It’s a Sunday night, and you’re sitting in the emergency room with your sick kid. The waiting room is packed — coughs and sneezes everywhere. Your child has a fever, so you wait. You worry.

Four months later, the health department calls. Your infant was exposed to measles that night. Now you’re facing weeks of medical monitoring.

That’s what happened to families at DMC Huron Valley-Sinai Hospital in Oakland County last December.

As more people opt out of vaccinating their kids, what are the costs of containing an outbreak?

In Washtenaw County, health officials have spent close to $100,000 containing seven measles cases. That’s more than $14,000 per case.

The system worked: They contained the outbreak, conducted contact tracing, and prevented it from escalating into hundreds of cases. But we are spending enormous resources to achieve what used to happen easily through herd immunity.

Oakland County saw two measles cases last year and handled them well. But the county is now spending an extra $300,000 on vaccines even as vaccination rates keep sliding — Oakland County’s childhood MMR rate sits around 81%, well below the 95% threshold needed for herd immunity.

Kate Guzmán, health officer for the Oakland County Health Division, joined WDET’s Robyn Vincent to talk about the hidden costs of outbreaks, and what communities lose when prevention falls behind.

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

NASA’s Artemis II mission has captured the imaginations of a new generation of space enthusiasts, young and old.

Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen are  due to splash down in the Pacific Ocean around 8 p.m. EST Friday, April 10 near San Diego. 

When they do, they will step foot on Earth with an extraordinary credential: they’ve been further from Earth than any humans in history, traveling over 250,000 miles and back again.

The 4-person crew will have spent a little over one week in space, with a lunar fly by that produced captivating images of the moon, including a solar eclipse and an earth rise.

The crew was in radio communication with mission control when they broke the record. Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen, alongside his crew members, took the opportunity to name two craters on the moon’s surfaces that had not been named yet. The first, they called Integrity, the name they had given their shuttle. The second name was deeply personal. The crater “Carroll” was dedicated to the late wife of the mission commander, Reid Wiseman.

In 2028, NASA plans to execute the first crewed lunar landing since Apollo 17, with the goal of establishing a lunar base on the moon.

Ed Cackett is a professor of astronomy at Wayne State University and the Michigan Science Center’s astronomer in residence. He joined The Metro to discuss the gravity of the moment, and the benefits of space exploration.

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

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

More stories from The Metro

In a rambling post on Truth Social this week, President Trump threatened the Gordie Howe International Bridge — saying he won’t allow the bridge over the Detroit River to open until Canada compensates the U.S. for all it has given them. His exact demands are unclear.

The bridge has been expected to open sometime early this year. It’s meant to support a trade network that sees around $150 billion USD worth of goods cross between Detroit and Windsor annually.

Listen: Politicians react to Gordie Howe Bridge threats

In a statement, the Michigan Democratic Party called out the president, saying blocking the span from opening would amount to economic sabotage.

State Rep. Helena Scott represents the state’s 8th house district — including northwest Detroit, Ferndale and Pleasant Ridge. She argues the US isn’t owed anything for the new bridge.

“Michigan did not fund the construction,” says Scott, “Canada did. Canada financed nearly all of the projects after the US declined to put federal dollars into it. There is nothing owed back to the US.”

Trump’s criticism of the bridge comes despite issuing a joint statement in 2017 with then-Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, endorsing the Gordie Howe project. Construction of the span began during Trump’s first term in office in 2018.

Democratic Congresswoman Debbie Dingell is shocked the president is now criticizing a project he once celebrated, in a state that voted for him.

“President Trump won Michigan,” says Dingell, “so why is he now turning around and screwing the workers who voted for him?”

Dingell says the owner of the Ambassador Bridge, the Moroun family, met with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick before Trump’s threat. The Moroun’s fought to stop construction of the new bridge for years.

In a statement to WDET, the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority says the new span remains on track to open in early 2026. They say the Gordie Howe International Bridge benefits both countries, by encouraging investment, helping to maintain and create thousands of jobs, and generating new business and tourism opportunities.

Mike Latulippe wraps up The Detroit Move; introducing The Shake Out; the future of This Island Earth

After two incredible years of bringing energy, soul, and deep Detroit flavor to the WDET airwaves, Mike Latulippe will be wrapping up his run as host of The Detroit Move.

This was not an easy decision for Mike, but he felt it was the right time to shift his focus from radio to new priorities in his life and career.

“It’s been an unbelievable two-year run hosting The Detroit Move… it’s been a lifelong dream come true to host a music show on WDET, and the show became more than I ever expected,” said Latulippe. “I’m so grateful to have had this opportunity and so thankful not only to the WDET team for their support, but to all the listeners who tuned in each week with adventurous ears. Without their support none of this would be possible. I’m very proud of what I was able to accomplish and will never forget this incredible experience and being part of the WDET family.”

Since launching in 2024, The Detroit Move quickly became a listener favorite, known for its adventurous playlists, celebration of Detroit’s musical legacy, and Mike’s thoughtful, personal approach to storytelling through sound.

“We’re truly sad to see such a popular and impactful program sunset,” said Adam Fox, WDET Program Director. “Mike brought passion, creativity, and serious commitment to The Detroit Move, and we’re thankful for everything he’s contributed to WDET. We wish him nothing but the best in what comes next.”

The final episode of The Detroit Move will air Tuesday, February 17 at 8 p.m.

Introducing The Shake Out with Dave Lawson

WDET is also excited to announce what’s coming next on Tuesday evenings from 8–9 p.m. Beginning February 24, Detroit Public Radio will welcome The Shake Out, hosted by Detroit musician and vinyl collector Dave Lawson.

The Shake Out continues the station’s tradition of deep-cut discovery, digging into rare gems, overlooked classics, and unexpected connections across genres — guided by Dave’s encyclopedic knowledge and love of records.

“I’m honored and excited to be joining the WDET family,” said Lawson. “This station has meant so much to me as a listener and as a Detroit musician, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to share music I love with such a curious and engaged community.”

An update on This Island Earth

As the community continues to mourn the passing of Ismael Ahmed, WDET would like to share an update regarding the future of This Island Earth and the programming it inspired.

Ismael created This Island Earth to connect people through the shared experience of music — highlighting the common ground that links traditions from all over the world. The program became a meaningful space for discovery, grounded in accessibility, inclusivity, and a deep respect for global cultures.

Those values remain central to WDET’s mission and will continue to shape how the station approaches music programming. In Ismael’s final days, conversations took place about the future of the show and the importance of carrying forward its spirit. 

In the near term, WDET will re-air select episodes of This Island Earth with the blessing of Ismael’s family.