Governor Gretchen Whitmer delivered the final State of the State address of her tenure — outlining unfinished priorities and framing the legacy she hopes to leave behind.

This week on Beyond Both Sides, Chris and Allie break down the biggest themes from Whitmer’s speech, including Michigan’s struggling literacy rankings, the push for housing reform, medical debt protections, and the growing debate over how the state should compete for economic investment.

They also look at major headlines shaping Michigan right now: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan’s $246 million loss, the expansion of the Rx Kids program across the Upper Peninsula, and why national chains like Sheetz are betting on Michigan’s economy.

If the 2026 governor’s race is already beginning, this episode explores the big policy questions that will define it — and what they mean for Michigan’s future.