On the latest edition of The Progressive Underground‘s Liner Notes, we explore “Abstractions,” a collaboration between two of the most revered producers in modern soul, funk, and hip-hop: Zo! and Tall Black Guy.

Metro Detroit-born Lorenzo “Zo!” Ferguson and Tall Black Guy, aka Terrel Wallace, took different paths to arrive at their shared groove-centric vision. Zo!, a multi-instrumentalist, came up playing jazz and classical before transitioning into the vibrant world of progressive soul and funk, producing for The Foreign Exchange and spearheading several solo projects. Tall Black Guy, known for his masterful beat-making, honed his skills through crate-digging and sampling, becoming a staple in the underground hip-hop and soul circuit.

Though they had admired each other’s work from afar, their creative paths finally converged through the Foreign Exchange Music family, an independent label founded by Phonte and Nicolay. Their shared love for deeply rooted soul, lush arrangements, and head-nodding rhythms made their collaboration inevitable.

“Abstractions,” released in 2021, is the product of this synergy — a sonic journey through jazz, R&B, and hip-hop, infused with their mutual respect for craftsmanship and storytelling. Let’s explore the album track by track.

Track: “Talkin’ To Myself” feat. BeMyFiasco

The album opens with a warm, contemplative groove featuring BeMyFiasco, the rising singer-songwriter from Dallas. With dreamy chords and a hypnotic rhythm, “Talkin’ To Myself” captures the feeling of self-reflection and inner dialogue. BeMyFiasco’s ethereal vocals glide effortlessly over Zo! and Tall Black Guy’s plush instrumentation, setting the tone for the album’s deeply introspective yet groove-heavy vibe.

Track: “Sightseeing” feat. Diviniti & Pirahnahead

We next step into a short but mesmerizing interlude featuring Detroit’s own Diviniti and producer Pirahnahead. The track showcases the duo’s ability to paint vivid sonic landscapes with minimal elements. It’s jazz-infused, dreamy, and transports the listener into a meditative headspace. 

Track: “The Ride” feat. Sy Smith, Black Milk & Elzhi

“The Ride” features vocals from longtime Zo! collaborator Sy Smith, who delivers silky, jazz-inflected vocals, while Black Milk and Elzhi drop in to spout razor-sharp verses over an intoxicatingly rich instrumental. This track is a testament to the album’s seamless fusion of live instrumentation and hip-hop aesthetics. 

Track: “Blackout”

“Blackout” is short instrumental interlude that acts as a sonic reset, which finds Zo! and Tall Black Guy leaning into their experimental side. Layers of synthesizers and deep bass tones create an otherworldly atmosphere, demonstrating their knack for crafting interludes that feel just as essential as full-length tracks. Throughout their career both have cultivated relationships with artists of varying iconographies. 

Track: “I Love The Way” feat. Omar

On this cut, British soul legend Omar graces the mic, on a breezy, feel-good anthem that exudes warmth and sophistication. With Omar’s unmistakable voice riding over a buttery-smooth bassline, this track recalls classic ‘90s acid jazz while remaining firmly in the present. Zo! and Tall Black Guy’s production shines here, highlighting their ability to craft infectious grooves that feel both timeless and forward-thinking. 

Track: “Hold My Hand” feat. Darien Brockington, Muhsinah & Phonte

“Hold my Hand” features an all-star lineup of Darien Brockington, Muhsinah, and Phonte, where the harmonies are lush, the instrumentation pristine and the chemistry between the vocalists undeniable. The whole arrangement feels like a Foreign Exchange family reunion with its spotlight of TFE artists and affiliated/adjacent artists on the track. This tune exemplifies the power of collaboration, as each artist brings their unique touch while staying true to the album’s cohesive sonic palette. 

Track: “Northland” feat. DJ Dez

With their strong Detroit musical roots, Zo! And Tall Black Guy continue to rep their hometown. Representing the heartbeat of Detroit, “Northland” features turntablist DJ Dez, a legend in the Motor City’s hip-hop and funk scenes. The track blends chopped jazz samples with raw, dusty drums, evoking the spirit of crate-digging culture. It’s a reminder of the album’s deep roots in hip-hop’s production techniques, seamlessly merged with live musicianship. 

