MichMash Politics
259 episodes - English - Latest episode: 1 day ago - ★★★★★ - 3 ratingsUnjumble Michigan politics with MichMash. Each week, Cheyna Roth, Zach Gorchow and Alethia Kasben interview lawmakers and politicos, and unpack the statewide issues that affect you. MichMash is produced by WDET Detroit Public Radio in collaboration with Gongwer News Service. Part of the NPR Network.
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Episodes
Redistricting Commission Releases Ten Draft Maps, Opens Up Public Comment
October 15, 2021 20:31 - 21 minutes - 18.1 MBMichigan residents will soon get a chance to weigh in on new draft maps that could define our state legislative and Congressional districts for the next decade. MichMash hosts Jake Neher and Cheyna Roth talk with Bridge Michigan's Sergio Martínez-Beltrán who has been covering the redistricting process about the new maps and how you can get involved.
A Big Week for Line 5 Controversy
October 08, 2021 20:03 - 16 minutes - 13.8 MBEfforts to shut down Enbridge Energy’s Line 5 oil and gas pipeline are becoming more complicated. MichMash hosts Jake Neher and Cheyna Roth look at the Canadian government’s latest move to block Michigan’s attempts to stop the flow of oil in the Straits of Mackinac. And Crain's Detroit Business' Chad Livengood talks about President Biden's silence on the issue during his trip to Michigan this week.
Benton Harbor's Water Crisis
October 01, 2021 19:04 - 13 minutes - 11.2 MBState environmental officials are stepping up efforts to assist Benton Harbor residents who have had their drinking water contaminated. The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) says it will provide bottled water, filters, and blood testing for children. Reporter Eric Lutz of The Guardian talks about his reporting on yet another water crisis in Michigan.
Budget Deal Leaves Billions Unspent
September 25, 2021 04:26 - 15 minutes - 13.3 MBGov. Gretchen Whitmer and state lawmakers have finally reached a budget agreement after months of negotiations. MichMash hosts Cheyna Roth and Jake Neher say one of the most important aspects of the budget is the money it does not spend. And WDET host Stephen Henderson's interview with Gov. Whitmer from the 2021 Mackinac Policy Conference.
Rep. Andy Levin on Amazon's Expanding Footprint in Michigan
September 17, 2021 20:48 - 21 minutes - 29.5 MBAmazon’s footprint in Michigan will soon get much bigger. The online retail giant recently announced it will open four new sites across Michigan in the next two years. MichMash hosts Jake Neher and Cheyna Roth talk with Congressman Andy Levin (D-Bloomfield Twp.) about the move and his concerns for workers and organized labor in Michigan.
Prosecutors Near Finish Line on Rape Kit Backlog
September 10, 2021 19:14 - 13 minutes - 17.9 MBLaw enforcement officials say they are almost done reviewing the massive backlog of rape kits found in Detroit back in 2009. The Wayne County Prosecutors office has been processing more than 11-thousand rape kits for over a decade. As part of the weekly series MichMash… Cheyna Roth and Jake Neher talk with Bridge Detroit’s Bryce Huffman about how this ordeal has changed state policy and law enforcement practices since 2009.
What Dismal Testing Data Say and Don't Say About Pandemic 'Learning Loss'
September 03, 2021 18:30 - 15 minutes - 20.6 MBNew data from Michigan’s statewide standardized test last school year suggest students are struggling to make academic progress during the pandemic. The Michigan Student Test of Educational Progress (M-STEP) results show lower student proficiency in most subjects that were tested. Jake Neher and Cheyna Roth talk with K-12 Alliance of Michigan Executive Director Robert McCann, who says the results should be taken with a grain of salt.
What We're Learning As First Redistricting Maps Take Shape
August 27, 2021 17:55 - 24 minutes - 33 MBFor the first time ever, an independent redistricting commission is re-drawing Michigan’s political maps. Now, we’re seeing the very first maps coming out of that process. MichMash's Jake Neher talks with Gongwer reporter Ben Solis who has following the redistricting commission’s work closely.
