The Friday Morning Podcast

8/9/19 Oakland Co. Executive L. Brooks Patterson dies at age 80, provoking battle to replace him. Not many races in MI’s primary election, which produces few surprises, little campaign spending, and skimpy voter turnout. Dems mount recall campaign against beleaguered state Rep. Larry Inman, but if it appears petitioners may gather enough signatures, might state […]

8/2/19 Democratic presidential candidates conclude two nights of debates at Detroit’s Fox Theater. MI Court of Appeals rules state government has “breached its duty” in reporting its unfunded mandates in revenue sharing with local governments. MI Supreme Court recesses without issuing opinion on “adopt and amend” petition drive legislation enacted by Legislature in last year’s […]

7/26/19 U.S. Rep. Paul Mitchell (R-MI 10) announces he won’t run for a third term. Gov. Whitmer says she’s willing to consider Republicans’ ideas about postponing retirement of teacher pension debt for 5-10 years to raise more money to “Fix the Damn Roads.” NAACP National Convention in Detroit hears from most major Dem. presidential candidates […]

7/19/2019 Wayne State University Board of Governors reeling from unresolved internal dispute in which half the eight-member panel is suing the other half. Gov. Whitmer appoints former Granholm aide Tremaine Phillips to Michigan Public Service Commission. A visit to what has been called “The Mistake by the Lake,” where things are looking up. Interview with […]

7/12/19 Democrats seeking party’s presidential nomination flood MI. State Rep. Beau LaFave (R-Iron Mountain) blasts AG Nessel for blocking him on Twitter, which he claims is illegal. More candidates jump into the 2020 race in West Michigan’s 3rd CD, where Dems think they have a chance if incumbent Justin Amash follows through on his plan […]

7/3/19 One half of the Wayne State U. Board of Governors is suing the other half in a policy dispute. AG Nessel continues to make news. Former Dem goober candidate Shri Thanedar moves into Detroit — does it matter? Poll shows Flint Mayor Karen Weaver virtually tied with challenger State Rep. Sheldon Neeley, with half […]

6/28/19 Gov. Whitmer blasts Legislature for taking most of summer off without passing budget. Legislature explores bonding to find money for “Fix the Damn Roads,” and Gov is open to it.   MI Republican Party Chair Cox, a former ICE agent, is victim of vandalism at state headquarters.  MSU to issue another report, and Prez […]

6/21/19 AG Nessel says that the MI Civil Rights Commish can ignore an opinion by her predecessor that the commission has no authority to enforce LGBTQ rights under the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act. More candidates surface in MI’s 3rd Congressional District. Financial problems in the Benton Harbor School District and whether its high school must […]

6/14/19 Poll shows challenger James Lower leading incumbent Congressman Justin Amash in 2020 Republican primary by a whopping 16 points. D-Day arrives for Benton Harbor to come up with a plan to solve their K-12 school system’s fiscal crisis, or Gov. Gretchen Whitmer says she’ll close down their high school.   Legislative Republicans’ scramble to […]

6/7/19 Gov. Whitmer journeys to Benton Harbor to defend high school closure plan. Any attempt to amend term limits faces Denno Research/Vanguard PA polling data showing voters like status quo. A legislator claims state could reap up to $800 million by selling the Blue Water Bridge and more. Republican John James says he’ll take another […]