The Governor and Speaker of the House flipflopped on their claims they want you to have access to information about what the hell goes on in Lansing. A state senator who has been working to expand Michigan's Freedom of Information Act joins ML and Marc to tell the tale.

STRAIGHT DOPE
We're recording on St. Patrick's Day, so ML starts off with a phrase Americans believe the Irish use every day -- but that he's never heard the Irish utter. Shawn inquires about ML's Irish bona fides and work record on the Emerald Isle.

ML's most recent trip to Ireland involved a visit to a family graveyard that had him wondering if he might be a distant relative for former Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan. Find out what happened when he asked Hizzoner about the possible intersection of the roots on their family trees.

Marc and ML recorded an interview with a newsmaker before Shawn made the scene, a situation that he struggled to process as Marc and ML try desperately to get the show off the ground.

It's Sunshine Week -- a 7-day effort to increase transparency in government -- so ML wrote about how Michigan Speaker of the House Matt Hall and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer reversed course on their claims that they want to make the state's Freedom of Information Act apply to the Legislature and governor. Read all about it here.

Listen to Matt Hall's press conference here.

State Sen. Jeremy Moss, a Bloomfield Township Democrat, has been working for a decade to expand FOIA so you can get access to government records that will help reveal what state lawmakers are up to. He tells us how he feels about the Speaker and Governor's flipflops.

Is there any hope that we'll ever get a peek at the records that could reveal what's REALLY going on in Lansing? Moss offers a couple plans that might work. Then ML and Marc discuss how there's got to be a better way.

ML and Marc discuss the attack on Temple Israel last week -- and what we should do.

Faith comes up after Shawn arrives, just in time to challenge ML's Catholicism. Marc says he goes to church mainly to sing -- embarrass his children!

Shawn was SUPPOSED to ease back into work. Instead, he wrote FOUR columns last week! Here's his latest, in which he declares the Lions dead already!!!

Our new bonus episode is here -- and it's free for Soulmates! Detroit Red Wing legend Darren McCarty talks about his favorite coaches -- and bags on one of the best coaches he had, who is also one of the worst.

Looking for a great gift for a friend, relative or even someone you don’t particularly like? A Free Press subscription is a bargain! Hit this link to get a deal: Detroit Free Press Subscription Offers, Specials, and Discounts

Please support the show by becoming a Soulmate. For as little as $5 a month, you can enjoy benefits like early access to new episodes, the video version of the show, no insertion ads and access to our monthly bonus episode. Sign up here: Get more from ML Soul of Detroit on Patreon

GEEK OF THE WEEK
Kouri Richins won't win any awards for the book she self-published about dealing with grief in the wake of her husband's death, but she wins GOW for being convicted of murdering him. Hear all about it here!

ROOM 7609
With no listener suggestions, ML takes over and books The Pogues to perform "Dirty Old Town" in the New Wave suite for St. Paddy's day. Please send us your suggestion for a song — along with a great story — to mlsoulofdetroit@gmail.com

OUR BENEFACTORS
William finally gets his due for giving us some green. Thanks for your patience -- and your money! The holidays have passed, but we're still making this special offer: For a $500 donation, you can join us in the studio and sit in on a show.

For as little as $5 a month, you can become a Soulmate by joining our Patreon supporters club and get perks by supporting the show! Use this link.

FEEDBACKML said he knew Thomas couldn't keep his pledge not to listen to the show any more. We welcome all your questions, comments – and constructive criticism – at mlsoulofdetroit@gmail.com

DONATE OR SPONSOR US
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LISTEN AND LEARN
Find out more about the podcast at www.mlsoulofdetroit.com, where you’ll find previous episodes and so much more!

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Liars, Liars - March 17, 2026