Today on Stateside, we spoke with Congressman Fred Upton (R-MI 6) about escalating tensions with Iran after the assassination of one of that country’s top generals. Plus, the economic lessons from the United Automobile Workers union’s strike against General Motors last year.
Listen to the full show above or find individual segments below.
Rep. Upton says Congress must be consulted before further action against Iran
- Tensions between the United States and Iran continue to escalate following the assassination of top Iranian General Qassem Soleimani. Congressman Fred Upton, a Republican who represents Michigan’s 6th District discussed the evolving situation with Iran, and the role of Congress in deciding whether further military actions are warranted.
Conflict with Iran “isn’t the sort of cat you can put back in the bag,” says local Iranian-American
- As the nation’s leaders debate the next steps with Iran, the consequences are already being felt here in Michigan. Shireen Smalley, Organizational Development Manager at the National Network for Arab American Communities, spoke about how rising national tensions impact Arab American communities in this state.
New racketeering charges in UAW corruption case could set stage for federal takeover of union
- Prosecutors have filed a revised charge against former United Automobile Workers regional director Vance Pearson. They say Pearson, who was director in the St. Louis Area, was part of an alleged embezzlement conspiracy. Detroit News business columnist Daniel Howes said the new charges are a signal that Pearson may testify against former UAW President Gary Jones.
What the UAW GM strike taught us about the broader Michigan economy
- When the United Automobile Workers strike against General Motors ended in late 2019, it clocked in as the longest strike since 1970. GM lost billions in production costs, and workers gained little. Michigan Radio reporter Tracy Samilton and Charles Ballard, an economics professor at Michigan State University, discussed how the 2019 UAW strike impacted the state's economy more broadly.
Michigan’s new elections director talks technology, security, and new rules for 2020 election
- As the 2020 election approaches, there’s a new elections director in town: Jonathan Brater joined us to talk about for Michigan spoke about how new rules on absentee voting will impact voters, and the security of the state's election system.
Civil rights protections for LGBTQ residents could be on 2020 ballot
- A group of business leaders and high-profile politicos in Michigan introduced a ballot initiative Tuesday that would expand the state's civil rights law to protect LGBTQ people. We got the latest on this still-developing story from Michigan Radio's Capitol Bureau Chief Rick Pluta.
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