Issues & Ale

Our host for last night's Issues and Ale, ABC Microbrewery, sits just off of the Eastern Michigan University campus in Ypsilanti. Plus, Washtenaw Community College and the University of Michigan are right down the road. 

So it came as no surprise that our audience had a lot to contribute to our Issues and Ale discussion about college access and affordability.

We spent our evening in Kalamazoo October 6, 2015 talking college affordability and access with our State of Opportunity team and a panel of special guests.

Issues & Ale: College Affordability & Access
Tues, October 27, 6:30 - 8:00 PM
ABC Microbrewery
720 Norris St, Ypsilanti, MI

College affordability is a big issue, from the living rooms of anxious students and parents, to the presidential campaign trail . Over the past ten years, tuition costs have increased more than five times faster than the Consumer Price Index and the average class of 2015 graduate with student-loan debt will have to pay back more than $35,000. Michigan’s students leave college with some of the highest debt levels in the nation .

Issues & Ale: Fixing Government
Tuesday, July 28, 6-7:30 p.m.

Bill's Beer Garden
218 S. Ashley
Ann Arbor, Michigan

 Most everyone agrees that Michigan has terrible roads, and yet our governor and state legislature can’t agree on a plan to get them fixed. Join Michigan Radio’s Jack Lessenberry, Zoe Clark and other guest panelists as we look at what’s behind the gridlock we’re facing in government and some possible solutions.

Beyond the Battlefield
Tuesday, July 7, 6:30 - 8:00pm
Grand River Brewery
117 W. Louis Glick Hwy,
Jackson, MI 49201

 Over 70,000 people in Michigan served in the U.S. armed services during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. Join Michigan Radio News Director Vincent Duffy as we talk about how those post-9/11 vets are faring. 

Brewery Vivant
925 Cherry St. SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49506

A capacity crowd filled the outdoor patio at Brewery Vivant in Grand Rapids for Michigan Radio's Issues & Ale discussion. It's Just Politics co-hosts Zoe Clark and Rick Pluta were joined by political strategist Joe DiSano and formerSenate Majority Leader Ken Sikkema.

Wednesday, April 29 6:30-8:00pm
Brewery Becker
500 W Main St, Brighton, MI 48116

Michigan voters will be heading to the polls on May 5 to cast their vote on the controversial sales tax increase/road funding proposal.

Issues & Ale: The Future of Detroit Schools
Wednesday, March 18, 6:00PM-7:30PM
 

Detroit Beer Company
1529 Broadway  
Detroit, MI 48226 

2014 was a year that included the Detroit bankruptcy, wolf hunting, legalized same-sex marriage (briefly), bad roads and a mid-term election.  Michigan Radio's Political Analyst Jack Lessenberry was joined by  It's Just Politics co-hosts Rick Pluta and Zoe Clark, and political analyst Matt Marsden for a fast paced look back at some of the top political issues from 2014, a discussion of the lame duck legislature, and what we might expect in 2015.

Listen to audio from the event below.

Issues & Ale: Michigan Politics Year in Review
Tues, Dec 9, 7:00-8:30 PM
River’s Edge Brewing Co.
125 S Main St, Milford, MI 48381
 

Issues and Ale is an event series from Michigan Radio designed to engage people in conversations about important issues facing Michigan...in an informal atmosphere.

Hydraulic fracturing or “fracking” is a drilling method that pushes water and chemicals into wells to force out oil and gas deposits. Fracking has led to cheaper prices for natural gas and less dependence on foreign sources for energy, but many people have concerns about its environmental impact….from the chemicals and amount of water used in the process, to its impact on ground water and the disposal of fracking waste. Michigan Radio’s Lester Graham hosted this Issues & Ale discussion about the concerns, economics and impact of fracking in the state.

Panelists:

James Clift: Michigan Environmental Council, Policy Director

John Callewaert: University of Michigan, Director of the Graham Institute

Gregory Fogle: Old Mission Energy

Listen to audio from the event below.

Issues & Ale: Fracking in Michigan
Tues, Dec 2, 7:00-8:30 PM
Hop Cat
300 Grove St, East Lansing, MI 48823

Hosted by Lester Graham

Tuesday, November 4
7:30 PM-10:00 PM
Circus Bar
210 S. First, Ann Arbor, MI 48104

  Join Michigan Radio and the University of Michigan Ford School of Public Policy for a special "Issues & Ale" event, as we watch and listen to the election results roll in from across Michigan and the nation.

