This first day of spring edition warms up alongside the rising temperatures, moving from soulful tracks by James Blake, Olivia Dean, and Jeremy Dutcher into rhythm-driven grooves from Kendrick Lamar, Parquet Courts, Kali Uchis, Thundercat, and Mac Miller. Light and airy moments from Mei Semones and Resavoir keep the mix floating. 

As the playlist unfolds, the energy rises with selections from Daft Punk, Lil Wayne, and Funkadelic, before closing out with vibrant songs from Marcos Valle, Nuyorican Soul, and 4hero. 

Check the playlist below and listen to the episode for two weeks after it airs using the player above. 

In The Groove with Ryan Patrick Hooper playlist for March 20, 2026 

• “A Couple Minutes (A COLORS SHOW)” – Olivia Dean & Colors 

• “Trying Times” – James Blake 

• “Parasite” – English Teacher, Graham Coxon & War Child Records 

• “Mehcinut” – Jeremy Dutcher 

• “Deep Harbour (feat. Alfa Mist)” – Commodo 

• “Carry Me Higher (Elite Mix) [10 Inch Version]” – The Blessed Madonna, Joy Anonymous & Danielle Ponder 

• “Four Women (DESIREE Remix)” – Nina Simone & DESIREE 

• “In Person (Matthew Herbert’s Eat the Sun Dub Remix)” – Low Island 

• “Advantage Points” – Chilly Gonzales 

• “Make Something Up” – James Blake 

• “PRIDE.” – Kendrick Lamar 

• “Up to Chance” – Ista 

• “Violence” – Parquet Courts 

• “Before the Water Gets Too High” – Parquet Courts 

• “Avalanche” – Grace Ives 

• “Strange (Dan the Automator Remix)” – Foxwarren 

• “She Knows Too Much” – Thundercat & Mac Miller 

• “After the Storm (feat. Tyler, The Creator & Bootsy Collins)” – Kali Uchis 

• “Lose Yourself to Dance” – Daft Punk & Pharrell Williams 

• “Let the Beat Build” – Lil Wayne 

• “Can You Get To That” – Funkadelic 

• “Everlasting Light” – Piano Tribute Players 

• “Girlfriend Is Better” – Georgia Anne Muldrow 

• “Once In A Lifetime” – WITCH 

• “Visions” – José González 

• “Blue Morpho” – Ed O’Brien 

• “Diversey Beach” – Resavoir, Matt Gold & Mei Semones 

• “Dumb Feeling” – Mei Semones 

• “The First Day of Spring” – The Gandharvas 

• “Parabéns” – Marcos Valle 

• “Les Fleur (feat. Carina Andersson)” – 4hero 

• “I Am the Black Gold of the Sun (feat. Jocelyn Brown) [4hero Remix] [Mixed]” – Nuyorican Soul 

Listen to In the Groove with host Ryan Patrick Hooper weekdays from noon-3 p.m. ET on 101.9 WDET or stream on-demand at wdet.org. 

The Office of Immigrant Affairs and Economic Inclusion has a new director. Mayor Sheffield named Elizabeth Orozco-Vasquez as the leader to integrate the voices and needs of Detroit’s large immigrant population into the policies and strategies of the city.

Orozco Vasquez’s office will also focus on creating greater opportunities, equity and economic mobility initiatives to underserved Detroiters. Serving as the Chief Executive Officer at Freedom House, Detroit Orozco-Vasquez led the only agency in the state that provides shelter and wraparound services to refugees, asylum seekers and others seeking humanitarian support. She said in a statement that it is an honor for her to be a advocate for immigrants and she will work to make Detroit a place where all residents feel at home.

She begins her new position April.

Additional headlines for March 20, 2026

Children’s ibuprofen recall

There is a nationwide recall for children’s ibuprofen. It is being recalled because the liquid contained unidentified black particles according to the FDA. The 4 fluid ounce bottle named Children’s Ibuprofen Oral Suspension is an anti inflammatory drug to relieve moderate pain. Health officials have advised consumers to stop using it immediately.

If you have that medication and want to be sure it is not affected check the number on the back. The affected bottle numbers are 7261973A and 7261974A with an expiration date of January 31, 2027.

Sports

NCAA

We are in the madness of march and both Michigan State and Michigan had dominate performances beating their respective teams by about 20 points a piece. Michigan State (#3) will go on to play Louisville (#6 ) tomorrow, March 21 at 2:45 p.m. Michigan (#1) will go on to play St Louis (#9) tomorrow at 12:10 p.m. They both play at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, NY.

