WDET’s CuriosiD series answers your questions about everything Detroit. Subscribe to CuriosiD on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

In this episode of CuriosiD, we answer the question:

“Why are cider mills so popular in Michigan?”

The short answer

Michigan’s cider mills are more than places to grab fresh cider and doughnuts; they’re steeped in tradition. Over 125 licensed mills dot the state, offering Michiganders and tourists alike an autumn ritual that connects them to the local land and community. And while cider mill season is all about that first crisp sip, there’s more at play here: each mill blends its own unique apple varieties, adding seasonal layers to each batch of cider.

But you’re probably wondering: Which Michigan cider mill is the best? Well, it depends who you ask – most locals have a favorite they swear by.

The essence of Michigan’s cider mills

Diane Smith, executive director of the Michigan Apple Committee, emphasizes the cultural significance of cider mills:

“It’s part of the heritage,” said Smith. “Being in Michigan and having that experience in the fall of going to a cider mill, getting your apples and doughnuts, it’s something people look forward to every year.”

These mills are more than seasonal attractions; they are integral to Michigan’s agritourism, providing families with opportunities to connect with local farmers and understand the origins of their food.

Crafting the perfect cider

Operating a cider mill involves meticulous processes to ensure quality and safety. Each mill must adhere to stringent licensing regulations, including food safety training.

A key aspect of cider production is blending various apple varieties to achieve a unique flavor profile that evolves throughout the season. Smith notes that the taste of cider can change dramatically from early September to late autumn, reflecting the diversity of Michigan’s apple harvest.

Read more: Apple growers wallop averages for the third year in a row

Michigan’s apple varieties: A bounty for cider-making

Michigan’s climate and soil conditions are ideal for apple cultivation, producing popular varieties such as Gala, Honeycrisp, Fuji and Ambrosia. These apples contribute to the distinctive flavors found in Michigan’s ciders.

The state’s apple industry is a significant economic driver, with apples being Michigan’s most valuable fruit crop. This industry supports not only growers but also packaging and allied sectors, underscoring its importance to the state’s agricultural economy.

A tradition that resonates

For many Michiganders, visiting a cider mill is a cherished fall activity, offering a blend of tradition, community, and the simple pleasures of the season. The state’s cider mills provide a unique experience that combines the enjoyment of fresh cider and doughnuts with a connection to Michigan’s agricultural roots. 

About the listener

This month’s question came from WDET listener Adam Danis. Danis is a Chicago native who currently lives in Midtown Detroit. After spending time in the mitten state, his curiosity grew about Michigander’s love for cider mills all across the state.

More from CuriosiD:

• Is the Main Branch of the Detroit Public Library haunted?
• Behind the Scenes: Celebrating 10 years of CuriosiD
• What is the history behind the Belle Isle Boathouse?

Voters in Oakland County will decide on Nov. 5 whether to approve a millage increase to fund the county’s park system over the next 20 years.

The 0.65-mill tax would replace the existing 0.35-mill rate, raising approximately $52 million annually for park improvements, new green spaces and expanded trail networks.

If passed, the millage would cost the owner of an average home about $40 more per year. Oakland County Parks Director Chris Ward emphasizes that the increase is necessary to maintain current facilities, create new parks and expand partnerships with local communities to bring parks closer to residents.

“What they’re going to see is some great parks that are nearby where they live that are accessible,” Ward said. “You’re going to see our county trail network be built out and be more connected, more funding for maintenance, and more green space preserved. As we deal with the impacts of climate change, we’ll be able to use nature to build some resilience for us.”

One focus of the proposed funding is urban areas like Pontiac Oaks Park, which has seen significant improvements since Oakland County Parks began managing it. Renovations include a new fishing dock, playground upgrades, and reopened restrooms. Ward says future plans for Pontiac Oaks include a pavilion for community gatherings

The millage would also allow for $100 million in updates across Oakland County’s 17 parks. Ward notes that many facilities, such as Waterford Oaks Waterpark, need extensive repairs and updates to meet modern needs.

Ward acknowledges some voter concerns over increased costs, due in part, he says, to the current economic climate. However, he stresses that the parks are 100% funded by millage and user fees.

For the latest election information, visit WDET’s Voter Guide at wdet.org/voterguide.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations – Michigan (CAIR-MI) has filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights, requesting an investigation into the University of Michigan’s handling of Islamophobia on campus.

The complaint comes after leaked audio of U-M President Santa Ono where he seems to cite federal pressure to focus on antisemitism over Islamophobia.

CAIR-MI’s Zaynah Jadallah says the university has not adequately supported Muslim and Arab students.

“We have contacted the University of Michigan multiple times to have better treatment for the students, but the president didn’t show any progress in protecting his students,” Jadallah said.

In response, U-M’s Assistant Vice President for Public Affairs Colleen Mastony told WDET:

“The University of Michigan is steadfastly committed to ensuring our community remains a safe and supportive environment, where all students — regardless of race, religion, ethnicity or other identities — have the opportunity to learn and thrive. President Santa J. Ono has spoken out repeatedly against antisemitism and Islamophobia, and he will continue to do so, as any form of discrimination or hate is an affront to our community.”

Over the past year, students across the U.S. have raised concerns for their safety amid ongoing campus protests about the war in Gaza. The student protesters are calling for universities to separate themselves from companies advancing Israel’s military efforts in the region, as the Israeli military has killed more than 4,000 Palestinians and more than 2,000 people in Lebanon since Hamas militants killed more than 1,200 Israeli civilians on Oct. 7.

