Podcast
MichMash Politics
Hosted by WDET FM · EN
Unjumble 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.
26episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
State House Speaker Matt Hall weighs in on spending proposals and the Republican primary
Yesterday00:30:09Tap to summarizeWith 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
Transcribe →Whitmer clashes with state Democrats after vetoing the party's bills; MEDC revives economic development incentive
1w ago00:28:25Tap to summarizeTensions 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.
Transcribe →Candidates clash during Michigan primary debates
2w ago00:29:36Tap to summarizeBoth 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.
Transcribe →What is your favorite state park?
3w ago00:16:50Tap to summarizeThis 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
Transcribe →Summer Roundup: A review of the major political stories in the past couple of months and a forecast of what's ahead
4w ago00:29:19Tap to summarizeThe 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.
Transcribe →Michigan US Senate race begins to take shape; State Senator Singh weighs in on the budget process
Jun 1900:29:16Tap to summarizeOver 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.
Transcribe →Michigan primary voters could pick nominees for secretary of state and attorney general
Jun 1200:24:55Tap to summarizeMichigan 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.
Transcribe →Money Out of Politics group is "very confident" that their proposal will overcome foreseeable challenges
Jun 500:24:13Tap to summarizeA 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.
Transcribe →The 2026 Mackinac Policy Conference focuses on common ground
May 2900:27:08Tap to summarizeThe 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.
Transcribe →What led Mike Duggan to drop out of the gubernatorial race?; Michigan’s Court of Claims issued a decision that could affect earmarks
May 2200:32:08Tap to summarizeWe have less than 6 months until the midterm elections... and independent candidate Mike Duggan has dropped out of the race. This week on WDET's weekly series, MichMash, Gongwer News Service's Zach Gorchow and Alethia Kasben discuss what elements led the former Detroit Mayor to making his decision and reactions it drew from both Democrats and Republicans.And then later on in the episode we talk about earmarks. Earmarks are ways to get projects approved for local governments. Due to a decision from the Michigan’s Court of Claims, what lawmakers consider an earmark may change. Gorchow and Kasben also discuss how the evolution of this type of funding led to current criticisms. Patrick Wright, Vice President for Legal Affairs at the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, joins to help explain the decision.
Transcribe →