Episodios

  • Birthright Citizenship on Trial — Inside The Landmark Trump v. Barbara Case (04-12-26)

    Birthright Citizenship on Trial — Inside The Landmark Trump v. Barbara Case (04-12-26)
    Apr 11 2026
    On this episode of iHeartRadio’s West Michigan Weekend, host Phil Tower dives into one of the most consequential legal battles of the decade: the challenge to the executive order attempting to dismantle birthright citizenship.

    Following oral arguments heard by the Supreme Court on April 1st, we speak with Brendan Beery, Constitutional Law Professor at Cooley Law School, to unpack the "Citizenship Clause" of the 14th Amendment.
    We explore the legal precedents, the historical weight of the 1868 ratification, and what a potential June ruling could mean for thousands of families across the nation.

    In this episode, we discuss:
    • The Case: A breakdown of Trump v. Barbara, the nationwide class action led by the ACLU, Asian Law Caucus, and more.
    • Constitutional Stakes: Why legal experts argue the January 2025 executive order flouts the 14th Amendment and long-standing Supreme Court precedent.
    • The Human Impact: Insights from co-counsel, including Cecillia Wang (ACLU) and Aarti Kohli (Asian Law Caucus), on why birthright citizenship is central to American identity.
    • What’s Next: A timeline for the Supreme Court’s decision and the potential implications for the future of U.S. citizenship.

    LINKS:

    Cooley Law School Professor Brendan Beery
    Supreme Court Arguments Wrap in Landmark Challenge to Trump Birthright Citizenship Executive Order
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    13 m
  • Hands-Free, Not Danger-Free: An Update on Michigan's Plan To Cut Distracted Driving (04-12-26)

    Hands-Free, Not Danger-Free: An Update on Michigan's Plan To Cut Distracted Driving (04-12-26)
    Apr 11 2026
    On this segment of West Michigan Weekend, host Phil Tower sits down with Alicia Sledge, Director of Michigan’s Office of Highway Safety Planning (OHSP), to discuss the critical issue of distracted driving. Despite the implementation of Michigan’s Hands-Free Law, recent data shows a concerning rise in mobile device use and driver fatalities. This episode breaks down the latest statistics and the state’s high-visibility enforcement efforts aimed at reversing these deadly trends.

    In this episode, you’ll learn about:
    • Current Trends: Why distracted-driving fatalities increased by 10% last year, even as overall crashes dipped.
    • The Hands-Free Law: A reminder of the legal and financial consequences for violating mobile device restrictions.
    • SAFER by 2030: Michigan's collaborative initiative to reduce traffic fatalities by 30% over the next decade.
    • Safer Habits: Practical advice for staying focused and keeping Michigan roadways safe for everyone.
    For more information, visit:
    • Michigan.gov/DistractedDriving
    • Michigan.gov/SAFERby2030
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    14 m
  • Mary Free Bed CEO Kent Riddle: Leading Michigan’s Rehabilitation Revolution (04-05-26)

    Mary Free Bed CEO Kent Riddle: Leading Michigan’s Rehabilitation Revolution (04-05-26)
    Apr 3 2026
    On this episode of West Michigan Weekend, host Phil Tower welcomes back Kent Riddle, CEO of Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation.

    Kent shares with us his personal story of how a family tragedy led to his opportunity to serve Mary Free Bed as a board member and later CEO.

    Under Kent's 15 years of leadership, Mary Free Bed has grown tenfold: From 10,000 patients a year to over 120,000 patients.

    Mary Free Bed now operates in more than 70 locations across five states and has become one of the nation’s largest and most comprehensive non-profit rehabilitation systems.
    U.S. News & World Report and Newsweek rated Mary Free Bed as a national Best Rehabilitation Hospital for 2025-26

    In the fall of 2026, Mary Free Bed rehabilitation will be opening a brand new children’s rehab hospital…in Grand Rapids. The first pediatric rehab Hospital in the state of Michigan!

    Kent talks about the incredible growth of Mary Free Bed, what he's learned along the way, and why expansion has been critically important for Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation.

    He also gives us an update on the vision and impact of the new Mary Free Bed Kids – Joan Secchia Children’s Rehabilitation Hospital.

    More Resources:

    Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation

    Mary Free Bed Kids – Joan Secchia Children’s Rehabilitation Hospital
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    29 m
  • From Detroit to Traverse City By Train: The Bold New North+South Rail Plan That Could Shake Up Michigan Travel (03-29-26)

    From Detroit to Traverse City By Train: The Bold New North+South Rail Plan That Could Shake Up Michigan Travel (03-29-26)
    Mar 28 2026
    On this episode of West Michigan Weekend, host Phil Tower explores a bold idea that could transform how people travel across the state—Michigan’s proposed North + South Passenger Rail project. For many communities in Mid- and Northern Michigan, getting around still means getting behind the wheel. But what if there were a reliable rail option connecting Southeast Michigan to the northern Lower Peninsula?

    Phil is joined by Carolyn Ulstad, Transportation Program Manager with Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities, a nonprofit leading the charge on this effort. She explains how the proposed rail corridor could link cities like Detroit, Ann Arbor, Mount Pleasant, and beyond—while improving access to jobs, healthcare, education, and tourism.

    Learn more online:
    North + South Passenger Rail Project

    Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities
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    15 m
  • How Entrepreneurs and Tech Leaders Are Reimagining Care in Michigan: Inside Samaritas’ "House of Innovation" (03-29-26)

    How Entrepreneurs and Tech Leaders Are Reimagining Care in Michigan: Inside Samaritas’ "House of Innovation" (03-29-26)
    Mar 28 2026

    On this episode of West Michigan Weekend, host Phil Tower explores some of the most pressing challenges facing Michigan today—from youth mental health to the future of social services and the growing need for affordable housing.

