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As part of WCMU's America 250 series, we find out how a former teacher and assistant football coach, in his own words, got the famous rockers to come to northern Michigan.

Tuesday on WCMU Public Television

Top journalists deliver compelling original analysis of the hour's headlines.
Filmmakers Ken Burns and Dayton Duncan reveal behind-the-scenes stories about the making of "The National Parks: America's Best Idea."
Amanpour and Company features conversations with leaders and decision makers.
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.
7.4-magnitude earthquake rocks Colombia
7.4-magnitude earthquake rocks Colombia, crumbling homes and buildings
Iran demands U.S. pay for war damage before reopening strait
Iran demands U.S. pay for war damage before agreeing to reopen Strait of Hormuz
News Wrap: Trump signs order on childhood vaccines
News Wrap: Trump signs order calling for MMR vaccine split into 3 shots
Family of Marine veteran held in Russia says he's near death
Family of Marine veteran imprisoned in Russia warns he's near death
Tamara Keith and Amy Walter on outsider candidate success
Tamara Keith and Amy Walter on the energy behind outsider candidates
What Meta's open-source model means for the future of AI
What Meta's new open-source AI model means for the future of artificial intelligence
State voting officials join CISA election security call
State voting officials join CISA security call with election 85 days away
How pop culture and social media are changing how people talk
How pop culture and social media are changing how people talk
Danube's critically low level reveals relics from the past
Danube's critically low level reveals relics from the past
Brooks and Capehart on what progressive wins mean for Dems
Brooks and Capehart on what progressive primary wins mean for Democrats
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 - August 9, 2026
On this week's episode of Destination Out, Mike Johnston features Cecil Taylor Orchestra Humane where they performed Live at the Iridium 2004. Mike will be spinning a long piece from this concert series.
Juke Joint - August 9, 2026
This week on The Juke Joint is one of The Duke's Favorites, originally aired on December 30, 2018. Robert Barclay went from juke joints to honky tonks, spinning some party songs by Amos Milburn, Sugar Pie DeSanto, Lefty Frizzell, Hound Dog Taylor, Howlin' Wolf, John Lee Hooker, Johnny Otis, Etta James, George Jones, Little Milton, Denise LaSalle, and more.
Homespun - August 8, 2026
This week's Homespun is a re-spin of Tom Ball's favorites. We’ll keep things swingin’ on Homespun this week with The Time Jumpers, Skeets McDonald, and Willie covering the great Bob Wills! We’ll also spin some new Gillian Welch and David Rawlings, and catch some tracks from the Motion Picture Soundtrack of “Inside Llewyn Davis!
Destination Out - August 2, 2026
Mike Johnston will be spinning recordings from the '80s. He featured Jameel Moondoc on alto saxophone as well as William Parker on bass, and Rashid Bakr on the drums.
Juke Joint - August 2, 2026
This week on The Juke Joint is one of The Duke's Favorites, originally aired on July 2, 2017. Robert Barclay celebrated the birthday of Mississippi John Hurt, a finger-style acoustic guitarist and songster. He turned 124 on July 2, 2017. So, he turned 133 years old back in July 3, 2026. Robert spun Hurt's recordings along with interpretations by some of his admirers such as Taj Mahal, Maria Muldaur, Chris Smither, Dave Van Ronk, Rory Block, Jim Kweskin, Geoff Muldaur and Doc Watson.
Homespun - August 1, 2026
This week's Homespun is a re-spin of Tom Ball's favorites. This week’s edition of Homespun has a touch of old and new! We hear some classic sides from the Tony Rice Unit, Taj Mahal, Big Bill Broonzy, and Shelby Lynne for the old, and for the new, The Kody Norris Show, plus the fiddling team of Jason Carter and Michael Cleveland!
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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.
Resume regular lettuce consumption, health dept says: cyclosporiasis outbreak peaked
Cyclospora — a microscopic parasite that produces prodigious poop problems — is on the decline in Michigan, the state health department says.
Michigan Supreme Court is asked to block money-out-of-politics question
A business-backed group is asking the Michigan Supreme Court to invalidate a campaign finance petition over a dispute about signature certification.
Bipartisan push grows for stricter rules on license plate reader cameras in Michigan
Momentum is building toward stricter regulation for license plate readers — including Flock Safety cameras.
Proposed Farm Bill could cut millions of Michigan conservation dollars
The U.S Senate agriculture committee will meet on Thursday to discuss the newest version of the Farm Bill that includes cuts to what many farmers call an important conservation program.
Whitmer, Benson say Dems can unite after fractious primary fights
Governor Gretchen Whitmer called on Democrats to work past lingering bitterness from primary campaigns that often pitted progressives against centrists.
Veteran Ben Ambrose narrowly wins 2nd District Democratic primary
The Hesperia native will go against Republican Congressman John Moolenaar in November's general election.
Candidate who suspended campaign defeats Trump pick in Michigan primary
A GOP candidate for Michigan's 8th Congressional District dropped out of the primary race in July; Wednesday morning, he won the election by nearly 20 percentage points.
Rematch: Callie Barr wins Democratic primary to face Bergman in November
Getting to Capitol Hill might be an uphill climb for Barr. Republican U.S. Rep. Jack Bergman has held the seat for 10 years, and it's been occupied by a Republican since 2011.
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