Cynthia Canty from Michigan Radio’s Stateside show will host the event, and be joined by experts and pundits who will handicap the races, and tell us what the results mean...for our state and the U.S.

You can even test your knowledge and win great prizes by playing election trivia.

Admission is free, and we suggest getting there early to get a good seat.

Tuesday, Oct. 28, 6:00 - 7:30pm

Detroit Beer Company

1529 Broadway
Detroit, Michigan 48226

Michigan Radio is teaming up with the Detroit Free Press and Bridge Magazine for a special pre-election Issues & Ale event. Join our It’s Just Politics team of Zoe Clark and Rick Pluta along with columnists from the Free Press and Bridge Magazine as we take a fun, and fast packed look at prospects for Election 2014....just one week before the November election.

Planned Panelists:

Zoe Clark: Executive Producer, Stateside; Co-host, It's Just Politics

Rick Pluta: Capitol Bureau Chief, Michigan Public Radio Network; Co-host, It's Just Politics

Stephen Henderson: Editorial Page Editor, Detroit Free Press

Nancy Kaffer: Columnist, Detroit Free Press

David Zeman: Editor, Bridge Magazine

John Bebow: President, Center for Michigan

Stop by, have a drink, and join in the discussion. Free admission!

Tuesday, Aug. 12, 6-7:30 p.m. 

Bill's Beer Garden
218 S. Ashley
Ann Arbor, Michigan

Thursday, Aug. 14, 6-7:30 p.m.
Downtown Market
Grand Rapids (SE Space)
435 Ionia Ave. SW
Grand Rapids, Michigan

The hosts of Michigan Radio's popular It's Just Politics series will take to the road for a pair of live Issues & Ale events.

Michigan Public Radio Network Capitol Bureau Chief Rick Pluta and Michigan Radio’s resident political junkie Zoe Clark will anchor this fast-paced spin around Michigan politics and the top issues in Lansing. We will review the results of Michigan’s August primary and look ahead to prospects for the November election. 

Stop by, have a drink, and join in the discussion. Free admission!

Monday, July 28, 6:00 - 7:30pm
Traffic Jam & Snug
511 West Canfield, Detroit, 48201

Many kids growing up in poverty face high levels of crime and violence. What impact does this have on their mental, emotional, and psychological development? Why is it so difficult to break the cycle of violence in communities and are there programs that really work?

Michigan Radio is partnering with the Detroit Free Press for this special Issues & Ale discussion, hosted by Michigan Radio's Jenn White.

Panelists will include:

- Erik Howard, founder of Detroit’s The Alley Project

- Jim Henry from Western Michigan University’s Children's Trauma Assessment Center

- Carl Taylor, a nationally prominent urban scholar  and sociology professor at Michigan State University.  

Stop by, have a drink, and join in the discussion. Free Admission.

What’s in the water you drink?

A capacity crowd filled Midtown Brewing Company in Lansing for this live (and lively) Issues & Ale event. Michigan Public Radio Network Capitol Bureau Chief Rick Pluta and Michigan Radio’s resident political junkie Zoe Clark were joined by political consultants Joe DiSano and Saul Anuzis for a fast paced spin around Michigan politics. Among the topics discussed were the Detroit bankruptcy, Michigan's crumbling roads, raising the minimum wage, and the prospects for the 2014 election. Listen to audio from the event above.

Issues & Ale: It's Just Politics
Tues, May 6, 6:00pm
Midtown Brewing Company
402 South Washington
Lansing, MI 48933

(Listen to audio from this event above)

Issues & Ale: Closing the digital divide in education

Wed, March 12, 6:30 - 8:00pm
Free Admission

Founders Brewing Co.
(Centennial Room)
235 Grandville Avenue S.W.
Grand Rapids, MI 49503

There are increasing demands on schools to ensure that kids are digitally literate and tech-ready to compete in the modern information economy. But how do you ensure access to technology for all students? Dustin Dwyer from Michigan Radio's State of Opportunity project hosted this discussion of what can be done to close the digital divide in terms of access, equipment, and capabilities for low-income students. 

Panelists:

Thursday, January 30, 6:30-8:00p.m.
Wolverine State Brewing Co.
2019 West Stadium Boulevard
Ann Arbor, MI 48103 

Michigan Radio's popular Issues & Ale series kicks off 2014 with a State of Opportunity discussion on school testing. High stakes tests, like the MEAP, can have a big impact on kids, teachers, and entire school districts. But are the stakes higher for some kids and schools than others? Do low income children and children of color have less of a chance of performing well on these tests? And do these tests really reflect whether a child is getting a good education?

