The 2026 Mackinac Policy Conference focuses on common ground

What is your favorite state park?

This 4th of July weekend, some Michiganders are celebrating by going to their favorite parks to go swimming, hiking, camping and fishing. This week on MichMash, WDET's Cheyna Roth and Gongwer News Service's Zach Gorchow discuss the recent investments  put into parks. They are joined by Kristen Kosick. She is the Chief of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Parks and Recreation division. Mentioned in the episode:  'Monumental' upgrades at Michigan state parks are nearly complete—here's where $273M went by Lindsay Moore [https://www.mlive.com/life/2026/06/monumental-upgrades-at-michigan-state-parks-are-nearly-complete-heres-where-273m-went.html]

Summer Roundup: A review of the major political stories in the past couple of months and a forecast of what's ahead

The Republican gubernatorial race just had a major shake up with President Donald Trump making an endorsement. This week on MichMash, WDET'S Cheyna Roth and Gongwer News Service's Alethia Kasben discuss how surprising the endorsement was and what this means for the upcoming primaries.  Also, with Cheyna being back, we thought we would catch her up on the major political stories from the past couple of months and look ahead to see what the rest of 2026 has in store.

Michigan US Senate race begins to take shape; State Senator Singh weighs in on the budget process

Over the past month, the Michigan US Senate race has proven to be one of the most competitive races in the country. This week on WDET's MichMash, Gongwer News Service's Zach Gorchow and Altheia Kasben breakdown the major events that have shaped the race. Then later on, State Senator Sam Singh stops by to share what's been going on in the State capitol.

Michigan primary voters could pick nominees for secretary of state and attorney general

Michigan is one of three states that nominates candidates for secretary of state and attorney general at party conventions. There is currently a push to put those nominations to the statewide primary ballot instead.    This week on WDET's MichMash, Gongwer News Service's Zach Gorchow and Alethia Kasben discuss the factors being weighed with this decision. Then Lon Johnson, former chairperson of the Michigan Democratic Party, stops by and explains why he supports this proposal.

Money Out of Politics group is "very confident" that their proposal will overcome foreseeable challenges

A ballot measure that would prevent political spending by Michigan’s regulated utilities and large state contractors might be on the November ballet. As part of WDET's weekly series...MichMash...Gongwer News Service's Zach Gorchow and Alethia Kasben discuss what is in the proposal and how opponents and supporters of the measure are reacting.    The co-chairs of Michiganders for Money out of Politics, Sean McBrearty and Christy McGillivray, stop by to talk about their proposal.