NBA

The Pistons will be playing the Golden State Warriors tonight without their leader Cade Cunningham who sustained a a collapsed lung during the Tuesday game against the Wizards. Even without the all start the Pistons are the favorite team to win. Tip off is at 7:30 p.m. at Little Caesars Arena.

NHL

The Red Wings beat the Montreal Canadiens 3 to 1 yesterday and stay in the fight for a wild card spot in the playoffs. The next two opponents are also in the Atlantic Division and could determine the chances for the Red Wings to make it to the playoffs. They face the Boston Bruins tomorrow at 8:00pm at Little Caesars Arena.

High school basketball

The boys high school basketball season ended last weekend at Michigan State’s Breslin Center. As DER’s high school sports correspondent Lex Walker reports, the girls teams are in the finals this weekend.

As the high school basketball season comes to an end, two teams have already journeyed to Breslin. The boys teams at U Prep lost to Hudsonville Unity Prep in the semifinals and Douglass made it to the finals but lost to Concord.

At the time of this taping, the girls from Renaissance face Dewitt in the semifinals for the chance to win the state championship Saturday.

Listen to the latest episode of the “Detroit Evening Report” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

With their latest release, “Heavy Pulp,” The Technicolors add grit to the sweetness, giving their sound weight, texture, and something to hold onto.  

Electric guitars drift in and out of focus, anchored by steady rhythms and tension that keep each track from settling too comfortably. Frontman Brennan Smiley’s vocals balance restraint and release, while the production feels both polished and intentionally worn in. From start to finish, the record is full of substance beneath the surface, revealing new layers with each listen.  

Phoenix indie rock band The Technicolors joined In The Groove to talk about their latest record, their evolving creative process, and their connection to Michigan ahead of their upcoming show. 

Smiley says “Heavy Pulp” was built on collaboration and focus. “It was good to have a set amount of time where we could all be together… just get in the studio and be a band,” he said. That approach marked a shift from their previous album, which he called “a pandemic Frankenstein,” pieced together across different sessions and circumstances. 

This time around, the band leaned into being fully present. From implementing a “no phone in the studio” mindset to avoiding direct musical references during writing, their process was intentionally stripped back. “It just changes the level of presence,” Smiley explained. “You get more ideas, that’s what you’re there to do.” 

That sense of experimentation also came from looking beyond traditional influences. Instead of drawing directly from other artists, Smiley found inspiration in unexpected places. “I actually wasn’t really listening to a ton of music. I was really into Radiolab podcasts, they feel like little movies with just sound,” he said, pointing to the band’s ongoing interest in cinematic textures and atmosphere. 

Still, the foundation of The Technicolors’ sound can be traced back to classic influences. Smiley cited Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, and The Beatles as formative artists, adding, “That was kind of my teenage guitar-player starter pack.” He also highlighted The Dark Side of the Moon as a lasting inspiration: “It’s still maybe my all-time favorite album; it just kept on giving.” 

With family ties to the Detroit area and a long-awaited return to Michigan, the band is especially excited to reconnect with audiences. “It’s been a minute since we’ve played in Michigan… we’re excited to come back,” Smiley said. The Technicolors will be performing at The Blind Pig in Ann Arbor on March 20. 

Listen to In The Groove with host Ryan Patrick Hooper weekdays from noon-3 p.m. ET on 101.9 WDET or stream on-demand at wdet.org.

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“In this episode”

• Business Man Perry Johnson speaks about his internal polling.
• The importance of filing signatures early.

Subscribe to MichMash on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

With one month until filing deadlines to get on the November ballot, it’s time to take a look to see who has the best chance of representing their party as their next gubernatorial candidate. This week on WDET’s MichMash, Gongwer News Service’s Zach Gorchow and Alethia Kasben point out the candidates to watch out for as we walk further down the campaign trail.  

Handing in signatures on time is very important. Candidates for governors need to have 100 signatures from seven of the state’s 13 US House districts. Also, filing signatures earlier than your opponents do ensure that any duplicate signatures won’t be erased from your filings.  

Later on in the episode businessman Perry Johnson stopped by to talk about his bid for governor. Johnson’s candor in talking about his poll numbers from his own polling surprised the MichMash hosts. Internal polling from the Perry Johnson Campoaign showed that Johnson was at 20% in the district of Republican US Representative and gubernatorial candidate, John James. Johnson does not believe it makes sense for him to be that close  

“I did not conduct this poll, statistically I don’t see how it’s possible that I would be that close in his [John James] district. The poll numbers are so high even the candidate that I’m looking at find it hard to believe. 

Johnson had said that if he makes it to 20% he believes he would receive support from President Trump.  