New School Year Means Tough Choices for Schools
August 20, 2021 18:10 - 23 minutes - 31.6 MBThe start of the new school year comes as the threat of the COVID-19 Delta variant gets worse in Michigan. MichMash hosts Jake Neher and Cheyna Roth talk about the tough decisions local school officials are making as students get ready to return to class, and talk with University of Michigan School of Education Dean Dr. Elizabeth Moje.
Plastic Pollution in Great Lakes Getting Worse
August 13, 2021 16:00 - 18 minutes - 24.7 MBPlastic pollution is getting worse in the Great Lakes. That’s what Crain’s Detroit Business found in its recent reporting on the issue. MichMash hosts Cheyna Roth and Jake Neher talk with Chad Livengood of Crain’s about the issue and efforts to fix it.
How Infrastructure Package Might Affect Flooding in Michigan
August 06, 2021 18:36 - 3 minutes - 5.15 MBThere’s hope here in Michigan that any infrastructure package in Washington D.C. might help address flooding problems in the state. MichMash hosts Jake Neher and Cheyna Roth talk about how the answer might depend on local public officials and whether they can find ways to work together.
Michigan's Petition Initiative Process is Broken
July 30, 2021 18:11 - 11 minutes - 15.8 MBMichigan’s petition initiative process is a mess. That’s according to some state government watchers. MichMash hosts Jake Neher and Cheyna Roth talk about some of the reasons critics think the process should change.
Pandemic Making Government Transparency Issues Worse
July 23, 2021 20:04 - 18 minutes - 24.7 MBReporters and government watchdogs say the pandemic has made government transparency problems worse in Michigan. As part of the weekly series MichMash… Cheyna Roth and Jake Neher talk with Detroit News reporter Craig Mauger about the extensive delays he’s seeing with public records requests.
New Podcast 'Mandatory' Explores Controversial Business Practices in Michigan
July 15, 2021 00:11 - 15 minutes - 21.3 MBOne Michigan company has made millions of dollars soliciting small businesses despite decades of complaints from consumer advocates and attorneys general. Jake Neher and Cheyna Roth talk with MLive’s Emily Lawler, whose new podcast “Mandatory” dives into that story and what it says about consumer protections in Michigan and beyond.
Whitmer Calls for Big Investment in Parks
July 09, 2021 17:32 - 3 minutes - 5.27 MBGov. Gretchen Whitmer wants to use hundreds of millions of dollars in federal rescue funds to improve Michigan parks. MichMash hosts Cheyna Roth and Jake Neher talk about what that money would do -- and what it would not do -- for recreation in Michigan.
'Historic' K-12 Schools Budget Clears Legislature Right At the Buzzer
July 02, 2021 18:00 - 15 minutes - 20.6 MBState lawmakers have left Lansing for the summer without completing the state’s budget. But they did send one important part of the budget to the governor's desk before leaving town - a 'historic' $17 billion for K-12 schools. MichMash hosts Jake Neher and Cheyna Roth break down the schools budget and talk with Walled Lake Consolidated Schools Superintendent Ken Gutman about what it means for districts and students.
Fixing Labor Shortage Means Humanizing Workers, Says Restaurant Owner
June 25, 2021 13:16 - 16 minutes - 22.7 MBBusinesses across Michigan say they’re having a tough time finding enough workers. Cheyna Roth and Jake Neher talk with Sandy Levine, partner at Chartreuse Kitchen & Cocktails in Midtown Detroit, who says employers need to stop dehumanizing their workers if they want to staff up.
Elections Officials Leaving Jobs Amid Threats, Attacks
June 18, 2021 19:13 - 18 minutes - 24.7 MBLocal clerks and elections workers in Michigan are leaving their jobs in large numbers since the 2020 Election. MichMash hosts Jake Neher and Cheyna Roth talk with Ingham County Clerk Barb Byrum about why that is and what it means for future elections.
Michigan Supreme Court Justice Beth Clement on Juvenile Justice
June 11, 2021 18:58 - 13 minutes - 17.9 MBThere’s a new push to re-think juvenile justice in Michigan. Jake Neher talks with Michigan Supreme Court Justice Beth Clement about the state’s new juvenile justice task force.
Lawmakers Balk at Funding Bipartisan Criminal Justice Initiatives
June 04, 2021 16:00 - 15 minutes - 20.6 MBThe Republican-led state Legislature continues a pattern of passing and touting new criminal justice reforms while hesitating - or refusing - to pay for them.
