On Hand

We are 39 days away from election day and there's a lot going on in Michigan politics this week.

On today's It's Just Politics, we speak with the Ottawa County Clerk about how the absentee voting process is going and get some of your questions answered.

We'll also get into news from Lansing. The state legislature was busy this week during what is likely to be their last voting day before the November election. They passed new bipartisan election bills and a billion dollars in new spending. So, where's all that money going?!

And finally, we'll talk about former President Donald Trump's upcoming visit. He'll be back in Michigan this Saturday holding a rally in Macomb Count with the Republican candidates he's endorsed for statewide office.

GUESTS:

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Looking for more conversations from Stateside? Right this way.

If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work.

Music in this episode is by Blue Dot Sessions

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is Collision Course, a series about the changing of Michigan’s no-fault auto insurance law and how it’s upending the lives of thousands of people, including one hockey legend.

Red Wings defensemen Vladimir Konstantinov is one of 18,000 people at risk of losing their care because of changes to Michigan auto no-fault laws. His network of family, friends, and fans are rallying together to help share the cost.

Listen to episode one here.

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Our theme music is by Brad Gowland.

All other music from Blue Dot Sessions. 

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Election officials in Michigan are dealing with a wave of ballot challenges from the AUgust primary--and expecting more for November’s election. The New York Times reported on concerted efforts to slow down or confuse the process of counting ballots. And election challenges are coming in droves, at the cost of taxpayer dollars, and risking voter confidence in the process.

GUEST: 

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If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work.

Music in this episode by Blue Dot Sessions.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Artist Tatyana Fazlalizadeh, who is best known for her public art series Stop Telling Women to Smile, is bringing multiple art installations to the University of Michigan throughout this fall. Her works include an exhibition at the Institute for Humanities Gallery, and a series of murals that will be on display across campus.

She joined the show to discuss her methodology for the new murals, and how her experience with Stop Telling Women to Smile informs her public art today.

GUEST:

Tatyana Fazlalizadeh, Brooklyn-based artist working primarily in oil painting, public art, and multimedia installations

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If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work.

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A child care desert is a region where three children compete for every available slot at an in-home or group center. The Michigan League for Public Policy, a Lansing-based nonprofit, created a list of 11 childcare deserts in Michigan. However, a consortium of newsrooms was able to track down more accurate data and found the actual number to be much higher. 

Reporter Derek Kravitz co-authored the report published by MuckRock. He joined the show to explain his team's findings regarding Michigan's child care shortage. 

GUEST:

Derek Kravitz, data and investigations editor for MuckRock

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Tudor Dixon and fellow Republicans give their reaction to the state superintendent advising that teachers do not disclose the gender identity to their students’ parents, and old writing from congressional candidate, John Gibbs says he thought women should not be able to vote.

GUESTS:

Jonathan Oosting, capitol and politics reporter for Bridge Michigan 

Samuel J. Robinson, Detroit-based reporter for Axios

Nancy Kaffer, columnist for Detroit Free Press

Katelyn Buss, assistant editorial page editor for Detroit News

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A few weeks ago, a white Black Bear was spotted in the Upper Peninsula. Today, we’ll talk about what makes this bear special, and how we struggle to protect things that are special in the natural world.

GUESTS:

Cody Norton, large carnivore specialist with the Michigan Department of Natural Resource

Austin Ayres, Natural Resources Department, Keweenaw Bay Indian Community

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If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work.

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There’s a new art installation at the Washtenaw County Courthouse over the next month that’s designed to challenge a space in America—a space that’s known for its demoralizing confines. 

The project is called RE:CLAIM. It’s a partnership with five  groups: Youth Arts Alliance, the Interfaith Council for Peace & Justice, Washtenaw My Brother's Keeper, Amplify Project, Title Track, and the Washtenaw County Trial Court. April Baer went to the opening reception, which was full of joy, disruption, and the voices of those impacted by the justice system. 

GUESTS: 

Tracy Van den Bergh, Washtenaw County Trial Court judge  

Jamall Bufford, project specialist for Washtenaw My Brother’s Keeper

Looking for more conversations from Stateside? Right this way.

If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work.

Music in this episode by Blue Dot Sessions.

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Boblo Island Amusement Park closed its gates in 1993, but to get to the island, you had to take one of the Boblo boats – mighty steamships with four decks of passengers. The park and the boats are relics of a time when Detroit was one of the industrial capitals of the country. A new film, Boblo Boats: A Detroit Ferry Tale, documents the boats' place in Detroit's history, as well as more recent efforts to repair them. 

Filmmaker Aaron Schillinger joined Stateside to discuss the new documentary. Jamon Jordan also joined us to offer some historical perspective.

GUESTS:

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Looking for more conversations from Stateside? Right this way.

If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work.

Music in this episode is by Blue Dot Sessions.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wasem Fruit Farm has been owned by Bruce and Jan Upston for decades. We visit the farm to meet the couple, look back on their history with the farm, and talk about how they came to the decision to retire. We also get to know Karl Thuemmel, the Wasem's new caretaker. 

GUESTS:

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Looking for more conversations from Stateside? Right this way.

If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work.

Music in this episode is by Blue Dot Sessions.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.