Michigan basketball fans are celebrating after a good weekend of March Madness.  

The University of Michigan’s men’s team beat Alabama on Friday night to make it to the “Elite Eight.”  The team then turned around and beat Tennessee 95 – 62 Sunday to advance further in the NCAA tournament.  

Michigan takes on Arizona in Indianapolis Saturday night at 8:49 p.m.  Both teams are No.1 seeds. 

Additional headlines for Monday, March 30, 2026

Iran war keeps gas prices high

The U.S. war with Iran continues to keep gas prices high.  AAA Michigan says the average price of a gallon of gasoline is $3.92.  That’s down a penny from last Monday, but it’s still 92 cents higher than a month ago.  

Wayne and Macomb counties have some of the lowest prices in Michigan.  Industry analysts say higher gas prices are driven by higher costs for crude oil.   

Despite the higher prices, AAA says demand for gasoline is rising across the country as spring break season continues. 

Michigan Republicans select state candidates 

Michigan Republicans held their state endorsement convention on Saturday.  Delegates selected candidates for Secretary of State and Attorney General at their meeting in Novi.   

Macomb County Clerk Anthony Forlini was picked to be the Republican candidate for Secretary of State.   The GOP also endorsed Eaton County Prosecutor Doug Lloyd to become its nominee for Attorney General.  

The party says on the convention website that it’s holding its endorsement event early to give candidates more time to raise money and prepare for the general election on Nov. 3.   

Metro Detroiters hold No Kings marches 

Thousands of metro Detroiters attended “No Kings” marches across the region on Saturday, protesting the policies of the Trump administration.  

Marches were held at Clark Park and Grand Circus Park in Detroit, as well as in Ferndale, Livonia, Dearborn and several other locations in the area.  More than 100 events were held across Michigan.   

Severe storms possible 

Metro Detroiters will see temperatures rise to around 70 degrees Tuesday, bringing a chance of strong thunderstorms. 

 The National Weather Service says Metro Detroit has a marginal chance of severe weather tonight.  That’s a level one on a scale of five.  

That risk increases to “slight” Tuesday.  That’s level two out of five.  There’s a chance of winds of 58 mph or higher, one inch hail and tornadoes.  

Storms Tuesday are most likely to occur between 4 p.m. and midnight. Keep up with the weather on 101.9 WDET FM. 

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

That creamy Reese’s peanut butter cup dissolving on your tongue. The next crunchy Dorito you’re reaching for before you’ve swallowed the last one. The first sip of an ice-cold Coke, with a mix of syrup and carbonation; it hits like relief.

Your brain’s reward center is supposed to keep you alive, but a major new study from the University of Michigan, Harvard, and Duke says the food industry learned how to use it against you — engineering products with the same science as cigarettes.

The playbook is this: optimize the craving, accelerate the reward, and make it nearly impossible to stop.

Ultraprocessed foods now make up roughly 60% of what Americans eat. San Francisco has sued 10 major food manufacturers over the harm.

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has said these foods are poisoning Americans, but he has stopped short of regulating them.

In Detroit, 69% of households face food insecurity and researchers describe the city as a food swamp, where drive-throughs, party stores and gas-station snack aisles vastly outnumber places to buy fresh produce.

Detroit’s numbers make the question sharper: What happens when engineered food is all that’s there?

Ashley Gearhardt, clinical psychologist, addiction scientist at the University of Michigan, creator of the Yale Food Addiction Scale and lead author of the study, joined Robyn Vincent on The Metro to discuss 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

At the federal level, democracy is on its heels in America. 

President Donald Trump has violated national and international laws by kidnapping Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro, allowing Immigration and Customs Enforcement to breach residents’ civil liberties, including killing an individual in Minnesota, and by sending military troops to cities that have not requested them.

But at the local level, despite weak participation, officials say democracy is strong, that the trash is getting picked up on time, and that services are being properly distributed, especially in more urban areas. 

That’s what Stephanie Leiser found in a recent survey of Michigan municipal leaders. She’s the Director of the Center for Local, State, and Urban Policy, and a lecturer at University of Michigan. The Metro’s Sam Corey spoke with Leiser to learn 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