• More from WDET:

  Michigan GOP governor candidates short signatures

  A Republican outlook on Michigan’s 2026 elections

  MichMash: How Trump auto tariffs impact Michigan; John James joins gubernatorial race + more

Artificial intelligence is all around us. AI can now create videos and provide analysis — it’s even able to code. What makes artificial intelligence so weird is that it’s not mechanistic like a light switch or a power button. Instead, AI can make decisions on its own. 

So, where should we be using it? And, where should we be limiting its use? 

Penelope Tsernoglou is a Democrat representing East Lansing in the state House who has been regulating AI. She helped to outlaw the use of AI to create deepfakes, and supported legislation that would ban employers from using AI to make decisions about wages, and hiring and firing workers. Tsernoglou also wants to prevent AI from determining claims in the healthcare marketplace.

Yet she also sponsored legislation to make it easier to construct data centers in Michigan.

For someone skeptical of artificial intelligence, how should we be considering the construction of data centers, which would greatly advance the technology? Rep. Tsernoglou spoke with The Metro‘s Robyn Vincent about this and more.

Listen to The Metro weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon ET on 101.9 FM and streaming on demand.

Subscribe to The Metro on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

More stories from The Metro

This throwback Thursday edition features listener picks, bringing together nostalgic tracks as it starts to feel like spring again. The set moves from indie and alt classics from The Magnetic Fields, Morphine, Bon Iver, and Wilco to music from Jonathan Richman and Time Wharp. 

Later in the show, listener selections include cuts from Washed Out, Five Special, and Young Marble Giants, rounding out a mix perfect for the changing season. 

Check the playlist below and listen to the episode for two weeks after it airs using the player above. 

In The Groove with Ryan Patrick Hooper playlist for March 19, 2026 

• “Strange Powers” – The Magnetic Fields 

• “Buena” – Morphine 

• “Up on the Sun” – Meat Puppets 

• “Miffed It” – Way Dynamic 

• “Is There Any Love?” – Trevor Dandy 

• “Give Me Back My Loving” – Leo Nocentelli 

• “I Just Want To Talk To You” – Charles Brown & Sleepy Creek 

• “I’d Have to Be Crazy” – Willie Nelson 

• “I Am Trying to Break Your Heart” – Wilco 

• “Mixo World” – Time Wharp 

• “Somewhere Good” – Tara Clerkin Trio 

• “Not Too Soon” – Throwing Muses 

• “Why Leave Us Alone” – Five Special 

• “Nothing Is the Same (Demo)” – Grand Funk Railroad 

• “I Was Dancing in the Lesbian Bar” – Jonathan Richman 

• “Credit In the Straight World” – Young Marble Giants 

• “Sin dones” – Juana Molina 

• “In the Lassa” – Juana Molina 

• “Run To Your Mama (Redg Weeks Remix)” – Goat 

• “Bass Is The Space” – re:ni & Biggabush 

• “Season of the Witch (Secrets Edit)” – Donovan 

• “Delorean Dynamite (Disco Mix)” – Todd Terje 

• “Strawberry Line” – Beak> 

• “My Girls” – Animal Collective 

• “Feel It All Around” – Washed Out 

• “Rose Quartz” – Toro y Moi 

• “I Want” – Mk.gee 

• “HEAVENLY FATHER (Live – Mediolanum, Milan, IT. Nov 05 2022)” – Bon Iver 

• “You” – Gold Panda 

• “Thrown Around” – James Blake 

• “Back On” – SBTRKT 

• “Volume” – Caribou 

Listen to In The Groove with host Ryan Patrick Hooper weekdays from noon-3 p.m. ET on 101.9 WDET or stream on-demand at wdet.org. 

Today’s playlist keeps things fresh as we spin tracks from Against All Logic, Khruangbin, Say She She, Asha Puthli, Gorillaz, and Ed O’Brien, alongside music from The Kinks, Tirzah,Radiohead, Charlotte Day Wilson, Ben Harper, Lianne La Havas,Stereolab, and Wye Oak.

Newer sounds come from artists like Dummy, Dijon, Matthew Herbert & Momoko Gill, and Pedro Ricardo, with standout moments from The Prodigy and Prince, plus more throughout the set. 

Check the playlist below and listen to the episode for two weeks after it airs using the player above. 

