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Stateside: Industry still dumping PFAS; lame duck drama; proposal to scale back wetlands protections

Do not eat the fish because of pfas sign
Lester Graham
/
Michigan Radio
PFAS chemicals continue to be released into the state's water at rates thousands of times above federal guidelines.

 

Today, we speak to MLive reporter Paula Gardner, co-author of an investigative report that found PFAS chemicals are still being released in large quantities by businesses across the state. Plus, a new bill proposed in the state Senate would remove protections from some Michigan wetlands on private property. Opponents say it would have devastating effects, but supporters say it's protecting property owners from government overreach.  

Listen to the full show or find individual segments below. 

Environmentalist, business leader react to proposal scaling back wetlands protection

SS181130_Wetlands_Both_Intvs.mp3
Stateside’s conversation with Tom Zimnicki and Charles Owens

  • A bill sponsored by State Senator Tom Casperson would remove protections from some of Michigan’s wetlands, inland lakes, and streams
  • Tom Zimnicki is the Agriculture Policy Director for the Michigan Environmental Council, a group that opposes Casperson's bill. 
  • Charles Owens is the director of the Michigan chapter of the National Federation of Independent Businesses. He supports the bill. 

Political roundup: Are Republicans making a lame duck power grab before Democrats take office? 

SS181130_Friday_Roundtable.mp3
Stateside’s conversation with Gilda Jacobs and Ken Sikkema

  • Our Friday political commentators provide updates on the state legislature's lame duck actions on paid sick time and higher minimum wage laws. Plus, a look at Republican proposals to let the legislature to intervene in state legal battles and put campaign finance supervision under a commission rather than the Secretary of State. Gilda Jacobs is the President and CEO of the Michigan League for Public Policy and a former Democratic member of the Senate. Ken Sikkema is a senior policy fellow at Public Sector Consultants and a former Republican legislator.

MLive investigation: Businesses still releasing PFAS at levels thousands of times higher than federal guidelines

SS181130_Gardner_PFAS_MLive_Report.mp3
Stateside’s conversation with Paula Gardner

Refugees try yoga to help combat PTSD, depression, and anxiety

SS181130_Refugees_Both_Intvs.mp3
Stateside's conversation with Dr. Arash Javanbakht and Mohammed Alsaud

  • Dr. Arash Javanbakht is the director of the Stress, Trauma, and Anxiety Research Clinic at Wayne State University’s psychology department. Mohammed Alsaud is a research assistant at the clinic. The two joined Stateside to share how they're helping address the mental health challenges refugees face after they come to the United States.
  • Stateside's Sarah Leeson went to a yoga and movement therapy session at HYPE Athletics in Dearborn Heights to see how the practice is helping refugees cope with trauma and loss. 

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Stateside is produced daily by a dedicated group of producers and production assistants. Listen daily, on-air, at 3 and 8 p.m., or subscribe to the daily podcast wherever you like to listen.
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