Podcasts about michiganders

Where Michigan Is Growing (and Where the Price Data Makes No Sense)Michigan added about 56,000 people since 2020, but 26 of our 83 counties actually lost population over that same stretch. The fastest growing county in the state? Not Oakland. Not Kent. It is Lake County, a place most lifelong Michiganders could not find on a map. Meanwhile, one of Michigan's biggest cities added a grand total of six residents last year.In this episode, I break down the newest U.S. Census Bureau estimates covering 2020 through 2025 and lay my own MLS price data over the top of them, and the results genuinely surprised me. The fastest growing township in Michigan saw home prices go DOWN. All ten of the fastest shrinking communities in the state, every single one in Wayne County, saw home prices go UP, including one that jumped roughly 40 percent in three years.You will hear:Why Kent County and Grand Rapids are leading Michigan in raw population growth, and what that means for buyers competing there. Why northern Michigan is growing at more than double the state's rate while the Traverse City region faces a shortage of roughly 30,000 housing units by 2027. Why Lyon Township, the fastest growing community in the entire state, saw its median price dip while Inkster, the fastest shrinking, posted the strongest price growth in this whole episode. The three variables you have to read together (population, supply, and price tier) before you trust any headline about the Michigan housing market. Plus a real story about a relocating family who almost let a "top ten places to live" list steer them away from exactly what they wanted.Whether you are relocating to Michigan from out of state, moving within Southeast Michigan, or just trying to make sense of conflicting housing headlines, this episode gives you the full picture instead of half the board.Grab my free 74-page Michigan Relocation Guide below. It breaks all of this down county by county, including cost of living, taxes, and communities across the state.CONTACT ME

Click here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/15494297/joinHere's the Left of Lansing "Monday Musing" for July 20, 2026. Democratic Party leaders in the U.S. House endorsed cryptocurrency & AIPAC Congressman Shri Thanedar of Detroit over his working class progressive candidate, State Rep. Donovan McKinney. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries claims that Rep. Thanedar will fight for the affordability of all Michiganders, and take-on the Trump Regime. Yet, all evidence points to the contrary when it comes to Thanedar's record. Pat Johnston explains why this endorsement shows how Democratic Party leaders still are not getting the working class anger spreading across Michigan, and the country. Click here to help State Rep. Donovan McKinney's campaign!!!Please, subscribe to the podcast, download each episode, and give it a good review if you can!leftoflansing@gmail.comLeft of Lansing is now on YouTube as well!Music provided by Wanderbeats. To hear the latest project, visit Space Leopard on various streaming sites, or visit: https://www.youtube.com/@SpaceLeopardClick here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/15494297/joinNOTES:"Two-Thirds of Shri Thanedar's Campaign Cash Came Through AIPAC as He Lost Over $600K." By Akela Lacy of The Intercept #podcast #politics #progressive #WorkingClass #Democrats #Republicans #MAGA #Michigan #ShriThanedar #DonovanMcKinney #Cypytocurrency #Trump #Israel #WarPowers #Detroit #CorporateGreed #CorporateCorruption #GovernmentCorruption #HakeemJeffries #Authoritarianism #Fascism #Democracy #LeftofLansing #MondayMusing

Jason Singer of Michigander joins the podcast to talk about the band's upcoming album "Over Before You Know It", their fall tour, and the journey of building a music career over more than a decade of writing, recording, and touring. We had a great conversation about his new music (and his last album), life on the road, the great state of Michigan, and more! Michigander on Instagram: http://instagram.com/michiganderband Order Michigander merch: https://shop.michiganderband.com/ Michigander 2026 tour: https://www.michiganderband.com/#shows Reach out directly if you want to join the Gander Discord server!

Jocelyn Benson is Michigan's 43rd Secretary of State and is running for governor. She has become one of the nation's most prominent leaders in ensuring elections are secure and accessible. Her work overseeing Michigan's 2020 and 2022 general elections earned her national recognition, including the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award and the Presidential Citizens Medal. She also implemented new voting rights for all eligible Michiganders prior to the 2020 election, including the right to vote absentee, and oversaw more than 250 audits after the election, all of which affirmed its integrity and accuracy. At 36 Jocelyn was appointed dean of Wayne State University Law School in Detroit, becoming the youngest woman in U.S. history to lead a top-100, accredited law school, and continues to serve as vice chair of the advisory board for the Levin Center at Wayne Law, which she founded with former U.S. Sen. Carl Levin. She is the author of the books “State Secretaries of State: Guardians of the Democratic Process”, and last year's “The Purposeful Warrior: Standing Up for What's Right When the Stakes Are High”. She is also a frequent tv news commentator. And she's back in The Back Room to discuss the campaign, election integrity, and the upcoming midterms. But first, Matty and I discuss Trump's desperate, bizarre address to the nation last night. Got somethin' to say?! Email us at BackroomAndy@gmail.com Leave us a message: 845-307-7446 Twitter: @AndyOstroy Produced by Andy Ostroy, Matty Rosenberg, and Jennifer Hammoud @ Radio Free Rhiniecliff Design by Cricket Lengyel

Click here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/15494297/joinHere's the Left of Lansing "Friday Short" for July 17, 2026!Michigan is the epicenter of the Cyclosporiasis outbreak, where over a thousand Michiganders are sick after ingesting a small parasite that causes explosive diarrhea. This outbreak has hit over 2,000 people in Michigan and 17 other states. State and federal health officials are investigating the source of this outbreak, but they're investigating with one hand tied behind their backs.That's thanks to The Trump Regime's CDC scaling back efforts to investigate and control foodborne outbreaks, like Cyclosporiasis. Pat Johnston explains how moves like this by The Regime is in line with what this Regime is all about: Protecting the corporate class, otherwise known as The Epstein Class. Click here to vote on LOL Weekly Poll: Will A Candidate's Stance on Israel Play A Key Role in How You'll Vote in the August Primary?Please, subscribe to the podcast, download each episode, and give it a good review if you can!leftoflansing@gmail.comLeft of Lansing is now on YouTube as well!Music provided by Wanderbeats. To hear the latest project, visit Space Leopard on various streaming sites, or visit: https://www.youtube.com/@SpaceLeopardClick here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/15494297/joinNOTES:"What experts say you should do during Michigan cyclosporiasis outbreak." By Kristen Jordan Shamus of The Detroit Free Press "Trump's CDC Stopped Monitoring Explosive Diarrhea Parasite Before Outbreak." By Marni Rose McFall of Newsweek #podcast #politics #Michigan #Progressives #Cyclosporiasis #Health #Government #GovernmentCorruption #CDC #RKFJr #MAHA #MAGA #Democrats #Trump #Republicans #EpsteinClass #DonorClass #CorporateCorruption #Musk #PFAS #Fascist #Authoritarianism #Democracy #LeftofLansing

Our latest stop on our Summer in the Cities tour is Los Angeles, where sun faded billboards, winding canyons and late night freeways quietly shape the sounds coming out of bedrooms, warehouses and old studios. Don and Dude drop the needle on two Los Angeles born records that trace how the citys haze, tension and restless energy seep into confessional pop and psychedelic rock, turning private struggles and midnight wanderings into full album statements.The AlbumsBillie Eilish – Hit Me Hard and Soft (2024)Billie Eilish and Finneas turn a Los Feliz home studio into an intimate pop laboratory, stitching close micd vocals, detailed dynamics and slow building arrangements into a tight 10 song journey about queerness, self image, fame and tangled relationships. Quiet folk tinged openings bloom into cinematic swells so naturally that the record plays like one late night emotional arc rather than a stack of singles.The Doors – Strange Days (1967)The Doors deepen their Sunset Strip mythology on Strange Days, draping Jim Morrisons surreal poetry over Ray Manzareks carnival organ, Robby Kriegers fluid guitar and John Densmores jazz steeped drums. Tape effects, early synthesizer experiments and club tested songs about alienation, odd crowds and end of the world tension turn this short, eerie set into one of Los Angeles late 60s cornerstone psychedelic rock albums.Diggin AlbumsMary in the Junkyard – Role Model Hermit (2026)London trio Mary in the Junkyard blend indie rock, folk, post punk and art rock into dark fables and richly layered arrangements on their debut Role Model Hermit, marking them as one of Britains most imaginative emerging bands.Red Hot Chili Peppers – Mothers Milk (1989)With John Frusciante and Chad Smith on board, Mothers Milk pairs the Chili Peppers funk energy with heavier guitar and stronger melodies, using songs like Higher Ground and Knock Me Down to launch their shift from cult favorites to mainstream rock forces.Michigander – Over Before You Know It (2026)Jason Singers second full length as Michigander stretches big guitar driven indie rock over reflective lyrics about growing up, doubt and savoring fleeting moments, pushing his once DIY project into full band, arena ready territory.Phoebe Bridgers – Lost Weekend (2026)Los Angeles born Phoebe Bridgers continues her quietly devastating storytelling on third solo album Lost Weekend, folding detailed, intimate songs into a subtly expanded sound that keeps her indie roots while nudging closer to widescreen singer songwriter status.Follow & Support Follow the show on Instagram, Facebook, Threads, and Bluesky @albumnerds, and support the podcast by subscribing, rating, reviewing and sharing it with another music obsessive who still loves hearing whole albums front to back.“I love Los Angeles, and I love Hollywood. Theyre beautiful. Everybodys plastic, but I love plastic. I want to be plastic.” – Andy Warhol