In The Groove with Ryan Patrick Hooper playlist for March 18, 2026 

• “This Old House Is All I Have” – Against All Logic 

• “First Class (Soul in the Horn Remix)” – Khruangbin & Natasha Diggs 

• “Silver” – Say She She 

• “Pawa!” – Asha Puthli & Say She She 

• “The Moon Cave (feat. Asha Puthli, Bobby Womack, David Jolicoeur, Jalen Ngonda & Black Thought)” – Gorillaz 

• “Blue Morpho” – Ed O’Brien 

• “This Time Tomorrow” – The Kinks 

• “Hot Sun” – Wilco 

• “Hive Mind (Speakers Corner Quartet Remix)” – Tirzah 

• “Burn the Witch” – Radiohead 

• “Canopy” – Charlotte Day Wilson 

• “Cantar Das Kandakinhas” – Pedro Ricardo 

• “Strawberry Fields Forever” – Ben Harper 

• “Wreck” – Brown Horse 

• “My Room” – Divorce 

• “Jealous Boy” – The Bug Club 

• “Roy” – IDLES 

• “Firestarter” – The Prodigy 

• “No Room for Doubt (feat. Willy Mason)” – Lianne La Havas 

• “Opaline Bubbletear” – Dummy 

• “Metronomic Underground” – Stereolab 

• “Break Me Down” – Yukimi 

• “Schools of Eyes” – Wye Oak 

• “If Only I Could Wait (feat. Danielle Haim)” – Bon Iver 

• “Babystar” – Matthew Herbert & Momoko Gill 

• “Another Baby!” – Dijon 

• “17 Days (Piano & a Microphone 1983 Version)” – Prince 

Listen to In The Groove with host Ryan Patrick Hooper weekdays from noon-3 p.m. ET on 101.9 WDET or stream on-demand at wdet.org. 

Detroit’s musical contributions can not be denied. Musicians from across the globe have planted roots here in Detroit that have influenced the sound of Detroit for generations. 

Now, another genre of Detroit’s musical legacy is ready to take center stage nationally and internationally at South By Southwest, a yearly film and music festival that acts as a talent pipeline.

Headlining the showcase are:

• Bruiser Wolf
• Nasaan 

Additional featured artists include

• Neisha Neshae
• DJ Beastie
• B Free
• Asaka The Renegade
• 2Down
• Demaciiio
• Golden Boy Noel
• Que The Boy
• South North Southwest

Adrian Tonon is co-producer of Detroit 313 Selects and former night mayor of the city of Detroit. Neisha Neshae is a recording artist and a featured artist in this year’s showcase. 

Detroit 313 Selects is a local organization with the goal of putting Detroit’s artists in front of global audiences, while growing the creative economy in the city. 

Both Adrian and Neisha stopped by the studio to talk more about Detroit’s Hip Hop community, being an independent artist and the excitement surrounding this year’s SXSW showcase. 

Listen to The Metro weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon ET on 101.9 FM and streaming on demand.

Subscribe to The Metro on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

More stories from The Metro

New York might be the city that never sleeps, but Detroit’s frequently mentioned among the most insomniatic cities in the nation. We’re here to make sure it stays that way with this week’s most tantalizing events. 

Upcoming events (March 19-26)

March du Nain Rouge 

Cass Corridor

March 22

Free

Embrace your wicked nature and dance for the Demon of the Strait this Sunday. The March du Nain Rouge has taken place in Detroit for well over a decade, but the story of this devlish figure has loomed over the city for more than 300 years.

I suppose it was about time that we showed him some love.

The parade features massive floats, costumed street performers, musicians and more. It’s a day where all glorious freaks, artists and partygoers show out for their supremely devilish leader in pursuit of a sinfully good time. The event begins at 11:30 a.m., with the opening ceremony starting at 1 p.m. 

Ann Arbor Film Festival 

Michigan Theatre

March 24-29

Free-$85

The Ann Arbor Film Festival is back for its 63rd year, showcasing filmmakers from around the globe. The festival highlights experimental, animation, documentary, fiction and performance-based works. It takes place over the course of six days and enlists a wide variety of programs, each of which has several competing films.

Tickets for each screening are $15, while the opening night party will run you $85. So, grab a drink, see a film and hit an afterparty with some newfound friends. Screenings start as early as 10:30 a.m., with some going until 2:30 a.m. 

Totally Rad Vintage Fest 

Huntington Place

March 21-22

$8 – $25

Step into the past at Huntington Place this weekend for a chance to score that perfectly weathered 70’s tassel jacket you’ve been eyeing, or perhaps even that pair of Heineken dunks you’ve been searching for since ’03. There’s a plethora of vendors selling everything from clothes to vinyl and video games this year; you won’t want to miss this.

