MichMash Politics

As Michigan schools return to classes this week, the uncertainty of the state budget is causing some schools to cut programs just in case there are any issues with funding. In this episode of MichMash, Gongwer News Service's Zach Gorchow and Alethia Kasben discuss what needs to be done in order for the legislature to make the October 1 deadline.

Then, Robert McCann, Executive Director for the K-12 Alliance of Michigan, joins the show to talk about how the uncertainty of the budget is affecting school districts.

Nearly two months after the original deadline, House Republicans passed a budget giving the legislature a month to negotiate ahead of the new fiscal year on Oct. 1. In this episode of MichMash, WDET's Cheyna Roth and Gongwer News Service's Alethia Kasben discuss what was included in this version of the budget. 

Then, they’re joined by Gongwer News Service's administration reporter Lily Guiney to talk about the new state superintendent and other issues going on around the state. 

Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s administration is advancing a plan that could reshape how more than 300,000 Michiganders receive behavioral and mental health services. The proposal involves shifting nearly $5 billion in tax dollars, sparking debate across the state.

On this week’s MichMash, hosts Cheyna Roth and Zach Gorchow break down the proposal, exploring why some believe it will improve access and streamline care while others warn it could weaken community-based services. They also discuss the politics behind the plan, how it fits into Michigan’s broader health care landscape, and what it could mean for families who rely on this care.

Listen to the full conversation to hear what’s at stake for providers, patients, and policymakers as Michigan weighs this major change.

"In this episode of MichMash, WDET's Cheyna Roth and Gongwer News Service's Alethia Kasben are joined by the former director of Wayne County's Department of Health, Human, and Veterans Services, Abdul El-Sayed. He discusses why he's running for Michigan's open US Senate seat what he believes qualifies him for the role.

Plus, now that State Representative Joe Tate has dropped out of the US Senate race, we explore how this affects the rest of the field."

The 2025 Detroit primary election has concluded, and now we have a two-person sprint to November's general election to determine who will be the city's next mayor. In this episode of MichMash, Gongwer News Service's Zach Gorchow breaks down the results with WDET's Russ McNamara.

Plus, Gorchow and host Cheyna Roth discuss a shake-up in the Michigan Public Service Commision.

This week on MichMash, gubernatorial candidate and Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II sat down with WDET's Cheyna Roth and Gongwer News Service’s Alethia Kasben to explain why he's running for governor of Michigan and how his engineering background could help.

Plus, we take a look at fundraising progress from the rest of the gubernatorial candidates.