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
Militia or Domestic Terrorists? Or Both?
October 16, 2020 18:14 - 26 minutes - 23.8 MBThe foiled plot to kidnap and possibly murder Gov. Whitmer has brought Michigan’s militia culture back into focus. Cheyna Roth and Jake Neher talk with Oakland University Political Science Chair Peter Trumbore - an expert on terrorism and the militia movement - about why the words we use to describe these groups are important.
A History of Oil Pipeline Spills in Michigan
October 12, 2020 12:27 - 3 minutes - 5.15 MBThe years-long fight over what to do about the aging oil and gas pipeline under the Straits of Mackinac is reaching a critical period. State regulators are reviewing permit requests from Enbridge Energy to bury Line 5 in a tunnel under the straits. Jake Neher and Cheyna Roth talk about the history of the pipeline and oil spills in Michigan.
Winter Forcing Restaurants to Adapt to COVID... Again
October 01, 2020 17:47 - 12 minutes - 16.5 MBColder weather will bring new challenges for Michigan businesses operating during the pandemic. MichMash hosts Jake Neher and Cheyna Roth speak with a local restaurant owner about what happens when patios close down for the winter.
Racial Reckoning at Michigan Art Museums
September 25, 2020 20:45 - 18 minutes - 24.7 MBNationwide protests for racial justice are touching all aspects of American life -- including cultural institutions across the country. Cheyna Roth and Jake Neher speak with WDET Culture Shift host Ryan Patrick Hooper, who has been reporting on how that’s playing out here in Michigan.
Trump's Record on the Great Lakes
September 18, 2020 21:04 - 3 minutes - 3.51 MBAs presidential candidates make their appeals to Michigan voters, President Donald Trump is touting his record on protecting the Great Lakes. But environmental groups say his legacy is one of deregulation and cutbacks. MichMash hosts Cheyna Roth and Jake Neher take a look at Trump’s record on the Great Lakes.
Cities Fear Undercount on Census Could Cripple Budgets, Political Clout
September 11, 2020 17:59 - 14 minutes - 12.8 MBThe deadline to fill out the 2020 Census is fast approaching. MichMash hosts Cheyna Roth and Jake Neher talk about why some local officials are scrambling to raise their response rates before September 30th. And an interview with Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan.
Labor Day Travelers Might Be Surprised By Changing Nature of Michigan Beaches
September 04, 2020 19:15 - 18 minutes - 17.2 MBMichiganders heading to the beach this Labor Day weekend might run into some unexpected issues along the coastline. MichMash hosts Jake Neher and Cheyna Roth talk about what to expect, and talk with MLive's Garret Ellison about how the beaches are changing.
As Weed Market Grows, Cities Struggle to Adopt Social Equity Measures
August 28, 2020 19:18 - 11 minutes - 10.1 MBAs Michigan’s recreational marijuana market expands, many communities are trying to build social equity measures into their licensing process. The goal is to give people who have been disproportionately affected by anti-drug laws more opportunities to open retail shops. MichMash hosts Cheyna Roth and Jake Neher talk with MLive's Gus Burns, who says those efforts are not going well so far.
Here's How to Make Sure Your Vote Counts in November
August 21, 2020 18:20 - 14 minutes - 12.8 MBMichigan clerks are now accepting applications for absentee ballots ahead of the November election. MichMash hosts Jake Neher and Cheyna Roth talk with All Voting is Local Michigan State Director Aghogho Edevbie about how voters can make sure their ballots are counted.
Three College Students on Hopes, Fears As They Head Back to Campus
August 14, 2020 19:44 - 26 minutes - 23.8 MBMany colleges and universities will soon welcome students back for the fall semester. Most campuses will be relying heavily on virtual learning, but will still have some classes meet in person. Cheyna Roth and Jake Neher talk with three students heading back to campus about their thoughts and anxieties about the new semester.
Advocates Want Michigan to Change Its Juvenile Justice Policies
August 07, 2020 19:19 - 3 minutes - 3.44 MBThe story of a teenage girl from Oakland County who was sent to a juvenile detention facility for not doing her schoolwork has captured national attention. MichMash hosts Jake Neher and Cheyna Roth talk about the unique ways Michigan treats young people in the justice system, and why activists are calling for change.
