On Hand

It was a big week in Michigan politics. A panel of guests join guest host Zoe Clark for a look at the results of the primary elections, and what they tell us as we head into the general election.

GUESTS:

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Music in this episode is by Blue Dot Sessions.

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Many communities along about 100 miles of the Huron River are on high alert this week. A manufacturing company in Wixom called Tribar told state environmental authorities it released hexavalent chromium, a toxic chemical, into the river. 

GUEST: Garret Ellison, environment reporter, MLive

You can read Garret's reporting here.

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Music in this episode is by Blue Dot Sessions.

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The road ahead for GOP gubernatorial candidate Tudor Dixon is not an easy one. We broke down what it will take for her to compete with a well-funded incumbent. Plus, Republican Congressman Peter Meijer (MI-3) lost his primary race—after being one of only 10 Republicans who voted to impeach former President Donald Trump. What does that tell us about the political winds in West Michigan? 

GUESTS:

Rich Czuba, CEO and founder, the Glengariff Group

Rick Pluta, capitol bureau chief for the Michigan Public Radio Network

Dustin Dwyer, reporter and producer, Michigan Radio

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Today is Primary Election Day in Michigan. The people who make sure that elections go to plan are our county clerks. Today, we’re going to check in with two county clerks – a Democrat and a Republican –  about how today’s primary process is shaping up, and how their jobs are shifting in a contentious political era. 

GUESTS: 

Barb Byrum, Ingham County clerk

Justin Roebuck, Ottawa County clerk

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Since May, a state Court of Claims order has blocked the enforcement of a 1931 abortion ban in Michigan. However, the Michigan Court of Appeals ruled this morning that the order does not apply to county prosecutors. As soon as three weeks from now, county prosecutors can begin filing criminal charges against abortion providers.

We talk to Rick Pluta, Capitol Bureau Chief for the Michigan Public Radio Network, to better understand the court's decision. Michigan Radio's own Kate Wells also joins us to share what today has been like for abortion providers. Later in the show, we hear from one of the lawyers representing Planned Parenthood in this case.

UPDATE: Since we produced this podcast, Governor Gretchen Whitmer asked for a restraining order to block local prosecutors from filing felony charges against abortion providers in Michigan. On Monday afternoon, an Oakland County circuit judge granted the governor's request, blocking county prosecutors from pursuing charges against abortion providers.

GUESTS: 

Rick Pluta, Capitol Bureau Chief for the Michigan Public Radio Network

Kate Wells, public health reporter for Michigan Radio

Deborah LaBelle, lawyer representing Planned Parenthood in Michigan

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Detroit’s Plowshares Theatre Company is finally back onstage after two years of pandemic isolation. The play they chose is not only a world premier; it's also a story specially created for this company, this audience, and this year. We speak with the writer and composer of the musical, "set on the cusp of change in Detroit:" Hastings Street. And we hear from the director of Plowshares about the company's return to the stage. 

GUESTS: 

John Sloan III, producing artistic director, Obsidian Theatre Festival; co-creator, Hastings Street

Kris Johnson, executive director, Community Music School; co-creator, Hastings Street

Gary Anderson, artistic director, Plowshares Theatre Company

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It’s not a small task unseating an incumbent from Congress in a midterm election. But there’s a special class of Republicans in the crosshairs this primary season: people who voted to impeach Donald Trump after January 6th. Michigan’s Peter Meijer, who represents the state's 3rd District, is in that club. Today, we talk to a political reporter about Meijer's chances--and about the Trump-endorsed newcomer who is challenging him. 

GUEST: 

Ben Orner, MLive political reporter. Find more of Orner's reporting on the race and other Michigan political news here. 

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Stateside’s theme music is by 14KT.

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On August 2, Michigan voters will determine which Republican candidate will face Governor Gretchen Whitmer in the general election. With no clear front-runner, however, the race is close, and the candidates are using the final days to try and swing more voters to their side. Jonathan Oosting from Bridge Michigan and Michigan Radio's own Zoe Clark discussed the race so far, and what can be expected in the next few days.

Find additional coverage on the Michigan primary here.

GUESTS:

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Stateside’s theme music is by 14KT.

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Today we get answers to some of your COVID questions. We talk to an epidemiologist about variants, vaccines, and reinfections.

GUEST:

Emily Martin, professor at the University of Michigan’s School of Public Health and epidemiologist 

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Stateside’s theme music is by 14KT.

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San Diego Comic-Con is kind of like the Nerd Oscars: very glitzy with stars of top-grossing comics-based movies and awards galore.

The Eisner Awards are the highest honor in comics. This year's winner of the Eisner for Best Comic-related Book is Michigan-born writer and critic Douglas Wolk. Last year Wolk consumed some twenty-seven-thousand comic books — the entirety of Marvel Comics’ output spanning more than half a century. He wrote a book about it: All of the Marvels. This episode is a rerun.

GUEST:

Douglas Wolk, writer, critic, and journalist

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Stateside’s theme music is by 14KT.

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