How will Democrat U.S. Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed try to connect with Detroit seniors, Macomb County's pro-Trump autoworkers and "Reagan Democrats", and the pre-Trump Republicans in white collar Oakland County?

Also, what might be Republican U.S. Senate nominee Mike Rogers' courting strategy to win Democratic voters who wanted Congresswoman Haley Stevens (D-Birmingham) to win the primary?

Additionally, they discuss who might vote YES on summoning a state Constitutional Convention in November, and whether Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, Democrat nominee for Governor, is prepared for a "fire hose" of negative ads from Republicans. 

Amid new policy changes in the healthcare world, anesthesia services have seen declines in coverage reimbursements and controversial proposals nationally to limit the time anesthesia is covered by insurers, says Gena Welch, the president of the Michigan Association of Nurse Anesthetists (17:20). 

Together, they discuss why special interest groups might be involving themselves in primaries instead of reserving resources for Michigan's most flipable races. Also, what group of Michigan voters might surprise folks this cycle? (1:45) 

Also, who is Tom Turner, the lone Democrat running in the 57th state House district covering parts of Troy, Madison Heights and Sterling Heights? Tom talks about why he chose hitting the campaign trail – attempting to defeat a Republican incumbent in November – as his post-military life move (30:28).     

Michiganders are more likely to tell you who got dumped on "Love Island" than who's running for governor, says Dennis on this past week's "Debate Week." Also, Angela doesn't anticipate high progressive turnout in August translating to yes-votes on local millage proposals. 

MIRS also catches up with Macomb County Clerk Anthony Forlini, Republicans' endorsed candidate for Secretary of State (37:14). 

But Democrats like state Rep. Alabas Farhat (D-Dearborn) and Senate Appropriations Chair Sarah Anthony (D-Lansing) warn that the obstacles of federal reforms and state revenue shortfalls are not over. (4:35). 

Also, former U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-Lansing) is condemning national Republicans for allegedly trying to get "the most-left" and Democrat Socialists to turn out for Abdul El-Sayed (12:25). 

With the suspension (on Sunday, July 5th) of the US Senate campaign of State Senator Mallory McMorrow, Michigan's U.S. Senate primary for Democrats is now a two-person race between Abdul El-Sayed, the former Wayne County health director – and U.S. Representative Haley Stevens (D-Birmingham), Stabenow's pick. 

Why does it feel like there might be an excitement deficit going into the 250th anniversary? How has the $5 million the state appropriated in 2024 to honor the 250th been spent? Sandra and Don also share what Michigan artifact they think has the most bizarre backstory (1:28). 

Additionally, Cyndi Roper – a senior policy advocate on environmental health with the Natural Resources Defense Council – talks about another round of birthdays. 

According to the NRDC, some of Michigan's water infrastructure is approaching 100 years old. Cyndi projects that new road pavements are at risk of soon being opened again if built over aging, vulnerable water mains (23:25). 

Joining Lawrence is Randy Cantu, a 72 year-old retired General Motors worker residing across the street from where a data center developer plans to build on nearly 400 acres of farmland in the 7th District. Once being a "pretty quiet" guy politically, Cantu has decided to get behind Lawrence's campaign, believing he's "the only one that gets their hands dirty" when it comes to protesting the controversial development. (1:10). 

MIRS also sits down with Dan Papineau, the Michigan Chamber of Commerce's senior director of strategic initiatives. Dan describes why the Michigan Chamber will be pushing against November's question of whether the state constitution should be re-written (14:00). 

Also, who is Eric Chung? MIRS sits down with a Democrat running in Michigan's 10th U.S. House district, learning more about how he went from teacher to constitutional lawyer, as well as what it was like growing up in a household of Vietnamese immigrants working in Macomb County's automotive industry (32:30).   

How does McMorrow plan to amplify her name ID with absentee voting about to begin soon? Also, she talks about believing folks who pay for their X accounts should disclaim when they're posting AI-generated content (9:20). 

MIRS also catches up with Ryan Hundt, the chief executive officer of the Michigan Works! Association. His association anticipates a $75 million to $90 million funding gap between support that lawmakers have proposed and what Michigan Works! will need to help Medicaid enrollees meet new federal workforce requirements (24:45). 

MIRS sits down with David Jurcak, president of the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island. They talk about hiring tourism employees from overseas, concerns around the Shepler's Ferry monopoly and the United States' 250th anniversary (3:19). 

U.S. Sen. Elissa Slotkin, the Holly Democrat, also explains why, as a former CIA officer, she sees Chinese cars driving into the country as "surveillance packages on wheels" (27:22). 

Also, President Brian Calley of the Small Business Association of Michigan says that 42% of members are one to three years away from no longer being able to offer health insurance due to rate increases (40:39). 

Republican strategist Jason Cabel Roe and Lon Johnson – a former chair of the Michigan Democratic Party – are teaming up to push legislators to put such a constitutional change on the ballot this year (3:02). 

Jason and Lon also share their thoughts on former Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan suspending his independent bid for governor on May 21. 

And Senator-elect Chedrick Greene of Michigan's 35th district speaks with MIRS' Samantha Shriber about his background and his thoughts about joining the legislature. (4:34)

Savit talks about wanting to go after businesses that use data algorithms to "gouge" prices, charging shoppers different prices based on what technology knows about them. He also talks about how leading Detroit's lawsuits against the opioid industry has contributed to his current philosophy as an AG candidate (1:40). 

Also, the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) ranked Michigan 32nd for its economic outlook in its recent "Rich States, Poor States" report. MIRS talks to ALEC Chief Economist Jonathan Williams about struggles Michigan might face to offer an economy with attractive salaries (33:25). 

Costa shares his concerns about the aftermath of a gunman who reportedly stormed past security at last month's White House Correspondents Dinner, and the future of civic dialogue in American politics. 

He also talks about the possibility of Michigan seeing a reduction in straight-ticket voters in the fall, and how U.S. Sen. Elissa Slotkin's (D-Holly) ambitions have become a story for the national media to watch. (1:15)

Together they discuss the aftermath of Michigan Democrats' endorsement convention in Detroit, as well as the public-facing feud taking place between the U.S. Rep. John James and businessman Perry Johnson's campaigns for governor. 

Brian and Joe also list the unique political rivalries they're watching across legislative and Congressional races, as well as why legislators might not pick up the Governor's proposed "sin-taxes" this budget-making season (2:03).

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 in Metro Detroit (2:42). 

Attorney General Dana Nessel updates MIRS on the U.S. Department of Justice's request for November 2024 ballots, ballot receipts and envelopes in Wayne County. Nessel is denouncing the request along with Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (27:27). 

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 presidential run and the future of legislation to reduce local government regulations on housing construction (1:17). 

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 kiosks, mobile units and digital driver's licenses. 

She also says that Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist, her opponent, told her "point blank that he didn't want this job" ahead of her getting in last December (1:26). 

Also, MIRS catches up with term-limited state Sen. Roger Victory (R-Hudsonville), who's introducing himself as "Farmer Rog" as he runs for Michigan State University's trustee board (29:47).