MichMash Politics

The COVID-19 pandemic has hit businesses of all sizes very hard across the state, especially in areas that depend on tourism. But there’s one town in Michigan that has bucked the trend. In this episode, Cheyna Roth talks with Bridge Michigan’s Paula Gardner about how the town of Frankenmuth has managed to beat the odds, despite public health, inflation, and staffing issues that the hospitality industry is facing. Plus, what Alpena, MI tells us about Michigan’s housing crisis.

This week Governor Gretchen Whitmer squared off with her opponent Tudor Dixon in the first gubernatorial debate ahead of the November election. Cheyna Roth is joined by Detroit News reporter Beth LeBlanc to recap what we learned from the debate.

The battle for two open seats on the Michigan Supreme Court is the high stakes election story in November that you might not be on your radar yet. This week, Cheyna Roth is joined by Michigan Advance’s Ken Coleman to talk about the five non-partisan candidates who are, in fact, highly political. Plus, Coleman on his recent conversation with Aaron Foley about his new novel, “Boys Come First”, and the lack of inclusion for Black and queer writers in the publishing industry.

Gongwer Michigan managing editor Alethia Kasben joins MichMash host Cheyna Roth to explain the $1 billion spending plan recently passed by the Michigan Legislature.

Nearly a decade later, the Flint Water Crisis is still far from over for the city’s residents. Many still suffer from depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. As civil cases make their way through the courts, Veolia North America has been buying up digital and space defending their role in the water crisis.

Cheyna Roth talks with Detroit News reporter Kayla Ruble about her recent investigation into the court cases following the Flint Water Crisis.

Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice Bridgette McCormack announced this week that she will be stepping down from the bench by the end of the year. Cheyna Roth is joined by Bridge Michigan’s Stella Yu to talk about why Democrats might benefit from McCormack’s move. Plus, more homophobic attacks from Michigan GOP, this time from Michigan Republican Party Co-Chair Meshawn Maddock.

In the latest episode of MichMash, WDET’s Russ McNamara fills in for Cheyna Roth and is joined by Lauren Gibbons of Bridge Michigan to break down how having abortion rights on the ballot will impact candidates seeking election this November.

MichMash’s founding co-host Jake Neher (Automotive News) returns this episode to talk with Cheyna Roth about how two major pieces of legislation, IRA and CHIPS, will affect Michigan’s automakers for years to come.

Jonathan Oosting of Bridge Michigan joins Cheyna Roth to talk about Tudor Dixon’s pick for lieutenant governor. Dixon chose Trump-backed Shane Hernandez to be her running mate, but opponents argue that Hernandez is not conservative enough.

Got election questions? You can have your November election question considered, and possibly answered, on WDET’s podcast, CuriosiD. Just go to WDET.org/curious.

After the recent redistricting that took place in the state, Michigan lawmakers have had to grapple with living in a new district - in some cases one that isn’t as friendly to their political party as before. Cheyna Roth sits down with The Detroit News’ Beth LeBlanc to talk about one lawmaker, Rep. Graham Filler, who has started renting a house in order to possibly qualify for a different district.