Kyle Melinn

1 month ago | lansingcitypulse.com | Kyle Melinn

Here’s an idea. Let’s have a town hall!  Sounds good, doesn’t it? Unless you’re the invited featured attraction. Democrats and their progressive allies have tried to generate excitement early in 2025 by hosting town hall meetings in the districts of politically venerable Republicans.  In Southeast Michigan, it’s U.S. Rep. John James. In West Michigan, it’s U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga. Here in Lansing, it’s U.S. Rep. Tom Barrett.

1 month ago | lansingcitypulse.com | Kyle Melinn

Don’t you hate it when someone double parks? The lot is packed. You’re in a rush. And some joker is purposely taking up two spots. Now, what if the double parker is in your assigned parking spot at work? How ticked would you be? A couple of weeks ago, state Rep. Julie Brixie, D-Okemos, rolled into the Roosevelt Park ramp about half a block from the Capitol to find her Republican colleague — conservative firebrand and ultra-MAGA Republican Matt Maddock — was in her spot.

2 months ago | lansingcitypulse.com | Kyle Melinn

The candidate filing deadline for the Lansing City Council came and went Tuesday with the winner appearing to be Lansing Mayor Andy Schor. Despite a late challenge by a City Council member, Andy Schor is a heavy favorite and may play a factor in some of the City Council races. Of course, though, the big winner is Chris Swope, who all but won his sixth four-year term when nobody filed to run against him … again.

2 months ago | lansingcitypulse.com | Kyle Melinn

Back in 1967, a rising star in the national political scene was Michigan’s governor, George Romney. The former auto executive was seriously weighing a presidential bid, and he had support … until … . Romney explained his change of heart on the U.S. involvement in Vietnam, which he had supported, by saying that the generals and diplomatic corps gave him “the greatest brainwashing that anybody could get.” The governor stuck to his guns despite being given every chance to back away from the comment.

2 months ago | lansingcitypulse.com | Kyle Melinn

In my previous life, I covered collegiate and high school sports. I’ve been to the games, talked to players, written game previews and sat through the coaches’ press conferences. In 2001, I settled into full-time political reporting, and I found the parallels between politics and sports closer than you may think. In both, you have participants. There’s a winner. There’s a loser. And there’s a lot more to winning than just showing up. People benefit from natural skills.