Today on Stateside, a federal judge delivered a setback to Michigan Republicans suing to stop the state from moving forward on a voter-approved redistricting commission. Plus, why the old political belief that urban voters swing Democratic and the suburbs vote Republican is changing.
Listen to the full show above or find individual segments below.
Federal judge deals blow to Michigan GOP over redistricting commission challenge
- A federal judge on Monday handed a major setback to Michigan Republicans who wanted the court to delay implementation of aredistricting commissionapproved by voters last November. Plaintiffs in two lawsuits are challenging the state constitutional amendment that created the redistricting commission. They wanted the implementation of that amendment put on hold while the cases make their way through the courts. The judge declined to grant that request. Zach Gorchow covers state politics for GongwerNews.He broke down the two lawsuits involving the redistricting commission, the arguments on both sides, and what he expects will happen next.
Learn to Drive! Car problems on the road? Stay in your vehicle, call 911.
- When you run out of gas or get stuck in a snow bank while driving, what do you do? If your answer is phone a friend to come bail you out, Michigan State Police Lieutenant Michael Shaw wants you to rethink that. Instead, he told us, stay in your vehicle and call 911.
Michigan spending millions on Medicaid work rules that will likely to be struck down in court, says UM professor
- The state of Michigan is preparing to impose work requirements on around 650,000 Michiganders who get health insurance through Medicaid. But a class action lawsuit recently filed in a D.C. federal court might put that on hold.
- Nicholas Bagley is a professor at the University of Michigan law school, who specializes in health and administrative law. He explained why he thinks the work requirements the state Legislature passed in June 2018 are unlikely to stand up in a court of law.
Theater Talk: A preview of what's on stage this holiday season
- If seeing a show is a part of your holiday plans, we've got a few to add to your list. Encore Michiganeditor and publisher David Kiley had these recommendations: Miss Bennett: Christmas at Pemberley at the Open Book Theatre in Trenton, The Secret Garden from the Encore Musical Theatre Company in Dexter, and It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play at the Farmers Alley Theatre in Kalamazoo.
Want to see how suburban politics are shifting? Look to Grand Rapids, says NY Times reporter.
People in urban areas tend to vote more Democratic, and voters in the suburbs lean more Republican. Or at least that's the conventional political wisdom. But a recent New York Times article saysthat's changing. We talked to national correspondent for the New York Times Sabrina Tavernise about her article, which looked at how the suburban communities around Grand Rapids exemplify a shift in the political dividing line.
The National Weather Service wants your help measuring snowfall this winter
- Are you a weather geek? Do you love posting a selfie with an epic snowfall in the background? Well, the National Weather Service could use your help. Interlochen Public Radio’s Kaye LaFond reported on why the NWS is looking for citizen scientists to help measure snowfall this winter.
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