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Looking at the challenges farmers face in Michigan

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Michigan soybean farmer Bob Thompson opens up his hay baler to inspect the spool of twine on June 22, 2026. While President Trump lowered tariffs on farm machinery, it may not make much of a difference for farmers or retailers.
Emma George-Griffin
/
Harvest Public Media
Michigan soybean farmer Bob Thompson opens up his hay baler to inspect the spool of twine on June 22, 2026. While President Trump lowered tariffs on farm machinery, it may not make much of a difference for farmers or retailers.

WCMU had the privilege of hosting Here & Now host Scott Tong this week.

The NPR midday news show airs 1-3 p.m. on WCMU every weekday.

On top of broadcasting from our studios here in Mount Pleasant, Tong was on the ground reporting.

He went with WCMU Reporter AJ Jones to Saginaw to speak with voters about the upcoming mid-term elections. You'll be able to hear their conversation on a bonus episode of the podcast tomorrow morning.

On this episode, you'll hear Tong's chat with WCMU's Emma George-Griffin about her latest reporting on a variety of agriculture issues across central and northern Michigan.

Also on the show, how to protect yourself from the wildfire smoke that has enveloped Michigan; the controversial Line 5 tunnel project is closer to reality after state agencies issued key permits; health officials say Michigan's extreme heat this week is making an ongoing cyclospora outbreak even more concerning.

Like what you hear? Support local journalism by making a gift to WCMU.

Want an email version of this podcast? Subscribe to the Between the Lakes newsletter, delivered to your inbox every Saturday morning at 6 a.m.

Read stories from WCMU on our website, and while you're there, find out how to listen to your local WCMU radio station.

This podcast is produced in part by the members of NABET Local 412. This episode of Between the Lakes was edited and mixed by Rick Brewer. Our theme music comes from Gabe Schall. Mike Horace is our executive producer.

AJ Jones is the general assignment reporter for WCMU. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan-Dearborn, and a native of metro-Detroit.