More than 100 people who were abused by former Michigan State University and U.S. Olympic gymnastics doctor Nassar have finally reached a $138.7 million settlement with the Department of Justice. The FBI failed to properly investigate complaints about Nassar, which allowed Nassar to continue abusing patients and athletes in Michigan for another year.

GUEST:

Kate Wells, reporter for Michigan Public

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Ten years ago today a devastating water crisis began in the city of Flint, Michigan. Its water was tainted with lead, threatening tens of thousands of people. Suddenly the spotlight swung onto Michigan and on the quality of the nation’s drinking water. Today, we’re looking at what happened, what’s changed, and how people are thinking about the crisis ten years later.

GUESTS:

Steve Carmody, reporter for Michigan Public

Sheldon Neeley, Flint Mayor

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The politician Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will be on the presidential ballot in Michigan, as the nominee for the Natural Law Party. Will his run from the outside is a swipe at the binary choice of Joe Biden or Donald Trump, but the odds are stacked against him. 

GUESTS:

Tyler Scott, reporter for Michigan Public

Jonathan Hanson, political science expert from University of Michigan

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Kalamazoo-born artist Titus Kaphar's work is displayed in some of the premiere art museums, like MoMA, the Whitney, and the Met. But you can also find his work in a different kind of institution. One of his pieces features in his series "From a Tropical Place"  is currently displayed at Grosse Pointe North High School.

The painting is causing quite a stir. On this episode, we’re talking to Titus Kaphar about this particular piece, his process, and some new projects he has in the pipeline.

GUEST:

Titus Kaphar, artist

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When changes to auto-no fault insurance in Michigan passed in 2019, lawmakers hailed it as a bipartisan win. But for many catastrophically injured survivors of auto accidents, it meant losing the care they’ve depended on for years. On this episode, we hear about the attempts to increase the caps on in-home nursing care for catastrophically injured crash survivors--and why proposed reforms are stalling.

GUEST: 

Tracy Samilton, energy and transportation reporter for Michigan Public

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Music in this episode by Blue Dot Sessions.

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A political legal drama is unfolding in Michigan. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has filed more than a dozen charges against former state House Speaker Lee Chatfield, alleging that he used a non-profit to amass kickbacks and to use a slush fund for personal expenses.

GUEST:

Craig Mauger, state politics reporter for The Detroit News

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For 33 years, the story of Anita Wiley’s disappearance was unresolved. After firefighters found her remains in a vacant house in Detroit that had been set on fire, she was buried in a cemetery for the unidentified, and her case was named “Unknown Woman 1987.” In 2020, through a cemetery DNA program, Anita’s remains were identified and linked to her son, Antonio Wiley, and her sister, Tonya Mosley, who never knew she existed.

Together, Antonio and Tonya have produced a new podcast series, She Has a Name, that aims to tell Anita’s story with attention to not only grief and trauma, but to beauty and joy.

GUESTS:

• Tonya Mosley, Emmy award-winning journalist; cohost of Fresh Air; founder of TMI Productions

• Antonio Wiley, executive producer of She Has A Name

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The Mackinac Bridge lacks modern protections around its piers in the Straits of Mackinac, making it vulnerable if a freighter veered off course as happened recently in Baltimore.

In response to this question, a representative from the Michigan Department of Transportation sent this statement: "The investigation into the tragedy in Baltimore continues, and appears to be focused on what caused the ship to lose power and veer so far off course. For now, our interest is concentrated on the findings of that investigation, what steps are being taken by the maritime shipping industry and safety agencies to reduce shipping hazards to bridges, including the Mackinac, and guidance for what mitigations are possible."

GUESTS:

Louis Mleczko, former Detroit News reporter

Venkatesh Kodur, professor of civil and environmental engineering, Michigan State University

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The NFL Draft is happening in Detroit from April 25-27. With high volume events like this, there's a risk for human trafficking. So how are law enforcement and advocates preparing to protect people this NFL draft and what should you look out for if you attend?

GUEST:

Sarah Rahal, reporter for The Detroit News

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Michigan born author Katie Williams' novel “My Murder” is the next Michigan Public Reads. The premise is a woman murdered by a serial killer and brought back to life as a clone tries to piece together the days and weeks leading up to her murder. 

GUEST:

Katie Williams, writer

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