Jack Lessenberry from Michigan Radio

The annual Kids Count report on the welfare of Michigan’s Children was released today. Jack Lessenberry, Michigan Radio’s political analyst, says the figures are horrifying.

Scrap metal theft has been a big problem in Detroit, where thieves tear apart vacant buildings to make quick cash. Michigan Radio’s political analyst Jack Lessenberry says the legislature had an opportunity to do something to stop it, and blew it.

Everybody agrees Detroit is filled with abandoned and blighted buildings — but just how many of them are there? Michigan Radio’s political analyst Jack Lessenberry talked to someone in charge of getting a handle on the problem. 

Though most attention in Lansing yesterday was focused on the abortion insurance bill, the legislature also passed a significant campaign finance bill. But Jack Lessenberry, Michigan Radio’s political analyst, wouldn’t call it reform.

There have been lots of stories about the victims of Detroit’s financial crisis. Jack Lessenberry, Michigan Radio’s political analyst, went to see some who don’t get to make their opinions known. 

The Michigan House of Representatives may be about to pass a law that would prohibit any health insurance policy from automatically covering abortion — even in the case of rape or incest. Jack Lessenberry, Michigan Radio’s political analyst, says this is a case of a bad solution where no problem exists

Nelson Mandela, the father of South African Independence, died yesterday. Michigan Radio’s Political Analyst Jack Lessenberry remembers a magical day when he came to Detroit.

Gov. Rick Snyder signed an agreement more than a year ago to build a New International Trade Crossing Bridge over the Detroit River. So, what’s happening with that? Jack Lessenberry, Michigan Radio’s political analyst, looked into this. 

As almost everyone now knows, a federal judge ruled yesterday that Detroit is eligible to file for bankruptcy protection. Jack Lessenberry, Michigan Radio’s senior political analyst, says the psychology of all this is very important. 

The legislature may be stalled on a number of issues, from fixing the roads to health insurance reform, but Jack Lessenberry, Michigan Radio’s senior political analyst, says they are doing a few things you may not have suspected.

Federal Bankruptcy Judge Steven Rhodes will issue his decision tomorrow as to whether or not Detroit can file for bankruptcy protection. Jack Lessenberry, Michigan Radio’s political analyst, has more.

Last year the United States Supreme Court said it was unconstitutional to sentence minors to life without parole. But Michigan still has many such inmates, and yesterday, a federal judge ordered the state to start reviewing their cases. Michigan Radio’s political analyst Jack Lessenberry looks behind the scenes.

Michigan’s first-ever wolf hunting season is continuing through the end of the year. Jack Lessenberry, Michigan Radio’s political analyst, is thinking about the reasons behind it.

The Department of Education reported a huge profit on the federal student loan program, just when many students are having a harder and harder time affording a college education. Jack Lessenberry, Michigan Radio’s political analyst, has been thinking about the implications of this.

There was good economic news on a number of fronts yesterday. Jack Lessenberry, Michigan Radio’s political analyst, hopes ideology doesn’t screw things up.