Abstractions is more than just an album; it’s a masterclass in modern soul production. Zo! and Tall Black Guy, both virtuosos in their own right, have crafted a project that transcends genre boundaries while maintaining a deeply personal touch. With its seamless blend of jazz, soul, hip-hop, and electronic elements, the album embodies the spirit of collaboration and artistic evolution.

This record also highlights the importance of independent artistry in today’s music landscape. As key members of The Foreign Exchange Music stable, Zo! and Tall Black Guy have built a movement that champions authenticity, musicality, and innovation. Their work on “Abstractions” reinforces their reputation as architects of a new wave of soul music—one that respects tradition while fearlessly pushing forward.

We’ll close with a track that highlights the album’s versatility, and features some house music vibes from music luminary Josh Milan, who drifts into soulful house territory, radiating warmth and positive vibrations. Milan’s unmistakable vocals soar over an intricately woven backdrop of lush keys, subtle percussion, and hypnotic bass. It’s a track that feels equally at home on a dancefloor as it does during a late-night drive. Let’s check out “Connected.”

Track: “Connected” feat. Josh Milan

That was “Connected” from Zo! & Tall Black Guy’s “Abstractions”, an album that stands as a shining example of what happens when two visionary producers come together with a shared purpose.

If you love deep musical dives, tune in to The Progressive Underground every Saturday evening at 6p.m. on 101.9 WDET. This has been Liner Notes, and I’m Chris Campbell. See you next time!

Since I first heard The Bug Club not too long ago, I’ve been completely in love with their fast-and-loose sense of humor paired with great songwriting and guitar riffs (like, way above average tasty wasters — they used to be a blues group, so it makes sense).

They’ve got a new album coming out this year called “Very Human Features” on Sub Pop. And on our first taste of it — the single “Jealous Boy”— it’s very human stuff. Definitely a bit more mature and honest and from the heart than some of their other stuff, which doesn’t take anything away from previous works (like last year’s excellent “On The Intricate Inner Workings Of The System,” also via Sub Pop) but is certainly exciting to listen to some evolution from the duo.

On “Jealous Boy,” guitarist Sam Willmett and bassist Tilly Harris go back-to-back on vocals, and it makes for a splendid earworm. 

Listen to the In The Groove song of the week below. Bug Club’s new album, “Very Human Features,” will be out this June via Sub Pop.

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

Student loan debt is massive in the U.S., totaling $1.7 trillion. There are over 42 million student borrowers with federal loan debt, and the cost of tuition keeps going up. 

Since 2010, the cost of attending college has gone up more than 35%. After adjusting for inflation, college tuition has increased nearly 200% since 1963.

Trump promised to dismantle the Department of Education when he was elected, and has since followed through. He cut the department’s workforce in half and signed an executive order to shut it down, saying education should be entirely in control of the states, not the federal government. Last week, Trump announced that the administration of federal student loans would now be the responsibility of the Small Business Administration.

The Department of Education’s primary functions included administering federal student loans and payment plans for college students and graduates, making college accessible for students of all income levels. 

Today on The Metro, we talk about recent administrative changes with Michelle Zampini, the senior director of college affordability for The Institute of College Access & Success. The federal financial aid system is raising concerns about potential processing delays, legal challenges, and impacts on access to loans and grants.

The importance of programs like Pell Grants and income-driven repayment plans was emphasized, along with concerns that administrative breakdowns could hinder their availability.

More stories from The Metro on Wednesday, March 26, 2025.

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

For a good chunk of the 20th century, railcars took Detroiters from point A to point B. 

Along Gratiot and Grand River, people didn’t even own cars. They were too expensive, but there was also no reason to because streetcars crisscrossed Detroit and even went out to places like Port Huron and Ann Arbor. 

In 2025, new cars are really expensive, car insurance is very costly, and public transit is worse today than it was 100 years ago. Today on The Metro, we’re looking at the history and future of public transit in the Motor City. 

Guests: 

• Robert Pfaff: A professor of community and regional planning at Iowa State University. He wrote his dissertation at the University of Michigan about the history of Detroit’s streetcar system.
• Robert Cramer: Director of Detroit’s Department of Transportation. 

