process with laughter. “Confessions of a menopausal femme fatale” is a stand-up storytelling concert by multidisciplinary artist, storyteller, and social entrepreneur Satori Shakoor. 

Shakoor is the founder and Executive Producer of The Secret Society of Twisted Storytellers, host of PBS’s Detroit Performs. The special, which was taped at Detroit Public Theatre will be available to stream Thursday, June 12th.

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The Metro: How Trump’s attack on public media threatens democracy and access to information

President Trump is taking direct aim at NPR and PBS—threatening to cut a billion-dollar lifeline from America’s public airwaves. He claims public media is biased and is pushing Congress to eliminate $1.1 billion in federal funding, with a vote expected this week.

Free speech advocates warn the stakes are high. Without this funding, millions could lose access to trusted news, emergency alerts, and a platform for civic engagement. Experts say this move echoes the slow erosion of press freedom seen in countries like Hungary, Turkey, and Venezuela.

Victor Pickard, a media scholar at the University of Pennsylvania, joins The Metro today to explain why weakening public media weakens democracy.

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The Metro: Iron Chef Detroit, food for thought

Cass Community Social Services had its first food pantries open during the Great Depression and is now under the leadership of executive director Rev. Faith Fowler. During her time, she has expanded services, bringing in new resources and broader support.

Iron Chef Detroit was created last year as an annual fundraiser for Cass Community Social Services. This Thursday, Iron Chef Detroit 2 will showcase two Cass Corridor chefs during a head-to-head culinary competition at Eastern Market.

Rev. Faith Fowler is on The Metro today  to talk about Iron Chef 2’s goal of “fighting poverty, creating opportunity, and building community” as well as the support Cass Community Social Services provides for Detroit.

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The Metro: Clash in the corridor: Iron Chef Detroit heats up for round 2

Iron Chef Detroit was created last year, with the goal to establish an annual fundraiser for Cass Community Social Services. This Thursday, Iron Chef Detroit 2 will showcase two Cass Corridor chefs during the culinary competition at the Eastern Market.

Chef Anthony Lombardo, winner of the first Iron Chef Detroit, and Chef Andy Hollyday– Executive Chef and Partner at Selden Standard-  join us on The Metro today to tell us more about their game plans for the upcoming competition.

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The Metro: Detroit’s Mayoral Candidates face off over transit issues at public forum

After serving in office for more than a decade, Mike Duggan is in his final term as mayor of Detroit. That has led to a crowded mayoral race, with nine people formally entering to have their names appear on the August primary ballot. Two candidates will advance to the November general election.

Whoever becomes Detroit’s next mayor will have a number of issues to tackle and one of them is transit. The city’s bus and streetcar systems are in need of upgrades. Meanwhile, Southeast Michigan as a whole still lacks a truly regional transit system.

With so many candidates in the race and so many topics to cover, Detroiters are eager to know where they stand on transit. A nonprofit called Transportation Riders United hosted a forum last week, giving each candidate a chance to discuss how they would address transit issues if elected.

Today on The Metro, WDET reporter Alex McLenon joins us to talk about the hour-long forum. The discussion included how DDOT has reimagined its service plans. The department spends a significant amount of time and money training and paying drivers, yet many of those drivers leave for higher wages at SMART after completing their certification.

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The Metro: Santa Ono’s political gamble; higher-ed leadership in the Trump era

Last month, then University of Michigan President Santa Ono announced his resignation from the college after accepting a role leading the University of Florida.

But despite the University of Florida’s Board of Trustees voting unanimously to approve Ono as the school’s 14th president, the Florida Board of Governors — which oversees the state’s universities — voted against it, reversing the decision.

David Jesse, a senior writer at The Chronicle of Higher Education, joined The Metro to discuss this unprecedented reversal and the political motivation behind it. 

Use the media player above to hear the full conversation.

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The Metro: University leaders discuss impacts of federal budget cuts at Mackinac Policy Conference

A number of universities are worried about funding cuts that are coming from the Trump administration. That includes those in Michigan. 

Wayne State University, the University of Michigan, and Michigan State University collaborate — sharing research and attracting businesses to their campuses. Late last month, Michigan Tech joined the re-branded group that’s now called Research Universities for Michigan

At the 2025 Mackinac Policy Conference, presidents from three of the four schools spoke with WDET’s Russ McNamara: MSU President Kevin Guskiewicz, Michigan Tech President Rick Koubec and Wayne State President Kimberly Andrews Espy. 

This isn’t the only way schools are collaborating. Although it’s not yet supported by administrative leadership, faculty at many Big Ten universities are advocating for their respective leadership to sign a NATO-like agreement. It would allow the universities to share attorneys and pool financial resources in case President Donald Trump’s administration targets one of them. 

Use the media player above to hear the full conversation.

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The Metro: The fight to end homelessness in America

Detroit, like many parts of the country, is facing a housing crisis. 

Over half of renters in the city are cost-burdened, spending more than 30% of their income on housing. 