My conversation with Christy starts at 29 minutes Stand Up is a daily podcast. I book,host,edit, post and promote new episodes with brilliant guests every day. This show is Ad free and fully supported by listeners like you! Please subscribe now for as little as 5$ and gain access to a community of over 750 awesome, curious, kind, funny, brilliant, generous souls Subscribe and Watch Interviews LIVE : On YOUTUBE.com/StandUpWithPete ON SubstackStandUpWithPete In July of 2025 Christy McGillivray joined Voters Not Politicians as the Executive Director. She has over twenty years of experience across the fields of education and non-partisan political and policy advocacy. Her past roles as an advocate include working as the Legislative and Political Director for Sierra Club Michigan; Organizer with the American Federation of Teachers, Michigan; and Campaigns Director and Field Manager for Michigan Clean Water Action. Christy taught Earth Science, Chemistry, and Physics at Eastpointe Highschool, outdoor STEM education at the Farmington Hills Nature Center, Early American History and Literature at Lawrence Technological University, and Comparative Education Policy at Deakin University in Melbourne, Australia. Christy is committed to spending the rest of her life ensuring the people most affected by policies have a voice in shaping those policies, and preserving an accountability pathway for elected officials based on the policy decisions they make. In short, Christy is here to fight for our democracy. Decades of experience have made it clear to her that a healthy, functioning democracy is the best way to deliver for all Michiganders. If she's not spending her spare time hiking and paddling in the Upper Peninsula with her partner, daughter, and two dogs, Christy can probably be found in Wayne State University's Reuther archive combing through primary documents from the 1930s. Listen rate and review on Apple Podcasts Listen rate and review on Spotify Pete On Instagram Pete on Blue Sky Pete on Threads Pete on Tik Tok Pete on Twitter Pete Personal FB page Stand Up with Pete FB page All things Jon Carroll  Gift a Subscription https://www.patreon.com/PeteDominick/gift Send Pete $ Directly on Venmo

On this episode of Sound Up!, Mark and Alan welcome Grammy-winning songwriter and Semisonic frontman Dan Wilson to talk about making new music with the band and his remarkable history working with Adele, the Chicks, and so many more. Alan reviews a Suki Waterhouse underplay and St. Vincent with the New York Philharmonic. Music news, of course, is dominated by the Taylor Swift-Travis Kelce wedding - what we know (Adam Sandler officiated, Paul McCartney performed) and what we don't (which Stevie Nicks song would be appropriate for the occasion?) - as well as the announcement of, and trailer for, the upcoming Oasis documentary. Our new music picks this week come from Michigander, Kiss (from 1976), and The Maine. We want to make you part of the conversation. Leave us your comments via text or audio message at connect@sounduppod.com https://www.instagram.com/sounduppod/https://twitter.com/sounduppod Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In the final episode of the series #FactsMatter: Facts from the Front Porch, Guy Gordon and Eric Lupher sat down with Bridge Michigan reporter Lauren Gibbons for a candid look at Michigan's political moment. Gibbons talks about fact‑checking candidates, navigating election‑year friction, and the challenge of covering policy in a state where partisan tension often overshadows problem‑solving. The trio reflects on the unusually urgent tone of the May 2026 Mackinac Policy Conference: Michigan's economic and population warning lights aren't just flashing yellow — they're flashing red. Gibbons notes that leaders across the island seem to recognize the stakes, even if consensus on solutions remains elusive. They dig into emerging issues like data centers, AI anxiety, and the strain on local governments suddenly facing massive energy‑intensive projects. And when the conversation turns to Michigan State University's latest leadership shake‑up, Gibbons weighs in on whether structural reform — including how university boards are selected — may finally be on the table, especially with a constitutional convention question headed to voters. A fast, lively, porch‑side conversation about journalism, elections, governance, and the crossroads Michigan now faces.

In this #FactsMatter: Front Porch Edition conversation, Monique Field-Foster, executive partner at Warner Norcross + Judd, joins host Guy Gordon and Research President Eric Lupher to explore one of the central themes of conversation in Michigan policy circles: Michigan's struggle with population growth, income growth, and political whiplash. Field-Foster reflects on her decades in government affairs and describes how Michigan's political volatility — the “purple curse” of frequent partisan swings — leads to repeated policy resets rather than sustained progress. She argues that Michigan cannot improve population growth, income growth, or educational outcomes until leaders and voters embrace common ground, continuity, and a clearer understanding of what policy choices mean for residents. The discussion also highlights a growing governance challenge: local capacity in high‑stakes economic development. As global companies pursue data center projects in Michigan, negotiations often fall to small township boards with limited staff and part‑time elected officials. Field-Foster suggests Michigan may need a state‑level framework, similar to the solar siting process, to provide consistency, address community concerns, and give businesses predictable rules of engagement. The episode underscores three themes critical for policymakers: - Policy stability matters. Michigan's habit of undoing prior administrations' work slows progress and undermines long‑term strategies. - Public understanding is essential. Headlines drive voter disengagement; clear, nonpartisan policy education is needed. - Local governments need support. Townships negotiating with multinational firms require structure, expertise, and state‑level guardrails. A timely conversation about political culture, economic competitiveness, and the structural reforms Michigan may need to move forward.

In a rapidly changing economy, preparing girls for the future isn't just important — it's urgent. On this episode of the #FactsMatter Podcast – Facts from the Front Porch, Eric Lupher and Guy Gordon sit down with Monica Woodson, President of the Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan, for a thoughtful conversation about how one of the nation's most iconic youth organizations is reimagining its mission for a new era. Woodson is also a Trustee of the Citizens Research Council. Woodson explains how the Girl Scouts have overhauled their programming to focus on workforce development, using data, university partnerships, and collaboration with youth‑serving organizations to expose girls to careers they might never have considered. She stresses the importance of leadership, self‑advocacy, and confidence, noting that girls need both hard skills and the ability to navigate their own paths. From STEAM exploration to financial literacy and career‑focused skill building, the organization is intentionally aligning its badges, activities, and partnerships with the demands of tomorrow's job market. The conversation also highlights a major policy gap: Michigan's lack of out‑of‑school infrastructure. Woodson argues that safe, structured, high‑quality programs between school and evening hours are essential — not optional — for youth development, public safety, and long‑term talent retention. Leadership and self‑advocacy remain at the heart of the Girl Scout experience. Woodson underscores the importance of teaching girls to make decisions, speak up for themselves, and navigate challenges with confidence — skills that are essential whether they pursue college, skilled trades, entrepreneurship, or public service. A candid, forward‑looking discussion about data, collaboration, and the systems Michigan must build if it wants its young people to stay, thrive, and lead.

Michigander and NHL Hockey player (Columbus Blue Jackets) Zach Werenski joins the show to talk about winning the Norris Trophy, plus general hockey news and American-Polish Hall of Fame. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Michigander and NHL Hockey player (Columbus Blue Jackets) Zach Werenski joins the show to talk about winning the Norris Trophy, plus general hockey news and American-Polish Hall of Fame. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

~Episode 175~The DJ who broke Rush to America isn't a legend, she's a lesson. How local radio DJs shaped music discovery, and why their disappearance matters. We've also got new music from Michigander, Tough Cookie, and more!Head to the Songs That Don't Suck website to check out this week's songs, join the Patreon (it's Free), and more. Be sure and like, review, and subscribe to the podcast where ever you may be listening, and if you want,  connect with Songs That Don't Suck on social media including ⁠⁠Instagram⁠,  BlueSky, and  Threads.

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Detroit's urban neighborhoods are concrete, heat, and noise — with nature feeling like something that belongs to somebody else. Josh McCreedy, owner and founder of TrailSense LLC, is changing that, one trail at a time. Just off 8 Mile Road, he's transforming Dorais Park into a world-class outdoor experience for the families and kids who call this neighborhood home. Because no matter who you are or where you live, you deserve a trail to call your own.Links:https://www.facebook.com/trailsensemiSubscribe to our Email Newsletter: https://totalmichigan.com/join/Find us on Facebook: https://facebook.com/totalmichiganWatch on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@totalmichiganMentioned in this episode:NWF AdVisit Our Sponsor: The National Wildlife Federation Great Lakes Chapter is working hard to protect what Michiganders love and that is our great outdoors. Learn more about threats facing all Michiganders and what the NWF is fighting for at https://nwf.org/greatlakes

Click here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/15494297/joinHere's the Left of Lansing "Monday Musing" for June 8, 2026.Some establishment Michigan Democratic officials, like former Attorney General nominee Karen McDonald, fail to learn why it is they aren't reaching Democratic Party base votes, as well as independent voters.McDonald suffered are stunning defeat against here progressive opponent, Eli Savit, at the party's nominating convention last month. But instead of realizing her message didn't resonate with Democratic and independent working class Michiganders, McDonald is starting what she calls a "Common Sense Coalition PAC."That's McDonald's way, and many corporate-establishment Democrats' way, of saying they know what's right and that THEY are the ones who should always be in power, even if they're on the opposite and extreme side of the party. So much for "VOTE BLUE NO MATTER WHO," right Karen? Please, subscribe to the podcast, download each episode, and give it a good review if you can!leftoflansing@gmail.comLeft of Lansing is now on YouTube as well!Music provided by Wanderbeats. To hear the latest project, visit Space Leopard on various streaming sites, or visit: https://www.youtube.com/@SpaceLeopardClick here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/15494297/joinNOTES:"Spurned by Dem convention voters, former AG candidate Karen McDonald launches ‘common sense' PAC." By Kyle Davidson of Michigan Advance

