Kyle Melinn

Lansing, Michoacán

News Editor at Michigan Information and Research Service Inc.

Host at MIRSnews.com Monday

Twitter/X: Empowering clever people to write some real stupid things since 2006.

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Articles

Empty state office buildings don’t leave Whitmer much space - City Pulse

3 weeks ago | lansingcitypulse.com | Kyle Melinn

I’ve got a luxurious view from my Ottawa Street office of that big parking lot between the Hall of Justice and the Ottawa Building. Before COVID, that parking lot — probably 80% to 90% full — emptied out between 5 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. on the one-way street toward Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. Leaving my office around that time if you were in a rush wasn’t advised. Today, the scene is much different. State office workers have found (surprise, surprise) that they actually like working from home.
Barrett, other politicians staying far away from town halls in ’25 - City Pulse

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.
Republicans were not laughing about Brixie’s parking lot prank - City Pulse

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.
Schor’s third-term campaign hits a pothole: Jeffrey Brown - City Pulse

1 month 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.
If only that blue folder was an invisibility cloak - City Pulse

1 month 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.
In politics, like sports, it can come down to who wants it more - City Pulse

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.
Whitmer avoids statewide press as her national star keeps rising - City Pulse

2 months ago | lansingcitypulse.com | Kyle Melinn

Decades from now, when we’ve moved well beyond Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s time in office and presuming I’m still around, this is the image of the governor I’ll have emblazoned in my mind: Gretchen Whitmer wearing a mask. At a lectern. In her press auditorium. Holding another hourlong press conference on COVID. Day after day, Whitmer was our pipeline of information, letting us know what we could do, how we could do it safely, what order she was issuing, and how many were sick.
Defeat and sorrow overshadow Sunshine Week in Michigan again - City Pulse

2 months ago | lansingcitypulse.com | Kyle Melinn

It’s Sunshine Week in Michigan. Again. The same show, different year. Years of optimism that an expanded Freedom of Information Act would clear the Legislature and be signed by the governor have been replaced by cynicism as supporters slowly become resigned to reality. The Legislature isn’t passing a real FOIA reform bill—not this year, not next year, not until a Watergate-like scandal hits and shakes politicians out of stagnation. Why would they?
Politics at play in Senate non-election; why not for the Supreme Court, too? - City Pulse

2 months ago | lansingcitypulse.com | Kyle Melinn

By this time next week, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer will likely have broken new ground in having waited more than 74 days to call a special election in a vacant state Senate seat previously held by now-U.S. Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet. Rivet had represented the tri-cities area in Saginaw, Midland and Bay City until voters in the 8th Congressional District picked her to succeed now-retired U.S. Rep. Dan Kildee.
Slotkin’s visibility makes GOP nervous as Democratic response draws near - City Pulse

Mar 5, 2025 | lansingcitypulse.com | Kyle Melinn

Hours before U.S. Sen. Elissa Slotkin planned to deliver the Democratic response to President Donald Trump’s first address to Congress in his second term, the White House had something to say about Michigan’s new senator.