Today, did the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality ignore a staff scientist’s warnings about PFAS contamination in 2012? Plus, the chief of the Grand Rapids Police Department tells us how he plans to implement changes to reduce racial bias following a task force’s review of the department.
Listen above for the full show or find individual segments below.
Grand Rapids police chief lays out plans for reducing racial bias, rebuilding trust
- Last month, a task force reviewing the Grand Rapids Police Department released a list of 38 recommendations for the department to reduce racial disparities and address community concerns. Grand Rapids Police Chief David Rahinsky joined Stateside to talk about his plan for implementing the recommendations.
How a squabble between surveyors led to Michigan’s first recorded public trolling
- Mark Harvey is the state archivist with the Michigan History Center. He joined Stateside to talk about the public spat between two surveyors that arose after territorial Governor William Hull appointed his nephew to create the new plan for Detroit following the 1805 fires.
- This segment is produced in partnership with the Michigan History Center.
Why addiction to anti-anxiety meds is rising among seniors
- Dr. Lauren Gerlach is a geriatric psychiatrist at the University of Michigan. She conducted a study that found that millions of elderly Americans are getting hooked on anti-anxiety medications called benzodiazepines used for sleep problems, anxiety, and depression. This includes drugs like Xanax, Klonopin, and Valium.
- Minding Michigan is Stateside’s ongoing series that examines mental health issues in our state.
DEQ expert warned of PFAS risk in 2012. He explains why it took the state years to respond.
- Robert Delaney is a long-time scientist with the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. He was one of the first to report Michigan’s PFAS problem in 2012 when he submitted a report to DEQ’s then director Dan Wyant detailing his concerns.
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