Ep. 60: Local Media Eats Crow, No Shelter at Crossroads Mall, and More

We begin our show with an update on our story about the workers at Crows Nest. MLive and WWMT both uncritically reported the owner's point of view and cleared pest inspection paperwork while ignoring all of the other worker complaints. We discuss how local media- besides outlets at WMU like us and WMUK- ignored the workers and essentially ran with the owner's POV. Some censorship from one of the city's social media pages also lent to a story about how the lead about working conditions at Crows Nest was being buried.

 

We then set our sights at another local institution- the Crossroads Mall. Kohan Retail Investment Group recently had the bus shelter at the mall removed- this on the heels of their failed attempt to sue Metro Transit for damages. We dig a little deeper and find that the Investment Group has left a trail of mall mismanagement across the country.

 

A story from ABC13 highlights rising rent in the Grand Rapids area, staffers in the Michigan house in Lansing are looking to unionize, and we close with an article about the life and legacy of John Sinclair- a Michigan born cannabis activist, revolutionary, and generally "far-out" guy.

 

02:50- 30:00 Local Media Eats Crow- Burying the Lead on Working Conditions at Crows Nest

 

30:40- 42:00 No Shelter at Crossroads Mall and Kohan Investment Group's "Mauling" of Malls Across America

 

43:00- 49:30 ABC13 Highlights Rising Rent in Grand Rapids

 

49:30- 55:00 Staffers in Michigan House Look to Unionize

 

55:50- 1:16:00 R.I.P. John Sinclair

 

SOURCES/ FURTHER READING

Two employees say Crow's Nest does have pest problems
https://www.wmuk.org/wmuk-news/2024-03-28/two-employees-say-crows-nest-does-have-pest-problems

 

Mall ownership group has checkered history
https://www.timesrepublican.com/news/todays-news/2023/11/mall-ownership-group-has-checkered-history/

 

Judge gives Briarwood One owner 30 days to demolish eyesore, finds other defendants in contempt for inaction
https://www.wlbt.com/2023/12/05/judge-gives-briarwood-one-owner-30-days-demolish-eyesore-finds-other-defendants-contempt-inaction/

 

Port Arthur's Central Mall owes over $355K in property taxes
https://www.beaumontenterprise.com/business/article/kohan-retail-investment-group-owes-back-taxes-17866805.php

 

Michigan House staff aim to unionize in ‘living our values’ test for Democrats
https://www.bridgemi.com/michigan-government/michigan-house-staff-aim-unionize-living-our-values-test-democrats

 

John Sinclair, Detroit poet, cannabis activist and counterculture icon, dead at 82
https://www.freep.com/story/entertainment/music/2024/04/02/john-sinclair-detroit-poet-cannabis-activist-and-counterculture-icon-dead-at-82