For many Michiganders, Up North begins at the north end of the Mackinac Bridge. One listener defends the Upper Peninsula as true north. And another listener says the southern border of the mitten is also Up North for many people. GUESTS ON THIS EPISODE: Ken Raisanen, retired teacher and lifelong Upper Peninsula Michigander Keith Baker, City Manger of Coldwater Want to submit your own story or question to On Hand? Do it here!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel On our political radar this week… Donald Trump says he's getting bored with his war, doesn't care about the mid-terms … but is laser focused on what matters: his reflecting pond renovation, diverting money from national parks for his D.C. cleanup, the Arc ‘d Trump, taking over DC golf courses, the UFC version of the ancient gladiator battles to the death, and reminding us daily that he's passed a dementia screening test four times. His latest middle finger to the nation: suggesting that the Las Vegas-style Fight Club arena on what used to be the White House lawn become a permanent part of the landscape. Vegas has the Dome and Elvis Wedding chapel; the home of Presidents, if Trump has his way, will have its own dome and a massive wedding reception hall. And it's being reported that Trump is looting money from National Parks maintenance to pay for his July 4 fireworks show, the Reflecting Pool, a White House helipad and DC cleanup projects. He'll burn up 1.6-million dollars blowing up stuff on the 4th … even as he burns up billions every week blowing up stuff in Iran. In an administration populated by the absolutely worst cabinet in American history, Trump manages to lower the bar even further with the appointment of Michigander housing developer and certified Trump suck-up Bill Pulte as acting Director of National Intelligence, a job for which he has absolutely no qualifications. Actors Matt Damon and John Krasinski … a.k.a. Jason Bourne and Jack Ryan … would be more qualified. Adding the the Bad Cabinet Blues: the new director of Homeland Security, Markwayne Mullins, says as far as he's concerned following court orders is optional. Michigan Democrats are optimistic after making the case to the national party that Michigan should be in the first tier of 2028 presidential primaries. The state party has also rejected appeals related to vote counting in the April endorsement convention. Will the dispute extend to the official nominating convention in August? The state House has turned down a Republican-drafted constitutional amendment which would make all university boards and the State Board of Education gubernatorial appointed bodies instead of elected. Speaker Matt Hall didn't bother to talk with Democrats before putting the measure up for a vote. With a two-thirds vote needed to pass, it didn't come close to adoption, but could be revived for the November election. We are just 50 days away from the start of early voting in Michigan. The four races to watch: the 3-way Republican contest for the opportunity to battle Jocelyn Benson for Governor; the 3-way Democratic contest to battle Mike Rogers for the U.S. Senate; and multi-candidate Democratic primaries for Congressional seats based in Lansing and Macomb County. Speculation has begun over who may be in the running for President of Michigan State University in the wake of last week's departure of Kevin Guskiewicz. Will it be a relatively unknown academic, or a high-powered retired politician? There's precedent for both routes…although the highest profile possibility, Gretchen Whitmer, has already announced she is not interested in the gig. Republicans in Congress are starting to push back on Trump outrages – the House passing a measure to stop Trump's Middle East war, Senators stripping the one-billion-dollar subsidy for his ballroom from the DHS budget, and both chambers primed to outlaw efforts to revive the $1.8-billion slush fund for rewarding January 6 rioters and other Trump fans. It's interesting that congressional Republicans only started to show signs of life after candidate filing deadlines. Michigan Congressman Tom Barrett, who no longer faces the possibility of a primary challenge, was one of four Republicans voting this week to end the Iran War.  The political threat to non-compliant Republicans for pushing back against Great Leader comes as doubts about Trump's mental and physical health grow. His third physical examination since taking office coupled with an incomplete post-exam report on what the doctors learned, his reduced work schedule, the cankles and bruising – have increased the speculation. It sure looks like both his political and mental powers are in decline. This week's best political giggle: an AI doctored photo of Senate candidate Mike Rogers, turning his relatively fit 63-year-old body into a modern-day Charles Atlas. What the heck – it's easier than hours in the gym, or even going on Ozempic. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Introducing our new podcast! Greed, Grift$ and Grab$: The Trump Crime Family Chronicles ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A Republic, If You Can Keep It is sponsored in part by

Click here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/15494297/joinHere's Episode #181 of Michigan's Premier Progressive Podcast!00:00-9:57: Mike Rogers' Beta CampaignPat Johnston opens this week's show pointing-out how feeble MAGA Michigan Republican Senate candidate, "Florida" Mike Rogers', really is as his campaign used Artificial Intelligence to give him a muscular body. These MAGA Republicans claim they're "manly men," but they're really just insecure little Beta men. Pat talks about how whenever he shares social media posts about Michigan progressive Democratic Senate candidate, Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, he gets bombarded by a rush of racist and Islamophobic comments by MAGA voters. But they're following MAGA Republicans in Congress, who have no issue spewing their hatred and racism against Arab-Americans. And a Michigan Republican voted with Democrats to end the Trump Regime's, and Israel's, War on Iran. 9:58-31:00: Line 5 Jeffrey Insko InterviewDr. Jeffrey Insko of The Current returns to the show as he shares some of the latest news surrounding the fight to close the Line 5 oil pipeline under the Straits of Mackinac. They also discuss how Line 5 has negatively impacted Michigan's environment and public health. And they cover how the Trump Regime is working with the Canadian owner of Line 5 to keep it open for years to come. 31:03-46:01: Whitmer & Data CentersIn this week's "Last Call," Pat gives his take on Michigan Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer's decision to heartily embrace hyper-scale data centers in Michigan. Gov. Whitmer declares the huge data center in Saline Twp. will be a long-term victory for Michigan. However, many working class Michiganders, as well as many Lansing Democrats, believe lining-up with the billionaire tech bro authoritarians will hurt Michigan in a number of ways. 46:01-48:24: EndingPlease, subscribe to the podcast, download each episode, and give it a good review if you can!leftoflansing@gmail.comLeft of Lansing is now on YouTube as well!Music provided by Wanderbeats. To hear the latest project, visit Space Leopard on various streaming sites, or visit: https://www.youtube.com/@SpaceLeopardClick here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/15494297/joinNOTES:Visit Oil & Water Don't Mix"Chemical Valley and the Line 5 Death Toll." By Jeffrey Insko of The Current "Supreme Court rules for Michigan in effort to shut down Line 5 but fight not over." By Associated Press (via Michigan Public Radio)"Michigan plans to reissue Line 5 permit amid federal review, court fight." By Kelly House of Bridge Michigan "Where's a folder when you need one?" By Jon King of Michigan Advance "Gov. Whitmer addresses data centers day after Saline groundbreaking." By Arpan Lobo of The Detroit Free Press "Saline data center brings out bigwigs. Big day for Michigan or big betrayal?" By Paula Gardner of Bridge Michigan "Democrats Split on Saline Data Center Groundbreaking with OpenAI Founder." By Sam Robinson of Michigan Chronical "Iran vote caps Trump's congressional losing streak." By Connor O'Brien & Leo Shane III of Politico #politics #podcast #progressives #Democrats #MAGA #Republicans #Michigan #Line5 #Environment #Jobs #WorkingClass #CorporateGreed #CorporateCorruption #GovernmentCorruption #GreatLakes #ClimateChange #IranWar #Trump #Israel #Gaza #MikeRogers #AbdulElSayed #Economy #WilliamLawrence #TomBarrett #GretchenWhitmer #DataCenters #EpsteinClass #CorporateWelfare #TechBros #Authoritarianism #Democracy #Left of Lansing

On this episode, we highlight Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan's nonprofit mission and its investments aimed at improving community health, reducing disparities, and addressing the long-term drivers of health care costs. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan's social mission is central to advancing both health and affordability across Michigan. Through investments made by the Michigan Health Endowment Fund, the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation, and support for safety net providers, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan is helping to strengthen communities and support those most in need. The episode explores how addressing social determinants and root causes of health leads to better outcomes and reduces long-term costs. We also discuss the impact of uncompensated care on the entire health care system and the importance of supporting community health as an essential part of building a sustainable, affordable health care system for everyone.Guests:•Tiffany Albert• Jason Maciejewski• Mary Lewis

