MichMash Politics

Since the Norfolk Southern train derailment and controlled release of hazardous chemicals in East Palestine, Ohio, the state has been sending hazardous waste across the country. Janelle James from Bridge Michigan talks with Cheyna Roth about hazardous waste disposal in Michigan.

The Michigan Senate expanded the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act on Wednesday by passing a provision that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. Senator Jeremy Moss, D-Southfield, presided over the bill. He joins Cheyna Roth this week to talk about how the expansion benefits all Michiganders in ways such as the economy and he speaks on other measures Michigan Senate are considering including gun laws, reproductive rights, and more.

With so many Michigan residents without power after this week's brutal ice storm, MichMash host Cheyna Roth looks into the recent request by DTE Energy to raise their rates...again. Bridge Detroit’s Jena Brooker explains the history of DTE's rate increase request and their general performance and responses when facing power outages.

In light of the recent mass shooting at Michigan State University, lawmakers are looking to take action with proposals that include background checks, red flag laws, and safe storage laws. Bridge Michigan's Lauren Gibbons speaks to Cheyna Roth about the probability of gun safety regulations becoming law in Michigan.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer submitted her proposed budget to the state Legislature this week. It includes one-time payments to taxpayers, an increase in per pupil funding, and universal pre-K. Cheyna Roth is joined by Alyssa McMurtry of Gongwer to do the math and talk about the implications of the proposed budget. Plus, Michigan’s Unemployment Insurance Agency has been under the microscope after out of date software caused the denial of claims and false accusations of fraud.

The Michigan Senate is looking to dismantle the read-or-flunk provision in the state’s third grade reading law. Isabel Lohman from Bridge Michigan describes how both Democrats and Republicans are working to help improve third grade reading. Plus, a look ahead at what could show up in Governor Whitmer's education budget including expanding pre-school in the state.

A new right-wing group is arming parents with opt-out forms in regards to LGBTQ inclusive sex education in Michigan schools. Michigan Advance's Allison Donahue talks with Cheyna Roth about the status of sex education in the state and what exactly the group opposes.

Lauren Gibbons of Bridge Michigan joins Cheyna Roth to unjumble a handful of news stories coming out of Lansing this week including the income tax law, the possibility of a recession, abortion laws, protection for election workers, and electric vehicles. MichMash is a production of WDET, Detroit's NPR Station. Support the show at WDET.ORG/give.

The Michigan Legislature started its new session on Wednesday with the Democratic majorities in charge. The Democrats introduced proposed plans involving tax cuts, civil rights expansion and the possible repeal of the state's 'right-to-work' law. Colin Jackson of the Michigan Public Radio Network details how those proposed plans were received as well as the interesting demonstrations by some representatives.

In this episode of MichMash, we take a look at some of the environmental stories from 2022 that will flow into the new year, such as issues involving clean water, infrastructure and climate change. Bridge Michigan's environmental reporter Kelly House tells MichMash host Cheyna Roth how these stories will affect Michiganders in 2023.