For decades, Ohio was a bellwether state, whose presidential pick signaled who would come out on top nationally. That was true from 1964 until 2020, when Ohio voters picked Donald Trump, but Joe Biden won the presidency.

Journalists Casey He and Ryan Konarska tracked the changes in the state's political character, from being a national bellwether to consistently voting reliably red in the electoral college. Their analysis can be found on Midstory, the Toledo-based Midwestern storytelling hub.

GUESTS ON TODAY’S SHOW:

• Casey He, Journalism and Political Science student at Northwestern University

• Ryan Konarska, Managing Editor at The Daily Princetonian

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Music in this episode by Blue Dot Sessions.

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Polling for the presidential election is incredible tight in Michigan. That means both the Democratic and Republican parties are vying for voters in the slimmest of margins. It appears both major party candidates think the place to make inroads is with Black men in Detroit.

GUEST:

• Sam Robinson, reporter, Detroit Free Press

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There are many Michigan communities hurting badly right now. What can you say about what this year has been like, for people who have family, and friends in Lebanon, or Gaza, or Israel? Bilal Beydoun lives in Dearborn - the town where he grew up. And he’s one of about 82,000 Lebanese Americans who live in Michigan, many of whom still have ties to Lebanon. Today, he shares his personal story and perspective.

GUEST:

Bilal Beydoun, lifelong Dearbornite, Lebanese-American

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