June 1, 2026 ~ Chris and Lloyd find out why Michiganders don't trust Data Centers; learn about the success of the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear; hears with the White House's 'Aliens.gov' is really about and hears about how Stephen Colbert appeared on Monroe Public Access after being cancelled by CBS. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Day Break | Free Speech, Free For All Friday --- 00:00 - Monologue 19:10 – General Dick Miller and General Cornell Wilson, representing PuroVet. Miller and Wilson discuss the PuroVet mission, which helps veterans transition from military service into business ownership and entrepreneurship. They explain how the organization supports veteran-owned businesses and creates opportunities for former service members to succeed in the private sector. 38:18 - Monologue Featuring Ivey Gruber 47:16 – Danielle Buck, Senior Vice President of Marketing & Partnerships at Patriot Mobile. Buck discusses Patriot Mobile's growth, partnerships, and efforts to provide wireless services while supporting causes and organizations that align with the company's mission and values. 57:32 – Tony Abboud, Executive Director of the Vapor Technology Association (VTA). Abboud discusses regulatory challenges facing the vaping industry, including FDA approval processes, federal policy debates, and concerns about regulatory barriers affecting manufacturers and consumers. 1:06:34 – Katy Faust, founder and president of Them Before Us. Faust discusses the organization's first-ever Children's Rights Scorecard, which evaluates state laws based on how well they protect the rights and interests of children. The conversation focuses on family policy, child welfare, and legal frameworks affecting children across the country. 1:16:42 - Monologue 1:25:42 – Steve Dulan, professor and attorney. Dulan discusses a New Jersey lawsuit involving Glock and broader Second Amendment concerns. He explains arguments from critics who believe certain legal actions could be used to create firearm registries that lawmakers have historically denied pursuing. 1:35:50 – Wendy Block, Senior Vice President of Business Advocacy for the Michigan Chamber, appearing as part of the Michigan Chamber Business Brief. Block discusses the proposed “Michiganders for Money Out of Politics” (MiMOP/MMOP) ballot initiative and its potential impact on businesses, political advocacy, and campaign finance regulations in Michigan. 1:44:41 – Steve and Ivey Gruber take listener calls while discussing concerns about privacy, surveillance, and monitoring technology. Topics include cameras and microphones in schools, facial recognition systems, digital tracking, data collection, and the broader question of how much surveillance is becoming part of everyday life. Listeners share their thoughts on balancing convenience, security, and personal privacy. --- Check out our brand new podcast, 'Forgotten America'... Episode 16 is live NOW at Steve Gruber on YouTube! Link below: https://youtu.be/I4UA2LzQQUg

5/29/26 - Anger or Apathy? Detroit's greatest sports villains, Cookie Jar, You're not a Michigander if...

8:00 HOUR: Could a looming work stoppage play into the Tigers' hands? You're not a Michigander if...

We continue our discussion after Costa admitted that he doesn't know how to play euchre

We were surprised to find out that Costa doesn't know how to play euchre

Click here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/15494297/joinHere's the Left of Lansing "Friday Short" for May 29, 2026.The Detroit Regional Chamber's Mackinac Policy Conference is over, and this year proved to be another example of why this corporate-friendly event is useless to working class Michiganders.Pat Johnston explains how it's main goal is to ensure enough MAGA Republicans and Democrats work in "bipartisan" fashion to ensure corporate interests are highlighted.That's otherwise known as business as usual in Lansing. It's time to end this conference on Mackinac Island, and the Mop-Up Michigan campaign to block utilities from donating to politicians might be a major first step in making such an event useless.Please, subscribe to the podcast, download each episode, and give it a good review if you can!leftoflansing@gmail.comLeft of Lansing is now on YouTube as well!Music provided by Wanderbeats. To hear the latest project, visit Space Leopard on various streaming sites, or visit: https://www.youtube.com/@SpaceLeopardClick here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/15494297/joinNotes: "U.S. Senate debate at Mackinac Policy Conference exposes deeper debate over who gets heard." By Ben Solis of Michigan Advance "Rogers defends Trump policies while pitching affordability fixes at Mackinac Policy Conference." By Ben Solis of Michigan Advance

Click here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/15494297/joinHere's Episode #180 of Michigan's Premier Progressive Podcast!00:00-14:47: AIPAC & Haley StevensPat Johnston shares even more stories revealing how AIPAC is using loopholes to funnel campaign bribes, or "donations," towards the corporate-establishment Democratic Party's pick for Michigan's open U.S. Senate seat: Haley Stevens. Pat also talks about how, when the working class is suffering in The Trump Economy and when this nation's national debt keeps rising, the United States keeps shoveling more money and arms to Israel's right-wing government. That might be a good question for Haley Stevens to answer.14:48-26:27: Mackinac Conference Sham; Mop-Up MIWhile corporations wine and dine Michigan's elite political class, working class Michiganders turned-in over 500k signatures to put the "Mop-Up Michigan" ballot initiative on the ballot. Mop-Up Michigan would end utilities, like DTE and Consumers Energy, from making campaign donations. Unlike the useless corporate Mackinac Policy Conference, working class Michiganders are taking power in their own hands by hoping to finally end DTE's and other corporations receiving preferential attention in Lansing. 26:28-34:38: Trump Hurts MI TourismIn the "Last Call, " Pat covers how the Trump Regime is hurting international tourism in the U.S., and especially for Michigan, which shares a border with Canada.34:39-36:47: EndingPlease, subscribe to the podcast, download each episode, and give it a good review if you can!leftoflansing@gmail.comLeft of Lansing is now on YouTube as well!Music provided by Wanderbeats. To hear the latest project, visit Space Leopard on various streaming sites, or visit: https://www.youtube.com/@SpaceLeopardClick here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/15494297/joinNotes: "AIPAC has become a dirty word in Michigan's U.S. Senate race." By Todd Spangler of The Detroit Free Press "Over 562K signatures filed for proposal to ban campaign spending by utilities, state contractors." By Katherine Dailey of Michigan Advance "Opinion | Time to ban utilities' political spending, lower costs for Michiganders." By Democratic State Rep. Laurie Pohutsky and Christy McGillivray of Voters Not Politicians in Bridge Michigan "Nessel, Michigan Dems push Whitmer to confront Lansing's ‘quid pro quo' political culture." By Ben Solis of Michigan Advance "Ohio data center tax break cost $1.4 billion more than expected in 2025." By Jake Zuckerman of Signal Ohio "Black Michiganders need answers in Michigan U.S. Senate primary | Opinion." By Michael Griffie in The Detroit Free Press "Pro-Israel PAC uses 'loophole' to quietly fund Stevens in Dem primary." By Grant Schwab & Melissa Nann-Burke of The Detroit News Photo of Grand Hotel courtesy: "Grand Hotel 2008" by Drdpw is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.#podcast #politics #progressive #Democrats #Michigan #MAGA #Republicans #HaleyStevens #AbdulElSayed #MackinacPolicy Conference #MopUpMichigan #CorporateGreed #CorporateCorruption #GovernmentCorruption #MichiganSenateRace #Israel #AIPAC #War #IranWar #marginalizedAmericans #WorkingClass #CorporateDonations #DataCenters #tourism #Election2026 #Authoritarianism #Fascism #Democracy #LeftofLansing

In Sault Ste. Marie, a pasty is more than food. It's memory. It's family. It's the Upper Peninsula wrapped in dough and carried through generations.This week on Total Michigan, Cliff sits down with Heidi and Jeff Ritter, founders of the Yooper Pasty Company, to explore how a small food trailer turned into one of the most beloved gathering places in the Soo. But beneath the story of fresh crusts, rutabaga debates, and sold-out lunch rushes is something deeper: a couple trying to preserve a feeling most people are afraid of losing.This episode explores:Why the pasty means so much to Yooper cultureThe journey from Coast Guard life to entrepreneurshipHow food preserves memory and communityThe deep connection between Michigan history and traditionWhy some places feel like home the second you walk inIf you've ever tasted something that instantly transported you back to childhood, this episode will stay with you.Links:951 E Portage AveSault Ste. Marie, MI 49783Subscribe to our Email Newsletter: https://totalmichigan.com/join/Find us on Facebook: https://facebook.com/totalmichiganWatch on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@totalmichiganMentioned in this episode:NWF AdVisit Our Sponsor: The National Wildlife Federation Great Lakes Chapter is working hard to protect what Michiganders love and that is our great outdoors. Learn more about threats facing all Michiganders and what the NWF is fighting for at https://nwf.org/greatlakes

Click here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/15494297/joinHere's the Left of Lansing "Friday Short" for May 22, 2026.Former Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan ended his "independent" run to become Michigan's next Governor this week. Duggan cited poor polling numbers, the struggle to raise money against the Democratic and MAGA Republican Parties, and strong momentum for the Democrats this year as to why his campaign couldn't catch fire. But Pat Johnston explains the real reason Mike Duggan's campaign fell flat.It might've had something to do with how he refused to show how he'd stick-up for working class Michiganders while ensuring business as usual in Lansing's toxic corporate culture. Please, subscribe to the podcast, download each episode, and give it a good review if you can!leftoflansing@gmail.comLeft of Lansing is now on YouTube as well!Music provided by Wanderbeats. To hear the latest project, visit Space Leopard on various streaming sites, or visit: https://www.youtube.com/@SpaceLeopardClick here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/15494297/joinClick here to vote on this week's "LOL Web Poll!"Notes:"Duggan drops independent bid for governor, remapping 2026 Michigan gubernatorial landscape." By Ben Solis and Kyle Davidson of Michigan Advance "How Mike Duggan's independent campaign for governor fell apart." By Steve Neavling of The Detroit Metro Times #podcast #Politics #Michigan #Progressive #WorkingClass #DemocraticSocialism #MAGA #Republicans #Trump #CorporateGreed #CorporateCorruption #GovenrmentCorruption #Unions #Detroit #Lansing #DTE #DataCenters #TechBro #EpsteinClass #Authoritarianism #Election2026 #Democracy #LeftofLansing