Michigan Fisheries Say They're Swimming in a Sea of Red Tape
July 31, 2020 18:43 - 3 minutes - 3.51 MBCommercial fisheries in Michigan say they’re in real danger of going out of business. As part of the weekly series MichMash… Cheyna Roth and Jake Neher dive into the controversy swirling around fishing in the Great Lakes.
Pandemic having big effect on how candidates and voters interact
July 24, 2020 14:10 - 16 minutes - 14.7 MBThe coronavirus pandemic is fundamentally changing the way many candidates campaign ahead of the August and November elections. Cheyna Roth and Jake Neher talk about what that means for local races and for voters. And an interview with Harbor Strategic Public Affairs Owner and CEO John Sellek.
Whitmer's Mask Order Now Has Teeth, But Will Local Law Enforcement Bite?
July 17, 2020 20:16 - 12 minutes - 11.4 MBJake Neher and Cheyna Roth talk with MLive reporter Emily Lawler about the governor's updated mask order and how it will be enforced. And Cheyna talks about her new book "Cold Cases: A True Crime Collection."
Michigan Parents Look for Support During Pandemic
July 10, 2020 20:05 - 10 minutes - 9.29 MBCheyna Roth and Jake Neher speak with WDET's Sascha Raiyn about the supports that exist -- and the needed supports that don't exist -- for parents in the age of COVID-19.
Abdul El-Sayed Discusses Racism as Public Health Crisis
June 23, 2020 16:15 - 21 minutes - 19.2 MBJake Neher speaks with Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, former health director for the City of Detroit and author of "Healing Politics: A Doctor’s Journey into the Heart of Our Political Epidemic."
How To Investigate Your Local Police Like an Investigative Journalist
June 15, 2020 20:03 - 6 minutes - 5.5 MBInvestigative reporter Andrew Ford discusses five tips for getting information from law enforcement agencies and how members of the public can use that information to enact real change.
Fewer Retail Workers Are Wearing Masks. They Might Be Breaking the Law.
May 29, 2020 15:56 - 18 minutes - 16.9 MBA quick oil change leads to a conversation with with an employment attorney and a business professor about the laws, rules, guidelines, and best practices of employees wearing masks.
Detroit Hospital Hit Hard By COVID Getting Back to Normal Says CEO
May 14, 2020 19:53 - 8 minutes - 8.01 MBJake Neher speaks with Detroit Medical Center Sinai Grace CEO Daniel Jackson, who says the hospital is in much better shape than it was during the recent "surge" of COVID-19 patients. He also addresses claims of improper body storage and critically low nurse staffing levels.
Parental Leave with Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist
April 10, 2020 17:55 - 16 minutes - 12.8 MBA conversation about the Whitmer Administration's push for paid parental leave in Michigan and Lt. Gov. Gilchrist's personal decision to take paternity leave last year.
What Auto Retooling for Medical Equipment Actually Looks Like; Rep. Haley Stevens (D-MI)
April 04, 2020 03:53 - 27 minutes - 25.2 MBA look at what it really means for auto makers to help ramp up production of ventilators, masks, and other desperately needed equipment during the coronavirus pandemic. And a conversation with Congresswoman Haley Stevens.
Looking for the Helpers Trying to Keep Small Business Open Through Pandemic
March 27, 2020 20:11 - 3 minutes - 3.51 MBJake Neher and Cheyna Roth highlight local efforts to help small businesses through this catastrophic time for the economy.
Michigan Arts Organizations Hurting with COVID-19 Cancellations
March 20, 2020 19:58 - 11 minutes - 10.8 MBCheyna Roth and Jake Neher talk with WDET's Ryan Patrick Hooper about how the drastic response to the new coronavirus is affecting arts organizations and what it means for the arts to move largely online.
How Statewide School Closings Will Affect Families
March 13, 2020 20:25 - 3 minutes - 3.36 MBGov. Gretchen Whitmer has ordered all K-12 schools in Michigan to close until they're scheduled to reopen on April 6. That's in order to slow the spread of COVID-19. MichMash hosts Cheyna Roth and Jake Neher talk about how that decision will affect families -- especially low-income families.
