MichMash Politics - WDET FM

Latest Episodes:

Gun Reform in Michigan Could Actually Happen With Democrats Controlling Lansing Dec 09, 2022

Show notes

Gun reform has been a hot topic in Michigan and across the nation for years, but without a lot of change. Cheyna Roth is joined by Yue Stella Yu of Bridge Michigan to talk about how this issue will get different treatment next year.

The Race for Michigan's Next GOP Chair Gets Crowded Dec 02, 2022

Show notes

More and more state GOP names like Dixon, Karamo, Soldano, and more, are coming forward to say they should be the next leader of the Republican Party in Michigan. Cheyna Roth talks with Michigan Public Radio Network reporter Colin Jackson about the potential candidates. Plus, the results of a new follow-up audit of the state’s Department of Corrections and possible changes to primary voting dates in Michigan.

The Road Ahead with Incoming Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks Nov 23, 2022

Show notes

Michigan Democrats will take control of the state House and Senate next year and Governor Whitmer will return for a second term. Incoming Senate Majority leader Winnie Brinks joins Cheyna Roth to discuss how the Senate will work with the House and Governor’s office, ruling with a slim majority, and Senator Brinks’ path to becoming the first female Senate Majority Leader in Michigan history.

Dearborn School Board Bans Two Books Nov 18, 2022

Show notes

The school board for Dearborn Public Schools has banned two books, weeks after the controversy over books on school shelves reached a fever pitch. Cheyna Roth talks with Bridge Michigan’s Isabel Lohman about the school board meeting that went from 600 participants last month, down to 60.

Unpacking this Week’s Historic Midterm Results Nov 11, 2022

Show notes

The midterms may be over but the analysis has just begun. Sarah Rahal of the Detroit News joins Cheyna Roth to unpack this week’s record-setting election where 4.4 million Michiganders voted. Plus, what could be on Governor Whitmer’s agenda now that Michigan has a Democrat-controlled government for the first time in 40 years.

Don’t Sleep on Your Local School Board Race Nov 04, 2022

Show notes

Michigan’s midterm election is next week, and the typically quiet school board races have become very active across the state. Cheyna Roth sits down with The Advance’s Allison Donahue to talk about what happens when politics come into play in non-partisan school board races.

Democrats Eye Control of State Senate for First Time in Decades Oct 28, 2022

Show notes

The midterm elections are less than a week and a half away and Democrats are hoping to take control of the state Legislature. Bridge Michigan’s Lauren Gibbons joins Cheyna Roth to talk about where things stand in Michigan as a result of the redistricting process. Plus, Cheyna and Lauren break down what happened during the final gubernatorial debate between Gretchen Whitmer and Tudor Dixon.

Frankenmuth is Thriving, Against the Odds Oct 21, 2022

Show notes

The COVID-19 pandemic has hit businesses of all sizes very hard across the state, especially in areas that depend on tourism. But there’s one town in Michigan that has bucked the trend. In this episode, Cheyna Roth talks with Bridge Michigan’s Paula Gardner about how the town of Frankenmuth has managed to beat the odds, despite public health, inflation, and staffing issues that the hospitality industry is facing. Plus, what Alpena, MI tells us about Michigan’s housing crisis.

Whitmer and Dixon Square Off in First Gubernatorial Debate Oct 14, 2022

Show notes

This week Governor Gretchen Whitmer squared off with her opponent Tudor Dixon in the first gubernatorial debate ahead of the November election. Cheyna Roth is joined by Detroit News reporter Beth LeBlanc to recap what we learned from the debate.

Races for MI Supreme Court Seats are High Stakes and Under the Radar Oct 07, 2022

Show notes

The battle for two open seats on the Michigan Supreme Court is the high stakes election story in November that you might not be on your radar yet. This week, Cheyna Roth is joined by Michigan Advance’s Ken Coleman to talk about the five non-partisan candidates who are, in fact, highly political. Plus, Coleman on his recent conversation with Aaron Foley about his new novel, “Boys Come First”, and the lack of inclusion for Black and queer writers in the publishing industry.