We also asked listeners:

“What would convince you to take public transit in Detroit? How fast, how convenient, do the buses or the Q-Line — or some kind of rail system — need to be for you to take it?”

Christina in Detroit said: “I believe in the last four years (public transit is) getting better. Is it the greatest thing in the world, the greatest thing since, like sliced bread? No. But I also think that there is strides, especially with Kramer involved, coming from Detroit People Mover to D-DOT tells me there’s gonna be a lot of changes.” 

Use the media player above to hear the full conversation.

More headlines from The Metro on March 26, 2025:

• Mayor Mike Duggan gave his last State of City address last night. He touted his accomplishments and his work to build coalitions. We talked to WDET Senior News Editor Quinn Klinefelter about the speech. 
• The Department of Education does a lot of things to support college students. One of its primary functions WAS to administer federal student loans and payment plans for college students and graduates, pograms that help make college accessible for students of all income levels. Michelle Zampini is the Senior Director of College Affordability for The Institute of College Access & Success. She joins the show to talk about what student loans and repayments could look like under the Trump Administration. 

• WDET’s Ryan Patrick Hooper talked with Detroit Symphony Orchestra president Erik Ronmark about the release of “Blues Symphony” via Third Man Records. This interview first aired on In The Groove.

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.

The Department of Veterans Affairs announced plans to restructure in early March. The agency will eliminate 80,000 jobs according to a memo issued by the VA’s chief of staff. 

The goal is to reduce the number of staff members to pre-pandemic levels. This is another proposed cut to add to President Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s list of federal job cuts. Under Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), hundreds of jobs have already been cut at the VA.

Read more: 10 year Marine Corps veteran terminated from Veterans Affairs in Ann Arbor

Veterans make up a large percent of federal workers who are already at risk of losing their jobs due to cuts to other departments. They are a substantial portion of the VA workforce too. So the restructuring plans for the Department just makes things even more uncertain. 

They also rely on the VA to provide the essential services that help them return to civilian life after serving. Veterans get housing assistance and health care through the program. 

Today on The Metro, we’re looking at these cuts and how they could negatively impact services for veterans who need it. 

Guests: 

• Kevin Scott: Decorated combat-era Marine Corps veteran who provides therapy and support to veterans who are facing all kinds of challenges after serving.
• Vedia Barnett: Co-founder and executive director of Vet Space, a group for women veterans to share nature-based experiences. 

We also asked our listeners: 

“What is the transition to civilian life like for veterans and their families?”

Ryan, a Marine Corp veteran in Royal Oak, said: “I mean, (the VA has) been my health care service for 20 years, and I’m hoping to be till I die, my service. And if it goes away, you know, that upends my life in a different way. So it worries me.”

Tomorrow’s caller question: “What would allow you to give up your car in southeast Michigan?”

Use the above media player to hear the full conversation.

More headlines from The Metro on March 25, 2025: 

• The Michigan statehouse is split with Democrats controlling the Senate and Republicans controlling the House, making many wonder what bipartisan work can get done this session. To discuss what’s going on at the state capitol, Michigan Public Radio Network political reporter Colin Jackson joined the show.

• Alyce Hartman is the founder and executive director of Birdie’s Bookmobile. She is also a K-4 STEM teacher at Detroit Prep and the Mack Kids director at Mack Avenue Community Church. Hartman travels the city putting books in little hands and is getting ready to open Birdie’s Book Nest. She joined the show to discuss the project.

• Flooding is an issue Detroit residents are constantly facing, with water main breaks, extreme weather events and flooding growing more common over the last few years. Earlier this year, Metro co-host Robyn Vincent spoke with Nick Schroeck, professor of environmental law and dean of the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law, about the problem of flooding and some of the solutions that are being proposed to change it.

• We also revisited a conversation with Todd Scott, executive director of the Detroit Greenways Coalition, about pedestrian safety in Detroit. Hear the conversation below beginning at the 47:50 mark.

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

We’re going in on some Aretha Franklin today for her birthday, and really just turning the rest of the week into a celebration of her with your voicemails (those will start airing tomorrow). Plus, an anniversary of MF DOOM & Madlib making one of my favorite hip hop records of all time. New music from Black Country, New Road, Tall Black Guy, Cleo Sol, Cari Cari and lots more.