The Memorial Day weekend is underway, with thousands traveling from Metro Detroit to spots across the state ... and across the country. WWJ's Tony Ortiz has the top local news headlines for your Friday afternoon in Metro Detroit. (Photo: Getty Images)

Click here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/15494297/joinHere's Episode #179 of Michigan's Premier Progressive Podcast!00:00-16:51: Campbell Plant/AIPAC & Haley StevensPat Johnston immediately wonders how MAGA Michigan Republicans believe they will win in the midterms as working class Michiganders are heavily disapproving of Dear Leader Trump and the Trump Regime. And, Pat talks about how Democratic Party establishment types keep backing Congresswoman Haley Stevens despite her hearty embrace of corporate donations and AIPAC donations. 16:52-47:40: Joe Spaulding InterviewOttawa County progressive activist Joe Spaulding returns to the show. They talk about how Michigan isn't part of this gerrymandering battle thanks to the anti-gerrymandering ballot proposal that passed in 2018. Pat and Joe also share their disagreements and concerns regarding the Michigan Democratic Senate Primary Race. Pat's already announced his support for progressive-populist Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, but Joe shares his worries and reservations if El-Sayed wins the primary. 47:41-55:30: Last Call-Spaulding Interview ReaxIn the "Last Call," Pat shares his reaction to his interview with Joe Spaulding.55:31-57:53: EndingPlease, subscribe to the podcast, download each episode, and give it a good review if you can!leftoflansing@gmail.comLeft of Lansing is now on YouTube as well!Music provided by Wanderbeats. To hear the latest project, visit Space Leopard on various streaming sites, or visit: https://www.youtube.com/@SpaceLeopardClick here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/15494297/joinClick here to vote on this week's "LOL Web Poll!"Notes:"Appeals court weighs legality of orders extending Michigan coal plant life." By Ben Solis of Michigan Advance "Feds renew order to keep J.H. Campbell coal plant open." By Dustin Dweyer of Michigan Public Radio"AIPAC has become a dirty word in Michigan's U.S. Senate race." By Todd Spangler of The Detroit Free Press "Jennifer Granholm backs Haley Stevens in Michigan US Senate battle." By Lauren Gibbons of Bridge Michigan "Opinion | Keeping coal plant online isn't just costly, it risks Michiganders' health." By Teresa Hamsi & Alexander Rabin from Bridge Michigan "What EPA's PFAS rollback means for contaminated Michigan drinking water." By Nina Misuraca Ignaczak of Planet Detroit "Hormuz traffic doubles; Israel lobby takes down Thomas Massie; Nigerian military claims joint U.S. strikes killed 175." By Drop Site News "Police officers who guarded Capitol sue to block Trump's $1.8 billion 'slush fund.'" By Jan Wolfe of Bridge Michigan #podcast #politics #Election #Election2026 #Michigan #Progressive #Democrats #MAGA #Republicans #Trump #Economy #WorkingClass #FossilFuels #Coal #Energy #Affordability #ClimateChange #CleanEnergy #GasPrices #AbdulElSayed #HaleyStevens #MalloryMcMorrow #MikeRogers #CorporateGreed #CorporateCorruption #GovernmentCorruption #DataCenters #ArtificialIntelligence #SCOTUS #ExpandThe Court #AIPAC #Gaza #Palestinians #Israel #IranWar #CorporateDonors #Populism #Authoritarianism #Fascism #Democracy #LeftofLansing

Today's Song of the Day is “Freaking Out” from Michigander's album Over Before You Know It, out July 31.Michigander will be performing at Fine Line on Saturday, November 21.

Click here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/15494297/joinHere's Episode #178 of Michigan's Premier Progressive Podcast!00:00-14:59: Iran War, Ballrooms, and Gas PricesPat Johnston opens this week's show highlighting how Dear Leader Trump's price tag for his precious White House ballroom has doubled, and taxpayers will fund it! Meanwhile, thanks to The Trump Regime's and Israel's illegal Iran War, gas prices keep hovering around $5, and fertilizer costs are decimating Michigan farmers. Working class Michiganders continue to suffer thanks to a this war as inflation is outdoing any wage gains, but Dear Leader Trump says he doesn't really think about the financial situations of the working class. 15:00-37:25: MI Senate Race Polls/AIPAC & StevensNew polling shows progressive Dr. Abdul El-Sayed leading by NINE-POINTS over Democratic establishment choice (and Ms. AIPAC) Congresswoman Haley Stevens, and a 10-Point lead over State Senator Mallory McMorrow in the Democratic Primary for Michigan's open U.S. Senate seat. And with poll numbers showing progressive William Lawrence going toe-to-toe with Democratic establishment candidates in the state's 7th Congressional District, it's leading some observers to conclude the electoral energy right now is with Michigan progressives. 37:26-45:00: Last Call...Data Center RejectionA new Gallup Poll reveals 7 of 10 Americans are against Artificial Intelligence Data Centers, and Pat explains why this is the case. 44:01-48:42: EndingPlease, subscribe to the podcast, download each episode, and give it a good review if you can!leftoflansing@gmail.comLeft of Lansing is now on YouTube as well!Music provided by Wanderbeats. To hear the latest project, visit Space Leopard on various streaming sites, or visit: https://www.youtube.com/@SpaceLeopardClick here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/15494297/joinClick Here to Vote on the Weekly "LOL" Poll on The Supreme CourtNotes: "Polling shows it. Progressive energy is real." By Kyle Melinn of The City Pulse "New poll shows surging El-Sayed leading Senate nomination race." By Todd Spangler of The Detroit Free Press "Lawrence gets thumbs up from Tlaib in race for Michigan's 7th Congressional District." By Kyle Davidson of Michigan Advance "Democratic U.S. Senate candidates escalate attacks as Michigan primary intensifies." By Ben Solis of Michigan Advance (via Michigan Public Radio)"Mysterious pro-Israel-linked group spends $5.3M to boost Haley Stevens." By Steve Neavling of Detroit Metro Times "Michigan farms ‘losing money on every acre' as war spikes costs." By Rob French of Bridge Michigan "AIPAC-backed Stevens ousts Levin in race seen as bellwether on US-Israel politics." By Andrew Lapin of Times of Israel "Not in my backyard: Most Americans oppose AI data centers, Gallup finds." By Chris Williams of FOX 2 TV in Detroit "Trump calls MS NOW reporter ‘dumb' for pointing out ballooning ballroom cost." By Julianne McShane of MS Now #podcast #politics #progressives #Democrats #Senate #Michigan #Election2026 #Election #CorporateGreed #CorporateCorruption #GovernmentCorruption #DataCenters #BigTech #Greed #DemocraticSocialism #Trump #MAGA #Republicans #AbdulElSayed #HaleyStevens #MalloryMcMorrow #LisaMcClain #IranWar #Israel #AIPAC #Ballrooms #Inflation #WorkingClass #Unions #Farmers #WilliamLawrence #Congress #MikeJohnson #CorporateWelfare #Authoritarianism #Fascism #Democracy #Leftof Lansing

Opening week on Mackinac Island!Our friends at the Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau invited us to join them on the island as they kicked off the 2026 summer season and welcomed everyone back home to Mackinac. We spent a few days enjoying the island as she reopened for business, and recorded our show at the lovely Bicycle Street Inn.We kick off the show with a new friend from a familar place. Leah Anderson, the senior marketing  manager at Mission Point Resort, joins us. Each season brings new changes, along with all the favorites you can always find at this amazing spot. This year, Mission Point is introducing a brand new pizza oven shipped directly from Italy, and will be opening Aidorandak's Pizza on the resort grounds. Super cool is that you don't have to be a guest here to enjoy, you can stop by on your bike ride or walk and grab a slice. Next, we meet the general manager of the Bicycle Inn, Misty Martinchek. She's been working on the island for a few years now, and shares what she likes about being here. The Bicycle Inn is conveniently located right on Main Street, across from the ferry dock. Misty let us know that their restaurant Winchester's has added a piano bar this season, which is sure to make for some rollicking nights. She also let us in on an island hot-spot, no matter your age, the Carousel Arcade, located just around the corner on Market Street. Located right in the lobby of the Bicycle Inn is one of Mackinac Island's seven fudge shops. A tradition for decades on the island, sweet fudge is one of the best souvenirs you can bring home. We meet with owner James Faulkner, who has been working hard at his shops on the island and in Mackinaw City and TC since 2016. James is a Michigander through and through, having grown up in Onaway. We highly recommend his caramel apples at Kilwin's, take if from our source (Amy!) that they're delicious. Finally, we reconnect with our good friend Brian Bailey. He is celebrating his 37 season on Mackinac, and couldn't wait to get back to work to get started. We discuss what it's like to get the island ready for a new season, what big changes the Pink Pony has undergone this year, including an expansion of the store and new menu iitems, and just how exciting it all is. Every year on Mackinac Island is special, no matter the season. We feel incredibly lucky that we once again got to see her open her arms to all for another year. 

