The Metro

In Oakland County, local leaders have gotten more attention in recent months. That’s because reports have shown potential conflicts of interest when some have voted on matters that affect their side jobs. Discussions arose about hiring an ombudsman to oversee county officials' operations, or having commissioners disclose their financial information. But in a recent Oakland County meeting, neither of those things happened.  Instead, county commissioners kicked the responsibility to the state legislature, urging those lawmakers to pass a bill mandating local officials to publicly disclose their assets. Why didn’t commissioners pass an ethics resolution?  Oakland County Commissioner Michael Spisz was originally advocating for the county to pass an ethics resolution, but changed course. He spoke with The Metro's Robyn Vincent.

Double Up Food Bucks is a statewide program through the Fair Food Network. It matches SNAP benefits used to buy fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables at participating grocers and farmers markets. Back in November, SNAP benefit recipients were on edge, wondering if money would be available to feed themselves and their families.  The program extended its offerings in November, introducing Double Up bonus bucks, offering $40 vouchers for fresh fruits and veggies. Those incentives end December 31st.  Rachel Hoh is director of Double Up Food Bucks. They spoke to me about the program and its significance to shoppers and local grocers. 

Social media companies are distracting people, sowing division, and preventing kids from experiencing normal childhoods. Those are the big takeaways of the book, “The Anxious Generation”, by Jonathan Haidt. That book is a big reason countries, states and classrooms have been restricting social media and phone use.   The superintendent of the Novi school district gave copies of Jonathan Haidt's “The Anxious Generation" to anyone who wanted it. About one year later, how has the book influenced Novi students, teachers and parents? The Metro’s Sam Corey spoke with Novi Community School District Superintendent Ben Mainka to find out.

After decades of decay, the city announced a letter of intent with a developer to give Detroit’s historic Packard Plant new life. The plant as a whole has seen the heights of the automotive boom and the consequences of disinvestment and neglect. So which moments deserve to be preserved in its next chapter? Dave Marchioni, the industrial and automotive curator at the Detroit Historical Society, and John Lauter, historian of the Packard Plant, revisit key moments throughout it’s history to provide perspective. 

A child has been diagnosed with measles in Oakland County. DMC Huron Valley-Sinai Hospital in Commerce Township has been identified as the likely site of exposure. People who were in the Emergency Department of the hospital on Dec.  7, 2025  between 7:20 p.m. and 11:10 p.m. may have been exposed. Kate Guzman, Oakland County Health Officer, told The Metro the child was not vaccinated for measles and had recently traveled domestically. Vaccine recommendations changing at CDC, FDA This follows a series of major changes to federal vaccine recommendations and guidelines, made under the leadership of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Secretary of Health and Human Services. Kennedy is a vaccine skeptic and his views are becoming policy at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) both of which are under his supervision. These changes include loosening recommendations for infants and toddlers regarding hepatitis B, chickenpox, measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR). More: New flu variant, vaccine guidance worry MDHHS’s top doctor At the FDA, Vinay Prasad, the chief medical officer and head of evaluation and testing, issued a statement forecasting a more time and cost-intensive process for new vaccine approvals. Members of the medical community including former FDA officials, have shared concerns for public health, saying the proposed changes would make thoroughly tested and safe annual vaccines like the flu shot too expensive and time consuming to adapt to new versions of the virus. Guests: Dr. Teena Chopra is a professor of infectious diseases and Assistant Dean of professional development in the School of Medicine at Wayne State University . Kate Guzman  is Oakland County’s health officer.

The winter months are often marked by the holidays and the new year. Yet, it's often lost on most people that domestic violence incidents trend up during this time of year.  The warning signs for domestic violence intensify during winter. So what are the signs and how can we as community members step in to protect survivors of domestic violence? Co-Executive Director of the Michigan Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence Cheree Thomas joined Tia Graham on The Metro to talk more about domestic violence during the winter months. 

