The MIRS Monday Podcast presents a special Mackinac Policy Conference edition with updated coverage from the Detroit Regional Chamber’s gathering on Mackinac Island.     U.S. Senate hopeful Elissa Slotkin says she’s taking nothing for granted in her primary bid despite encouraging polling data (2:18). And Michigan’s Senate majority leader, Democrat Winnie Brinks, tells MIRS she’s confident her caucus will get its concerns and questions addressed to pave the way for  FOIA reform in the state (18:39 ..read more

For today's episode, members of the MIRS team discuss Michigan's U.S. Senate race, and the significance around why upcoming primary debates have been canceled (3:15). Also, Danielle Brown, an urban journalism professor at Michigan State University, explains her research of how the media's coverage of college protests is "more likely to be sensationalized" than not. Her latest studies hone in on recent campus protests concerning the Israel-Hamas war (14:30 ..read more

Members of the MIRS team come together to discuss the latest updates in Michigan's U.S. Senate and House races. They also dive into how candidates and elected officials did in the debut year of financial disclosure mandates, and some under-the-radar budget proposals that state legislators have put forward (1:23).  Former Attorney General spokeswoman Andrea Bitely launched her own public relations firm on Monday. She says there's "a little bit of a hole" in Lansing when it comes to crisis communications, which she hopes to fill in the era of reported financial scandals (30:07).  Retir ..read more

State Senator Sue Shink, a Northfield Township Democrat, discusses her $2.145 billion spending plan for Michigan's prison system. The budget aims to improve corrections officer recruitment by upgrading retirement benefits, and to honor communications between inmates and legislators (1:42).  MIRS is also joined by President Spencer Nevins of the Michigan Beer and Wine Wholesalers Association. He explains why his association wants to keep the spiked SunnyD seltzers away from the normal SunnyD orange juice inside liquor stores (25:12).  The Governor and the Senate are looking to decreas ..read more

The MIRS team is joined by Bridge Detroit journalist Malachi Barrett and Adolph Mongo, a Detroit political commentator, to discuss how Detroit voters are feeling about the 2024 election cycle.  They zoom in on the Democratic rivalry between U.S. Rep. Shri Thanedar and challenger Adam Hollier in the 13th congressional district, as well as how Detroiters are reacting to the U.S. Senate and presidential races (1:20).  Additionally, state House Majority Floor Leader Abraham Aiyash, a Hamtramck Democrat, explains his decision to not pursue reelection as a state representative. He also ill ..read more

Last week, the Attorney General announced 13 felony charges against former state House Speaker Lee Chatfield in relation to allegedly using state, campaign and non-profit funds for "self-enrichment."  Today, MIRS speaks with legal professional Jessica Bartlett on what exactly are 501(c)4 and 527 non-profits, and why it's rare for states to pursue charges involving them (1:15).  Also, Executive Director Britany Affolter-Caine of the University Research Corridor discusses analysis finding that the state's three major research universities spent more than $1.1 billion in ..read more

Founder Cassy Jones-McBryde of the Michigan Chamber for Reproductive Justice and midwife Nicole Marie White – the director of the MI State Of Birth Justice – describe legislation introduced recently by some Senate Democrats to improve how the state investigates, combats and reports on racial disparities in pregnancy and maternal care (1:20).  Pamela Pugh, a candidate in Michigan's 8th Congressional district, says she's heard of people in her opponents' camps claiming that because she's a Black woman, she can't win. Also, as president of the State Board of Education, Pamela discusses her c ..read more

State Representatives Penelope Tsernoglou – an East Lansing Democrat – and Kristian Grant, a Grand Rapids Democrat, join MIRS for a legislative roundtable. They discuss why Democrats are continuing to focus on abortion and reproductive issues this election cycle, although former President Donald Trump has not endorsed a federal abortion ban proposal (1:22). Should Michigan drop the state's gas tax in exchange for charging drivers a mileage-based user fee?  Chief Executive Officer Denise Donohue and Deputy Director Ed Noyola of the Michigan County Road Association explain why they want the ..read more

When it comes to the Republican primary for Michigan's U.S. Senate race, candidate Mike Rogers – a past chair of the U.S. House Intelligence Committee – says "this thing is done" (1:23).  The share of likely GOP primary voters supporting Rogers grows from 27 percent to 67 percent after they learn he is backed by past President Donald Trump, according to one March survey.  MIRS is also joined by Executive Director Cheryl Bergman of the Michigan Women's Commission. She discusses the latest report on women in Michigan's labor force, which found that women working full-time earned around ..read more

Last week, a Senate committee moved bills requiring the Governor and state legislators to respond to public records requests through Michigan's Freedom of Information Act. Meanwhile, some House Democrats introduced still more transparency bills involving 501(c)4 or 527 accounts not regulated by Michigan's campaign finance laws.  Executive Director Nick Pigeon of the Michigan Campaign Finance Network and Lisa McGraw, the public affairs manager of the Michigan Press Association, join the MIRS team to discuss the transparency proposals (1:34). Also, Stephanie Jones, the founder of the Michig ..read more