Meanwhile, the number of homeless children in Detroit reached a record high last year, with 455 kids experiencing homelessness.

In her new book, “And Housing for All: The Fight to End Homelessness in America,” Maria Foscarinis says homelessness is the outcome of calculated political choices. She says these decisions have entrenched poverty and made stable housing unattainable. 

Foscarinis is an attorney and advocate who’s spent decades fighting for housing justice. She joined The Metro to discuss what it’s going to take to shift America’s approach to housing and treat it as a human right.

Use the media player above to hear the full conversation.

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The Metro: New book by John Conyers III explores his father’s legacy

From 1965 to 2017, John Conyers Jr.  dedicated his life to serving all people and creating new pathways for Black Americans, even serving in the Korean War.

He was a vocal supporter of the Civil Rights Movement, and also marched alongside Martin Luther King Jr. During his time in Congress, Conyers was a founding member of the Black Caucus and was instrumental in solidifying Martin Luther King Jr Day as a federal holiday. 

His son, John Conyers III, recently published a biography of his late father titled “My Father’s House: An Ode to America’s Longest-Serving Black Congressman.” He joined The Metro to share more about the book, and his father’s life and legacy.

Use the media player above to hear the full conversation.

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The Metro: Enbridge’s Line 5 tunnel proposal might cause more harm than good, expert says

Enbridge’s Line 5 pipeline has been fueling debate for decades. 

It carries millions of gallons of crude oil and natural gas liquids each day from Superior, Wisconsin to Sarnia, Ontario. A critical segment of this pipeline lies exposed on the lakebed of the Straits of Mackinac. 

It’s a location University of Michigan scientists call the “worst possible place” for an oil spill. That’s because of strong currents that could rapidly spread contaminants across the Great Lakes. 

Now, Enbridge wants to build a $500 million dollar tunnel deep under the lakebed to shield the pipeline, prevent an oil spill, and repair aging infrastructure. A new environmental report from the Army Corps of Engineers says it will likely accomplish these things. 

But that would come at a cost. Habitats could be destroyed, wildlife disrupted, and tribal rights threatened.

Meanwhile, legal fights continue. Michigan’s governor and Indigenous communities want Line 5 shut down, citing environmental and treaty violations. 

Enbridge insists federal law protects the pipeline.

The Army Corps of Engineers is asking people to weigh in on its new report about the tunnel project through the end of the month. 

So, it’s a good time to ask: is this tunnel a safe solution or a continuation of something that violates indigenous rights and threatens the environment? 

Andrew Buchsbaum, an expert on environmental law at the University of Michigan, has been part of the movement to stop Line 5. He joined The Metro  to discuss the new report.

The Metro invited an Enbridge spokesperson to discuss Line 5 and its proposed oil tunnel, but didn’t hear back before the show’s air date.

Use the media player above to hear the full conversation.

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The Metro: Detroit’s Sidewalk Festival is inspiring environmental change

Local nonprofit Sidewalk Detroit has been supporting the community through artistic initiatives for more than a decade.

The organization’s 10th annual Sidewalk Festival is taking place Aug. 1-2, at Eliza Howell Park. The biannual arts and culture celebration features a mixture of music, dance, performance art, interactive installations, and community-driven workshops deeply rooted in social justice.

Sidewalk Detroit also offers an “Earth Futures Fellowship” as part of the festival, which supports local artists who are focused on environmental justice and community action initiatives.

This year, Earth Futures is introducing a storm water education campaign, including multiple hands-on learning opportunities about rainwater collection and remediation, access to clean water in urban environments and more.

To talk more about this year’s festival and fellowship, Sidewalk Detroit’s 2025 Artist in Residence, Maya Davis, and Program Director Augusta Morrison joined The Metro.

–WDET’s Jenny Sherman contributed to this report.

Use the media player above to hear the full conversation.

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The Metro: Detroit’s composer laureate is creating music inspired by sounds of the city

The Detroit Office of Arts Culture and Entrepreneurship appointed its first Composer Laureate in December, Patrick Prouty.

Embracing his role as an advocate for and representative of Detroit’s musical heritage, he’s also working to inspire a new generation of musicians to live and create in the city. 

Producer Cary Junior II spoke to Prouty about how he plans to keep Detroit musicians in Detroit, his career, music and more on today’s episode of The Metro

Use the media player above to hear the full conversation.

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The Metro: The important legacy and activism behind Motor City Pride

The streets of Detroit will be filled with color and courage this weekend as Motor City Pride returns to Hart Plaza June 7-8.

The annual festival and parade is Michigan’s largest LGBTQ+ pride event, but it offers much more than just a celebration.

Fifty-six years after the Stonewall Uprising ignited the modern movement for LGBTQ rights, Pride remains both a celebration and a protest. And in 2025, that duality feels more urgent. Since January, the Trump administration has enacted multiple executive orders rolling back LGBTQ protections. 