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 25, 2025

• “Besties” – Black Country, New Road
• “Too Many People” – Paul & Linda McCartney
• “Dear Prudence” – Gabor Szabo
• “Golden Age of Life” – 4hero
• “Another Day (feat. Jill Scott)” – 4hero
• “Just Can’t Get Enough” – Channel Tres
• “I Can Say To You (Toribio Remix)” – Butcher Brown
• “Just The Two Of Us” – Bill Withers & Grover Washington, Jr.
• “I Can’t Go For That (No Can Do)” – Hall & Oates
• “Why Must It Be” – Tall Black Guy / Black Vandross
• “Cards On The Table” – Nia Archives
• “He Will Follow You With His Eyes” – Corinne Bailey Rae
• “Unlikely” – Bel Cobain
• “Jimtastic Blues” – Greentea Peng
• “Didn’t Cha Know” – Erykah Badu
• “Imazeghen N Adagh” – Tinariwen
• “Go For Broke” – Bo Diddley
• “Black Crow (Demo)” – Joni Mitchell
• “Fear When You Fly” – Cleo Sol
• “In The Air” – SAULT
• “Best Kind Of Lost” – Joshua Idehen
• “Accordion” – Madvillain
• “Raid (feat. MED)” – Madvillain
• “ALL CAPS” – Madvillain
• “Summer Madness S.A.” – Karriem Riggins
• “Day Dreaming” – Aretha Franklin
• “Dreamin’” – Common & Pete Rock
• “Rock Steady (Jammin Keys Edit)” – Aretha Franklin
• “One More Trip Around The Sun” – Cari Cari
• “Bangoro (Gitkin Remix)” – Bab L’ Bluz
• “I Gotta Try You Girl” – Junior Kimbrough
• “S.N.C.” – DARKSIDE
• “Computer Love” – Kraftwerk
• “Son Of A Preacher Man” – Aretha Franklin

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.

Obsession of the week is no doubt “Jealous Boy” by Bug Club, who are quickly becoming one of my favorite bands of the past couple years. They’re getting ready to drop a new album later this year, so they’ll be in heavy rotation no doubt. Karen Nyame KG’s excellent remix of Joshua Idehen’s “Tactics for Survival” stopped me dead in my tracks, too. Heavy on Portishead and their former lead singer Beth Gibbons, who will be bringing her solo record (and some Portishead selections) to the Masonic Cathedral Theatre on April 7. Enjoy!

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 24, 2025

• “Jealous Boy” – Bug Club
• “Daylight Song” – Wu-Lu
• “A Figure In The Surf” – Mount Kimbie
• “Somber The Drums” – DIIV
• “Brakhage” – Stereolab
• “Carried Away” – H.E.R.
• “What’s This About (La La La La)” – Kate Bollinger
• “Super Breath” – Karen O & Danger Mouse
• “Us Alone (Time Cow Remix)” – Jabu
• “Remedy” – Karen Nyame KG
• “Tactics for Survival (Karen Nyame KG Remix)” – Joshua Idehen & Hanakiv
• “Meet Your Shadow (feat. Bex Burch, Danalogue, Al MacSween, Sarathy Korwar & Tamar Osborn)” – Flock
• “(Nothing But) Flowers” – Talking Heads
• “Hurdy Gurdy Man” – Donovan
• “She Cleans Up” – Father John Misty
• “Supersad” – Suki Waterhouse
• “My Fun” – Suki Waterhouse
• “Pretty Good” – John Prine
• “Cactus” – Pixies
• “This Mess We’re In” – PJ Harvey & Thom Yorke
• “I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor” – Baby Charles
• “Rosewood” – Bobby Hutcherson
• “Bells Are Ringing (Harvey Sutherland Dub)” – Mondo Freaks & Harvey Sutherland
• “Nos Somos as Estrelas” – Adrian Younge
• “Mysterons” – Portishead
• “The Rip” – Portishead
• “Beyond The Sun” – Beth Gibbons
• “Cold Little Heart” – Michael Kiwanuka
• “Saturday Night Special” – Jazzanova
• “Ozan Koukle (Remastered)” – Lafayette Afro Rock Band & Ice
• “The Mystery of Man” – Zara McFarlane
• “Time: The Donut Of Heart” – Jaubi
• “Mosty (feat. Latarnik & Tenderlonious)” – Jaubi
• “Where’s My Brain???” – Lazy Eyes
• “Bakers Dozen (unreleased)” – Daniel Villarreal

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.