Many people reached out to me when I published my last solo episode, back in early January. In that episode, I shared the struggles I was having as a caregiver, along with my mom's struggles. In this episode, I share the second chapter in that story: detailing what happened after that and some of the lessons I have learned from.I thank all of you who reached out and offered support after that episode aired.Thank you again, all of you, who listen every week.Mentioned in this episode:NWF AdVisit Our Sponsor: The National Wildlife Federation Great Lakes Chapter is working hard to protect what Michiganders love and that is our great outdoors. Learn more about threats facing all Michiganders and what the NWF is fighting for at https://nwf.org/greatlakes

Chris Holman welcomes Brad Ward, Vice President of Public Policy and Legal Affairs at Michigan Realtors, Lansing, MI. Michigan's housing shortage is increasingly seen as a business issue, not just a housing issue. How is the Housing Readiness Plan tied to economic growth and workforce attraction? Some supporters say outdated zoning and permitting rules are driving up costs and slowing development. What practical changes in this plan could make the biggest difference for housing supply and affordability? Business groups, Realtors, and homebuilders are backing this package. What does that unusually broad coalition say about the urgency of the housing challenge in Michigan? For employers struggling to attract or retain talent, how does housing availability and affordability affect competitiveness, and how could this plan help? There is often tension between statewide reform and local control. How does the Housing Readiness Plan balance protecting property rights and local input while still reducing barriers to development? » Visit MBN website: www.michiganbusinessnetwork.com/ » Watch MBN's YouTube: www.youtube.com/@MichiganbusinessnetworkMBN » Like MBN: www.facebook.com/mibiznetwork » Follow MBN: twitter.com/MIBizNetwork/ » MBN Instagram: www.instagram.com/mibiznetwork/ Bipartisan coalition of business, environment, real estate and advocacy groups urge Michigan Legislature to pass Housing Readiness Plan Skyrocketing costs, shortage of supply require statewide solution to create stability, protect property rights, boost affordability LANSING, Mich. -- Michigan business groups joined environmental, real estate, housing advocacy, social service organizations, and diverse nonprofit groups today to call on the Legislature to pass the Housing Readiness Plan, a bipartisan, bicameral package of bills that can help rein in skyrocketing costs, boost housing supply and protect property rights. (See an outline of the plan and list of supporters below.) Supported by Republican and Democratic legislators in both the House and Senate, the proposal comes as Michigan faces a severe housing crisis, with Michigan's inventory of available housing half of what a balanced market should have, affordable housing short by hundreds of thousands, and the median housing price at $270,000 – a jump of $40,000 in just three years. “What we're seeing today is real momentum,” said State Rep. Kristian Grant (D-Grand Rapids), a sponsor of the package. “This coalition brings together partners from across Michigan who may not always agree on everything, but are united in one thing: we need more housing options, and we need them now. The Housing Readiness package is about making it possible to build more homes Michiganders can actually afford, and it's clear that there is growing, statewide support to get this done.” “It's encouraging to see a broad coalition come together who all agree on one thing: Michigan needs more housing and we need to make it easier to build it,” said State Senator John Lindsey (R-Coldwater), a member of the Housing Readiness Plan coalition. “Michigan is facing a housing crisis. For too long, outdated regulations and unnecessary red tape have slowed down development and driven up costs for families. By cutting through bureaucracy and streamlining processes, we can make it so everyone in Michigan has a fair shot at a safe, more affordable place to call home.” The Housing Readiness Plan modernizes outdated zoning rules while preserving public input, local planning authority, public hearings, planning commissions and local votes. The plan streamlines rules on residential building, parking requirements and dwelling and lot sizes. The plan also clarifies development study and petition processes.

Here's who and what Michiganders blame for skyrocketing gas prices Why highly anticipated Detroit development with a Target store died Disgraced Detroit judge's campaign is over almost before it began A jazz great soars in unearthed recordings made in Detroit club in 1960

When someone escapes homelessness, addiction, or domestic violence, they finally get the keys to a safe place of their own. They walk in and find an empty room. A remarkable organization called the NEST in Saginaw steps in to make sure no family starts over with nothing, providing everything from beds and couches to potato peelers and nightlights. Director Erin Johnson and Duane Siler pull back the curtain on what it really takes to serve over 65 agencies and thousands of families rebuilding their lives. If you believe that communities should take care of their own, this episode will leave you inspired and ready to get involved.Links:NEST Website: https://saginawpartnershipcenter.orgSubscribe to our Email Newsletter: https://totalmichigan.com/join/Find us on Facebook: https://facebook.com/totalmichiganWatch on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@totalmichiganMentioned in this episode:NWF AdVisit Our Sponsor: The National Wildlife Federation Great Lakes Chapter is working hard to protect what Michiganders love and that is our great outdoors. Learn more about threats facing all Michiganders and what the NWF is fighting for at https://nwf.org/greatlakes

Chris Holman welcomes Erica Luce, Manager of Adult Education, Michigan's Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, Lansing, MI. Erica Luce, Manager of Adult Education at Michigan's Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO), discussed how the department serves roughly 30,000 Michiganders annually through more than 100 adult education programs statewide, helping adults earn high school diplomas or equivalencies and improve English language skills. A standout initiative is the Integrated Education and Training (IET) program, which combines academic instruction with occupation-specific training, leading to improved retention, completion rates, and better employment outcomes. LEO also partners directly with local employers to deliver on-site education services and align curriculum with in-demand skills, ensuring graduates are workforce-ready. Anyone seeking adult education services in Michigan can visit https://www.michigan.gov/leo to connect with a local provider. » Visit MBN website: www.michiganbusinessnetwork.com/ » Subscribe to MBN's YouTube: www.youtube.com/@MichiganbusinessnetworkMBN » Like MBN: www.facebook.com/mibiznetwork » Follow MBN: twitter.com/MIBizNetwork/ » MBN Instagram: www.instagram.com/mibiznetwork/

