Russ McNamara

1 week ago | wdet.org | Russ McNamara |Sam Corey

A number of universities are worried about funding cuts that are coming from the Trump administration. That includes those in Michigan. Wayne State University, the University of Michigan, and Michigan State University collaborate — sharing research and attracting businesses to their campuses. Late last month, Michigan Tech joined the re-branded group that’s now called .

2 weeks ago | wdet.org | Russ McNamara

At the Mackinac Policy Conference on Mackinac Island last week, Michigan Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist announced new incentive programs aimed at promoting entrepreneurship and retaining talent in the state. The $107 million in grants from the state Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) are meant to lay out “a roadmap to train 5,000 new infrastructure workers by 2030 to meet Michigan’s critical infrastructure needs,” according to the governor’s office.

2 weeks ago | wdet.org | Russ McNamara

New U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra is downplaying the effect of tariffs on the auto industry. The former Congressman and ex-chair of the Michigan GOP was confirmed to the ambassadorship in early April. In an interview with WDET during the 2025 Mackinac Policy Conference, Hoekstra said the economy is strong, and that worries about tariffs and a trade war with Canada are overblown. “They’re not going to have a dramatic impact, OK?” Hoekstra said.

3 weeks ago | wdet.org | Russ McNamara

The U.S. Department of Justice and the White House are looking at pardoning the two men convicted in the 2020 plot to kidnap Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. President Donald Trump told reporters on Wednesday that the men convicted in the kidnapping plot were victims of “a railroad job.”Whitmer shared her reaction to the news with WDET’s Russ McNamara at the Mackinac Policy Conference on Thursday, saying she’s not happy that the justice department — and the president — are even considering pardons.

3 weeks ago | radio.wcmu.org | Russ McNamara

Michigan U.S. Senator Elissa Slotkin spent three terms in the U.S. House before running to replace outgoing Democratic U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow. She bucked the pro-GOP trend to beat Mike Rogers last November for the seat. WDET’s Russ McNamara caught up with the junior senator at the 2025 Mackinac Policy Conference ahead of All Things Considered – Detroit on Wednesday to talk about proposed cuts to Medicaid, supporting EV manufacturing and more.