A highly centralized budget-making process produced a record $76 billion Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 budget by July 1, but not without some transparency issues.

How can seemingly sane individuals dive into conspiracy theories? Robert Saler, an Indiana-based research professor of religion and culture, explores this subject in light of theories of widespread voter fraud in the 2020 election and the QAnon phenomenon.

Also, how is "Trucker" Randy Bishop, who got his political start as a Tea Party Republican in 2010 running as a Democrat in 2022? He answers this question and apologizes for comments he made earlier this year on his radio program about how a family should be a "white mom, a white dad and white kids."

What's the significance of 56 America First candidates running for Congress and the state Legislature? We speak with one of those candidates, Matt Seely of the new 8th Congressional District.

Also, state House candidate Emily Stivers talks about the challenge of women candidates being targeted for their appearance and the importance of abortion on the 2022 ballot. 

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer says she takes no joy in seeing "insurrectionist" candidates like Ryan Kelley take hold in the Republican Party. State House write-in candidate Jon Rocha in the 78th District talks about the popularity of "America First" candidates like Kelley. Also, Senior Capital Correspondent Tim Skubick says he believes "our democracy is at risk."

Ryan Kelley further muddles a wide open Republican gubernatorial race, U.S. Rep. Peter Meijer shares a conspiracy theory and Adrian Hemond of Grassroots Midwest talks about the state House races and that the current map constitutes a racial gerrymandering.