    Phil is joined by Dave Morin, CEO of Samaritas, a 90+ year-old nonprofit serving vulnerable populations across Michigan. With demand for social services rising and resources stretched thin, Samaritas is taking an innovative approach to meeting these challenges.

    At the center of that effort is the newly launched House of Innovation—a collaborative hub in Detroit designed to bring together entrepreneurs, technologists, and social service leaders to rethink how care is delivered. Morin shares how this unique space is already sparking new ideas and scalable solutions—and what it could mean for communities across the state, including West Michigan.

    The conversation also highlights a powerful initiative recognizing high school coaches who are making a meaningful impact on student mental health—underscoring the critical role trusted adults play in young people’s lives.

    It’s a forward-looking discussion about innovation, collaboration, and building stronger support systems for Michigan communities.

    Samaritas
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    14 m
  • Fighting “Forever Chemicals”: Inside the Push to Clean Up PFAS in the Great Lakes (03-22-26)

    Fighting “Forever Chemicals”: Inside the Push to Clean Up PFAS in the Great Lakes (03-22-26)
    Mar 21 2026
    PFAS—often called “forever chemicals”—are nearly impossible to break down, and they’ve quietly become one of the most widespread environmental and public health concerns facing Michigan and the Great Lakes region.

    On this episode of West Michigan Weekend, Phil Tower speaks with Tony Spaniola, co-founder of the Great Lakes PFAS Action Network, a coalition driven by people directly impacted by toxic PFAS contamination. Used for decades in everything from firefighting foam to stain-resistant fabrics, PFAS chemicals are now linked to serious health risks—and they’re showing up in drinking water across the region. In Michigan alone, more than 160 sites are contaminated, affecting nearly 2 million residents in communities from Rockford to Oscoda, Parchment, and beyond.
    Spaniola explains what PFAS are, why they’re so persistent, and how grassroots advocacy is pushing for accountability, large-scale cleanup, and stronger protections at both the state and federal levels. This conversation sheds light on a complex issue with real local impact—and the growing movement working to protect public health across the Great Lakes.




    Online: The Great Lakes PFAS Action Network



    Listen now on the iHeartRadio app or wherever you get your podcasts.
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    17 m
  • Author Sara Maurer on her new book, "A Good Animal" and the Power of Place (03-22-26)

    Author Sara Maurer on her new book, "A Good Animal" and the Power of Place (03-22-26)
    Mar 21 2026
    On this episode of West Michigan Weekend, host Phil Tower sits down with Sara Maurer to explore her powerful debut novel, A Good Animal.

    Set in the rural landscape of Michigan’s Eastern Upper Peninsula, A Good Animal is a deeply emotional story of first love, identity, and the life-altering weight of a single decision. The novel follows Everett, a young man determined to stay and rebuild his family’s sheep farm, and Mary, a newcomer driven by ambition and a desire to leave—capturing the universal tension between staying rooted and chasing something more.

    In this conversation, author Sara Maurer reflects on her own connection to Sault Ste. Marie, the inspiration behind her characters, and the often-overlooked beauty and complexity of rural life. She also opens up about the pressure many young people feel to leave small towns—and what it means to return.

    Sara Maurer’s terrific debut novel, A Good Animal…is published by St. Martin’s Press… and available wherever books are sold.


    Sarah's book tour is underway across Michigan. See her schedule on her website.

    Listen now on the iHeartRadio app or wherever you get your podcasts.





    Phil Tower
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    13 m
  • Apple at 50: David Pogue on Steve Jobs, the iPhone, and the Story Behind the World’s Most Influential Tech Company

    Apple at 50: David Pogue on Steve Jobs, the iPhone, and the Story Behind the World’s Most Influential Tech Company
    Mar 13 2026
    On this episode of iHeartRadio’s West Michigan Weekend with Phil Tower, we welcome
    David Pogue — Author of: Apple: The First 50 Years.

    Few companies have shaped modern life as profoundly as Apple—from the earliest days of personal computing to the smartphones that millions of us carry every day.

    As the company reaches its 50-year milestone, award-winning journalist, longtime tech columnist, and television host David Pogue joins the program to discuss his sweeping new book, Apple: The First 50 Years.

    Drawing on more than 150 new interviews with key figures in Apple’s history—including co-founder Steve Wozniak, legendary designer Jony Ive, and CEO Tim Cook—Pogue’s nearly 600-page book explores the triumphs, failures, personalities, and innovations that turned a small Silicon Valley startup into one of the most influential companies in the world.

    In our conversation, Pogue shares behind-the-scenes stories from his reporting and decades of covering Apple, including:
    • What inspired him to take on such an ambitious history at the company’s 50-year mark
    • Memorable moments from the 150+ interviews that shaped the book
    • His rare first look at the original iPhone in 2007, nearly two decades ago
    • Personal phone calls from Apple co-founder Steve Jobs—some friendly, some famously intense
    • Apple’s near-collapse in the 1990s and the dramatic turnaround after Jobs returned
    • Why Apple’s culture and people remain its most important assets
    • Inside Apple Park—the futuristic “Spaceship” headquarters in Cupertino
    • The company’s missteps, including products like Lisa and MobileMe
    • And what the next 20 years could hold for Apple
    If you’re a fan of technology, innovation, or the stories behind the devices that shape our daily lives, this conversation offers a fascinating look at the people and ideas behind one of the world’s most iconic companies.

    Learn more:
    Get David’s Book: Apple: The First 50 Years
    See David’s terrific story on Apple’s First 50 Years from CBS Sunday Morning
    David Pogue Sings “I Want An iPhone” (Viral Video)


    West Michigan Weekend, hosted by Phil Tower, is available wherever you get your podcasts, including the iHeartRadio app.
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    29 m