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Mike Horace
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WCMU News
In July, as wildfire smoke from Canada and Minnesota blanketed Michigan, air quality index readings in some areas of the state reached over 1,000, more than three times what the US Environmental Protection Agency considers hazardous.

Thursday on WCMU Public Television

From New York to Kolkata, sharing space with wildlife in our cities comes with surprising benefits.
An original series highlighting the people and places that make Michigan unique.
Hemingway writes The Old Man and the Sea but is overcome by mental illness.
Between the Lakes is WCMU Public Media’s weekly news podcast, bringing you the stories shaping central and northern Michigan—clearly, thoughtfully, and in under 15 minutes. Hosted by Tina Sawyer, new episodes drop each Saturday morning, offering trusted local reporting and essential context on public policy, the environment, the courts, and more.
What to expect from the GOP's first-ever midterm convention
What to expect from the GOP's first-ever midterm convention
Missouri's election maps in chaos after conflicting rulings
Missouri's election maps in chaos after conflicting rulings
AI researcher says companies are ignoring catastrophic risks
AI researcher warns companies are ignoring catastrophic risks
Netanyahu under pressure after report on pre-Oct. 7 warnings
Netanyahu faces pressure after report alleges he brushed off warnings ahead of Oct. 7
The lasting psychological impact of 9/11 on America
The lasting psychological impact of 9/11 on America
'Total chaos.' PBS News crews filmed the Pentagon on 9/11
'Total chaos.' How PBS News crews filmed the Pentagon on 9/11
News Wrap: White House defends Trump's $45,000 gifts
News Wrap: White House defends Trump's $45,000 gifts to Natalie Harp and other aides
Cohn's influence on politics traced in 'American Scoundrel'
Roy Cohn's continued influence on politics and Trump traced in 'American Scoundrel'
Canadian tariffs on U.S. take effect, marking turning point
Canadian tariffs on U.S. goods take effect, marking turning point in relations
How U.S.-Canada trade dispute is impacting both economies
How the U.S.-Canada trade dispute is impacting the economy on both sides of the border
Destination Michigan 1703
Mt. Pleasant, Sanford, Sault Ste. Marie, Portage, and East Lansing
Destination Michigan 1702
Traverse City, Marquette, DeWitt, and Owosso
Destination Michigan 1701
Detroit, Traverse City, Mt. Pleasant, East Tawas, and Charlevoix
Destination Michigan 1606
Honor, Alanson, Interlochen, and Hancock
Destination Michigan 1605
Caledonia, Mackinaw City, Cedarville, and Beaver Island
Destination Michigan 1604
Ann Arbor, Albion, Sault Ste. Marie and Keweenaw Peninsula
Destination Michigan 1603
Grand Rapids, Detroit, Secret Mushroom Location, Mt. Pleasant, Osceola County
Destination Michigan 1602
Falmouth, Grand Rapids, Cedar Springs, and Alpena
Destination Michigan 1601
Mt. Pleasant, Cheboygan, and Maple City
Episode 1506
Caledonia, Pinconning, Grand Ledge & Waterfalls
WCMU Music - Latest Programs
Destination Out - September 6, 2026
This weekend on Destination Out, Mike Johnston features Detroit area brother greats such as Joe and Leon Henderson plus Elvin, Thad, and Hank Jones.
Juke Joint - September 6, 2026
This week on The Juke Joint is one of The Duke's Favorites, originally aired on August 12, 2018. Robert Barclay offered a tribute to Stan "The Record Man" Lewis who opened a record store in an African-American neighborhood in Shreveport, Louisiana in 1948, and offered a big selection of blues records to his customers.
Juke Joint - August 30, 2026
This week on The Juke Joint is one of The Duke's Favorites, originally aired on December 2, 2018. Robert Barclay, played tunes by artists known for their nicknames such as the Texas Nightingale, Curly, Furry and Cleanhead, a couple of professors, a few doctors, Cow Cow and Bumble Bee, the Black Ace, the Blues Boss, the Chief, Bon Ton, a Papa and a Mama and others known by their instrument: guitar, harmonica and piano.
Destination Out - August 30, 2026
On this week's episode of Destination Out, Mike Johnston celebrates various jazz musicians birthdays from the past week including; Charley Parker, Alice Coltrane, Wayne Shorter, Malachi Favors, Lester Young, and Sonny Sharrock.
Homespun - August 29, 2026
…Homespun this week celebrates the life of singer, songwriter, actress, entertainer Dolly Parton . We’ll spin tracks from Dolly as well as others who recorded her songs: The Lynn Morris Band, Linda Ronstadt, Mindy Smith , The Trio, and much more.
Destination Out - August 23, 2026
Mike Johnston features some obscure recordings on the ESP record label released in the 1960's by artists such as Gunter Hampel, Burton Greene, James Zitro, and SHQ.
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Latest from WCMU Public Media
Destination Michigan 1702
Traverse City, Marquette, DeWitt, and Owosso
Pressing Matters | MDOC Staffing Crisis, Housing Shortage & Bay City Infrastructure Challenges
We examine the staffing crisis Michigan's prison system is facing the housing shortage and more.
'We kind of inherited it rather than experienced it': How two generations learned about 9/11
Erin Bjerke and Laney Harsh of Mount Pleasant talk about how they learned about the attacks, how they felt and where to go from here for remembering the day.
Whitmer passes out school lunches, takes policy questions in Kalamazoo
In recent years, Michigan has expanded its free school meal program, spent more on schools and literacy coaches, and changed its literacy curriculum. Still, test scores are down.
EEE case confirmed in Northern Michigan horse
The horse was from Roscommon County, the same county where Michigan's first human case of eastern equine encephalitissince 2021 was confirmed last month.
A WMU professor who wrote a book on Lake Ontario is getting lots of calls from the media
A Western Michigan University professor who published a book on Lake Ontario in 2024 has been popular in the press over the past few weeks following an executive order to rename the Great Lake.
Four Michigan independent pharmacies are permanently closing
HomeTown Pharmacy is closing four of its locations in Michigan. They're attributing financial hardship to pharmacy benefit managers.
A staffer left Interlochen amid abuse allegations. He later taught for decades and faced other allegations
When popular band director John Stanley Ross left Interlochen Arts Academy in 2000, he wrote a letter attributing his departure to personal reasons. Until recently, Ross's true reason for leaving has been unknown to the public. His story is a part of a larger phenomenon called "pass the harasser."
Michigan's November 2026 ballot is official, and includes two questions for all voters
Proposal 1 is a question on whether to convene a new state constitutional convention. Proposal 2 asks whether to limit political donations from some utilities and large government contractors.
AAA: Busy roads and high gas prices expected over Michigan's Labor Day weekend
AAA says Labor Day travel is expected to increase in Michigan when compared to last year. This comes as gas prices, airline tickets, and hotel bookings increase in cost.
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