Detroit Salon is a new initiative produced by the woman-led organization Salonnière that puts Detroit artists in front of global audiences, curators and museums by touring exhibitions that carry their pieces.  The collective’s first show was in Paris at Art Basel, where they installed three different exhibitions. Each one highlighted different areas of life in Detroit. Juana is an artistic creative director and chief curator for Detroit Salon. KESSWA is a vocalist, producer, filmmaker who musically curated the exhibitions in Paris.  Juana Williams and Kesswa joined Tia Graham in the studio to discuss Detroit Salon’s efforts. 

This Thursday, Dec. 18, Holiday Detroit will showcase professional dancers, singers and musicians alongside students from Voyageur College Preparatory High School in a festive performance.  Renowned choreographer Lisa McCall and The Temptations lead singer, Tony Grant joined the show to talk about working with students and more. 

On Sunday, a father and son killed 15 people at a Hanukkah celebration in Australia. It was one of the deadliest attacks on Jewish people in that nation’s history. The attack is part of a larger trend of rising antisemitism. Since October of 2023, American Jews have reported a rise in antisemitism, including an uptick in violence against Jewish people. This past year alone, high-profile attacks happened in Pennsylvania, Washington DC, and Colorado.  All of this has happened amid what scholars say is Israel’s genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. What is the connection between Israel’s violence and violence targeting Jewish people around the world? The Metro’s Sam Corey spoke with Jewish scholars and community leaders to learn more. 

The Robocop statue commemorating the 80s sci-fi film was finally installed in Eastern Market after over a decade of planning. The movie centers Alex Murphy, a Detroit police officer who was killed on the job by criminal. A corporation tasked with reducing the city’s crime rate then uses his body to create a crime fighting cyborg.   The concept spawned multiple sequels, comics, an animated series, action figures and more. But what about the movie resonated so deeply with fans in Detroit that they were willing to help fund a sculpture to honor it? Curtis Sullivan, owner of the Vault of Midnight comic book stores, is a huge fan of Robocop. He joined the program to discuss the significance of the film, its relevance to Detroit, and the new sculpture.

Somewhere between the psychedelic 1960s and the arrival of punk in the late 1970s, Detroit had a unique imprint on American music with an avant-garde, noise rock scene. Destroy All Monsters was an influential band and art collective at the time. Their sound was radical, experimental, and noisy. The band was formed in Ann Arbor in the early 1970s by Cary Loren, Mike Kelly, Jim Shaw and Niagra. The group’s influence on art and music in Detroit is being recognized with a retrospective at Cranbrook Art Museum called “Mythic Chaos: 50 Years of Destroy All Monsters.” Also on display through March is a sister exhibition, “Noise, Vision, and Ruins” at the Detroit Public Library, Main Branch and curated by Cary Loren.  Both exhibitions are open through March. The Metro’s David Leins spoke Loren about the group’s origins, and what to expect from the exhibitions.

To some, the story of the Packard Plant mirrors that of Detroit. Built in the early 1900s, the building was a major site of auto manufacturing in the city. That was until the mid-1950s, when the plant closed. But that didn’t spell the end for the Packard Plant. The building continued to house industrial and commercial tenants into the 1990s, and was even home to some legendary Detroit raves. The site isn’t really a factory anymore. It’s a ruin. And now, two developers say they want to give that ruin new life. What are the plans for the redeveloped plant? Developers Mark Bennett and Oren Goldenberg spoke with The Metro's Robyn Vincent about that and more.

The project to reconstruct I-375 is meant to do two things at once: rebuild aging infrastructure and repair the harm caused by a highway that, decades ago, tore through Black neighborhoods and business districts in downtown Detroit. But as plans evolved, the cost of the I-375 reconstruction project was ballooning to $520 million. Criticism was mounting among nearby business owners who feared losing money and Detroiters who wanted to ensure the project would deliver reparative outcomes.  So in August the Michigan Department of Transportation paused the project. Then last month, it was revived with a different plan.  Jason Garza is the Michigan Department of Transportation Deputy Region Engineer. He spoke with The Metro's Robyn Vincent.

