Detroit troupe 'Fresh the Clownsss' puts their spin on clowning

In August, progressive challengers won Democratic primaries across southeast Michigan. One of the races that drew big national money was the fight for Michigan’s 13th Congressional District, where state Representative Donavan McKinney defeated incumbent Congressman Shri Thanedar 52-48. McKinney, a Democratic Socialist, ran on Medicare for all, universal childcare, and getting money out of politics. He faces Republican T.P. Nykoriak on November 3rd. So the question is: What can McKinney actually deliver if he's elected in November? The Metro's Robyn Vincent spoke with the candidate. 

Only about a quarter of Michigan high school juniors test as college ready on the SAT. Younger students are struggling too — third graders just posted their lowest reading scores in the 12-year history of the state’s M-STEP exam. Detroit is the exception, gaining in both reading and math while the state average fell, in a district where nearly four in five students qualify for subsidized meals. Cyekeia Lee, executive director of the Detroit College Access Network, joins host Robyn Vincent to discuss what “college ready” actually measures, what it means to build meaningful access to college, and what she tells young people who come into her office saying they want to be influencers.

A clown group that formed in Detroit more than a decade ago is making waves.  Back in 2013, Ira Smith, better known as Fresh the Clown, started the group 'Fresh the Clownsss.'  What began as a simple clowning act eventually took on an identity of its own. The troupe combines hip-hop dance styles with swagged-out looks that challenge the conventional identity of a clown. Performing with UniverSoul Circus, Fresh the Clownsss have found their way into big tops around the country. The UniverSoul Circus is currently in Detroit, with shows scheduled through Oct. 25. Fresh the Clown and SoSo the Clown stopped by The Metro to about clowning with Tia Graham.

Events from Oct. 25-22 include an anti-gun violence rally hosted by community member and chef Greg Beard, a Dr. Seuss fine art exhibit in West Bloomfield, fall fests, social arts and crafts events and more. 

Where politics is concerned, many are unhappy. A recent poll found roughly 80 percent of Americans think the country is in a crisis because we can’t agree with one another. So how do we get out of it? As some see it, rewriting our state constitution is one way to break the gridlock. It’s on the ballot next month. If passed, Proposal 1 would trigger a constitutional convention next year. Interestingly, groups across the political spectrum oppose it. Recent polling suggests most Michigan voters do, too. Quinn Yeargain is the 1855 professor of the law of democracy at Michigan State University. He joined The Metro's Robyn Vincent to discuss why he says he won't vote in favor of the proposal, and how we can create a politics that works for people.

Practicing Quakers have been in the Detroit area for more than 100 years. However, a century ago in 1926, The Detroit Friends Meeting was founded – that’s the formal name for Detroit’s Quakers.  Today, they have about 25 members. While the group may be relatively few in number, they focus on having an outsized impact. Peter Dale and Mike Kelly are member of Detroit Friends Meeting.  They stopped by The Metro to talk with Alex McLenon about the Quaker’s legacy in the city.

Michigan's secretary of state runs the offices that renew licenses and register cars. The same office runs elections in the state. Michigan Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist is one of two people running for the position.  Gilchrist was a software engineer who lost a bid for Detroit city clerk in 2017. Since 2018, he’s been lieutenant governor for the state. Now, he’s running for secretary of state after leaving the governor’s race. Why? And, how did his role of lieutenant governor prepare him to be secretary of state? Gilchrist spoke with The Metro's Robyn Vincent about this and more.

Canada is Michigan’s biggest customer, but there's a growing tension between Canada and the U.S. The two countries are now taxing each other’s goods. In July, Detroit and Windsor were supposed to open a new bridge between them together. Canada canceled the joint ceremony and held its own. The Supreme Court voided a big piece of these tariffs in February, and billions are flowing back —to the companies that paid at the border, not to the people who paid more at the dealership. Jason Miller studies supply chains at Michigan State University. He joined host Robyn Vincent to follow the money, starting with a small metal loop on a car door.

Michigan electric rates rose twice this year. Gas is $4.62 a gallon. And two of the largest data centers ever proposed in Michigan are going up in Congresswoman Debbie Dingell's district. Democrats are asking voters for a majority on Nov. 3, and they're asking for it on the cost of living. Dingell chairs the committee that writes her party's message. She joined host Robyn Vincent to talk about what a majority could change — and what it couldn't. Have thoughts? Email the show at [email protected]

In Michigan, costs continue to rise for things like gas, groceries and utilities. Last March, a DTE rate hike increased bills by 4.6 %for a typical customer. Two months later, a Consumers Energy rate hike also increased rates by 6.1%, its second electric increase in a year. As some residents in Ann Arbor see it, one solution is to replace DTE with a city-owned utility. A proposal on the November ballot would modify Ann Arbor's city charter, clearing the way for a municipal electric utility board. Last week, Ann Arbor's own city council voted 10-1 to oppose Proposal E and directed its city attorney to challenge it in court. Why is Ann Arbor's city council fighting a ballot question its own voters put there? Erica Briggs is an Ann Arbor city council member. She voted in favor of the resolution. She spoke with The Metro's Robyn Vincent.