Michigan EGLE Director Liesl Clark on PFAS, Line 5, and more
May 28, 2021 19:01 - 21 minutes - 19.7 MBState environmental regulators are defending Michigan’s new standards for PFAS contamination in water. Those chemicals are linked to serious health problems including cancer. MichMash hosts Jake Neher and Cheyna Roth talk with Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy Liesl Clark about a lawsuit filed by chemical manufacturer 3M, her department's approval of permits to replace Line 5, and more.
Future of Line 5 Uncertain As Shutdown Deadline Passes
May 21, 2021 17:40 - 19 minutes - 17.4 MBOil and gas are still flowing through Enbridge Energy’s Line 5 pipeline in the Straits of Mackinac. That’s despite Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s order to shut it down. MichMash hosts Cheyne Roth and Jake Neher talk with MLive environmental reporter Garret Ellison about what happens next.
Redistricting Commission Needs Your Help Defining "Community of Interest"
May 14, 2021 17:15 - 29 minutes - 26.6 MBMichigan’s Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission has started its series of public meetings across the state. It is gathering input from residents about how they’d like the commission to draw the state’s new political maps. MichMash hosts Jake Neher and Cheyna Roth talk about one big question that keeps coming up during these meetings. And a conversation with redistricting expert Kimball Brace, whose company Election Data Services Inc. has been hired to help the commission draw Michiga...
Whitmer, Nessel Approach to Unemployment Lawsuit Leaves Victims in Limbo
May 07, 2021 19:03 - 20 minutes - 18.3 MBThe Whitmer administration is still handling a number of massive lawsuits that it inherited from former Governor Rick Snyder’s administration. MichMash hosts Jake Neher and Cheyna Roth talk with Gongwer Executive Editor and Publisher Zach Gorchow about what’s at stake with those lawsuits and how the governor and attorney general are handling them.
Why Michigan's Population Isn't Growing Fast Enough
April 30, 2021 19:30 - 16 minutes - 14.7 MBMichigan will lose a Congressional district next year. That’s after new Census results showed Michigan hasn’t been growing as fast as the rest of the country. MichMash hosts Jake Neher and Cheyna Roth talk about why the state has been lagging in population growth.
Ending 'Period Poverty'
April 23, 2021 13:42 - 26 minutes - 23.8 MBState lawmakers and advocates are renewing efforts to get rid of the sales tax on menstrual products in Michigan. MichMash hosts Cheyna Roth and Jake Neher talk about what makes this new push different than in years past. And they speak with 'Make Meaning' podcast host Lynne Golodner about what's happening here and abroad to end 'period poverty,' and about finding meaning in our lives during the pandemic.
Auto Industry Grapples With Parts Shortages, Toxic Politics
April 16, 2021 19:58 - 13 minutes - 11.9 MB2021 has been a difficult year to navigate so far for American auto companies. MichMash hosts Jake Neher and Cheyna Roth talk with Detroit News Washington Correspondent Riley Beggin about how the auto industry is dealing with parts shortages and a toxic political environment.
Recent Headlines Leave Out Critical Context About COVID Vaccines
April 09, 2021 19:21 - 32 minutes - 29.3 MBCOVID-19 vaccines appear to be working well in Michigan to prevent people from getting sick or dying. But some news consumers might be getting the wrong impression about how safe the vaccines really are. MichMash hosts Jake Neher and Cheyna Roth talk with Wayne State University journalism professor Fred Vultee about the consequences of misleading headlines.
Congressman Andy Levin on Effort to Unionize Amazon Workers
April 02, 2021 19:51 - 26 minutes - 35.7 MBVotes are being counted in the effort to unionize Amazon’s warehouse in Bessemer, Alabama. MichMash hosts Jake Neher and Cheyna Roth talk with Congressman Andy Levin (D-Bloomfield Twp.), who says the vote has big implications here in Michigan.
Infrastructure Investments Could Address Inequality in Michigan
March 26, 2021 18:21 - 7 minutes - 9.62 MBThe new focus on a massive infrastructure spending plan in Washington D.C. has big implications here in Michigan. MichMash hosts Cheyna Roth and Jake Neher talk about what members of our Congressional delegation are saying about what it would mean for inequality in Michigan.