Join Michigan Radio's Jennifer White and a panel of experts as we discuss the impact and effectiveness of standardized testing in Michigan's public schools. Take part in the discussion with your questions and comments. Panelists will include:

Armen Hratchian: Vice President for K-12 education at Excellent Schools Detroit.

Chastity Pratt: Michigan cities reporter for Bridge Magazine.

Michelle Richard: Senior Consultant at Public Sector Consultants specializing in issues affecting Michigan’s education system.

Issues & Ale: It's Just Politics
Tues, Dec. 10, 7:00pm

Zoobie's Old Town Tavern,

611 E. Grand River, Lansing, MI 48906

The hosts of Michigan Radio's popular It's Just Politics headed to the state capital for this live Issues & Ale event. Michigan Public Radio Network Capitol Bureau Chief Rick Pluta and Michigan Radio’s resident political junkie Zoe Clark  anchored this fast paced spin around Michigan politics and a look at the top issues being discussed in Lansing. They were joined by Chad Livengood from the Detroit News Lansing Bureau.

Issues & Ale: Health care & the Affordable Care Act
Tues, Nov. 19, 6:30-8:00 PM
Wolverine State Brewing Company
2019 W. Stadium, Ann Arbor, MI 48103
Free Admission

There has been a tremendous amount of debate and discussion over the politics of the Affordable Care Act (aka Obamacare), but what does the new law actually mean in terms of health care coverage and how has implementation been going in the first month of the program? We’ll try to get past the political rhetoric and discuss how the Affordable Care Act may actually affect you and others across the state.

Hosted by Jack Lessenberry

Issues & Ale: Health care and the Affordable Care Act

Tues, Oct. 29, 6:30-8:00 PM
Rockford Brewing Company
12 E Bridge St, Rockford, MI 49341
Free Admission
Hosted by Lester Graham

There has been a tremendous amount of debate and discussion over the politics of the Affordable Care Act (aka Obamacare), but what does the new law actually mean in terms of health care coverage and how has implementation been going in the first month of the program? We’ll try to get past the political rhetoric and discuss how the Affordable Care Act may actually affect you and others across the state.

Panelists: Paul W. Brand, Executive Vice President - Alliance for Health

Don Hazaert, Director – Michigan Consumers for Healthcare

Jake Nehr, Capitol Reporter - Michigan Public Radio Network

Thursday, Sept. 12, 6:00 - 7:30pm
Old Dog Tavern
402 E. Kalamazoo Ave.
Kalamazoo, MI 49007

In many places around the state, the past bubbles to the surface, or oozes underground. The cast offs of Michigan's industrial age are still with us. Cleaning up the pollution left behind by old paper mills, gas companies, and other industries can be a complex and expensive challenge. Where exactly is the pollution? Is it dangerous? Is it worth the cost of cleanup? And who will pay for it? Join us as we talk with experts about Michigan's pollution legacy.

Our panelists will include:

• Anne Couture, Senior Policy Advisor with the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, and recent Acting Chief of the DEQ’s Remediation and Redevelopment Division.
• Charles Ide, PhD, Gwen Frostic Professor of Biological Sciences at Western Michigan University and the Director of Great Lakes Environmental and Molecular Sciences Center.
• Lindsey Smith, Michigan Radio's West Michigan reporter based out of Grand Rapids. Smith has done in-depth reporting on Kalamazoo's legacy pollution, the Enbridge oil spill, the Palisades Nuclear Power Plant, and many other environmental stories.

Hosted by Michigan Radio reporter/producer Mark Brush.

Stop by, have a drink, and join in the discussion. Free Admission!

Issues & Ale is Sponsored by Consumers Mutual Insurance of Michigan

Michigan Radio does an interesting occasional series called Issues and Ale, in which those who know something about a particular public policy get together with citizens in a relaxed setting to discuss things that really matter. Last night we held one on “The Future of Public Education” in an improv theatre in the city of Ferndale, which I thought was an excellent choice.

Ferndale is an older, working-class Detroit suburb which has been a distinct community since the 1920s. Times are not what were, and the city has shrunk over the years to about 20,000 people. Ferndale has become somewhat well-known over the last two decades for its welcoming of the gay and LGBT communities, who have done much to revitalize neighborhoods and the city’s downtown.

But Ferndale also has a dedicated group of parents very concerned with education, their kids’ futures, and want to make sure their children are getting what they need to succeed.

Tuesday, November 6, 8:00 PM-11:00 PM
Buffalo Wild Wings 
205 S. State St. 
Ann Arbor, MI  48104