Coup D’état is a one of two local shops in Michigan to be chosen for New York Times list of 50 Best Clothing Stores in America. The article states Coup D'etat is inspirational and distinctive in its approach to customers and its community.  Located on Detroit's east side, its nestled in a growing community of new and legacy Detroit residents. The store has embedded itself with local movers and shakers, making sure to be present and open to support local makers. In 2025, Coup D'état held an art exhibition honoring the legacy of Detroit photographer Bill Rauhauser, highlighting the work he did capturing everyday life in Detroit through the 20th century. Angela Wisenski-Cobbina is the owner and founder of Coup D’état. She wanted to make sure the boutique was than luxury shop, she wanted it to be inclusive for all people at all price points. Angela spoke with The Metro's Tia Graham about opening the space in 2019 and the journey so far.

What policies do Black residents in Michigan want to see? The Center for Community Uplift at the Brookings Institute surveyed Black residents across the state of Michigan to uncover policies they felt improved their quality of life. They released a report with 29 recommendations. Andre Perry, a senior fellow at Brookings and the director of the center joined the show and broke down some of the findings from the report.

Detroit siblings Miriam and Ernesto came to the U.S. together as toddlers. They grew up one grade apart, sharing a life, a city, and a future. Now Ernesto is behind the walls of the North Lake immigration detention center in Baldwin after being detained by ICE on his way to work — despite legal work authorization and a pending green-card application. His sister Miriam joins us to reflect on their childhood and the shock of his arrest.  The Metro also spoke with Christine Suave of the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center, who explains the legal landscape and what options remain for someone in Ernesto’s position, and State Sen. Stephanie Chang, who discusses what Michigan lawmakers can and cannot do in response to federal immigration enforcement decisions.

Lue Yang was born in a Thai refugee camp after his family fled Laos. The Hmong refugee has lived in Michigan since he was 8 months old. While he is here legally, Yang previously had a 1997 criminal conviction. Though it was expunged in Michigan, that isn’t recognized by federal immigration law. That resulted in ICE agents arresting Yang in July at his work. He was in prison until last week when he was released with the help of Michigan Republican Congressman Tom Barrett. The congressmember joined Robyn Vincent to discuss. 

When Michael Ibrahim’s parents handed him an oud at ten years old they sparked a drive within him to honor the music that was central to his upbringing. Years later, he founded the National Arab Orchestra, which has performed across the country and established itself as a national leader in Arab music. Michael Ibrahim, who is also the organization's music director, joined the program to share his musical origins, how the orchestra came to be, and why he believes music can bring communities together.

Last month, the Michigan State Board of Education changed its standards guidelines for the first time since 2007. Those changes include explaining and exploring things like gender identity, gender expression, healthy romantic relationships, and understanding one's own emotions. Co-Vice President for the State Board of Education Tiffany Tilley joined The Metro to discuss what the changes might mean for schools and students across the state.

As one of metro Detroit’s premiere dance companies, Eisenhower Dance Detroit provides local choreographers and directors opportunities to showcase their work. It also gives dancers a space to work and develop their craft in an industry that is extremely competitive.  The dance company is now working with world renowned dance choreographer Maxine Doyle.  Doyle is best known as co-director and choreographer of Sleep No More, the groundbreaking immersive production that redefined site-specific performance in New York and London.  Doyle has showcased across the globe, in countries like England, Germany, Switzerland and now the US in Detroit.  “Beyond” will debut at the Detroit Film Theatre in April of 2026.  “I Am Not Myself,” commissioned by Doyle, will be a featured.  Maxine Doyle and Artistic Director of Eisenhower Dance Detroit Stephanie Pizzo joined The Metro’s Tia Graham to speak about the power of dance.