2018 election

On the campaign trail, Governor-elect Whitmer promised she’d repeal Michigan’s right-to-work law, kill the so-called “retirement tax,” and revive the state’s Prevailing Wage Law.

All she’d need to make that happen is a Legislature controlled by her fellow Democrats. That ain’t happening because voters this week delivered divided government to Michigan. That dreamy, organized-labor wish list has pretty much no chance with Republicans controlling the state House and the Senate.

Today, Stateside speaks with Michigan’s new Governor-elect Gretchen Whitmer to discuss her top priorities when she takes office, the Line 5 pipeline, and her plans to work with the Republican leadership in the state Legislature. Plus, Tunde Olaniran, a Flint native and staple of the Detroit music scene, discusses his new album with us.

Recreational marijuana advocates were lighting up and passing joints in Detroit after a ballot proposal passed to legalize pot.

Proposal 1 allows marijuana to be regulated like alcohol.

Michigan residents over 21 years old will soon be able to buy, possess, use, and grow marijuana.

There are two open seats on the Michigan Board of Education that will be voted on this midterm election. Eleven candidates are running for the seats, which have an 8-year term. Koby Levin of Chalkbeat Detroit has been covering this race. In a recent piece, he referred to it as a "the critical education race you’ve never heard of.”

Today, we'll talk about the race that will fill two seats on Michigan's State Board of Education. Plus, as Veterans Day approaches, Stateside is taking the opportunity to sit down with a couple of America's longest-living veterans and talk about their experiences in WWII and beyond. 

Listen to the full show above or find individual segments below. 

Today on Stateside, are Democratic candidates paying enough attention to Detroit voters? Plus, we continue our reporting on Emilio Gutierrez-Soto, the Mexican journalist seeking asylum in the U.S. who is facing deportation. 

State agency overseeing funeral homes responds to fetal remains scandal 

As we move toward the midterm elections on November 6, Stateside has been having conversations with congressional candidates around the state. Today, we spoke with the 11th District's Democratic candidate Haley Stevens.

We reached out to Stevens' opponent, Republican Lena Epstein, for an interview. Her campaign staff has not responded. 

Today on Stateside, two consultants on opposite sides of the political spectrum recapped Wednesday night's gubernatorial debate. Plus, our “Work in Progress” series features a conversation between two Catholic priests, one just beginning his career, and the other recently retired. 

Schuette and Whitmer trade barbs one last time in final debate before Election Day 

As we move towards the midterm elections on November 6, Stateside has been having conversations with statewide candidates. Today, we speak to two of the candidates runnning in Michigan's 7th Congressional District, Republican incumbent Tim Walberg, and his Democratic opponent Gretchen Driskell. 

Today on Stateside, a conversation with the reporter who broke the story of two Detroit funeral homes that were shut down for their mishandling of human remains. Plus, our education commentator shares her thoughts on how Michigan schools could update their classrooms to better serve modern students. 

Listen to the full show above or find individual segments below.  

Today on Stateside, the executive director of the Michigan Association of School Superintendents and Administrators talks about how Michigan school districts are responding after a company that provides substitute teachers to more than 100 Michigan districts abruptly closed its offices. Plus, we hear from the Republican and Democratic candidates for Michigan’s next Secretary of State.

Listen to the full show above or find individual segments below. 

In the state of Michigan, the Secretary of State oversees public notaries, vehicle registration and automotive licensing, and, perhaps most importantly, serves as the state’s chief elections officer. 

This November, Michiganders will vote to replace incumbent Ruth Johnson (R), who cannot run again due to term limits. Election security and how to best preserve the integrity of Michigan votes are key issues in this race. 

Today on Stateside, we hear about an effort to rehabilitate houses in an historic Pontiac neighborhood originally built by GM for its workers. Plus, what Michigan could do to encourage affordable short-term lenders to set up shop in the state. 

Listen to the full show above or find individual stories below. 

Michigan regulations make affordable short-term loans hard to come by

  As we approach Election Day on November 6, Stateside is interviewing candidates running in the midterm elections. In the race for Michigan attorney general, there was a late addition. Chris Graveline, a former Assistant U.S. Attorney, is now running as an independent.