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

Today on The Metro we bring you a conversation with the Detroit Documenters, an organization that trains and pays residents to cover government meetings in southeast Michigan. 

One thing Detroit Documenters is learning at recent meetings is that County Veteran Affairs offices across the state are in a tricky financial situation. Money they usually receive from the Michigan County Veteran Service Fund was miscalculated. 

This comes at a time when President Donald Trump and Elon Musk are cutting funds and firing people in the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, making all financial support more crucial than before.

Metro Producer Jack Filbrandt sat down with Documenter Marcia Hartman and Coordinator Noah Kincade to find out how this accounting came about and its effect on Wayne County. 

County VAs can apply for $50,000 to support veterans. Any money not used from this fund is pooled together and distributed based on the number of veterans living in counties. 

Kincade spoke to Christyn Herman, a public affairs officer at the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency. She said more counties used their initial $50,000 which shrank the pot being redistributed across the state. 

The Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency is planning visits and working with county VA offices across the state, Herman said. They understand less money going to counties means fewer veterans being helped. 

Use the media player above to hear the full conversation.

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

New music from Detroit’s own Allen Dennard, Sharon Van Etten & the Attachment Theory (in town on May 5 @ St. Andrew’s Hall), Mieke Miami, Girls Of The Internet, plus a Miles Davis / Theolonious Monk anniversary and a conversation with Detroit Symphony Orchestra president Erik Ronmark about their latest recording released via Third Man Records ahead of its release next week.

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 4, 2025

• “You Don’t Want Me” – Wesley Bright & the Honeytones
• “Believe” – Benjamin Booker
• “Beast of Burden” – Rolling Stones
• “Shoegaze” – Alabama Shakes
• “All The Time” – Bahamas
• “Woman To Woman” – Joe Cocker
• “Sage Motel” – Monophonics, Kelly Finnigan
• “Last One Standing” – Monophonics, Kelly Finnigan
• “400 Years” – Reginald Omas Mamode IV
• “UMI Says” – Mos Def
• “Didn’t I (Dave Allison Rework)” – Darondo
• “Own Me (feat. Haile Supreme)” – Nightmares On Wax
• “Learning To Remember” – Marcus Elliott
• “Red Ashes” – Allen Dennard
• “Trouble” – Sharon Van Etten & the Attachment Theory
• “Muzzle of Bees (Live In Chicago, May 2005)” – Wilco
• “Pink Moon” – Nick Drake
• “I Couldn’t Say It To Your Face” – Arthur Russell
• “Broken Finger Blues” – Richard Swift
• “Like A Ship” – Pastor T.L. Barrett and The Youth for Christ Choir
• “I Can Say To You (Toribio Remix)” – Butcher Brown
• “It’s Alright” – Baby Rose & BADBADNOTGOOD
• “Son of a Preacher Man” – Mieke Miami
• “Back 2 Me (feat. Sadie Walker)” – Girls of the Internet
• “It’s Time To Wake Up” – La Femme
• “Femme Fatale” – The Velvet Underground & Nico
• “’Round Midnight (feat. John Coltrane)” – Miles Davis
• “Wish I Didn’t Miss You (Dragutesku Edit)” – Angie Stone

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.

A true genre-defying show today — from punk to jazz to lava lamp psychedelic rock to a stunning solo piano performance from Detroit’s own Michael Malis — and we explore fresh releases from Miso Extra, Everything Is Recorded, Emma-Jean Thackray, Okonski and a special focus on Viagra Boys, who are prepping a new album ahead of their tour stop at Royal Oak Music Theatre this September. On top of all that… a fond farewell to neo-soul icon Angie Stone following a tragic car accident that took her life on Saturday, as well as continuing to grieve the loss of Roberta Flack’s one-of-a-kind voice. Won’t you take a listen?