Michigan's Budding Cannabis Market Off to Mellow Start
March 06, 2020 20:11 - 18 minutes - 33.4 MBJake Neher and Cheyna Roth talk about why the first three months of legal marijuana sales have been slow and whether it can eventually catch up to other states. And a conversation with Michigan Cannabis Industry Association Executive Director Robin Schneider.
Housing, Not Jobs, May Be Ex-Offenders' Biggest Challenge in Michigan
February 28, 2020 20:37 - 10 minutes - 9.85 MBEx-offenders face many obstacles when they’re released from prison. It’s especially hard for people with felonies on their records to find a place to live. Cheyna Roth and Jake Neher talk about how that problem plays out here in Michigan.
Michigan's Huge University Funding Gap
February 21, 2020 20:17 - 15 minutes - 34.3 MBThere’s a new push to close the wide gap in state funding for universities. Oakland University says no school should get less than $4500 dollars per student. As part of the weekly series MichMash, Jake Neher and Cheyna Roth talk about what you need to know about higher education funding in Michigan, and OU President Ora Pescovitz talks about the "Strive for 45" initiative.
Great Lakes Shore Erosion Matters to You, Even If You're Landlocked
February 14, 2020 21:37 - 7 minutes - 7 MBWater levels are rising along Michigan’s shorelines. It’s a fact that has dominated the headlines recently – including stories of people’s houses potentially falling into the Great Lakes. But for those living in landlocked areas of the state, you might not realize that those coastal problems affect you too. As part of the weekly series MichMash, MLive’s Cheyna Roth and WDET’s Jake Neher take a statewide look at the rising waters with MLive environmental reporter Paula Gardener.
Are Michiganders Feeling the Growing National Economy?
February 07, 2020 18:49 - 13 minutes - 12.2 MBMichigan State University professor of economics Charles Ballard talks with Cheyna Roth and Jake Neher about how Michigan residents are feeling about the economy.
Here Are Some of the Biggest Environment, Criminal Justice, and Education Stories to Watch in 2020
February 03, 2020 16:34 - 3 minutes - 3.51 MBOn the heels of Gov. Whitmer's State of the State speech, Cheyna Roth and Jake Neher talk about three issues -- other than roads -- that could dominate headlines in Michigan throughout 2020.
The Broader Impact of Sexual Harassment Allegations at State Capitol
January 24, 2020 21:48 - 11 minutes - 10.1 MBCheyna Roth and Jake Neher talk about how the situation fits into a long -- but quiet -- history of toxic masculinity at the state Capitol. And Roth speaks with MLive's Emily Lawler, a longtime Capitol correspondent, about whether this is Lansing's "reckoning" with #MeToo.
Michigan State Police Faces Criticism Over Breathalyzer Probe
January 17, 2020 18:55 - 3 minutes - 3.57 MBJake Neher and Cheyna Roth talk about how this problem dredges up old debates over law enforcement and forensics.
You Can Now Carry Your Cell Phone Into All State Courtrooms. That's a Big Deal.
January 10, 2020 21:29 - 3 minutes - 5.27 MBJake Neher and Cheyna Roth talk about why the rule change is important for all Michiganders -- not just lawyers and reporters.
You will soon be able to Carry Your Cell Phone Into All State Courtrooms. That's a Big Deal.
January 10, 2020 21:29 - 3 minutes - 5.27 MBJake Neher and Cheyna Roth talk about why the rule change is important for all Michiganders -- not just lawyers and reporters.
Are Michigan Cities Ready for A Possible Recession in 2020?
January 03, 2020 20:57 - 16 minutes - 22 MBCheyna Roth and Jake Neher discuss the ways local governments are preparing for a possible economic downturn and the structural challenges they face. Lansing Mayor Andy Schor weighs in on how his community is bracing itself for a recession.
The Art of the Floor Speech
December 27, 2019 21:11 - 15 minutes - 21.3 MBHow Hot Tub Time Machine, A Tale of Two Kitties, and B-Dubs influenced lawmaking in Michigan.
Michigan's Record-Breaking Lame Duck Session Has Ripple Effects A Year Later
December 18, 2019 19:23 - 3 minutes - 3.52 MBThe state is still grappling with the implementation of many of the 300-plus laws that flew through the lame duck Legislature in 2018.