State Legislature's Family Leave Policies Falling Behind Rest of State
March 19, 2021 18:01 - 16 minutes - 14.7 MBMichigan’s Legislature is coming under new scrutiny for its own family leave policies for lawmakers and staffers. MichMash hosts Jake Neher and Cheyna Roth talk with WKAR’s Abigail Censky about her reporting on this issue and why it matters to all Michiganders.
Politicizing a Pandemic
March 12, 2021 20:38 - 18 minutes - 16.7 MBThroughout the pandemic, one of the biggest challenges for public health officials has been our toxic political environment. MichMash hosts Cheyna Roth and Jake Neher talk about efforts to politicize this health crisis and why they could have lasting impacts on public health and policymaking. And a conversation with Michigan Chief Medical Executive Dr. Joneigh Khaldun.
Sexism in State Government
March 05, 2021 21:00 - 16 minutes - 15.1 MBRecent comments by male Republican lawmakers at the state Capitol have renewed conversations about misogyny in state government. MichMash hosts Cheyna Roth and Jake Neher talk with MLive reporter Lauren Gibbons about how voters are reacting to sexist language from legislators, and what it means for policymaking in Michigan.
Are Lame Duck Sessions On Their Last Legs?
February 26, 2021 20:49 - 33 minutes - 30.2 MBThere’s movement at the state Capitol toward putting limits on the Legislature’s lame duck session. That’s the time just after an even-year election that often sees hundreds of bills passed, sometimes in the dead of night. MichMash hosts Jake Neher and Cheyna Roth talk about why transparency activists are excited about curbing the chaos of lame duck, and they speak with Voters Not Politicians Executive Director Nancy Wang.
COVID Relief Delay at State Capitol Hurting Michigan Residents
February 19, 2021 23:56 - 18 minutes - 16.5 MBMore than $5 billion in federal money for COVID relief for Michigan is in limbo as lawmakers in Lansing fight over how to spend it. MichMash hosts Cheyna Roth and Jake Neher talk with Craig Mauger of the Detroit News about what is causing the delay and why it matters.
Will State Senate Leader Shirkey Face Any Consequences?
February 12, 2021 20:20 - 19 minutes - 17.4 MBSome Democrats are calling on state Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey to resign or give up his leadership position. That’s after he called the January 6th insurrection a hoax and made sexist comments about Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on tape. MichMash hosts Jake Neher and Cheyna Roth talk about whether Shirkey is likely to face any real repercussions. And a conversation with state Sen. Erika Geiss (D-Taylor).
Should Election Day Be a Holiday?
February 05, 2021 20:11 - 17 minutes - 15.6 MBMichigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson wants to make Election Day a holiday in Michigan. It’s one of many sweeping changes Benson would like to see in election law. MichMash hosts Jake Neher and Cheyna Roth talk about the cases for and against making Election Day a state holiday. And they talk with Rochester Hills City Clerk Tina Barton about the pros and cons.
Is Whitmer's Bipartisan State of the State Message Realistic?
January 29, 2021 21:47 - 6 minutes - 5.5 MBGov. Gretchen Whitmer is calling on Republicans in the Legislature to work with her in 2021. Her third State of the State address stressed the need for bipartisan cooperation. MichMash hosts Cheyna Roth and Jake Neher talk about whether there’s any room for common ground in Lansing.
Michigan GOP At Crossroads
January 22, 2021 22:03 - 22 minutes - 20.1 MBWith the inauguration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, Democrats now control all executive offices at the federal and at the state level in Michigan. MichMash hosts Jake Neher and Cheyna Roth talk with WKAR’s Abigail Censky about where that leaves Republicans in Michigan.
Flint's Top State Lawmaker Reacts to Criminal Charges Against Snyder, Others
January 15, 2021 19:37 - 22 minutes - 20.1 MBSeven years after the decision to switch Flint’s water source, nine current and former state government officials face criminal charges. One of them is former Gov. Rick Snyder, who faces two misdemeanor counts of willful neglect of duty. As part of the weekly series MichMash host Jake Neher speaks with state Senate Minority Leader Jim Ananich (D-Flint) about the charges.