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 3, 2025

• “Projections” – José Junior
• “Tomorrow Never Knows” – Beatles
• “She’s Coming” – The Gaslamp Killer & The Heliocentrics
• “Groove” – Beans
• “Across That Fine Line (Joe Goddard Remix)” – Nation of Language
• “Alone Again Or” – The Damned
• “If I Should Fall Behind” – Bruce Springsteen
• “Highway Anxiety” – William Tyler
• “Swamp Dream #3” – Everything Is Recorded & mary in the junkyard
• “Let Me In (feat. Sky Covington & Andrés)” – Moodymann
• “Wish I Didn’t Miss You” – Angie Stone
• “I Can See the Sun In Late December” – Roberta Flack
• “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough (LIVE 1972)” – Roberta Flack
• “Jimtastic Blues” – Greentea Peng
• “Give Back What U Stole From Me (Nightmares On Wax Remix)” – Oscar Jerome
• “It’s Okay (feat. Kassa Overall)” – Emma-Jean Thackray
• “Better Than Her” – JKriv, Saucy Lady & Tortured Soul
• “Messages From The Stars” – RAH Band
• “Certified” – Miso Extra
• “Good Kisses” – Miso Extra & Metronomy
• “LWA IN THE TRAILER PARK” – Benjamin Booker
• “Cactus” – Pixies
• “Gut Feeling / (Slap Your Mammy)” – DEVO
• “Slow Learner” – Viagra Boys
• “Man Made Of Meat” – Viagra Boys
• “Troglodyte” – Viagra Boys
• “REBECCA LATIMER FELTON TAKES A BBC” – Benjamin Booker
• “I Don’t Wanna Grow Up” – Tom Waits
• “Black Black Ocean” – Crooked Fingers
• “When U Were Mine” – Crooked Fingers
• “October” – Okonski

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.

Southeast Michigan’s trees are facing growing threats from disease, pests, and climate change.

Zach Lacombe with Davey Tree Expert Company in Canton, says tree health issues are on the rise, affecting both residential and urban landscapes. Fungal infections, extreme weather, and environmental stressors are making trees more vulnerable than ever.

Common Tree Diseases in Michigan

Local trees are particularly susceptible to three major infections:

• Apple Scab – A fungal disease that weakens apple and crabapple trees, causing leaf loss and reducing their ability to absorb sunlight.
• Oak Wilt – A deadly vascular infection that spreads through beetles and root grafts, cutting off water and nutrients to oak trees.
• Dutch Elm Disease (DED) – A persistent fungal disease that has devastated American elm populations in Michigan for over a century.

“These infections often go unnoticed until it’s too late,” says Lacombe. He says thinning foliage, premature leaf drop, and unusual discoloration can all be warning signs of tree disease. 

Rising temperatures and shifting weather patterns are also increasing the spread of tree pests and diseases, according to Lacombe. 

Milder winters mean fewer insect die-offs, allowing pests like the picnic beetle (which spreads oak wilt) to thrive. Stronger storms and heavy rainfall can cause tree root damage, increased fungal growth, and weakened trees. Road salt runoff forces trees to release moisture from their leaves, leading to drought stress and weakened defenses.

Preventative care and early intervention can go a long way, Lacombe advises.

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

NASA scientists determined that Asteroid 2024 YR4 had little to no chance of hitting Earth, but the moon should watch out. 

President and CEO of the Michigan Science Center Dr. Christian Greer is no stranger to asking questions about the mechanics of the world we live in. He’s a graduate of Morehouse College with a degree in Physics and a Doctorate of Education in learning technologies from Pepperdine University.

Greer wants to share his love of science with people across the board, but especially the next generation of curious thinkers. 

Many of those young, curious thinkers spend a lot of time on social media and Youtube. Recently, the news of a possible asteroid impact on Earth in 2032 sent folks into a frenzy. Greer joins the show to let us know what’s up with asteroids and our solar system.

Use the media player above to hear the full conversation.

More stories from The Metro on Feb. 26, 2025.

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.

Court-ordered minimum wage and sick leave laws were set to take effect Friday, but Michigan lawmakers struck a deal changing the laws again.

The minimum wage did rise and it’s expected to reach 15 dollars an hour in 2027. Tips earned by some wage workers will stay intact under this court order, which would have phased out over time. There were also changes to paid sick leave laws.

