Today on Stateside, Michigan bean farmers send a lot of exports to Mexico. So, what happens to those farmers if President Trump follows through on his threats to add tariffs to Mexican goods? Plus, we hear about a tricked out bicycle with accordion and percussion instruments that blends classical music and public art.
Listen to the full show above or find individual segments below.
As tariff talks with Mexico heat up, Michigan farmers are already feeling the burn
- U.S. and Mexican officials are seeking an agreement to avert President Trump's threatened tariffs against Mexico from taking effect. Trump says the tariffs are a way to pressure Mexico into doing more to stop migrants from crossing into the U.S. A five percent tariff is set to kick in next Monday. This could impact Michigan’s bean farmers, who sell a lot of product to Mexico.
- Joe Cramer, executive director of the Michigan Bean Commission, talks about the significance of the new tariffs, how seriously they could impact Michigan bean growers, and whether farmers are still behind President Trump.
Without Michigan music fans, Elton John’s "Bennie and the Jets" might’ve never taken off
- Elton John’s hit song "Bennie and the Jets" wasn’t initially expected to break any top charts. In fact, before recording it, John thought the song was plain and unoriginal. However, as the CBC recently reported on their program Rearview Mirror, the song became the well-known hit it is today through original production ideas and the help of a dedicated radio programming director in Windsor, Ontario.
From paratroopers to weathermen, how Michiganders played a role in Allied success on D-Day
- Tomorrow marks 75 years since D-Day, the largest land and water invasion in history. The Allies and Supreme Commander Dwight Eisenhower spent years preparing for the invasion of Normandy. On June 6, 1944, the bad weather cleared long enough for them to launch the invasion, which, after nearly a year of ferocious fighting, led to Germany's surrender. The Michigan History Center’s Rachel Clark tells us about two Michigan men who served in the 101st Airborne Division during the D-Day invasion.
- This segment is produced in partnership with the Michigan History Center.
Quintet blends classical music and public art with a tricked out musical bicycle
- The critically-acclaimed Akropolis Reed Quintet is adding a unique twist to their ensemble: a percussion bicycle. The bicycle, made by Juan Martinez, is a mix of all different types of art and music. Matt Landry, the director and saxophonist for the quintet, talks to Stateside about what went into the concept and creation of the bike, which will make its debut this weekend at the Together We Sound music festival, hosted by Akropolis.
- Support for arts and culture coverage comes in part from the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs.
Book review: Thomas Lynch writes on death and the meaning of living in new collection of essays and poetry
- Acclaimed Michigan poet and essayist Thomas Lynch has a new collection of essays and poetry out titled Whence and Whither: On Lives and Living. Writer and Michigan Radio book reviewer Keith Taylor says the collection explores a necessary, but often overlooked, subject: death.
Bicycling can be a “simple, common-sense solution to a lot of really complex problems,” says biking advocate
- The 2017 report from the League of American Bicyclists put Michigan at number 13 out of 50 states when it came to being "bicycle-friendly." That ranking was determined based on a variety of factors, from bicycle infrastructure to enforcement of biking laws. John Lindenmayer is the executive director of the League of Michigan Bicyclists. He talks about the ways Michigan could improve its approach to bike safety, and the advantages of having a more bike-friendly state.
Will auto no-fault changes bring down insurance costs? Depends on who you are.
- The auto insurance reform law signed by Governor Whitmer last week still leaves a lot of questions and debate about whether Michiganders will see premiums go up or down. Supporters say it will save motorists thousands of dollars each year. Others argue the opposite. So, which is it?
- Eric Lupher from the non-partisan Citizens Research Council joins Stateside to tell us how much we really know about how the new legislation could affect the cost and quality of auto insurance in Michigan.
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