Police have arrested more than 3,000 pro-Palestinian protesters on college campuses nationwide since detainments at Columbia on April 18 — including on the campuses of Wayne State and University of Michigan.

Interactive map: Where protesters on US campuses have been arrested or detained

Michigan Advance reports that at least one person was arrested this week during a pro-Palestinian demonstration in U-M’s Diag, where a memorial event hosted by Jewish students commemorating the Oct. 7 attack was being held. After police arrested the individual, protesters surrounded the police officers and their patrol car, obstructing their movement, said U-M’s Deputy Chief of Police Melissa Overton. She says the individual who was arrested has since been released, and the incident will be submitted to the prosecutor’s office for review.

The Associated Press and WDET’s Jenny Sherman contributed to this report. 

The escalating conflict between Iran and Israel is having a global impact, but for those with family in the region, it feels deeply personal.

Fariba Pajooh, an Iranian-born journalist and Ph.D. candidate at Wayne State University, remains deeply concerned for her family and friends in Tehran following Iran’s ballistic missile attack on Israel on Tuesday.

“I don’t feel good at all. The first thing that came to my mind was my people, my family, my friends,” Pajooh said.

She stays in close contact with her relatives, who are safe for now but describe a tense atmosphere. Long lines have formed at gas stations as people prepare to leave the city.

“My uncle told me, ‘Yes, we still have internet and electricity, so we are watching the news,’” she said, adding that her family and friends are nervous about the future. “They are very nervous… thinking about their kids.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to retaliate against Iran, though it’s not clear what the retaliation will look like, or what the fallout on the region will be.

Pajooh stresses the importance of remembering that civilians on both sides are suffering. She encourages empathy from those watching the conflict from afar, asking them to recognize the innocent lives caught in the crossfire.

“I’m asking them to close your eyes and put your feet in somebody’s shoes,” she said. “People across the world, they are just people.”

Israel is now carrying out what it has described as limited ground operations across its northern border with Lebanon to dig out Hezbollah militants, after carrying out a series of massive air strikes that killed the group’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah, and decimated its leadership. The Israeli military on Thursday warned people to evacuate the city of Nabatieh and other communities in southern Lebanon that are north of a U.N.-declared buffer zone.

Israel says it is targeting Hezbollah after nearly a year of rocket attacks that began Oct. 8 and displaced some 60,000 Israelis from communities in the north. At least eight Israeli soldiers have been killed in clashes with the Iran-backed militant group during the ground incursion in southern Lebanon, the Associated Press reports.

Additionally, retaliatory strikes carried out by Israel over the past year have displaced tens of thousands on the Lebanese side. More than 1,000 people in Lebanon have been killed in Israeli strikes over the past two weeks — nearly a quarter of them women and children, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry.

President Joe Biden on Wednesday said he will not support an Israeli strike on sites related to Tehran’s nuclear program in response to Iran’s missile attack on Israel.

Still, as tensions in the Middle East rise, Pajooh remains deeply worried about her loved ones in Tehran.

“If it’s going to be an actual war… it’s not just for Iran, it’s challenging for the region,” she said.

The Associated press contributed to this report.

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) has approved new air permits for Marathon Petroleum’s Detroit refinery after a public comment period earlier this year.

The permit changes will allow Marathon to operate the refinery — located at 1001 South Oakwood — at “full capacity,” and set new pollutant emission caps for the facility. Previously, the refinery was limited to producing an average of 140,000 barrels a day.

Andy Drury, an environmental engineer with EGLE, says the department will require Marathon to continue air quality monitoring through at least 2030.

“One of the bigger things is Marathon has been doing ambient air monitoring at their facility, and they have agreed based on the comments to continue for at least six more years,” Drury said.

Key updates to the permit include the removal of outdated regulatory references, an extension of the air monitoring program, and increasing the height of a refinery stack to 35 feet.

More: Union workers strike at Detroit Marathon refinery

Jeff Tricoff, a relief operator at Marathon’s Detroit refinery and a member of  Teamsters Local 283, was among several residents who expressed concerns about increased capacity at the facility at a public hearing hosted by EGLE in May.

“As workers, we know that operating everything at 100% has to be done effectively and efficiently and done by experienced people,” Tricoff said at the meeting. “Right now we are in a labor dispute with our current contract having expired on Feb. 1, and Marathon is preparing to bring in temporary workers to take our position.”

Just last week, refinery workers represented by the union voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike. The new permits were approved on Sept. 10.

Marathon also operates an asphalt terminal at 301 S. Fort St., and a light products terminal at 12700 Toronto St., both in Southwest Detroit.

WDET’s Jenny Sherman contributed to this report.

Windsor’s AM 580 radio station, known for its nostalgic playlist of hits and deep tracks from the 1950s, ’60s and beyond, has undergone a surprising format change this week.

The station, with the call letters CKWW, has pivoted to a focus on local Windsor news and information following its acquisition by Toronto’s CINA Radio Group.

Al Pervin, the new general manager of AM 580, says the previous music-heavy format was not achieving high ratings in the market.

“We had the chance to buy it, so we did and we’re changing the format to focus more on local information for Windsor and also play some music from the ’70s and ’80s,” said Pervin. “But the local information is really our prime focus.”

The station launched a new morning show this month, with plans to introduce even more local programming in the near future.