The result is a win for people who argue that eliminating the tipped wage would hurt businesses and discourage tipping. 

The President of One Fair Wage Saru Jayaraman joins the show to discuss how supporters of the court-ordered laws are feeling. The organization is advocating for a 15 dollar minimum wage for workers nationally. 

Use the media player above to hear the full conversation.

More stories from The Metro on Feb. 26, 2025.

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.

From the National Park Service to FEMA, thousands of people have been laid off as part of the Trump administration’s efforts to “make government agencies more efficient.” 

Under the leadership of Elon Musk, the Department of Government Efficiency is slashing jobs across more than a dozen agencies, including the Department of Veterans Affairs. 

Ten year Marine Corps veteran Andrew Lennox joins the show. He was working as an administrative officer in the primary care department in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Ann Arbor and is now without a job due to DOGE cuts.

Hear more stories from The Metro on Feb. 26, 2025.

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.

President Donald Trump has put Elon Musk in charge of getting government workers to leave their posts and jobs. Already, the Office of Personnel Management has said that 75,000 federal employees accepted a deferred resignation proposal. 

There are pending freezes for funding to government agencies, including money that funds critical research and money that would otherwise fund programs and services related to food, housing, healthcare and infrastructure. 

Today on The Metro, we’re looking at whether Trump’s actions are good-old fashioned conservative values in action or if there’s something fundamentally different and dangerous. 

Guests: 

• Denise Elias:The executive director of the Oakland County Republican Party. 
• Tom Wraight: A lecturer in Political Economy at Queen Mary University of London.
• Lucan Way: A distinguished professor of Democracy at the University of Toronto.

Hear the conversation using the media player above.

More headlines from The Metro on Feb. 26:

• Under the leadership of Elon Musk, the Department of Government Efficiency is slashing jobs across more than a dozen agencies, including the Department of Veterans Affairs. Ten year Marine Corps veteran Andrew Lennox joins the show. He was working as an administrative officer in the primary care department in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Ann Arbor, and is now without a job due to DOGE cuts. 

• Court-ordered minimum wage and sick leave laws were set to take effect Friday, but Michigan lawmakers struck a deal changing the laws again. The President of One Fair Wage Saru Jayaraman joins the show to discuss how supporters of the court-ordered laws are feeling. The organization is advocating for a 15 dollar minimum wage for workers nationally. 

• NASA scientists determined that Asteroid 2024 YR4 had little to no chance of hitting Earth, but the moon should watch out. Recently, the news of a possible asteroid impact on Earth in 2032 sent folks into a frenzy. Michigan Science Center CEO Dr. Christian Greer joins the show to let us know what’s up with asteroids and our solar system. 

Tomorrow’s question: What’s your neighborhood connection spot? 

Join the conversation by calling 313-577-1019 or leaving us an Open Mic message on the WDET app. 

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

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While you might look amazing in your latest clothing purchase from Temu or Shein, its journey will most likely end in a landfill. 

The 7th annual Rags $2 Riches fashion show wants to highlight thrifted clothes, give them a high-end twist and show you can still look fly in second hand apparel. This is a celebration of sustainability, style and the long lasting impacts of buying used clothes. 

Stephanie Bedell founded the Rags $2 Riches Fashion show and she is also a wardrobe consultant, specializing in plus-size fashion. She joins the show to talk about thrifting and the runway styled garments from Salvation Army Stores that will be featured at the event. 

Hear more stories from The Metro on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025.

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

It’s been 60 years since a pivotal moment in the fight for equality in America. 

In March 1965, Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. led protestors on a three-day, 54-mile march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama. Marchers were met with violence by Alabama State Troopers. The appalling scene was broadcast on live television on what is now called “Bloody Sunday.” 

Images of Alabama state troopers using whips, batons, and tear gas to beat back the peaceful protestors shocked Americans. It was a watershed moment that eventually led to the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson. 

Since then, as years become decades, the struggle for equal rights and freedoms for all Americans has taken many turns. The fight for equal rights today looks very different in some ways. In other ways, it feels the same as it ever was. 

To reflect on what’s changed and what stayed the same, we’re joined by Vice President of the Brennan Center for Justice Kareem Crayton. 

Hear more stories from The Metro on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025.

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