Michigan Radio

Ford union workers approve contract; Fiat Chrysler talks are next

Ford Motor Company and the United Auto Workers have a new, four-year contract with 56.3% of the vote.

Howes: UAW leaders have 'lost their way,' union culture is 'broken'

Auchter's Art: Do your job

Stateside: Auto insurance changes begin; new rules to protect water; politics of deer baiting

By Stateside Staff • Nov 15, 2019

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50:01

Stateside for Friday, November 15, 2019

Today on Stateside, new draft regulations for PFAS in drinking water take a step closer to becoming a reality. Plus, Detroit struggles to get landlords to comply with rules that protect renters.

State moves forward on draft rules to regulate PFAS in drinking water

By Stateside Staff • Nov 15, 2019

PFAS foam on lakeshore — Michigan Department of Environmental Quality / Flickr http://bit.ly/1xMszCg

The state of Michigan is a step closer to establishing the limits of PFAS in drinking water. PFAS is a family of chemicals that have been discovered in high levels in drinking water at sites across the state. Yesterday the Environmental Rules Review Committee voted to move the draft regulations forward. If approved, the new regulations will be among the strictest in the nation. The next step is a public comment period along with public hearings, which are expected to be announced before year's end.

Detroit Symphony Orchestra hopes to give musical instruments to Detroit children

By Caroline Llanes • Nov 15, 2019

For the first time in 16 years, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra will embark on an international tour. This will mark the first time that the DSO will perform in China. — Jennifer Guerra / Michigan Radio

The Detroit Symphony Orchestra is hoping to give an instrument to every single Detroit student who wants to play one. In addition, it wants to provide access to music education for these kids and create jobs for Detroiters.

4 out of 5 Michigan communities opt out of recreational marijuana retail market

By Steve Carmody • Nov 15, 2019

In a little more than two weeks, Michigan will formally join the list of states where an adult can legally buy marijuana for recreational purposes.

But most Michigan cities and towns are saying “no” to the retail market.

Michigan voters approved legalizing recreational marijuana use by a wide margin 12 months ago.

Cheers! Beets. I hate beets, and you put it in my mixed drink?

By Lester Graham • Nov 15, 2019

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3:19

Tammy Coxen violently pulverizes beet pieces to make this drink.

The woman was using her muddler like a weapon, smashing something to bits in her tin mixing cup.

“I had some frustrations to work out, Lester,” said Tammy Coxen with Tammy's Tastings.

It turns out she was pounding diced up beet pieces, making mush of them.

“How do you feel about beets,” she asked me.

She already knew the answer. I despise the taste of beets.

Betsy DeVos And The High-Stakes Standoff Over Student Loan Forgiveness

By Cory Turner • Nov 15, 2019

The U.S. Department of Education agreed to hand over department records late Thursday to Rep. Bobby Scott, D-Va., the Democratic chairman of the U.S. House education committee, just hours before Scott was set to subpoena Education Secretary Betsy DeVos for the records.

The information relates to the Education Department's unwillingness to fully forgive the federal student loans of borrowers who say they were defrauded by for-profit colleges, including the now-defunct Corinthian Colleges.

At Michigan State, Students Protect Their Mascot From Mischievous Rivals

By Abigail Censky • Nov 15, 2019

Members of the Michigan State University marching band are braving below freezing temperatures to take part in "Sparty Watch" — a more than 50-year-old protection scheme devised to fend off attacks on MSU's beloved mascot, The Spartan, in advance of their rivalry football game on Saturday.

It's 9:30 p.m. on Wednesday, and 22 degrees. Twenty members of the MSU marching band and color guard are huddled outside in the snow flanking the 9-foot bronze statue.

WATCH: U.S. House hearings on impeachment inquiry

By Jodi Westrick • Nov 15, 2019

illustration of the US Capitol building — Annette Elizabeth Allen/NPR

The U.S. House of Representatives is holding open hearings in its impeachment inquiry into President Trump. All hearings will be streamed through this video player as they are live.

US House ethics committee extends investigation into conduct of Rep. Tlaib

By Quinn Klinefelter • Nov 15, 2019

The bi-partisan U.S. House Ethics Committee says it's extending an investigation into the conduct of U.S. Representative Rashida Tlaib (D-Detroit). The ethics committee is looking into whether the Detroit Democrat potentially misused campaign funds.

Tlaib says she’s done nothing wrong.

Bacon: The UM-MSU football rivalry has a long history, both on and off the field

By John U. Bacon • Nov 15, 2019

two football players on a football field — Matt Radick / The State News / Flickr CC BY-NC 2.0

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4:01

John U. Bacon for Friday November 15, 2019.

This Saturday, for the 112th time, the University of Michigan and Michigan State University will fight over a football for 60 minutes.

During the year’s other 364 days, the two schools’ coaches, players, and fan bases produce enough adolescent sniping and sophomoric stunts to fill a book— in fact, several.