The political leadership in Michigan will go through some major changes with the multiple elections being held in the next couple of years.

This week on WDET’s MichMash, Gongwer News Services’ Zach Gorchow and Alethia Kasben discuss the future of Michigan politics and who has the best chance to win their respective races in the state. 

Also, Michigan political consultant and co-host of the Baldly Bipartisan podcast, Adrian Hemond, and Resch Strategies VP Anna Heaton joined the conversation.

Subscribe to MichMash on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

In this episode:

• Sen. Gary Peters’ retirement
• Mike Duggan’s chances as an independent in the governor’s race
• How the voting landscape is changing

Michigan has never had an open governor’s race and an open senate seat in the same year, until now.

Many were surprised when Sen. Gary Peters announced his retirement earlier this year. Hemond said that Peters retiring breaks the norm for politicians.

“…the United States Senate is an exceptionally old institution and someone voluntarily retiring when they are around Medicare eligibility is actually unheard of,” he said.

Several candidates have thrown their hat in the ring to fill the open seat, including Democratic candidates Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, state Sen. Mallory McMorrow, veteran Rachel Howard, U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens, and Michigan House Speaker Joseph Tate.  

On the Republican side, former U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, Kent Benham, Frederick Heurtebise and Genevieve Scott have all launched campaigns. Independent candidates in the race are Lydia Christensen and Craig Henley Johnson. 

When asked about the governor’s race, Heaton spoke about the challenges Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan will face running as an Independent.

“When he first announced, Republicans were a little smug, thinking he’s just going to draw from the Democratic base,” she said. “In the most recent poll that I reviewed, you know, he’s equally liked by Republicans and Democrats — and really high favorability ratings.” 

Still, Heaton said name recognition across the state could pose a significant challenge for him outside the metro area.

Despite those challenges, Hemond thinks it would be a mistake to bet against Duggan.

“If there’s anyone in Michigan politics that can do it it’s Mike Duggan, both because of the skill that he has and the Rolodex that he has — outside of just politics right, which I think is super important; but also he has sky-high name ID in the metro Detroit media market, which is where half the people in Michigan live,” he said.

More from WDET:

• MichMash: Sen. Gary Peters’ retirement; Duggan on running for governor as an independent and more
• MichMash: Duggan endorsement shakes up governor’s race; Sen. Camilleri advocates for K-12 budget
• Michigan House adopts voter ID bills, sends it to Whitmer for likely veto

It has been an eventful year in Michigan politics with the Michigan Legislature dynamically evolving. This week on WDET’s MichMash, Gongwer News Services’ Zach Gorchow and Alethia Kasben analyze the major events in a live recording at the Go Comedy! Improv Theater in Ferndale.

They were joined by Detroit Free Press Politics Editor Emily Lawler and
Politics Editor for The Detroit News, Chad Livengood.

Subscribe to MichMash on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

In this episode:

• Whether the Michigan Legislature will make its July 1 deadline
• Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and her approach to working with President Donald Trump
• How Michigan compares on the national stage in 2025

There has been a major sea change in Michigan politics this year.

With Republicans taking over the state House, President Donald Trump back in the White House, and Democrats maintaining their majority in the state Senate — their is a new dynamic in the state capitol.

“This is the first time that I’ve covered one chamber in Democratic control and one in Republican control,” Lawler said. “…It’s been just an interesting dynamic to watch and sort of see what the chambers are teeing up for each other and what of those things they actually expect to move — which I think is a smaller pool than I initially anticipated.”

Livengood called the current relationship between the chambers a “legislative Red Rover.”

“Getting the actual votes on some of these big issues, like roads, is going to be the real test,” he said.

Kasben pointed out that the Legislature was able to compromise on major legislative efforts like paid sick leave and minimum wage packages in February.

They also talked about the notable shift in how Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has navigated national political dynamics this year, and specifically her relationship with President Trump.

Despite their fraught history, the pair have taken a friendlier tone towards each other in recent months, as they discuss future plans and initiatives for the state of Michigan.

“She’s engaged with him on things that she’s wanted to get done, and I’m not sure that all of those will get done, but certainly Selfridge Air Force Base — the upgrades coming there, the new mission coming there — is significant, that’s something that Michigan has wanted for years,” Lawler said.

