Stateside

Conversations that matter to Michigan. Each weekday, host April Baer will bring you stories from people across the state—from policymakers in Lansing, to entrepreneurs in Detroit, to artists in Grand Rapids.

To access full episodes and individual story segments, please visit michiganpublic.org.

If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work: michiganradio.org/podfund

Last refreshed: August 18th, 2025 at 11:00 PM ⓘ

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Episodes

New film tells story of sea lamprey control in the Great Lakes

The Great Lakes are renowned for both its commercial and sport fishing industries. Long before that, the gifts of the inland seas provided both sustenance and economic trading power to the Indigenous peoples who lived in the region. But, there was a time, not long ago, where the fisheries of the Great Lakes were almost left for dead. A new documentary, narrated by actor J.K. Simmons, explores the decades-long hunt to identify and subdue one of the biggest threats to Great Lakes fisheries: the se...

Feb 25, 2025•19 min

A brutal flu season for Michiganders

Michigan is in the midst of one of the worst flu seasons in years. There have already been more than 10,000 flu-related hospitalizations in the state this flu season, and outpatient visits for flu-like symptoms are the highest they have been in 15 years. We talked to Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, the state's chief medical executive, about flu season and the best ways to protect yourself. GUEST: Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive for the state of Michigan Looking for more conversations f...

Feb 24, 2025•20 min

Protecting yourself and your pets against bird flu

This current outbreak of avian influenza, which started in March 2022, has been wreaking havoc throughout bird populations, domestic or otherwise. Causing high mortality rates amongst birds, bird flu has also spread to some dairy cattle and domestic pets. Kimberly Dodd, dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine at Michigan State University, said the virus tends to evolve over time, so pet owners should limit the exposure of their pets to sick or dead birds in the area. Dodd also said to contact...

Feb 21, 2025•20 min

MI farmers and agricultural researchers plow through uncertainty

Industry experts discuss the swift impact of the Trump administration's new policies on the Michigan's agricultural industry, from research funding, to farm staffing, to international trade. GUESTS ON TODAY’S SHOW: David Tschirley , director of the Innovation Lab for Food Security Policy Research, Capacity, and Influence at Michigan State University Chuck Lippstreu , president of the Michigan Agri-Business Association Looking for more conversations from Stateside ? Right this way . If you like w...

Feb 20, 2025•25 min

Detroit's Struggle With Crypto Real Estate Takeover

One of the worlds largest real estate cryptocurrency marketplace has been sweeping up properties and selling them to multiple investors sometimes even to hundreds. And because there's not one person tenants can turn to when things go wrong, problems on these properties are piling up. GUESTS: Aaron Mondry, Senior Reporter at Outlier Media See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feb 19, 2025•20 min

Windsor and Detroit: A tale of two cities

About a quarter of all trade value between the U.S. and Canada happens over one bridge - the Ambassador Bridge between Detroit and Windsor, Ontario. But that free flow that bolsters these two communities may be threatened by a trade war. GUESTS: Drew Dilkens, mayor of Windsor Sandy Baruah, president and CEO of the Detroit Regional Chamber Travis Wright, Metro Detroiter and Canadian See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Feb 18, 2025•23 min

Diner scrambles for affordable eggs

The bird flu outbreak is doing a number on the nation’s egg supply–and it's showing up in the price of your omelet. U.S. egg prices have hit an all time high–with an average price of $4.95 per dozen. And when you're a greasy spoon diner, you need A LOT of eggs. We talked to Johanna McCoy, owner of the Bomber in Ypsilanti, about how her restaurant is coping and what it will mean for customers in the long-term. GUEST: Johanna McCoy, owner of the Bomber in Ypsilanti Looking for more conversations f...

Feb 17, 2025•12 min

Chef Abra Berens' soufflé for two

After all that snow, who can be bothered to get all dressed up for a dinner out? That doesn't mean you have to sacrifice your plans for a Valentine's Day dinner, though. We asked Chef Abra Berens to walk us through her recipe for a romantic night in. Find the recipes here ! GUEST: Abra Berens, cookbook author and culinary director at Granor Farm Looking for more conversations from Stateside ? Right this way . If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work. Music in this episo...

Feb 14, 2025•18 min

How Black Detroiters found power in the lottery

Felicia B. George is a Professor of Anthropology at Wayne State University, and the author of one of this year's Michigan Notable Books: When Detroit Played the Numbers: Gambling's History and Cultural Impact on the Motor City George joined us to talk about her anthropological approach to the book, the 20th-century resurgence of lottery games in Detroit, and the role they played in the lives of Black Detroiters. GUESTS ON TODAY’S SHOW: Felicia George , author of When Detroit Played the Numbers: ...

Feb 13, 2025•20 min

Michiganders <3 Canada

New polling data shows the vast majority - 68% - of Michiganders have a favorable, neighborly view of our state's relationship with Canada. That poll was conducted by the Detroit Regional Chamber, which is opposed to tariffs against imports from Michigan's neighbor to the North and East. GUEST: Sandy Baruah , president and CEO of the Detroit Regional Chamber See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Feb 12, 2025•13 min

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