Host Bankole Thompson is joined by local officials with reaction to and unpack Patterson's Oakland County State of the County Address.

Host Bankole Thompson speaks directly with L. Brooks Patterson about his State of the County Address. They are also joined by Lisa Howze from Detroit's governmental administration.

The impact of human trafficking trickles down to even the safest communities. The United Nations estimates the total market value of illicit human trafficking for 2005 (latest UN figures) at 32 billion US dollars. Host Christy McDonald speaks with experts on the issue

In our continuing series of conversations with Mayors from around Southeast Michigan, today we look at the city of Rochester.

Oakland County government officials are disputing some of the statistics about poverty in a recent report from Lighthouse of Oakland County

A newly released report from Lighthouse of Oakland County shows "58% of those living in poverty now reside in suburban communities in the tri-county area."

Rick Pluta, Capitol Bureau Chief with the Michigan Public Radio Network, takes a look at Brown's career and what sets her apart for joining the Michigan Governor's race with Mark Schauer.

Michigan's wolf debate is a drama involving Native American tribal relationships and regional tensions. Rick Pluta of Michigan Radio explains as the narrative unfolds.

There have been many water breaks throughout the Metro Detroit area this winter. Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner Jim Nash discusses how the system is set up, what each city is responsible for when it comes to infrastructure and how melting snow may wreak havoc on the sewage systems and waste water.

From somewhere in the recesses of Matilda Wilson's estate Meadow Brook Hall, a 344-year-old Spanish painting emerged to find new life at the Detroit Institute of Arts.

Craig discusses the New Yorker magazine feature on Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson. The longtime exec is known for loose lips but some say he went too far this time with his Detroit bashing.

In May (Mother’s Day weekend 2013), Habitat for Humanity of Oakland County kicked-off its 2014 Women Build project. Women Build is an international Habitat effort to recruit, educate and nurture women volunteers to build and advocate for simple, decent and affordable houses in their community - by women, for women, empowering women to take the lead on all aspects of a Habitat home, from start to finish.

Troy residents elected Incumbent Interim Mayor Dane Slater to be the new mayor of Troy through 2015 on Tuesday, May 8, 2013. Craig speaks with Mayor Slater about the future of Troy.

Are fracking and drilling going to threaten Michigan's waterways? Craig asks Jim Nash, Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner, who has been holding town hall meetings to ask residents their feeling on fracking and other issues.

Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson talks with Craig about his recent State of the County address, which Patterson described as a "good news speech". Patterson talks job growth, recovering from a car crash and more.

Michigan State University is sponsoring an informational meeting about negotiating oil and gas leases and the role of the Oil, Gas and Minerals section of the Department of Environmental Quality in regulating the oil and gas industry. Craig speaks with Curtis Talley, Farm Management Educator at Michigan State University about the the upcoming Oil and Gas Industry Educational Program and the Oakland County drilling permit process.

Metro Detroit has grown a national reputation for urban and community gardens. There are hundreds throughout Metro Detroit, but the vast majority of those gardens go dormant in the winter. Now Oakland County Parks is taking the concept of Community Gardening to the next level and is moving the gardens indoors for the winter months. WDET’s Amy Miller speaks with Mike Donnellon, Chief of Parks and Facilities Maintenance for Oakland County Parks.

When the WDET newsroom decided to take a look at Troy this week, the idea was to go out into the community and meet people where they live. Over the past year & half – through our “Crossing the Lines” coverage – we have been holding evening community forums with about 50 or so people coming out, having conversations with our staff and then reporting back. But, since summer is in full swing, people are on vacations, etc. we thought it made more sense to go small and drink some coffee. Why not? It is summer, after all, and if the coffee is too hot you can get it iced, nowadays.

Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson speaks with Craig about what his priorities are at the Mackinac Policy Conference.

Do you live in Oakland County? Tune in on Feb. 8th for our live coverage of L. Brooks Patterson's State of the County Address & tell us which three issues are the most important to you.

A bill sponsored by Representative Brad Jacobsen (R)Oxford would significantly change the way political lines are drawn in Oakland County. It would also reduce the number of districts. Craig speaks with Jacobsen about the bill.