But Lawler also noted that Trump isn’t someone Whitmer can rely on politically, pointing to recent discussions about pardoning some of the individuals convicted for conspiring to kidnap her.

–WDET’s Jenny Sherman contributed to this report.

More from WDET:

• MichMash: Live in Lansing!
• Whitmer ‘not happy’ about possible pardons for men involved in her kidnapping plot
• Michigan House Speaker Matt Hall says education budgets could be done by July 1

The city of Detroit announced this week that its free community shuttle service, “The Connect,” will return next month with an expanded route and new features.

Subscribe to the Detroit Evening Report on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

The pilot program first launched last summer to help address the growing need for efficient, modern transit options in the area, according to the city.

The service will become available to residents beginning July 7, with plans to become fully autonomous after a four-week transition period. Trained safety operators will continue to monitor the operations to ensure passenger safety, the city says.

“Detroit has always been at the forefront of mobility innovation, and The Connect AV shuttle is another step toward making our city more accessible, efficient, and environmentally friendly,” said Mayor Mike Duggan in a statement. “With the transition to full autonomous operation, we are not just embracing the future of transportation, we are leading it.”

The program was brought back this summer thanks to a $1.67 million grant from the Michigan Department of Transportation. The shuttles will have expanded route offerings to loop Michigan Central, Downtown Detroit and East Jefferson Riverfront. They’ll run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday for the first four months and will revert to the regular hours of 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. by November 2025.

Visit detroitmi.gov for more information about the program.

Other headlines for Friday, June 20, 2025:

• June is Elder Abuse Awareness Month and Chase Bank is teaming up with the Detroit Police Department to help seniors learn how to avoid scams through local workshops being held throughout the summer.
  The next workshop will be on July 3. Reach out to your local Chase Bank branch for more details.
• There is a major heat wave set to envelop Michigan and large parts of the U.S. this weekend into early next week, with temperatures expected to near 100 degrees. Many communities will be opening cooling centers to help provide relief for residents.
• Earlier this month, Michigan health officials closed three Oakland County beaches to swimmers due to dangerously high levels of E. Coli contamination, the Detroit Free Press reports. Eagle Lake in Waterford still remains closed, while Sylvan Lake and Elliott Lake have since been reopened. Visit EGLE’s MiEnviro – Beachguard website for the most up-to-date closure information.
• Club NYC and RELEASE Detroit are partnering to host a Choreographer’s Showcase at Big Pink Detroit on Thursday, July 31.

Do you have a community story we should tell? Let us know in an email at detroiteveningreport@wdet.org.

In this edition of The Detroit Evening Report, new housing opens in Detroit’s Gateway Community. Plus, events around the city including theater, stargazing, drag shows and Black cinema.

Subscribe to the Detroit Evening Report on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

Cathedral Arts Apartments open in Detroit’s Gateway Community

The City of Detroit celebrated the grand opening of the Cathedral Arts Apartments this week. The $19.7 million development brings 53 new housing units to the Gateway Community.

The project is a partnership between MHT Housing Inc. and the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament, located across the street from the new building. In addition to residential space, the development includes commercial storefronts and a workforce development hub operated by MHT. The hub will connect Detroiters to job training, internships and employment opportunities.

More information: City of Detroit press release

Around Detroit: Events and activities

ACE Family Night at The Wiz – June 24
Detroit’s Office of Arts, Culture and Entrepreneurship (Detroit ACE) is hosting a special night at the Fisher Theatre featuring the Broadway hit The Wiz. The evening includes family-friendly activities and a Q&A with the cast starting at 6 p.m., followed by the show at 7:30 p.m. Discounted tickets are available.

Details: Detroit ACE Family Night

Northern Lights possible in Michigan – June 13–14
The aurora borealis may be visible in parts of Michigan this weekend, possibly as far south as Saginaw Bay. Best viewing times are expected to be within a couple of hours of midnight, weather permitting. Top viewing locations include Headlands International Dark Sky Park, Keweenaw Dark Sky Park, and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.

Forecast details: Free Press article

United We Slay – June 28–29
United We Slay is a new event series featuring drag brunches, dance parties, queer mixers, and performances by talent from RuPaul’s Drag Race. Most events are free, with VIP tickets available to support the ACLU of Michigan.

