Detroit artist Akea Brionne uses a digital loom to create painterly tapestries rooted in the Black experience. Her fresh approach to an age old craft recently earned Brionne accolades, and a $50,000 prize, from the Knight Foundation. We sat down with the Louisiana-born artist to talk about how she blends history and technology–and the stories she’s telling in her work.

GUEST:

Akea Brionne, Detroit-based artist

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Music in this episode by Blue Dot Sessions.

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For decades, many Michigan farmers have relied on the herbicide Roundup for weed control. But the federal government has two conflicting policies that may affect whether they can continue to use this highly effective - and dangerous - product. At issue is Roundup’s active ingredient – glyphosate.

Environmental Reporter Keith Schneider is senior editor and chief correspondent at Circle of Blue. He recently wrote about the long history of research on this product’s carcinogenic properties, all the while its maker says the product can be used safely as directed.

Today, we’ll be talking with Keith about Michigan’s most popular farm herbicide, it's health risks, and how it’s regulated.

Background reading:

Conflict Over a Blockbuster Farm Chemical

RFK Jr. tells farmers, GOPT not to worry about his report targeting pesticides

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A deep dive into the history of contamination by the Gelman plume in Ann Arbor. We hear about how it started, its impacts to water and human health, and what's being done about it today.

Michigan Public's Elinor Epperson dug deep into the history of the Gelman plume.

Looking for more conversations from Stateside? Right this way.

If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work.

Music in this episode by Blue Dot Sessions.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.