MIRS Monday Podcast

Samantha Shriber does a live recap from the Michigan Democratic Party's April 19 endorsement convention inside Detroit's Huntington Place (1:00).  Also, earlier this month MIRS joined the Regional Transit Authority (RTA) of Southeast Michigan for a ride-along on the QLine, Detroit's 3.3 mile-long streetcar system. Ben Stupka, the RTA's executive director, talks about what's next for public transit...

Today's episode is a Republican-Democratic roundtable edition of MIRS Monday, featuring Mark Ludwig, the "Yellow Dog Democrat" and Allegan Conservation District chair, and Jackson-based Republican media strategist Billie Rajzer.  Together they discuss predictions for the Michigan Democratic Party's April 19 endorsement convention, U.S. Sen. Elissa Slotkin not ruling out a potential 2028 presidenti...

Ahead of Michigan Democrats' April 19 endorsement convention, MIRS sits down with Suzanna Shkreli, the former state lottery commissioner running for Secretary of State.  Suzanna talks about her "night-and-day" career switch of going from prosecuting crimes against children in Macomb County to handing over checks to Powerball winners. She has a vision of a Department of State with more self-serving...

MIRS Podcast Host Samantha Shriber recaps the Michigan Republican Party's recent endorsement convention, where Eaton County Prosecutor Doug Lloyd and Macomb County Clerk Anthony Forlini won Republicans' endorsements for Attorney General and Secretary of State (1:32).  She shares interview clips from Michigan Republican Party Chair Jim Runestad and state House Speaker Matt Hall.  Also, MIRS catches...

Earlier this month, an intoxicated passenger reportedly assaulted two Amtrak train employees in Eaton County, on a train transporting multiple college students. MIRS sits down with Eric Stanger, the Michigan legislative director with the SMART union – representing rail and transportation employees – and local union representative and Amtrak conductor Nate Hatton.  They are ramping up their calls f...

MIRS sits down with Eaton County Prosecutor Doug Lloyd, who's running to become Republicans' pick for Michigan Attorney General. He discusses the recent car ramming attack on Oakland County's Temple Israel, the growing relationship between crime and technology, and what Republican delegates are most eager to talk about this year (1:05).  Also, MIRS hosts a Democratic/Republican roundtable with Kat...

MIRS welcomes Jamie Roe – the Republican consultant based in Macomb Township – and Warren Democrat Joel Rutherford, the former chair of Michigan Democrats' 10th Congressional district caucus.  On this week's Macomb County edition of the Democratic-Republican roundtable, Joel and Jamie discuss how wealthy Republican Perry Johnson has already impacted the Governor's race. Also, is a proposed stricte...

Host Samantha Shriber recaps Governor Gretchen Whitmer's State of the State address on Feb. 25. Reducing housing construction barriers, alleviating medical debt, and tackling post-pandemic reading and learning stagnation were listed as her 2026 priorities.  The episode features reactions from House Appropriations Chair Ann Bollin, the Brighton Republican, Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield, and Senate M...