More info: United We Slay on Linktree

Black Film in Focus – June 14
The Black Canon and Motor City Cinema Society present a night of cinematic storytelling at Newlab at Michigan Central. This event explores African American film history and features curated screenings from the Black Canon collection.

Event details and tickets: Michigan Central Events

Do you have a community story we should tell? Let us know in an email at detroiteveningreport@wdet.org.

As the July 1 deadline approaches, Michigan House Republicans have unveiled and passed a budget for K-12 schools. In this week’s episode of MichMash, host Cheyna Roth and Gongwer News Service’s Alethia Kasben discuss what’s inside the proposal and the next steps.

Plus, former Lieutenant Governor of Michigan and President and CEO of the Small Business Association of Michigan, Brian Calley, joins the show to talk about the state of small businesses in Michigan and the insurance cost crisis.

Subscribe to MichMash on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

In this episode:

• How are insurance costs affecting small businesses?
• What’s in the K-12 budget that Michigan House Republicans just passed?
• What direction is the Michigan Small Business Association leaning during this major election year?

Calley said the cost of healthcare has been taking a major toll on small business owners.

“Four out of five of business owners tell us it’s getting in the way of expanding the business. Three out of four said it’s an impediment to hiring,” he said. “As you look at the overall economic performance of the state, there are subtle changes that could be damaging over time”.

He said the increased cost is coming from health systems and pharmaceuticals.

Hear the full episode on all major podcast platforms.

Detroit’s “largest and oldest literary nonprofit,” InsideOut Literary Arts, celebrated its 30-year anniversary last week by unveiling a new Detroit City Walls mural along the Avenue of Fashion.

Subscribe to the Detroit Evening Report on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

The mural was designed by artist Oshun Williams and inspired by InsideOut student poet Charisma Holly. It features a quote from her poem entitled “If I wake up in Detroit 25 years in the future,” which reads “In the Detroit City, the D has always been for dreams.”

The mural is located on the side of the Yoshi Hibachi Grille on Livernois Avenue along Detroit’s Avenue of Fashion.

“Detroit is where I was born and raised,” Holly said. “I’m so glad I had the opportunity to be a part of this mural project because Detroit is truly the place where I learned to dream big.”

Other headlines for Friday, June 6, 2025:

• Money Matters for Youth is looking for help to keep their student trip to Washington D.C. alive.
• Motor City Pride is taking over downtown this weekend, June 7-8 at Hart Plaza, with the parade beginning at noon on Sunday.
• The city celebrated the opening of the Orchard Village Apartments with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Monday, bringing 48 affordable units across four buildings to the Old Redford neighborhood.
• Michigan’s First Native American Music and Cultural Festival, Vibes With the Tribes, is coming to the Russell Industrial Center this Saturday, June 7, with doors opening at 2 p.m.

Do you have a community story we should tell? Let us know in an email at detroiteveningreport@wdet.org.

The annual Mackinac Policy Conference has wrapped up for 2025. In this episode of MichMash, reporter Elena Durnbaugh joins Gongwer News Service’s Alethia Kasben from Mackinac Island to recap this year’s conference.

Subscribe to MichMash on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

In this episode:

• Budget negotiations during the 2025 Mackinac Policy Conference
• Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s reactions to the Trump administration’s pardon considerations
• 2025 Mackinac Policy Conference themes

Durnbaugh shared that both Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks and Republican Speaker Matt Hall publicly criticized each other at the conference over budget negotations. She also shared that after speaking with Speaker Hall, it appeared that the budget wouldn’t be passed until after the July 1 deadline.

“Conversations of the budget are happening, just not between the leaders of the Senate and the House,” she said. 

Durnbaugh also noted the most important conversations seemed to be happening off the stage.

More from WDET:

• Detroit Evening Report: The Mackinac Policy Conference is underway
• Whitmer ‘not happy’ about possible pardons for men involved in her kidnapping plot
• Critics: Medicaid cuts in House GOP budget plan will burden Michigan health system

In this episode of The Detroit Evening Report, we cover Governor Whitmer at the Mackinac Policy Conference, Pride Month kickoff and a free meditation workshop.

Subscribe to the Detroit Evening Report on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

Whitmer outlines top goals before leaving office

The 2025 Mackinac Policy Conference is coming to an end, and Governor  Gretchen Whitmer is outlining her top priorities before leaving office.

