MIRS Monday Podcast

MIRS Monday, Jan. 24, 2022

Sen. Adam Hollier announces for Congress in the new 13th congressional district. Ed Sarpolus from Target Insyght releases polling for the 13th and new 12th congressional district. Journalist Charlie LeDuff talks about the nursing home death numbers and Kenneth Cole, the prominent lobbyist for GCSI, is remembered.

MIRS Monday, Jan. 17, 2022

Sen. Erika Geiss is asked if any of her Senate colleagues are racist. GOP gubernatorial candidate Austin Chenge talks about a possible consensus candidate. Public relations professional Mario Morrow and activist Nicole Small talk about the Detroit congressional districts, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Attorney General Dana Nessel and more.

MIRS Monday, Jan. 10, 2022

In reaction to the Lee Chatfield sexual assault allegation, communications specialist Kaitlyn Buss, a former Republican spokesperson, talks about her personal experience as a youth who was sexually assaulted within an evangelical Christian community. MIRS' Lisa Roose-Church also speaks on the issue of child rape as, herself, a survivor and longtime courts reporter.

Also, in separate interviews, Rep. Sarah Lightner (R-Springport) and Rep. Julie Brixie (D-Meridian Twp.) update listeners on candidate recruitment for 2022, their individual leadership races and the Chatfield allegation.

MIRS Monday, Jan. 3, 2022

Adrian Hemond of Grassroots Midwest names the most politically competitive congressional district as part of his new map analysis. Jonathan Kinloch, chair of the Michigan Democratic Party's 13th Congressional District, says the new legislative maps are worse than the current maps for Blacks. University of Michigan Regent Sarah Hubbard talks football in Miami and COVID response.

MIRS Monday, Dec. 27, 2021

MIRS names its House Member of the Year based on impact, effectiveness and level of activity for 2021. New Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) Director Julia Dale sits down with reporter Jordan Climie (26:54). And Editor Kyle Melinn lists his 10 most memorable moments of 2021 in an audio montage (50:22).

MIRS Monday, Dec. 20, 2021

MIRS names its Senator of the Year. Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey gives his reaction and speaks about personal property tax (PPT) reform and a link between vaccination during a pandemic and the omicron variant. Also, Chris Hackbarth of the Michigan Municipal League explains the importance of the PPT to local communities and why it's vital for these cities that there's replacement revenue.

MIRS Monday, Dec. 13, 2021

Michigan Chamber President & CEO Rich Studley says goodbye after 40 years, handing the title to incoming leader Jim Holcomb during today's exit interview. MIRS names its Democratic Legislator of the Year.

Also, is the press fighting someone else's battle with its lawsuit against the Citizens Independent Redistricting Commission? Isn't there more impactful transparency issues within state government to fight for? Sam Inglot from Progress Michigan and Editor Kyle Melinn talk out this topic.

MIRS Monday, Dec. 6, 2021

MIRS names its Freshman Legislator of the Year based on the criteria of effectiveness, impact and level of activity. This year's nominees includes Rep. Andrew Fink, Rep. Timmy Beson, Rep. Amos O'Neal and more.

Sen. Rosemary Bayer talks about the social media and traditional media responses to the school shooting in her community and the relative invisibility of Rep. John Reilly (R-Oakland), among other topics (29:01). And Steve Dulan, board member of the Michigan Coalition of Responsible Gun Owners gives his response to the Oxford shooting and a question about the reason for the love for guns among many of the country's citizens (43:08).

MIRS Monday, Nov. 29, 2021

House Education Committee Chair Pamela Hornberger calls for a redo of K-12 graduation standards and teacher evaluation standards. (21:30) The GOP governor field is wide open. Josh Pugh, senior director of public affairs at Truscott Rossman, and Gus Portela, communications director of the Michigan Republican Party, talk about this and congressional redistricting.

Also, which state House, Senate incumbents got screwed under the collaborative redistricting maps (37:04)?

MIRS Monday, Nov. 22, 2021

Kevin Rinke officially enters the GOP gubernatorial field. Former President Donald Trump wants a new Legislature. Is Rep. Matt Maddock creating a leadership bid farm team? Former House Speaker Jase Bolger and former Gov. Rick Snyder Press Secretary Anna Heaton analyze these developments.

Are any local health directors thinking restrictions with the new COVID numbers going sky high? Norm Hess, executive director of the Michigan Association of Local Public Health, reacts.

And Jessica AcMoody, from the Community Economic Development Association of Michigan (CEDAM) talks short-term rentals, payday lending and a proposed $350 million in federal COVID relief money for low-income housing.