WhoDan Skelton, President and Chief Operating Officer of Blue Mountain, OntarioRecorded onJune 26, 2025About Blue Mountain, OntarioClick here for a mountain stats overviewOwned by: Alterra Mountain CompanyLocated in: The Blue Mountains, Ontario, CanadaYear founded: 1941Pass affiliations: Unlimited on Ikon and Ikon BaseBase elevation: 229 feet/750 metersSummit elevation: 1,480 feet/451 metersVertical drop: 730 feet/223 metersSkiable acres: 364 acres/147 hectaresAverage annual snowfall: 154 inches/391 centimetersTrail count: 43Lift count: 11 (5 six-packs, 1 fixed-grip quad, 1 triple, 4 carpets – view Lift Blog's inventory of Blue Mountain, Ontario's lift fleet)Why I interviewed him: A Very Dumb Story About a Very Dumb Person, Volume IIn the winter of 1995-96, I developed Vertical Fever, a syndrome in which the afflicted believes, in a way that is beyond reason and immune from contrary arguments, that the skiing will be better if the ski hill is taller.This was a problem. Because in 1995, I lived, as I had all my life up to that point, in Michigan. Specifically, Sanford, a flat town in a flat county in what may be the flattest region of the country, the Tri-Cities area of Michigan's Lower Peninsula. Fortunately for a skier, Michigan is cold and full of ski areas. Unfortunately, these ski areas are small or short or both. The tallest of the 33 ski areas inventoried on the 1995 Michigan Downhill Skiing Guide is Boyne Highlands, which then and today promotes a probably made-up vertical drop of 550 feet. Right across the street was 427-vertical-foot Nub's Nob, one of six Lower Peninsula ski areas to exceed 400 vertical, along with Caberfae (485 feet), Shanty Creek Schuss Mountain (450 feet), Sugar Loaf (500 feet), and Boyne Mountain (495 feet).I'd skied all of these and I'd skied them all many times since my first real ski season, which was the previous winter, 1994-95. But once I'd stopped summersaulting down the hill and learned to carve and to land jumps, I grew bored. Skiing in 1995 was not like skiing in 2026. Terrain parks were rare and, anyway, off limits to skiers. Jumping was forbidden. There were signs all over saying so. Everything was groomed and everything was about carving turns, even though grooming was inconsistent and the shaped skis that would transform the average skier into a carver were years away from mass market distribution.So I scoured maps and guidebooks for ski areas of any size in any direction that I could reasonably drive to. To the south lay Ohio and Indiana. Useless. To the north, at the far western end of the Upper Peninsula, lay several 600-ish footers (Mount Bohemia did not open until 2000), but Michigan is a deceptively large state made larger by the inconvenience of driving around gigantic lakes – those UP ski areas were 10 hours away. But also to the north, east instead of west and just over the Canadian border, lay Searchmont: 750 vertical feet of ungladed bananas skiing, with little cliffs and rocks and glades all over. It was a glorious real-life validation of the less-stuffy Canadian ski-area management culture that I'd read about in Skiing and Powder. And it was only a four-hour drive each way, an easy daytrip on the cruise-control-empty interstates of northern Michigan. This is what a Canadian 700-plus-footer is like, I decided, and I searched for more of them.That's when I became obsessed with Blue Mountain, this mysterious guidebook mapdot floating south of Lake Huron. Stat-line, as listed in contemporary guide books: 720 vertical feet, 13 chairlifts and two T-bars, 920 skiable acres (this was, um, not accurate). A Midwest hack, a backdoor to a secret mini-New England unknown to Michiganders. As with Searchmont, I would rise at 4 and arrive by lifts-on and soar all day among the woodsy wide-open drop-step terrain of Ontario yahoo skiing.Yeah it didn't work out like that. The first time I tried to drive to Blue Mountain, I wound up at Mount Brighton, 273 miles away in Southeast Michigan. A blizzard had forced course correction to a more achievable destination. But the second time, I made it. Here's how it went, per a journal entry I wrote few days later:Monday, March 25th, 1996 – 11:53 p.m.Let's just call Friday the day that didn't quite flow. In fact, it didn't flow like no day on skis ever hasn't. First off, I only slept four hours. Normally , I wouldn't give a f**k, but that was directly following three hours the night before, which didn't help my status in an already exhausting week. Then there was the drive. I figured four, maybe five hours at the most, 250 miles, give or take. Wrong. I only realized this somewhere well over the Canadian border. Six hours, 350 miles. Then there's the mountain.I knew Blue was big, but I was not, I'll admit, in any way, shape, or form prepared for what I found Friday. The place is enormous by Midwest standards, though not as mammoth as I'd originally thought coming up the road, scoping out the two private resorts. Notice I said “enormous,” not necessarily “good.” Which is sad, cause, for one thing, they're trying pretty hard to make a good hill, and, #2, I drove a long f****n' way to get there. The whole thing bore a striking resemblance to western skiing – enormous base lodges, hugely wide runs, high-speed chairs. Which I suppose makes it ideal for families. Then there's the fifty miles or so of safety fence, zero ungroomed runs, and as many jumps as a Fat Albert convention. This, I surmise, makes it extremely unideal for Stuarts. In fact, I really didn't enjoy it at all. It was bland, repetitive, and almost sickening in its nature. I was tired, pissed, and lonely. The highlight of the day was jumping off the cornice which was the subject of much inner conflict. But I did it, and I'm glad, and then I drove home, and I'm glad for that too.I only skied four-and-a-half hours. My ticket was good til' ten, but I considered a lot of things. For starters, it only cost me twenty bucks; second, I told Clint I was gonna make it a point to get out of there by four [to hang out], so I sorta tried; third, I'd skied the whole f****n' place anyhow, and I really didn't feel like getting home at four AM. It's not like I didn't ski well, cause I was actually carving and reacting magnificently (to the terrain, not the carving). I was fluid, but I needed more variety, and they just didn't deliver.It would have been nice to have the internet in 1996 (it existed, but almost no one used it, partly because there was almost nothing on it, including driving directions, maps, or trailmaps).Great endorsement of Blue Mountain, Stu. You managed to convince people not to go and make the people who do ski there feel bad about it all at once. Slow clap for aggressive transparency.But my message here is hardly “Blue Mountain sucks don't go.” Blue Mountain is, as it was 30 years ago, exactly what it needs to be: a rapid-fire lap machine optimized to provide a consistent ski experience to the residents of Canada's densest metro area, Toronto. Blue is, historically and probably still, the third-busiest ski area in Canada after Tremblant and Whistler. It is a low-altitude, variable-weather, high-volume business tasked with the twin burdens of being the sole public outpost for recreational skiing in a ridgeline of upscale private clubs and being a profitable enterprise. It is, from a dollar-generating and Ikon Pass-dispersal-to-the-West point of view, probably one of Alterra's most important ski areas.The problem, then, is not that every ski area isn't like Searchmont. The problem is that, in 1996, I thought every ski area should be like Searchmont. It was like walking into a pizza parlor and complaining that they didn't sell tacos. I was young and dumb, and it didn't occur to me until arrival that a 700-ish-vertical-foot ski area dangling off the far eastern end of the Lake Superior wilderness (Searchmont), would, by custom and by necessity, offer a far different ski experience than a 700-ish-vertical-foot satellite orbiting metro Toronto (Blue). I thought every ski area should be for me and for people like me, like the people I read about in ski magazines who toured B.C. in rusty pickup trucks and never took bathroom breaks and who viewed skiing as a constant level-up challenge.Thirty years later, I view Blue Mountain differently, for two reasons. The first is that I'm sure that Blue, like nearly all North American ski areas, is a more interesting mountain in 2026 than it was in 1996. Freeski culture and snowboarding really did loosen up skiing's stodgier tendencies, most visibly with the widespread building of come-one-come-all terrain parks. The second is that I no longer approach ski areas by asking if they are the best possible experience for me, but if they are the best possible version of themselves for the demographic of skiers who are most likely to ski there. And with Blue – which I will admit, I never visited again - the answer appears to be, always and ever upward, yes.What we talked aboutOh Ontario; being a Canadian ski area owned by a U.S. company; “one of the beauties of being part of Alterra is our emphasis on honoring and preserving the uniqueness of each resort and each mountain community”; Blue Mountain's Reserve Pass; fixing up Blue's disordered lift mazes; growing up at the base of Blue Mountain; the amazing evolution of ski area technology; Blue's wacky, charismatic founder; preserving the mountain's independent character after it's been absorbed by a conglomerate; Blue in the ‘70s; building Blue's snowmaking system; big leaps forward in snowmaking during the 1990s; the rise of HKD; Alterra's point of view on snowmaking; the hit-or-miss Lake Huron and Georgian Bay lake-effect snowbelts; snowmaking in the era of climate change; how snow-depth technology impacts snowmaking volumes; living through the transition from independence to Intrawest and ultimately to Alterra; how the village transformed Blue; “we come to the table scrappy, inventive, entrepreneurial” to this company of mega-resort destinations; the impact of the Ikon Pass; Blue's amazing lift fleet and how the six-pack became the mountain's workhorse; building chairlifts in-house; 15,000 skiers on Blue's busiest days; “we're not going to cut any new trails, so we gotta squeeze every little bit out and make sure we have a balanced experience”; whether Blue could upgrade to an eight-place lift; operating as the only substantial public ski area amid a huge number of private ski areas; and Blue's history owning and operating the neighboring Georgian Peaks ski area.What I got wrongI mentioned that HKD President Charles Santry had told the same side of a story that Skelton shared on a previous podcast recording, which he had. The problem is that as of now, I still haven't released that pod with Santry. Stand by.Podcast NotesOn IntrawestA brief history of Intrawest:On “Rusty” in the Alterra/Ikon transitionSkelton was referring to Rusty Gregory, Alterra CEO from 2018 to '22.On Blue's 1980 trailmapThe Storm explores the world of lift-served skiing year-round. Join us. Get full access to The Storm Skiing Journal and Podcast at www.stormskiing.com/subscribe

Gunman identified who killed eight children in Louisiana in the deadliest US mass shooting since 2024; Rural NM hospitals face increasing financial challenges Michiganders have opportunity Nov. 6 to change state Constitution Amargosa named on list of 10 'most endangered' rivers.

For many Michiganders, euchre (pronounced yoo-kur) feels like a quintessentially Michigan game—but was it actually created here? Long story short, no. But the story of how the trick-taking game made its way to the Mitten state and became one of its most popular card game is an interesting one. GUESTS ON THIS EPISODE: Jamie and Becky DeVries, hosts of monthly euchre tournament at Oakestown Brewery in Grandville, MichiganSteven Zink, retired IT professor at the University of Nevada and unofficial euchre historian Want to submit a question to On Hand or a story about a game of euchre? Here’s how: Online Submission Form Call us: 734-764-7840 Email us: onhand@michiganpublic.org If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work: michiganpublic.org/podfundSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When a Michigander becomes the first woman in history to fly to the moon, you break protocol so you can feature her. No ghosts or gore, just magic and moon joy. This week's episode about Christina Koch and the Artemis II mission is unlike any other. Some might say it's out of this world.Case: Christina Koch, Artemis IIAudio production by Bill Bee. 