And if you’re just getting dragged along by your eBay-loving bestie, don’t worry, there’s free-to-play arcade games and a retro museum for you to drift away to while they hunt for the perfect pair of jeans. The event begins at 5 p.m. on both days.  

The Rusty Snails  

The Blind Pig

March 21

$20

The Rusty Snails have been carving a name for themselves recently—perhaps you’ve seen their new song “Northern Man” floating around on Instagram. Regardless, I’m proud to announce they’re coming to Ann Arbor this Saturday as a part of The Blind Pig’s Americana and Country Music Showcase. The brother-sister folk duo from Detroit is playing alongside Jen Sygit and Jadyn Savage, making sure to infuse you with all the twang Michigan has to offer. The event starts at 6 p.m. 

St. Baddies Day 

Big Pink

March 21 

$23

St. Patrick’s Day may be over, but that doesn’t mean the festivities have to end. This year, we were robbed with a mid-week celebration— but there’s a way to be compensated for your loss. Trek over to the neon lights of the Eastside and get ready to dance like an Irishman as Munch and Blakito spin banger after banger. The event starts at 10 p.m. and goes until 2 a.m. 

Monster Jam 

Ford Field

March 21-22

$40+

It’d be easy to chop up Monster Jam to being just a children’s event, but let’s be honest, everyone wants to see a 6-ton truck dressed like a bull do a backflip. This time around, drivers are competing for the Stadium Championship Series East. 

Whether you’re there for family fun or 2000’s nostalgia, we won’t judge. For all you know, I’ll be there with a foam finger and a Grave Digger hat…not that I’m choosing sides or anything. Oh, and make sure to grab a Pit Party ticket to meet the drivers and check out the beasts up close. The event starts at 5 p.m. on Saturday and 3 p.m. on Sunday. 

Concert in Alkyone 

Detroit Institute of Arts Theatre

March 19

Free

Take a stroll over to the DIA for a modern Mediterranean experience as the Hellenic Museum of Michigan hosts a performance by Alkyone, a musician from Northern Greece who melds traditional Greek styles with the ethereal contemporary sounds of indiepop and folk. The event begins at 7 p.m. and go until 10 p.m.   

Sweely 

Lincoln Factory

March 20

$23

If it’s specifically house music that’s calling your name, we’ve got something up our sleeve for you too. This Friday at the Lincoln Factory, French producer Sweely is headlining with m.O.N.R.O.E, Rakim Under and more in tow. This is Sweely’s first time performing in Detroit and in exchange for our stamina, he’s rewarding us with retro funk and jazz-inspired tracks until the sun comes up. This event begins at 10 p.m. and goes until 5 a.m.

THRG Presents 

Marble Bar

March 20

$17

If you’re looking to start somewhere else on Friday and then migrate over to Lincoln, you might want to check out Marble Bar. Breakbeat and Bass are gonna be shaking the windows as Emma DJ, Maara, Jacob Park and more make the dance floor erupt. This event begins at 9 p.m. and goes until 3 a.m. 

In 2020, Detroit DJ and producer Carl Craig was tapped by the Dia Art Foundation in New York City to construct a sound installation inspired by the techno party scene. Party/Afterparty was a deeply personal sound and light exhibition that captured the euphoria of the club environment and the loneliness after parties ended.

Now, Carl Craig is mixing it up by going in a new, more scientific direction. He is the Arts Power Up artist in residence at Michigan State University. The residency embeds renowned artists on the college’s campus to collaborate with the university’s scientists.

Craig is working with a nuclear physics lab called the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB). What FRIB does is a mystery to most people, so they brought Craig in to help explain it. His job as a world-renowned artist is to learn what FRIB does, then translate it into a sound-rich art installation so people like you and me can experience it.

Carl Craig joined the show to explain his approach and why he has taken on these art projects.

Listen to The Metro weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon ET on 101.9 FM and streaming on demand.

Subscribe to The Metro on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

More stories from The Metro

The Grand Traverse Conservation District (GTCD) recently received the East Creek Reserve as a donation from Rotary Camps and Services (RC&S). 

The director of the GTCD, Koffi Kpachavi says they have been managing the property prior to the donation. 

Kpachavi explains, “When the rotary decided to not own this property anymore because it didn’t make sense for their mission anymore, they said it made sense for them to give it to somebody who knows the property really well; you know, somebody who’s been maintaining the trials, the trees, and taking care of the land for such a long time.”

According to a press release from the GTCD, the conservation district had been managing the land since the late nineties; a few years after the RC&S obtained the land from Howard and Mary Edwards in 1993. 

By 2001, the conservation district and RC&S had developed a comprehensive plan for East Creek Reserve, which included resource management, land protection, and public recreation. 

