MichMash Politics - WDET FM

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A preview of the 2026 Michigan primary election Jul 31, 2026

Show notes

This year's primaries feature some competitive races that will mark battle lines come November and may even point to national trends. This week on MichMash, WDET'S Cheyna Roth, Gongwer News Service's Zach Gorchow and Alethia Kasben discuss some of the key things to look out for in Tuesday's elections.
They are joined by Gongwer reporters Nick Smith and Lily Guiney.

State House Speaker Matt Hall weighs in on spending proposals and the Republican primary Jul 24, 2026

Show notes

With Former Michigan Attorney General, Mike Cox, dropping out of the gubernatorial race, how does that shape the Republican primary? This week on MichMash...WDET's Cheyna Roth and Gongwer News Service's Alethia Kasben discuss the remaining candidates and they hear from a prominent Republican leader on their thoughts on the race.
Then later on Michigan House Speaker Matt Hall stops by to talk about the race and some recent spending proposals.

Whitmer clashes with state Democrats after vetoing the party's bills; MEDC revives economic development incentive Jul 17, 2026

Show notes

Tensions are high in Lansing among the Democrats with Governor Whitmer vetoing a series a bills from her own party. This week, on MichMash, WDET's Cheyna Roth and Gongwer News Services' Zach Gorchow unpack the 18 months of legal battles that led to this moment. Then later on, David Meninga, senior vice president for Community Development Programs & Execution at the Michigan Economic Development Corporation stops by. He talks about reviving the transformational brownfield program, a state incentive that ended a few years ago but will soon come back once Governor Whitmer signs bills that passed the Legislature on July 3.

Candidates clash during Michigan primary debates Jul 10, 2026

Show notes

Both the Democratic US Senate debate and the Republican gubernatorial debate showed the divides among the party's candidates. This week on MichMash, WDET's Cheyna Roth and Gongwer News Service's Alethia Kasben and Zach Gorchow break down the major components of the race.
Spoiler alert: MichMash may have been indirectly mentioned in one of the debates.

What is your favorite state park? Jul 03, 2026

Show notes

This 4th of July weekend, some Michiganders are celebrating by going to their favorite parks to go swimming, hiking, camping and fishing. This week on MichMash, WDET's Cheyna Roth and Gongwer News Service's Zach Gorchow discuss the recent investments put into parks. They are joined by Kristen Kosick. She is the Chief of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Parks and Recreation division.

Mentioned in the episode:

'Monumental' upgrades at Michigan state parks are nearly complete—here's where $273M went by Lindsay Moore

Summer Roundup: A review of the major political stories in the past couple of months and a forecast of what's ahead Jun 26, 2026

Show notes

The Republican gubernatorial race just had a major shake up with President Donald Trump making an endorsement. This week on MichMash, WDET'S Cheyna Roth and Gongwer News Service's Alethia Kasben discuss how surprising the endorsement was and what this means for the upcoming primaries.

Also, with Cheyna being back, we thought we would catch her up on the major political stories from the past couple of months and look ahead to see what the rest of 2026 has in store.

Michigan US Senate race begins to take shape; State Senator Singh weighs in on the budget process Jun 19, 2026

Show notes

Over the past month, the Michigan US Senate race has proven to be one of the most competitive races in the country. This week on WDET's MichMash, Gongwer News Service's Zach Gorchow and Altheia Kasben breakdown the major events that have shaped the race.
Then later on, State Senator Sam Singh stops by to share what's been going on in the State capitol.

Michigan primary voters could pick nominees for secretary of state and attorney general Jun 12, 2026

Show notes

Michigan is one of three states that nominates candidates for secretary of state and attorney general at party conventions. There is currently a push to put those nominations to the statewide primary ballot instead. This week on WDET's MichMash, Gongwer News Service's Zach Gorchow and Alethia Kasben discuss the factors being weighed with this decision. Then Lon Johnson, former chairperson of the Michigan Democratic Party, stops by and explains why he supports this proposal.

Money Out of Politics group is "very confident" that their proposal will overcome foreseeable challenges Jun 05, 2026

Show notes

A ballot measure that would prevent political spending by Michigan’s regulated utilities and large state contractors might be on the November ballet. As part of WDET's weekly series...MichMash...Gongwer News Service's Zach Gorchow and Alethia Kasben discuss what is in the proposal and how opponents and supporters of the measure are reacting.

The co-chairs of Michiganders for Money out of Politics, Sean McBrearty and Christy McGillivray, stop by to talk about their proposal.

The 2026 Mackinac Policy Conference focuses on common ground May 29, 2026

Show notes

The Mackinac Policy Conference had a couple of surprising moments from lawmakers, leaders, and political candidates. This week on WDET's MichMash, Gongwer News Service's Zach Gorchow and Alethia Kasben give a glimpse of some of the news happening on the island. Gongwer reporter Liz Nass joins the conversation from the conference to share her coverage of the annual meeting.

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