MichMash Politics

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan received a major endorsement that may set him a part from his other gubernatorial candidates. As part of the weekly series MichMash, WDET's Cheyna Roth and Gongwer News Service's Zach Gorchow discuss how this move influences the rest of the race.

Then, Michigan Sen. and Chair of the Senate K-12 Appropriations Subcommittee, Darrin Camilleri (D-Trenton) joins the show to discuss the K-12 budget and what he's willing to negotiate. 

The annual Mackinac Policy Conference has wrapped up for 2025. In this episode of MichMash, Gongwer News Service's Alethia Kasben sits down with Gongwer reporter Elena Durnbaugh to discuss what was accomplished at this year's conference, and whether the Michigan legislature will make their July 1 deadline for budget negotiations.

Then, the two discuss Governor Gretchen Whitmer's presence at the conference and how it differs from years passed.

This week on MichMash, Democratic House Minority Leader Ranjeev Puri (D-Canton) joins the show to talk about ongoing tensions between parties within the Michigan Legislature.

Before that, host Cheyna Roth and Gongwer News Service's Zach Gorchow discuss news this week that Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson violated campaign finance laws when announcing her bid for governor inside a state-owned building.

This week on MichMash, host Cheyna Roth and Gongwer News Service's Alethia Kasben discuss bills introduced both in the Michigan House and Senate aimed at curbing distractions in the classroom by limiting cell phone use in class.

Also, former Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox stops by to talk about his motivation behind running for governor.

In this epsiode of MichMash, host Cheyna Roth and Gongwer News Service's Alethia Kasben and Zach Gorchow sit down with State Senator Mallory McMorrow to discuss why she’s running for Michigan’s open US Senate seat.

Plus, people have grown accustomed to remote work since the pandemic, but is it here to stay? We discuss how remote work has affected state government employees and whether Gov. Gretchen Whitmer will have them return to in-person work full time.

President Donald Trump marked his 100th day in office on Tuesday by visiting the Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Macomb County, where he announced a new fighter jet mission at the airbase. This week on MichMash, host Cheyna Roth and Gongwer News Service's Alethia Kasben and Zach Gorchow spoke about the base's history and significance to the region.  

Also, Michigan Senate Republican Leader Aric Nesbitt (R-Porter Township) stopped by to talk about his run for governor and his vision for the state.

The US Senate race is expanding with new candidates announcing recently as well as some potential candidates testing out the waters. As part of the weekly series MichMash, host Cheyna Roth and Gongwer News Service's Zach Gorchow discuss the current state of the race and who is most likely to come occupy the seat. 

Then we have Dr. Brittany Tayler of the Keep Michigan Kids Tobacco Free Alliance. She talks about the recent push for the “Protect MI Kids Bill Package"that would require a retail license to sell tobacco products, prohibit flavored tobacco sales, increase tobacco taxes and repeal laws that punish kids.

As Earth Day approaches, we ask the question: do we recycle correctly? As part of the weekly series MichMash, host Cheyna Roth and Gongwer News Service's Alethia Kasben sat down with Conan Smith from the Michigan Environmental Council. They discuss how we could recycle better.

Michigan U.S. Rep. John James is the latest major candidate to enter the state's gubernatorial race. As a part of the weekly series, MichMash, Gongwer News Service's Zach Gorchow and Alethia Kasben discuss the Republican candidate's chance of becoming the next governor of Michigan. They also discuss the bombshell news involving Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in the oval office.

Then, Glenn Stevens, executive director from MichAuto at the Detroit Regional Chamber,, makes a pit stop and talks to the team about the recent tariff news.

State Sen. Mallory McMorrow has become the first major candidate to announce a run for the U.S. Senate seat in Michigan being vacated by Sen. Gary Peters. 

This week on MichMash, Gongwer News Service's Zach Gorchow and Alethia Kasben sit down with Politico's Deputy Editor, Zack Stanton, to discuss McMorrow's chances of winning the race.