Current landscape and uses

East Creek Reserve is located just 25 minutes South of Traverse City, Michigan. 

After being well maintained for decades, the GTCD press release states that the reserve includes “dense mature forests, open meadowlands and the picturesque lowlands of East Creek.”

Kpachavi says how it’s a perfect place for people to connect with nature after a long day at work. In the press release, Kpachavi calls the reserve “an extraordinary landscape that reflects the very heart of our mission.”

Kpachavi describes the GTCD’s next steps. 

“As we move forward, we will do some trailing programs, maybe add some new features to some trails, change the course, or elongate some trails. For the time being, we are working on a management plan to see what we would like to add or change to the property,” says Kpachavi.

Currently, East Creek Reserve has roughly 3.5 miles of trails open to the public. 

Hunting, fishing, and camping is not permitted on the land. 

About 10,000 registered nurses at Corewell Health East hospitals voted to authorize a strike, saying they have been unable to negotiate their first contract despite months of bargaining with the hospital system. Nearly 90% of members voted for the strike. 

Members are asking for better nurse-to-patient ratios, wage increases, affordable health insurance coverage and improved workplace safety. The nurses voted to unionize in November 2024 and began negotiations in June 2025.

They are represented by Teamsters Local 2024 and work at Corewell Health East hospitals in Dearborn, Farmington Hills, Grosse Pointe, Royal Oak, Trenton, Troy, Wayne, and Southfield. 

In a statement, a Corewell spokesperson says it has already agreed to raise wages. 

Additional headlines for Thursday, March 19, 2026

Detroit block club meeting

Detroit is having a city-wide block club meeting. The Department of Neighborhoods is inviting all Detroit neighbors, community leaders, and block clubs to engage with city leaders. The event will be held Tuesday March 24 at the Northwest Activities Center. The event runs from 5:30 pm to 7:00. Residents and community leaders can find resources and meet with various city departments. 

Digital marketing seminar

The Arab American Women’s Business Council is hosting a Digital Marketing, SEO, and AI Seminar. Learn about business strategies, search engine optimization, AI tools and tips for running an effective digital campaign.

The seminar is open to all. It will be held March 28 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 13846 Michigan Avenue in Dearborn. Tickets are $25. 

Interfaith Leadership Council hosts workshop

The Interfaith Leadership Council of Metropolitan Detroit is hosting a workshop called “Bridging the Divide: From Division to Belonging.” The workshop focuses on exploring practical ways to find connection with people, understanding the need for belonging and nurturing community.

The event will be held Saturday, March 21 from 10 a.m. to noon at Madonna University Welcome Center in Livonia. Tickets are $35. 

Listen to the latest episode of the “Detroit Evening Report” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

The music once sung by enslaved Africans is foundational to modern Christian and Gospel music. The music that was once used to give hope is preserved in various places throughout the co untry, including right here in Detroit. 

In 1972, The Brazeal Dennard Chorale was founded by Brazeal Dennard, an American educator and arranger. He wanted to discover new musicians while preserving the spiritual music of the African American experience and culture.

On the evening of October 29, 1978 in Detroit, the first Classical Roots Concert happened on the eastside. The concert included the best musicians in the area, local leaders and spiritual leaders.

Dr. Daniel Washington is a bass-baritone and tenured Professor of Music – Voice at the University of Michigan. Dr. Washington is also a board member for the National Association of Negro Musicians (NANM) and president of the Detroit Musicians Association.

LaToya Cross is the Communications and Advancement Content Specialist at DSO. Both join Tia Graham on The Metro to talk more about the exhibition and the importance of diversity within classical music.

Listen to The Metro weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon ET on 101.9 FM and streaming on demand.

Subscribe to The Metro on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

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It began in a living room in Southfield. Six people around a table in February, trying to figure out what to do about the federal lawyers who had just leased office space five minutes from their neighborhood.

Those lawyers work for the Office of the Principal Legal Advisor, arguing deportation cases on behalf of Immigration and Customs Enforcement. They are the legal architecture behind ICE’s immigration raids.

The building is One Towne Square, an 18-story office tower on the Lodge Freeway. The owner, a company called Redico, says the lease prohibits law enforcement or detention on the premises. In a statement emailed to The Metro, a Redico representative said violating those terms would break the agreement. 

“From the beginning, we have been in close communication with our employees and tenants and have had ongoing discussions with city officials and community leaders,” the statement reads. “We will continue meeting with city and community leaders and remain committed to transparency.”