A Michigan Reporter's Harrowing Experience Inside U.S. Capitol
January 08, 2021 20:30 - 10 minutes - 9.62 MBAs lawmakers evacuated the U.S. Capitol building on Wednesday to flee a violent pro-Trump mob… journalists were stuck inside. Many continued to document those moments while their lives were at risk. One of those reporters was Detroit News Washington Bureau Chief Melissa Nann Burke, who talks about her experience with Jake Neher.
Big Changes for Michigan Supreme Court and Reflecting on 2020
December 18, 2020 18:22 - 24 minutes - 22 MBA new year means big changes for the Michigan Supreme Court. Justices nominated by Democrats won a majority on the court for the first time in years in the November election. Jake Neher and Cheyna Roth talk about the significance of that change and reflect on the year that was 2020.
Capitol COVID Cluster Puts Critical Bills and Transparency in Jeopardy
December 11, 2020 21:04 - 13 minutes - 11.9 MBA number of lawmakers, staffers, and journalists say they don’t feel safe working at the state Capitol in 2020. That’s as the Legislature tries to pass important bills in its last scheduled week this year. Jake Neher and Cheyna Roth talk with WKAR reporter Abigail Censky about why all Michiganders should be concerned about safety at the Capitol.
Five Hours of Delusion: Former GOP Lawmaker Reacts to Giuliani Hearing.
December 04, 2020 19:15 - 22 minutes - 20.1 MBPeople on both sides of the political aisle are expressing concerns about how state lawmakers are reacting to the November election. MichMash hosts Cheyna Roth and Jake Neher talk with former GOP Rep. Martin Howrylak, who served as vice chair of the House Oversight Committee, about the recent hearing featuring Trump's personal attorney.
State Legislative Leaders Have No Plan to Combat COVID Surge
November 27, 2020 21:30 - 20 minutes - 18.3 MBMichigan legislative leaders still don’t have a plan to address surging COVID-19 cases throughout the state. MichMash hosts Jake Neher and Cheyna Roth talk with Emily Lawler and Julie Mack of MLive about the urgency of this moment in the pandemic.
Staying Apart for Thanksgiving As COVID-19 Surges
November 20, 2020 21:28 - 3 minutes - 3.51 MBPublic health officials are urging people not to gather in large groups for Thanksgiving. MichMash hosts Cheyna Roth and Jake Neher talk about why officials are worried and how to stay safe.
A Tale of Two Counties
November 13, 2020 21:58 - 26 minutes - 23.8 MBThe 2020 election has revealed some interesting trends in Michigan politics. MichMash hosts Jake Neher and Cheyna Roth look at two neighboring counties that exemplify just how divided voters in the state are becoming, and ask the question -- is Macomb County still a bellwether for Michigan politics? And Congressman Andy Levin (D-Bloomfield Twp.) joins the program.
Comparing 2016 to 2020 in Michigan
November 06, 2020 19:40 - 24 minutes - 22.7 MBMichigan has been in the national spotlight in two presidential elections in a row. MichMash hosts Cheyna Roth and Jake Neher speak with MLive reporters Emily Lawler and Lauren Gibbons to compare 2016 and 2020 in Michigan.
What Are the Biggest Cyber Threats to Michigan's Election Systems?
October 30, 2020 15:38 - 15 minutes - 13.7 MBMichigan election officials are working hard to prevent a cyber attack ahead of Tuesday’s election. MichMash hosts Cheyna Roth and Jake Neher look at the threats and what’s being done to stop them -- and they speak with Andrew Dold, lead systems security specialist at Wayne State University and a member of the Michigan Cyber Civilian Corps.
Are Newspaper Endorsements Still Relevant in 2020?
October 23, 2020 18:29 - 31 minutes - 28.4 MBOne of Michigan’s largest news organizations has decided to stop making endorsements ahead of the 2020 Election. MLive Media Group announced recently that it will instead put those resources toward reporting on local races. MichMash hosts Jake Neher and Cheyna Roth talk with MLive's John Hiner and former Detroit Free Press Editorial Page Editor Stephen Henderson, and look at whether newspaper endorsements are still relevant in 2020.