The omicron wave is still sweeping the state and the world with thousands of Michiganders getting sick every day. Trying to help Michigan navigate through this wave of COVID-19’s newest variant is Michigan’s new Chief Medical Executive Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, a key adviser to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. As part of the weekly series MichMash, WDET’s..
Reactions to Michigan’s new district lines are all over the map
Michigan’s redistricting commission has approved new legislative and congressional district maps. But that’s just the beginning of a new chapter of court battles and political maneuvering. As part of the weekly series MichMash, Slate’s Cheyna Roth and WDET’s Jake Neher talk about what happens next. Subscribe to MichMash on iTunes, Spotify, Google Podcasts, NPR One or wherever you get your podcasts. It..
The Biggest Political Blunders of 2021 in Michigan
It’s a wrap on 2021, but that doesn’t mean we can’t still look back at some of the highs and lows of last year. As part of the weekly series MichMash, WDET’s Jake Neher and Slate’s Cheyna Roth focus on the blunders of 2021 with Gongwer Michigan's Jordyn Hermani. Hermani, Gongwer's state House reporter, took on an interesting..
Michigan Reaching Breakthrough Moment for Access to Justice, Says Chief Justice McCormack
Michigan may be reaching a breakthrough moment when it comes to access to justice. That’s according to Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice Bridget Mary McCormack. She tells MichMash hosts Cheyna Roth and Jake Neher that the pandemic has played a big role in getting Michigan's justice system to a better, fairer place. Subscribe to MichMash on iTunes, Spotify, Google Podcasts, NPR One or..
Michigan Supreme Court Rules Against Redistricting Commission in First Major Lawsuit
The state Supreme Court is siding against the Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission. A group of news outlets sued the commission after it discussed memos in secret during an October meeting. The memos covered legal opinions on the Voting Rights Act and historic discrimination. Lawyers for the commission argued that releasing the memos would violate..
Bills to Address Gun Violence Languish in Legislature Amid Calls for Action
The horrific mass school shooting in Oxford continues to dominate so many conversations here in Michigan. And increasingly, those conversations have turned toward what could have been done to prevent this from happening. MichMash hosts Jake Neher and Cheyna Roth look at efforts at the state Capitol, new and old, to address gun violence, and the reasons..
Michigan Would Revert to Restrictive Abortion Ban If Roe v. Wade Is Overturned
The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision on a Mississippi abortion law could have a big impact in Michigan. The nation’s highest court recently heard arguments in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization last week, and a decision by the court is expected this summer. As part of the weekly series MichMash, Slate’s Cheyna Roth and WDET’s..
Rinke Shakes Up GOP Primary Race for Michigan Governor, But Still No Major Candidates Accept 2020 Election
Businessman Kevin Rinke's entrance into the GOP primary for Michigan governor represents a major shake-up in the race. There are now more than a dozen candidates who want to be the one to take on Democratic incumbent Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in 2022. But when it comes to campaign cash, none of them has been able to come..
Michigan Unemployment Agency Overpays $3.9 Billion in Improper Benefits, Audit Says
Michigan’s auditor general says the state’s unemployment agency paid $3.9 billion in improper benefits during the pandemic. It's a mammoth figure that caused eyes to pop all over Lansing and across the state last week. First, some context. As you may know, the pandemic bulldozed through large portions of the economy across the country in..
Infrastructure Package Could Be Big Boost for Michigan, But Major Challenges Remain
President Joe Biden has signed his $1.2 trillion federal infrastructure package into law, meaning that money will soon come down to states and local governments. But that's where the next set of hurdles begins for possible infrastructure projects, including here in Michigan. MichMash hosts Jake Neher and Cheyna Roth talk with Zach Gorchow, the publisher..