9&10 News Focus Podcast

Democrats will control the executive branch, and both legislative bodies in Michigan for the first time in decades. It's the result of the November 8th election that saw sweeping victories for Democrats in the state. What will they do with the so-called blue trifecta? 9&10's Eric Lloyd asked Governor Whitmer, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, and Senator Mallory McMorrow.

Every year, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources makes some changes to the rules for deer hunting in the state. But this year the DNR is making it mandatory that hunters report their harvest online or with an app. Not reporting your kill is TECHNICALLY now a criminal misdemeanor. So how did that happen? Ed Golder is the spokesperson for the Michigan DNR, and 9&10’s Eric Lloyd asked him about the reporting requirement.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer and challenger Tudor Dixon will face-off in their first debate this week, and it couldn’t come at a more critical time for the campaign. Strategist John Sellek talks with 9&10 News about the stakes of the debate, and state of the race.

The Federal Reserve raised the key interest rate again this week in an effort to combat inflation. What does that mean for you and your money? Professor of economics Jason Taylor from Central Michigan University explains that, and puts our current economy into some historical perspective.

Michigan’s Palisades nuclear power plant ceased operations in May. But there’s a new effort to get Palisades producing nuclear energy once again, and it has the support of Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. Nicholas Culp is with Holtec International, the company that currently owns the plant and is decommissioning it. He explains what has to happen to get Palisades up and running again, and why it could be a really good idea.

There’s a new effort in Michigan to teach what really happened to Native Americans in this country and state. It’s beginning to be incorporated into social studies curriculum in Michigan, and we talk to reporter Tracie Mauriello from Chalkbeat Detroit and Bridge Michigan who dug deeper into the story.

Michigan now ranks 10th in the nation for the number of home foreclosures. Why is it happening, and what can struggling homeowners do to stay in their homes? Mary Townley of the Michigan State Housing Development Authority explains the issue, and what help is available.

New polling this week shows a very tight race for the Republican nomination for Michigan governor. It also shows Many Republican voters are undecided, and there’s just one thing that will likely make all the difference in this race. Political strategist John Sellek is breaking down the race with 9&10’s Eric Lloyd.

Electricity demand is high and rising, especially on really hot summer days. Michigan utilities have so far been able to meet that demand, but they say something is threatening our electric reliability in the future. Tony Anderson from Cherryland Electric Cooperative, and Eric Baker from Wolverine Power give us a better idea of the trouble we could be in for.

There are all kinds of conspiracies and just plain wrong information out there about the reason we’re paying so much for gas right now. Patrick De Haan, the Oil and Refined Products analyst at GasBuddy clears up the confusion, rumors, and lies. He also explains what the “crack spread” is, and how it’s affecting you.

Prices for just about everything continue to rise. Inflation is causing increasingly more people to have a difficult time meeting household expenses. Just how many people? QuoteWizard by LendingTree’s Nick VinZant analyzes their latest report to paint a dire picture of what’s happening to family budgets in Michigan and nationwide.