These federal actions mirror a broader national trend. More than 580 anti-LGBTQ bills have been introduced in state legislatures this year alone, according to the American Civil Liberties Union. These bills target health care, education, and public accommodations.

In this climate, Motor City Pride is more than a parade. It’s a declaration that visibility is vital. 

Dave Wait, chairperson of Motor City Pride, joined The Metro on Tuesday to discuss the event’s history and important legacy of advocacy and what that looks like in today’s political climate.

–WDET’s Jenny Sherman contributed to this report.

Use the media player above to hear the full conversation.

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The Metro: Experts warn of a rough road ahead for the auto industry

John McElroy is a thought leader in the auto industry. He currently broadcasts three radio segments on WWJ, writes a blog for Auto Blog and a monthly column for Wards Auto.

Speaking with WDET News Director Jerome Vaughn at the 2025 Mackinac Policy Conference on Mackinac Island, McElroy warned that the industry is at “a near breaking point, particularly in Michigan.”

“There is a host of things that is hitting the industry all at once, and unprecedented in history,” he said. “So it’s something where I think we need much greater leadership than what we’re seeing right now within the industry itself — from our elected leaders as well — because we’ve seen the U.S. auto industry shrink tremendously over the last couple of decades, and without the proper policies and procedures coming in place, we’re in danger of losing a whole lot more.”

McElroy says the price of cars is too high, tariffs are hurting the market, and the electric vehicle transition has stalled. 

–WDET’s Jenny Sherman contributed to this report.

Use the media player above to hear the full conversation.

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The Metro: The beloved coach behind Detroit’s biggest track stars

D.L. Holmes was the athletic director, track and cross-country coach at Wayne State University from 1917 to 1958. In a time when segregation in sports was the norm, Holmes coached athletes of all races, a radical act. He coached three Olympians, one gold medalist and 11 All-Americans.

Holmes, a beloved mentor known for nurturing hidden talent, was instrumental in nine national championship wins and four world record holders.

In his new book, “Coach of Champions,” Troy author Keith D. Wunderlich tells the story of Coach Holmes through team member interviews and “historically informed narratives.” Wunderlich is Holmes’ grandson and a former sprinter.

He joined The Metro to talk about the book and Holmes’ legacy in Detroit and beyond.

Use the media player above to hear the full conversation.

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The Metro: How a Grand Rapids cancer center is using AI to identify, help treat disease

A cancer treatment center in Grand Rapids is bringing the future of medicine into the present. 

BAMF Health, founded and led by Anthony Chang, PhD, is one of the world’s largest Theranostics centers — considered a groundbreaking and less traditional approach to cancer treatment.

It uses full-body scans and smart AI tools to spot disease earlier and choose the right treatment for each patient. The AI algorithms analyze images in seconds, which helps doctors identify tumors, plan therapies, and adjust care on the fly. Researchers at the National Cancer Institute have called it “the next big shift in precision medicine.” 

So, is this kind of technology the future of health care? And where does it fall short?

Chang joined The Metro on Tuesday to discuss how AI and advanced imaging are changing health care, and his plans to open a BAMF Health facility in Detroit this fall.

–WDET’s Jenny Sherman contributed to this report.

Use the media player above to hear the full conversation.

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The Metro: Triumph Pastor Solomon Kinloch talks church legacy, Detroit mayoral race

For many faithful folks in Detroit, Rev. Solomon Kinloch Jr. is a familiar name and face. As the senior pastor at Triumph Church, he’s known for his powerful sermons and community outreach. The church has over 35,000 members, according to its website. 

But now he’s on the political stage running for mayor of Detroit, and this is an arena where he’s not as well known.

Kinloch is the only candidate in the mayoral race who has not held an elected position. But he views that as one of his strengths, and believes residents are tired of career politicians leading the city.

He says his campaign’s message is rooted in service, leadership and intentional change, which he hopes will set him apart from other candidates.

Metro producer Cary Junior II spoke with Kinloch at the 2025 Mackinac Policy Conference about how his experience leading Triumph Church will inform his priorities as mayor.

The conference is aimed to bring together business leaders, policymakers and community stakeholders to discuss key issues affecting Michigan’s economy, politics, and future.

Use the media player above to hear the full conversation.

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The Metro: Detroit youth shine at Keys2Life Performing Arts Summer Camp

Finding enriching child care options can often be a challenge for parents during the summer months, especially for those looking for programs specifically geared toward the arts.

For the past 12 years, Wayne State University’s “Keys2Life Performing Arts Summer Camp” has provided that outlet to metro Detroit students ages 11–13.

The six-week day camp program, led by Detroit youth nonprofit The Yunion, offers a diverse range of performing arts experiences, led by top Detroit artists, mentors and certified teachers. 

Camp Director Darell Campbell Jr. joined The Metro on Tuesday to share more about what this year’s program will entail.

Registration is now open for the day camp, which runs 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, June 30 through Aug. 8 on the campus of Wayne State University. For more information, including rates, visit theyunion.org/camp.

—WDET’s Jenny Sherman contributed to this report.

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.

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