Black history

Today, a survey of the recent presidential nominee visits targeting Black voters in Detroit. Then, true tales from a storied cemetery you can visit this spooky season. Plus, how Michiganders are considering cannabis policy as a factor in their presidential vote.

On this episode of What The Vote? reporter Aaron Bush looks at the historical and societal forces that bring Black students together in collegiate settings, and how those forces could be a motivating factor this election.

The Michigan State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) will use the $75,000 grant to help pin down locations that were noted in what was known as the Negro Motorist Green Book. That book helped African American travelers find safe, friendly places to eat, sleep, or get other services throughout the country from the 1930s-60s.

The longstanding conventional wisdom is that what we call "hillbilly music" originated in Western Europe. But the truth, as many scholars and musicians have been preaching for years now, is that country music is intimately tied into the experience of African Americans. We talked to a music scholar about the often overlooked influence of Black musicians on the country genre.

What the electric vehicle revolution means for Michigan’s copper mining industry. Also, the debate over the future of the Palisades nuclear plant, and a broader nuclear future in Michigan. And, we meet one Detroit creative dedicated to sharing the stories of other Black women artists and makers.

Wreckage of a WWII P-39 flown by a member of the Tuskegee Airmen was found and pulled up this week. The plane went down during training 80 years ago near Port Huron.

Mary Lindsey grew up in Detroit, but her opera career took her to concert halls across Europe. Today she lives at Casa Verdi, a home for retired musicians in Milan, Italy established by composer Giuseppe Verdi.

Today, the state of Detroit pensioners,10 years after the city's bankruptcy restructuring. Then, a preview of the Detroit Music Awards, happening this Sunday in Royal Oak. Plus, a conversation about the history of the NBA, and the Black athletes who shaped the league.

Today, what role oversight plays in the reliability of the grid and how elected officials are responding to more frequent outages. Then, we checked in on a hazardous waste dump in Van Buren Township, and its connection to toxic waste from the train crash in East Palestine, Ohio. Plus, a look at a new comic centering the stories of Black queer icons.

We got an update on the ice storm that has left thousands in the state without power. Plus, a conversation with one Michigander who dived deep into Wikipedia during lockdown — and found comedy gold.