MichMash Politics - WDET FM

Latest Episodes:

Which Michigan midterm race is not being talked about; The premiere of Big Deal, Little Deal Oct 09, 2026

Show notes

The midterms are less than a month away and there is one race that hasn't received as much attention as the others. This week on MichMash...WDET's Cheyna Roth and Gongwer News Service's Alethia Kasben discuss the race and talk to the candidates running in it.
And the MichMash crew debuts a brand new game!

Will Michigan temporarily suspend the gas tax? Oct 02, 2026

Show notes

All across the country, states are trying to alleviate the pressure at the pump with a gasoline or diesel tax suspension. Will Michigan be next? This week on WDET's MichMash, Gongwer News Service's Zach Gorchow and Alethia Kasben discuss the latest news and the potential of relief for Michigan drivers.

Then later in the episode we have Republican political consultant, Jason Roe, give his outlook on the 2026 midterm elections.

Do Michigan voters want to rewrite the state's constitution? Sep 25, 2026

Show notes

Is it time to rewrite the Michigan's constitution? Voters will decide in about a month during the midterms. This week on WDET's weekly series MichMash, Gongwer News Service's Zach Gorchow and Alethia Kasben discuss the likelihood of that happening. They sit down with PR professionals John Sellek and Mark Fisk who oppose the constitutional revision.

Top 10 Michigan House seats that might flip in the 2026 midterm elections Sep 18, 2026

Show notes

Control for the Michigan legislature is on the line in this year's midterm elections. As part of WDET's weekly series... Gongwer News Service's Zach Gorchow and Alethia Kasben discusses the ten races they believe might flip from one party to another. They are joined with Gongwer's Assistant Editor Elena Durnbaugh who covers the state house.

An analysis of the Michigan gubernatorial race and the state's midterm elections Sep 11, 2026

Show notes

With only a couple of months left until the midterms, the gubernatorial candidates are trying to build support to become the state's next governor. This week on WDET's MichMash...Gongwer News Service Zach Gorchow and Alethia Kasben discuss how this race for governor is different than previous ones.

They are joined by founder of the public relations firm, Bitely Communications, Andrea Bitely.

Abdul El-Sayed makes his case for the Michigan US Senate seat Sep 04, 2026

Show notes

As we near the 2026 midterm elections, MichMash will sit down with some of the major candidates that will be on the ballot. This week we have US Democratic Senate candidate Dr. Abdul El-Sayed. Gongwer News Service's Zach Gorchow and Alethia Kasben discuss El-Sayed's campaign and the overall race.

A Flint water crisis report; disputes with ballot proposals; and funding for a UP copper mine Aug 28, 2026

Show notes

Ballot proposals drama, the significance of a report on the Flint water crisis and mixed feelings about funding for a copper mine...there was a lot to cover this week. This week on MichMash...WDET's Cheyna Roth and Gongwer News Service's Alethia Kasben break down all the major headlines with The Detroit News' Beth LeBlanc.

Should Michigan opt in to the federal education freedom tax credits? Aug 21, 2026

Show notes

Governor Whitmer as well as governors across the country have a decision to make regarding a federal program in connection with the Reconciliation Program. This week on MichMash...WDET's Cheyna Roth and Gongwer News Service's Zach Gorchow unpack the details of this program. They are joined by Prof Josh Cowen of Michigan State University and Peter Spadafore who leads the Michigan Alliance for Student Opportunity.

Michigan Progressives push past the primaries Aug 14, 2026

Show notes

The progressive wing of the Democratic party made some noise in the recent primaries. What has been the key to their success so far? This week on MichMash, WDET's Cheyna Roth and Gongwer News Service's Zach Gorchow chat with Chris Gilmer-Hill...one of the progressives who won his race.

Gilmer-Hill shares why he feels like he was able to win.

A review of the 2026 Michigan primary results Aug 07, 2026

Show notes

The 2026 Michigan primaries not only affected the state but may have national implications as well. This week on MichMash, WDET's Cheyna Roth and Gongwer News Service's Alethia Kasben break down the results and what they may forecast for the midterm elections. They are joined by Associate Press reporter, Joey Cappelletti.