Pro-Gambling Bills Are Becoming More of a Sure Bet at State Capitol
December 16, 2019 13:48 - 3 minutes - 5.15 MBJake Neher and Cheyna Roth talk about bills headed to Gov. Whitmer's desk that would legalize some online gambling and sports betting in Michigan, and other gambling bills that could follow.
Possible State Budget Breakthrough Offers Hope of Ending Year on Bipartisan Note
December 09, 2019 16:48 - 3 minutes - 3.52 MBLawmakers and Governor Gretchen Whitmer are taking steps to restore funding the governor vetoed in the new state budget. Cheyna Roth and Jake Neher talk about the progress in Lansing.
Can the Governor Remove Elected State Officials? Whitmer Eyes Wayne State Board Members
November 25, 2019 16:51 - 15 minutes - 28.1 MBGov. Gretchen Whitmer says she might try to remove members of Wayne State University’s Board of Governors. Crain's Detroit Business Senior Editor Chad Livengood talks about the situation and explains the governor's power to remove elected officials.
Critical Funding Hangs In Balance as Lawmakers Go Hunting
November 15, 2019 18:30 - 3 minutes - 7.02 MBMembers of the state Legislature are on their two-week break for the opening of deer rifle season and Thanksgiving. Meanwhile, many programs and government services are about to run out of money they depend on.
Pot Activists Aren't Bummed After Voters Reject Local Weed Proposals
November 08, 2019 21:15 - 18 minutes - 33 MBOn the surface, it seems like voters' rejection of local pot shop ordinances is a bad thing for Michigan's emerging cannabis industry. But Jake Neher and Cheyna Roth explain that it's a bit more complicated than that.
How to Apply to Serve On Michigan's New Redistricting Commission
November 04, 2019 16:33 - 3 minutes - 3.53 MBSecretary of State Jocelyn Benson is asking Michiganders to be part of history and apply to help redraw Michigan's political lines.
GOP Shouldn't Hold Breath That Whitmer Will Limit Her Own Powers
October 25, 2019 19:54 - 3 minutes - 3.2 MBSome state lawmakers want to limit the powers of the governor’s office. Hosts Jake Neher and Cheyna Roth observe that Governor Gretchen Whitmer has been flexing her constitutional muscles lately -- and Republicans aren’t happy about it.
The Economic and Personal Impacts of the UAW Strike
October 18, 2019 19:48 - 13 minutes - 11.9 MBCheyna Roth and Jake Neher speak with WKAR's Abigail Censky about her reporting on the economic effects of the UAW strike against GM in Michigan. And WDET's Laura Herberg speaks with GM worker Steven "Eat Mo" Reeves about what life looks like on and off the picket line.
Whitmer's Budget Veto Impacts Felt Statewide
October 11, 2019 18:45 - 12 minutes - 11.4 MBThe governor's line-item vetoes affect just about every community in the state. Jake Neher and Cheyna Roth talk about how that's putting pressure on lawmakers to come back to the negotiating table. And Oakland County Commission Chairman Dave Woodward talks about the impact of the cuts on his suburban county.
Pure Michigan Isn't Quite Dead After Whitmer Veto... Yet
October 04, 2019 18:38 - 10 minutes - 9.16 MBJake Neher and Cheyna Roth talk with Gongwer’s Alethia Kasben about what the eliminations of Pure Michigan's funding means for the state’s popular tourism campaign.
GOP Goes After Redistricting Commission in Budget
September 27, 2019 19:38 - 7 minutes - 6.87 MBThe October 1 deadline to pass a state budget and avoid a partial government shutdown is fast approaching. Jake Neher and Cheyna Roth talk about Republican attempts to scale back funding for Michigan’s new redistricting commission.
Are Fellow Democrats Helping or Hurting Whitmer in Budget Negotiations?
September 20, 2019 19:01 - 3 minutes - 3.52 MBCheyna Roth and Jake Neher talk about how a deal on K-12 spending might affect the governor’s ability to get things done going forward.
Michigan Lawmakers Rake In $517,000 in Free Food, Drink from Lobbyists in 2019
September 18, 2019 15:06 - 15 minutes - 13.7 MBA new report from the Michigan Campaign Finance Network shows record lobbyist spending on food and drinks for public officials. MCFN Executive Director Craig Mauger talks about why that probably is, and how it affects policy making at the state Capitol.