The neighbors say that’s not enough, and the number of them pushing back is growing. Six people in a living room became 150 at a recent rally. Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib, State Senator Jeremy Moss, and faith leaders also showed up.

At the center of all this is Lauren Fink. She co-founded the Southfield Neighbors Action Committee in that living room in Southfield with her husband, Cameron. She joined Robyn Vincent on The Metro to talk about what it means to be a good neighbor when people around you are in trouble.

This story has been updated with Redico’s statement. -Ed

Hear the full conversation using the media player above.

Listen to The Metro weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon ET on 101.9 FM and streaming on demand.

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State and federal officials want to know why the National Weather Service (NWS) didn’t issue a tornado watch before deadly twisters hit southwest Michigan on March 6, 2026.

A supercell thunderstorm developed rapidly over Cass County, spawning four tornadoes. The strongest tornado, with winds up to 160 mph, killed three people in Union City, MI in Branch County. 

Michigan senators Gary Peters and Elissa Slotkin wrote a letter to NWS Director Ken Graham demanding answers.

“Was a lack of staff and/or resources a contributing factor to NWS’s ability to issue a tornado watch alert ahead of the March 6 tornadoes,” the senators asked. “What, if anything, would have allowed the responsible NWS offices to identify the supercell that produced these tornadoes?”

The Trump administration cut funding for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in 2025. NOAA oversees the weather service.

Who issues watches and warnings?

Jackie Anderson is the warning coordination meteorologist at the NWS Detroit-Pontiac bureau in White Lake Township. She says it’s up to NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Oklahoma to issue tornado watches. 

A watch means conditions are favorable for the development of tornadoes in a given area. A warning means a tornado has been detected on radar or by people on the ground.

Anderson says when the SPC issues a watch, local NWS offices work with the folks in Norman to determine when and where tornadoes could form. Then, it’s up to the local bureaus to issue warnings.

“NWS offices across the country are looking at the radar, they’re looking at the environment, they’re looking at storm reports coming in,” Anderson says. “And when we start to see concerning signs of rotation on radar in a certain area in a certain environment that we know is conducive for tornadoes, then we’ll start looking at do we need a tornado warning or not.”

Anderson says her team has the staff and the tools they need to issue timely warnings.

“Our mission is the protection of life and property when it comes to hazardous weather,” she says. “We’re here keeping an eye on the weather 24/7, 365 days a year.”

Tornadoes can strike without warning

The challenge forecasters face is that tornadoes are, by nature, unpredictable. They can form at any time of day or year. And they sometimes spin up even when conditions aren’t necessarily favorable for them.

“Last year, we had a couple of that happened in environments where you wouldn’t say, ‘hey, I’m going to get a tornado out of this type of setup,'” she says. “So, there are some days that are really sneaky.”

Several hours before the twisters on March 6, the Storm Prediction Center posted maps on its website indicating a risk of tornadoes over southern lower Michigan. 

“Even on those days when we don’t have a line of storms coming through, we may have a few areas of storms that are a bit more isolated, but still may have a big impact,” she says.

When the weather service issues any watches or warnings, they go out to local television and radio stations, which broadcast them as soon as possible. Anderson says people can also receive alerts if they have a weather radio or a cell phone. She recommends turning on mobile devices to receive emergency alerts. Anderson says they’re very useful when tornadoes form after midnight.

“It’s really loud and it will wake you up in the middle of the night,” she says.

Spring brings other dangerous weather

Tornadoes are not the only severe weather hazard NWS monitors. Anderson says thunderstorms produce lightning that can strike from miles away. She says people who have plans outdoors should check the weather forecast for thunderstorms first.

“If you can hear thunder, if you can see lightning, you’re at risk for being struck,” she says. “Know where you’re going before those storms strike.”

March 15 to 21 is Severe Weather Awareness Week in Michigan. The weather service has information on its website to help people prepare.

Vice President JD Vance made a stop at a robotics manufacturing plant in Auburn Hills this week.  The visit was mainly focused on promoting Republican policies ahead of this year’s midterm elections.

The vice president spent most of time touting the administration’s economic policies, which Vance claims have been good for job growth. The most recent report from the Bureau of Labor statistics shows a loss of 92,000 jobs in February. 

He made little reference to the ongoing war in Iran during his prepared remarks. When asked by reporters about oil prices, Vance acknowledged they are up.

“I will say,” says Vance. “the president said this and I certainly agree with it, this is a temporary blip.”

Vance promised the crowd gasoline costs would come back down once the U.S., quote, “finishes taking care of business” in the Middle East. He did not say when that would be.