Securing a semiconductor plant by the end of 2026, she says, would help Michigan stay competitive in the age of artificial intelligence. Whitmer added that it would also make Michigan an economic magnet — one she imagines could help grow the state’s population. She said she’ll be seeking federal support to make it happen.

Tackling childhood literacy is another priority. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, only a quarter of Michigan’s 4th graders can read at a proficient level.

And of course, the “fix the damn roads” governor emphasized the need for a sustainable, long-term plan to fund road repairs. Whitmer stressed that while challenges remain, bipartisanship is still possible.

Ferndale kicks off Pride Month celebrations

June is right around the corner, which means Pride Month is almost here — and Ferndale Pride is kicking things off on May 31. According to organizers, the event strives to support and uplift all LGBTQ+ communities. Expect live musical performances, drag shows, food, a variety of vendors, and a kids’ area. For more information, visit ferndalepride.com.

Free sound bowl meditation on the riverfront

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and while the month is wrapping up, the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy is hosting a Sound Bowl Meditation Workshop on June 5. It’ll take place at Gabriel Richard Park and introduce attendees to basic techniques and the science behind sound healing. Best of all — it’s free, which is the perfect price for peace of mind. Just bring a yoga mat or blanket. For more information, visit detroitriverfront.org.

In this episode of The Detroit Evening Report, we cover lingering building vacancies downtown, brewery closures, sports updates and more.

Subscribe to the Detroit Evening Report on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

Vacant buildings linger downtown

Although private developers have renovated many big and empty buildings in Detroit, there are still more buildings that could use a facelift.

Some buildings that have been successfully adapted and revitalized to serve a new purpose is Book Tower (the former Book-Cadillac hotel), the David Whitney Building (which is now a hotel and apartment building), and the old Detroit Free Press building (which is now upscale housing).

According to reporting from The Detroit Free Press, there are 10 big and empty downtown buildings that are still in need of a transformation, such as the Executive Plaza (across from the Greyhound station), the Old Wayne County Building, and the 40-story office building known as Cadillac Tower.

All of these vacant buildings are at different stages of negotiations and planning, but according to the firm HMC Architects, repurposing old builidings can help communities fill needs in housing, boosting local economy and improving public safety.

Michigan breweries face closures

There is growing concern among the Michigan craft brewery scene due to some recent closures across the state. The closing of breweries like Loaded Dice in Troy, Three Gatos in Wyoming and Creston Brewery in Grand Rapids have dissappointed patrons and put pressure on the remaining brewers because of rising costs of materials and labor.

According to the Michigan Brewers Guild, Michigan’s craft beer scene is still robust and says breweries around the country are dealing with the same issue as Michigan.

Workshop explores movement and memory

The Arab American National Museum invites the community to participate in a workshop called “Blood Memory” this weekend.

The event is the brainchild of artist-in-residence Sarah Dahkne. Her work investigates “ancestral memory through movement, moving image and sound.” Sunday’s workshop, “Blood Memory: The Stories We Carry” brings community into that investigation to consider, what stories live inside the body? Does the body have knowledge that our words cannot explain? Participants will explore group and personal movement.

All ages and abilities are welcome – no movement experience is necessary. The event is Sunday from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Tickets are available at arabamericanmuseum.org.

Rising golf star makes PGA Tour debut in Detroit

Michael La Sasso, a University of Mississippi junior who won the NCAA individual national championship on Monday in California, is making his PGA Tour debut in Detroit.

La Sasso will be playing at the Rocket Classic at the Detroit Golf Club in June. College golf players can earn exemptions to play in PGA Tour tournaments, primarily through PGA Tour University. La Sasso is the third current player to get an exemption for the 2025 Rocket Classic, along with Michigan State golfer Ashton McCulloch. The Rocket Classic gets up to eight sponsor’s exemptions.

The tournament is set for June 26–29, 2025.

Detroit Grand Prix to return Friday

Detroit Grand Prix is coming up this Friday, May 30. The weekend affair will be held in downtown Detroit. You can expect various racing series including IndyCar, IMSA and Indy NXT. Organizers are saying that this year’s race will continue to have the vibrant atmosphere and diverse lineup of racers that fans know and love.

Do you have a community story we should tell? Let us know in an email at detroiteveningreport@wdet.org.