This week on MichMash, gubernatorial candidate and Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II sat down with WDET's Cheyna Roth and Gongwer News Service’s Alethia Kasben to explain why he's running for governor of Michigan and how his engineering background could help.

Plus, we take a look at fundraising progress from the rest of the gubernatorial candidates. 

An email obtained by The Detroit News revealed this week that the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) may have played a larger and earlier role in the grant funding provided to executive committee member Fay Beydoun, who is currently under criminal investigation for allegedly misusing the funds. 

As part of the weekly series, MichMash, WDET's Cheyna Roth and Gongwer News Service's Zach Gorchow talk with Detroit News reporters Craig Mauger and Beth LeBlanc to break down their coverage of the case.

Michigan-based nonprofit Rank MI Vote is campaigning for signatures to get ranked choice voting on the November 2026 ballot. 

This week on MichMash, WDET's Cheyna Roth and Gongwer News Service's Alethia Kasben talk with Rank MI Vote Executive Director Pat Zabawa to learn more about this new voting style and why he says it would be better for Michigan.

Michigan State Police Director Col. James Grady II is expected to testify before the state House Oversight Committee this week after ongoing attempts to oust him from the role. 

This week on MichMash, WDET's Cheyna Roth and Gongwer News Service's Zach Gorchow explain the brewing tensions surrounding the MSP director. Then later, Michigan Association of State Universities CEO Dan Hurley stops by to discuss the various challenges state universities have faced in the last several months. 

The political leadership in Michigan will go through some major changes with the multiple elections being held in the next couple of years.

This week on WDET's MichMash, Gongwer News Services' Zach Gorchow and Alethia Kasben discuss the future of Michigan politics and who has the best chance to win their respective races in the state. 

Also, Michigan political consultant and co-host of the Baldly Bipartisan podcast, Adrian Hemond, and Resch Strategies VP Anna Heaton joined the conversation.

It has been an eventful year in Michigan politics with the Michigan Legislature dynamically evolving. This week on WDET's MichMash, Gongwer News Services' Zach Gorchow and Alethia Kasben analyze the major events in a live recording at the Go Comedy! Improv Theater in Ferndale. 

They were joined by Detroit Free Press Politics Editor Emily Lawler and  
politics editor for The Detroit News, Chad Livengood.

As the July 1 deadline approaches, Michigan House Republicans have unveiled and passed a budget for K-12 schools. In this episode of MichMash, host Cheyna Roth and Gongwer News Service's Alethia Kasben discuss what's inside the proposal and the next steps.

Then, former Lieutenant Governor of Michigan and President and CEO of the Small Business Association of Michigan, Brian Calley, joins the show to talk about the state of small businesses in Michigan and the insurance cost crisis.

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan received a major endorsement that may set him a part from his other gubernatorial candidates. As part of the weekly series MichMash, WDET's Cheyna Roth and Gongwer News Service's Zach Gorchow discuss how this move influences the rest of the race.

Then, Michigan Sen. and Chair of the Senate K-12 Appropriations Subcommittee, Darrin Camilleri (D-Trenton) joins the show to discuss the K-12 budget and what he's willing to negotiate. 

The annual Mackinac Policy Conference has wrapped up for 2025. In this episode of MichMash, Gongwer News Service's Alethia Kasben sits down with Gongwer reporter Elena Durnbaugh to discuss what was accomplished at this year's conference, and whether the Michigan legislature will make their July 1 deadline for budget negotiations.

Then, the two discuss Governor Gretchen Whitmer's presence at the conference and how it differs from years passed.