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As we teeter on the edge of war, Epstein chaos, and an AI-induced job market collapse, it's a comfort to know that Democrats are fighting as hard as they can to defeat… Hasan Piker! The online left's favorite hunk has created a crisis for establishment Democrats, whose allegiance to Israel and corporate interests has become career-threatening (finally!). Today, Michigander and 2026 senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed joins me to unpack the centrist smear campaign against Hasan Piker, the millions of Democrat dollars intent on crushing the left, and what we can do about it. Listen to bonus episodes on Patreon! Support Abdul's campaign for senate. Follow Abdul on Instagram. Follow Abdul on Twitter. Find me on Instagram. Find A Bit Fruity on Instagram. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On our political radar this week… Pam Bondi joins Meat Loaf, Joan Rivers, Dennis Rodman, Sinbad, Dionne Warwick, Andrew Dice Clay, Omarosa … and Kristi Noem: “You’re fired!” VIDEO: Bye Bye Bondi (A Tribute) Senator Elissa Slotkin – speaking in Iowa – confirms what we've been saying for weeks: she's open to running for President. Two more special elections this week, two more sharp turns to Democrats: –In Wisconsin, liberal candidate Chris Taylor cruised to an easy victory over her conservative opponent in the state Supreme Court race with 60 percent of the vote, expanding the liberal majority on the court to 5-2. – Georgia, Democrat Shawn Harris lost by about 12 percentage points in the race to replace Marjorie Taylor Green, but he shifted the district 25 points to the left. Trump won the district by 37 percentage points in 2024. A national Republican group said Monday it's dumping $45 million into Michigan's open U.S. Senate race as an initial investment to help presumptive GOP nominee Mike Rogers flip the seat from Democratic control. The operative word is “initial”, meaning even more millions will flow into Michigan Republican sources. Trump is calling on Congress to give Pete Hegseth a staggering $1.7-trillion dollars over the next year. To fund it, Trump wants to cut virtually every other federal program including a 23% cut for NASA even as four astronauts take a first-ever-for-humans trip to the far side of the moon. One item calling for a major increase: White House repairs and renovations. Trump wants to spend 377-million dollars on fixing up the place, an 860 percent increase. Two more major league grifts from Trump: –The Justice Department has settled for roughly $1.2 million a lawsuit from Michael Flynn, the former national security adviser to President Donald Trump who pleaded guilty during Trump’s first term to lying to the FBI about his conversations with a top Russian diplomat and was later pardoned. Bottom line: if Trump likes you, taxpayers will pay you to lie to the FBI. –Semafor is reporting that Trump has directed the State Department to send $1.25 billion – without any Congressional appropriation or authorization to do so – to Trump's Board of Peace. The transfer effectively places the money directly in the hands of Trump, the board’s chairman. Trump and the board’s executives control funding for the Board of Peace — and Trump selects the executive board — and the president will continue to do so even after his second term ends in January 2029. In the race for Governor – John James is ducking still another candidate debate, this one set for the end of the month in vote-rich Oakland County. James has seen his once overwhelming lead for the GOP gubernatorial nomination shrink as septuagenarian Perry “Quality Guru” Johnson dumps millions into an effort to spend his way into office. Governor Whitmer says she will not endorse a candidate for U.S. Senate or Secretary of State. She earlier ruled out an endorsement in the race for the gubernatorial nomination. It's pretty easy for Democrats to be critics of Donald Trump, his policies and his corruption. More important to most people is answering the question: “so what are you going to do?” State House Democrats have answered, releasing their Vision for a Brighter Michigan. We're joined by House Democratic Leader Ranjeev Puri who led development of the plan. The son of Indian immigrants, Leader Puri made history in 2020 as the first person of color to represent his Canton Michigan district and the first Sikh-American in Michigan's legislative history. In his second term he served as majority whip, making him the highest-ranking South Asian in state government nationwide. Remarkably, he is one of two first-generation Indian-Americans in top legislative leadership: Senate Majority Floor Leader Sam Singh is also the son of Indian immigrants. Leader Puri's leadership has earned national recognition, including being named to the Council of State Government's “20 Under 40” Leadership Award Class of 2023 and receiving the MIRS Legislator of the Year Award in 2024.His leadership has earned national recognition, including being named to the Council of State Government's “20 Under 40” Leadership Award Class of 2023 and receiving the MIRS Legislator of the Year Award in 2024. (Jeff) First question! A personal note from producer/co-host Walt Sorg April is Michigan Donate Life month, a recognition of the state's organ donation program. Four years ago I was the recipient of a donated kidney. It changed my life … and probably saved my life. A part of you can live on after death through the simple act of saying “yes, I want to pay it forward.” And you can go a step beyond through a living donation of a kidney, or portion of your liver. My donor was my brother and he's just as healthy today with one kidney as he was before the surgery. The Michigan Organ Donor Registry is a confidential database that documents an individual's decision to become an organ, tissue and eye donor. Joining the registry is simple and secure. Michiganders can add their name online at Michigan.gov/OrganDonation, at any Secretary of State branch office or self-service station, or on your state income tax return. And while you're at it … the donation of blood through the Red Cross is an easy way to save another life. Last spring, donated blood saved my life. Thank you for your attention to this matter. We’re now on YouTube every week! Click here to subscribe. A Republic, If You Can Keep It is sponsored by  

Tribes in Michigan oppose Enbridge the Line 5 oil pipeline replacement plan, arguing the environmental risks to their traditional waters far outweigh any benefits. The proposal to replace the 70-year-old pipeline that currently runs through Michigan and Wisconsin has faced many legal challenges over the years. Now, the U.S. Supreme Court will decide whether the state or federal government should have say over how the project proceeds. The decision could set a precedent on how much power tribes and states have in regulating fossil fuel development. We’ll speak with tribal leaders, Native legal scholars, and others about what's next for the ongoing Line 5 pipeline legal battle. GUESTS Wenona Singel (Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa), associate professor of law at Michigan State University College of Law and associate director of the Indigenous Law and Policy Center Elizabeth Arbuckle (Bad River), chairwoman of the Bad River Tribe Melissa Kay, Tribal Water Institute fellow at the Native American Rights Fund Break 1 Music: Nothing New Since 1492 (song) RematriNation (artist) Break 2 Music: Hard Times Will Be Coming (song) Courtney Yellow Fat (artist) The Lost Songs of Sitting Bull (album) The full statement by Enbridge on the U.S. Supreme Court case: We are encouraged that the U.S. Supreme Court has heard arguments and is reviewing the June 2024 decision of the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. The Sixth Circuit's ruling conflicts with decisions issued by two other federal Circuit Courts of Appeals, and the Supreme Court's review will provide needed clarity by resolving that conflict. For more than six years, the Attorney General has attempted to shut down Line 5 based on perceived safety concerns. However, the safety of Line 5 is regulated exclusively by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), an agency of the U.S. Department of Transportation. PHMSA conducts annual reviews of Line 5's safety compliance across the Straits of Mackinac and has not identified any safety issues with its continued operation. There are also significant implications for energy security and foreign affairs if the Attorney General continues to pursue the lawsuit now in state court. We believe that federal law prohibits the Attorney General from shutting down Line 5. A shutdown of Line 5 would undermine the 1977 Transit Pipelines Treaty, which prohibits Michigan from impeding the operation of the pipeline. It would also undermine the legal doctrine that reserves foreign affairs matters for the federal government. The lawful operation of the Line 5 Dual Pipelines continues to be vital to provide needed petroleum products, including home heating and transportation fuels, to Michiganders, the Detroit Metro Airport, and the surrounding region.  We value our relationships with all the communities and community members in areas where Enbridge has assets. As we continue to move closer to construction on the Great Lakes Tunnel Project, we remain committed to including Tribes and Tribal citizens in this incredibly important and consequential project and welcome constructive dialogue and engagement. Line 5 is critical energy infrastructure. The Great Lakes Tunnel makes a safe pipeline safer while also ensuring the continued safe, secure, and affordable delivery of essential energy to the Great Lakes region. 

iIt's not just college basketball Madness – the bracket busters extend into the halls of Congress where two of Donald Trump's legion of incompetents got busted over the administration's war on Iran … and on the American people.  Michigan's two Senators took part in the Homeland Security Committee's grilling of onetime MMA fighter and plumber Markwayne Mullin who is set to inherit Kristi Noem's office … presumably minus any romancing with Corey Lewandowski. Elissa Slotkin tried to get a commitment that ICE agents won't be showing up at voting precincts in November … with a response that wasn't exactly reassuring. Gary Peters reminded Mullin that it's Republicans who are voting against getting paychecks for TSA employees at airports. Peters re-emphasized what he said on last week's episode of this podcast about the growing mess at airports. Also on our poli-radar this week The Trump grift-and-grab family found another opportunity for personal enrichment. Jared Kushner, the not-a-government-employee who is taking the lead on Middle East negotiations, is simultaneously soliciting $5-billion from Middle East potentates in the form of investments in the Kushner wealth management company. In Michigan, state House Speaker MAGA Matt Hall is taking a page out of the Donald Trump Ego-Massage Manual, bragging about winning an apparently fictitious award for government transparency. The problem with the organization honoring Hall? It apparently doesn't exist. State Democrats responded by offering Hall with the equally bogus SAD Award, or Speaker's Asinine Decision Award. Oakland County hosted Vice President James Donald Bowman – or is it James David Hamel? Or is he sticking with J.D. Vance? Whatever he calls himself, the self-proclaimed Appalachian Hillbilly checked in to tell Michiganders “don't believe your eyes and ears: the economy is really just peachy.” The Jeff Epstein web of debauchery threatens to tarnish Michigan's famed Interlochen Center for the Arts, with state Democrats calling for an investigation into what they described as disturbing connections between Epstein, his associate Ghislaine Maxwell and the northern Michigan arts institution.  Donald Trump says a former living President privately supported the Middle East War and wishes he had done it, with all four former living Presidents denying that they've even talked with Trump about the war. But … we haven't heard denials yet from President Jeb Bartlet or President Frank Underwood, or the ghost of the late great Abraham Lincoln. Michigan is a national political center of attention. Governor, U.S. Senator, Secretary of State, Attorney General, the entire congressional delegation and the entire legislature are all on the ballot in November. Covering all of this is Bridge Michigan's outstanding political reporter Lauren Gibbons. Lauren covers state politics and policy for Bridge Michigan. Prior to joining Bridge’s Capitol team, she worked at MLive, where she led coverage of the state Legislature and the redistricting process, and before that covered the state Senate for MIRS News.  She has covered the ins and outs of Michigan politics for nearly a decade and has won awards both for her political coverage and her work documenting the Larry Nassar sexual abuse case. Lauren grew up in the Lansing area and graduated from Michigan State University, majoring in journalism and history. She lives in Ferndale, and her party tricks include Irish dancing and telling friends what political districts they live in without looking. We’re now on YouTube every week! Click here to subscribe. A Republic, If You Can Keep It is sponsored by © Clay Jones — https://claytoonz.substack.com