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.
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Episodes
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Summer Roundup: A review of the major political stories in the past couple of months and a forecast of what's ahead
6d 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
2w ago00:29:16Tap 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
3w ago00:24:55Tap 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
4w ago00:24:13Tap 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 →The Michigan Education Association withholds their endorsement; How does the Michigan Bureau of Elections work?
May 1500:31:39Tap to summarizeThe Democrat gubernatorial race hit some turbulence this week after a key endorser, The Michigan Education Association, didn't decide on who they are going to support. This week on WDET's MichMash, Gongwer News Service's Zach Gorchow and Alethia Kasben discuss why the association has withheld their endorsement for now. Later on in the episode, the director of the Michigan Bureau of Elections, Jonathan Brater, explains how the government office works in conjunction with the Secretary of State, how they approve signatures and more.
Transcribe →Democrat victory in special election may show where the 2026 midterms are headed
May 800:23:50Tap to summarizeAn important state senate race for Michigan's 35th Senate District was decided Tuesday, and it could have huge implications for the November midterm elections. This week on WDET's weekly series, MichMash, Gongwer News Service's Zach Gorchow and Alethia Kasben discuss what how the race was decided. They are joined by Alvin "AJ" Jones from WCMU Public Radio to break it all down.
Transcribe →The 2026-2027 fiscal year budget process is outpacing last year's
May 100:27:40Tap to summarizeBoth the Michigan House of Representatives and the Michigan Senate have completed their 2026-27 fiscal year budgets and advanced them out of their respective chambers. This week on WDET's MichMash...Gongwer News Service's Zach Gorchow and Alethia Kasben discuss what's different this year. They also break down some of the major points of the budgets. Then later in the show, Public Service Commission Chair Dan Scripps stops by to discuss energy costs in Michigan and data centers.
Transcribe →Recap: 2026 filing deadline and Democratic state endorsement convention
Apr 2400:39:28Tap to summarizeCandidates looking to get on the ballot hit a major milestone this week. This week on WDET's weekly series MichMash...Gongwer News Service's Zach Gorchow and Alethia Kasben discuss this milestone with Bridge Michigan's deputy editor Jonathan Oosting. They also talk about the 13th U.S. House District in Detroit.
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