Jack Lessenberry from Michigan Radio

There was a memorial service in Traverse City yesterday to celebrate the life of Helen Milliken, pioneering Michigan feminist and first lady. Michigan Radio's political analyst Jack Lessenberry was there.

Last week’s Mackinac Conference was largely a celebration of how far Michigan has come in the last few years. But Jack Lessenberry, Michigan Radio’s political analyst, says there was also a battle going on behind the scenes.

Controversial education reformer  Michelle Rhee spoke to the  Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Mackinac  Conference yesterday. Michigan Radio's political analyst Jack Lessenberry  thinks she said some things  both parties need to hear.

Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush was the first keynote speaker at this week’s annual Mackinac Conference. Michigan Radio's political analyst Jack Lessenberry thinks he illustrated his party’s key dilemma.

Education is a main focus of this year’s Mackinac Conference. Jack Lessenberry, Michigan Radio’s senior political analyst, wonders if we are asking the right questions.

Metropolitan Detroit was shocked last week at reports that Emergency Financial Manager Kevyn Orr might sell some of the city’s art treasures to pay down its debt. Jack Lessenberry, Michigan Radio’s political analyst, thinks the reality may be different.

Democrats in the state house yesterday announced a package of proposed women’s health care reforms. Jack Lessenberry, Michigan Radio’s political analyst, thinks this could be significant.

Detroit Emergency Manager Kevyn Orr released his first report on the state of the city today, and the news was even worse than expected. But Michigan Radio Senior Political Analyst Jack Lessenberry says there is more to the city than that.

Though the next major election is a year and a half away, Democrats already have virtually chosen their candidates for governor and the U.S. Senate. Jack Lessenberry, Michigan Radio’s senior political analyst, reports.

Earlier this week, Saginaw County’s Buena Vista school district announced it had run out of money, and was shutting down. Michigan Radio’s political analyst Jack Lessenberry says there are a number of issues here. 

Perhaps more than most states, Michigan has had a fascinating past. The guardians of that legacy, the Michigan Historical Commission, today celebrates its hundredth anniversary. Michigan Radio’s political analyst Jack Lessenberry reports.

These are difficult times for the newspaper business. Jack Lessenberry, Michigan Radio’s political analyst, has been thinking about why they still matter.

There was a tempest in state politics last week after the Oakland County Executive called the Speaker of the House “Adolf” Bolger.  Michigan Radio Senior political analyst Jack Lessenberry thinks there is actually more to this story.

Detroit Public Schools Emergency Manager Roy Roberts is retiring when his contract expires in a couple weeks.  Jack Lessenberry, Michigan Radio’s political analyst, wonders if anyone can do the job.

Democratic Congressman Gary Peters ended the worst-kept secret in politics yesterday, and announced he was running for the retiring Carl Levin’s seat in the U.S. Senate. Jack Lessenberry, Michigan Radio’s senior political analyst, has been thinking about the race ahead.