It was his first visit to the state since last week’s attack on the Temple Israel synagogue, which took place about 30 minutes away from where the vice president was speaking. Vance says he and the president stand with Michigan’s Jewish community.

“We love you,” says Vance, “and we’re proud of how you’ve handled this particular situation because it is tough.”

The suspect, 41-year-old Ayman Mohamad Ghazali — a naturalized U-S citizen from Lebanon — took his own life during the attack. Vance praised the work of security guards at Temple Israel.

He reassured the crowd that the U.S. government is constantly monitoring to try to stop such attacks before they happen.

The Metro is closely watching the race for Michigan’s open U.S. Senate seat.

The Republican side is settled. Former Congressman Mike Rogers, who lost to Elissa Slotkin by less than half a point in 2024, is running again. This time, he wants the seat Gary Peters is leaving behind.

The Democratic side is more complicated. Three serious candidates are competing for the nomination, and the distance between them tells you something about where the party is right now.

Congresswoman Haley Stevens has Chuck Schumer’s endorsement and millions in support from AIPAC. She is running on expanding the Affordable Care Act and working within existing institutions. State Senator Mallory McMorrow wants generational change inside the party — new leadership, new tactics — but within the current system. Physician Abdul El-Sayed is running to the left of both. He wants Medicare for All, the abolition of ICE, and says Democratic leadership has lost touch with its own voters.

They disagree on healthcare. They disagree on immigration enforcement. They disagree on Israel and Gaza, on whether billionaires should exist, and on who should be leading their own party.

WDET’s Russ McNamara sat down with all three — same questions, same mic — and the answers lay out a party in the middle of an argument with itself. The Metro listened back to that story, then Russ joined Robyn Vincent for some analysis about this moment.

Hear the full conversation using the media player above.

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The state conducted a test of its severe weather warning system at 1 p.m. today.  It’s part of coordinated efforts to prepare Michiganders for the upcoming severe weather season this week.

Even though we’re still in winter, Michigan has already seen four tornadoes this month.  One of them was deadly.  Today’s drill was meant to get residents thinking about severe weather and make preparations. 

The type of severe weather that Detroiters are most likely to see in the summer are severe thunderstorms.  These storms can bring heavy rain, winds of 60 miles per hour or more, hail,  and frequent lightning.  Occasionally, these storms can generate tornadoes. 

Make sure you know the difference between a severe thunderstorm watch and a severe thunderstorm warning.  A watch means conditions are right to possibly produce severe storms at some point – and you should keep tabs on the weather.  A warning means severe weather is taking place and you should take shelter. 

The same language applies to tornadoes.  A watch means tornadoes are possible.  A warning means take shelter immediately.  For a tornado warning, get to the lowest level of your house, preferably the basement.  Put as many walls as possible between you and outside.  Get under a sturdy piece of furniture or the staircase.  Stay away from windows, which could break and turn into flying debris.  Take your phone or a battery powered radio with you to keep up with the latest developments. 

Michigan averages about 15 tornadoes per year.  The last tornado to hit Detroit caused millions of dollars of damage in parts of the city and Highland Park back in 1997. 

Make an emergency plan ahead of time and discuss it with your family.  Hold your own drills to make sure everyone knows where to go and what to do when an actual emergency occurs. 

Gas prices continue to rise

In other news,  gas prices continue their dramatic rise.  A gallon of self-serve regular averages $3.83 in Metro Detroit.  That’s up 8 cents from Tuesday.  Prices averaged $2.95 a month ago.  The war with Iran is limiting oil production in some Middle East countries, and it’s preventing tankers from traveling through the Strait of Hormuz.  Analysts say they expect prices to continue rising until hostilities are ended. 

To save some money on gas, pay in cash.  That’s usually 10 cents per gallon cheaper than the credit price.  Make sure your tires are properly inflated.  And avoid jack-rabbit starts. 

Listen to the latest episode of the “Detroit Evening Report” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

For over 30 years, silent films were a major attraction at theaters. The movies relied on visual storytelling techniques and live musical accompaniment rather than dialogue. But in the 1920s “talkies” were born, making silent films obsolete for the average movie-goer. Despite that, the techniques that shaped the genre inspired the work of talkie films since that time.

The Senate Theater aims to honor that history by bringing the silent film era experience to Detroit.

Dennis Scott, a long-time theatre organist and composer joined the show alongside historian and organist John Lauter. Scott will compose for a screening of the silent film “Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans” live at the Senate Theatre. He will also host a hands-on workshop for anyone interested in learning how to play the organ. 

Listen to The Metro weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon ET on 101.9 FM and streaming on demand.

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