This year marks 150 years of Major League Baseball. In that time, baseball like every sport, has become intertwined with culture in the United States. The rules of the sport have not changed much over the years, but we have. 

In this segment, we discussed the cultural boundaries of not just baseball but all sports. From Jackie Robinson to Billie Jean King, we explored what happens when our society’s most uncomfortable realities  up in the arena.

Bryan Ellis is an assistant professor of sociology at Michigan State University’s Center for Integrative Studies. He teaches about the social science of sports. He joined the program to help us unpack this.

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

Gas prices continue to rise in metro Detroit.  AAA Michigan says the average price of a gallon of self-serve regular hit four dollars today.  That’s up just over a penny from Tuesday and it’s 17 cents higher than a week ago.  You could get a gallon of gas for $2.95 in Detroit just over a month ago.  

Analysts say two factors are causing the price hikes.  The war in Iran is pushing up the price of crude oil,  which is used to make gasoline.  Refineries are also changing over to the summer blend of gas, which is more expensive to produce. 

Additional headlines for Wednesday, March 25, 2026

Severe weather possible Thursday 

Metro Detroiters might experience some severe weather Thursday.  

The National Weather Service has placed much of Southeast Michigan in a category for a “slight” risk of severe weather.  That’s level 2 on a scale of 5.  

Warm air will move into town,  raising temperatures into the mid-60s Thursday afternoon.  But a cold front will quickly follow, bringing rain and thunderstorms Thursday evening. 

Some of those storms could be strong or severe.  A thunderstorm is categorized as severe if it has wind gusts of more than 58 miles per hour or produces hail of one inch or larger.  

Remember, a watch means conditions are such that a severe thunderstorm is possible.  A warning means severe weather conditions exist now and you should take cover.  

Make sure to stay tuned to local media outlets throughout the day to get the latest weather updates. 

NAACP announces new general counsel 

The NAACP announced today that Kristen Clarke will become the organization’s new general counsel.  She’ll direct the organization’s legal strategies.  

The NAACP says Clarke’s legal expertise will help it protect voting rights and continue its efforts to secure civil and human rights for people across the country.  

She previously served as the assistant attorney general for civil rights at the U.S. Department of Justice. 

Sheffield prepares for State of the City 

Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield is preparing to give her first State of the City address next week.  

She’s scheduled to speak to a crowd at Mumford High School in northwest Detroit next Tuesday evening.  

Sheffield is expected to talk about several initiatives she’s launched in recent weeks including Rx Kids, which provides cash prescription support for pregnant women and newborn mothers.  Sheffield has also been active in ways to create new affordable housing for Detroiters.  

The State of the City speech takes place Tuesday night at 7 p.m.  You can hear it on 101.9 WDET FM, at wdet.org, or on the City of Detroit’s YouTube channel or Facebook page. 

Michigan schools move on in March Madness 

March Madness continues to occupy the attention of many Detroiters.  Michigan and Michigan State both have “Sweet 16” games on Friday in their respective quests for a national championship.  

No. 1-seed Michigan faces 4-seed Alabama Friday night at 7:35 p.m.  No. 3-seed Michigan State plays 2-seed UConn Friday night at 9:45 p.m.  Both games will be televised. 

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

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

Being a mom can mean a lot of different things. For people experiencing pregnancy, the whole ordeal can be stressful, daunting and quite scary.

And without the proper tools and resources, moms are often at risk after giving birth during the postpartum period, which can lead to dangerous outcomes for mom and baby. 

ROSE or The Reach Out, Stay Strong, Essentials program is for birthing parents. It provides pregnant people with the skills and information they need to have better outcomes after giving birth. 

Dr. Jennifer E. Johnson is the founding Chair of the Charles Stewart Mott Department of Public Health at Michigan State University. Dr. Johnson is a University Distinguished Professor, and the first C. S. Mott Endowed Professor of Public Health at MSU. 

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

For some of our listeners, arts and culture from kindergarten through high school were guaranteed and expected. Woodshop, cooking classes and, of course, art classes were a part of the curriculum. 

As the decades have gone by, less money to schools means less resources. Oftentimes the first things cut from the budget are the arts. But educators who work within the K-12 school system say the arts are essential to a well-rounded education.

Meghan Collins is Museum Educator for K-12 and Family Programs at the MSU Broad Art Museum. She is also an Assistant Professor of Art Education in MSU’s Department of Art, Art History, and Design. 

In 2024, she was named the 2025 Museum Educator of the Year by the Michigan Art Education Association. 

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