#FactsMatter, the Citizens Research Council of Michigan podcast

About #FactsMatter, the Citizens Research Council of Michigan podcast

Podcast by Citizens Research Council of Michigan

Publisher

Citizens Research Council of Michigan

Category

news

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

14 Feb 2018

Latest episode

5 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

142 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   5 Oct 2026

   The Kids Are Alright: Youth Crime Trends in Detroit: What the Data Really Shows

   Detroit’s youth crime picture is far more stable — and far more encouraging — than recent headlines suggest. In a new #FactsMatter podcast conversation, Guy Gordon and Research Council Detroit Bureau Director Doug Ortiz unpack the data behind “teen takeovers” and youth crime trends. Ortiz discusses his recent Council Brief on youth crime trends in Detroit, focusing on how to interpret crime data accurately and how recent social phenomena—especially “teen takeovers”—fit into the broader picture. This is the Detroit Bureau’s Council’s fourth report in a series about crime in Detroit and across peer cities (identified in the first paper in the series). Future reports will examine the public safety budget, public safety policies, and differences in crime rates across the state, metro area, and neighborhoods. For this report, Ortiz and Gordon begin by noting a major challenge: crime data reported to the FBI is inconsistent across cities, making it difficult to benchmark Detroit against all its peers. As Doug explains, “some agencies aren't submitting data consistently” , which limits long-term comparisons. Concerns about “teen takeovers,” described as large youth gatherings in public spaces, often organized via social media, have grown in recent months, often amplified by media coverage. Yet the underlying data tells a different story. Detroit is not seeing a rise in youth crime, and long-term trends show meaningful, measurable progress. Although “teen takeovers” can be disruptive, they are not tracked as a crime category. Ortiz notes that no agency tracks teen takeovers themselves—only the crimes that may occur around them. As he puts it, “we don't have any data that tracks large gatherings of youth in public spaces” To assess their impact, Ortiz examined crimes most associated with youth behavior: aggravated assaults and larcenies among 10–19-year-olds. The findings are clear: Youth aggravated assaults have declined more than 60% since 2005. Detroit’s rate, once significantly higher, has now converged with peer cities like Cleveland and Milwaukee. Youth larceny rates have also fallen and remain consistently below those same peer cities. These declines persist even after adjusting for population, meaning they cannot be explained simply by fewer youth in the city. Data limitations remain — some cities do not consistently report to the FBI — but Detroit’s downward trend is unmistakable. The Sheffield administration has launched several youth-focused initiatives, including expanded recreation center hours, curfew enforcement, and the new Office of Youth Affairs. These steps demonstrate commitment, but research shows they are not sufficient on their own. Studies indicate that sports participation alone does not reduce delinquency. The strongest protective factors are family engagement, school support, and peer environments. Looking ahead, Ortiz said the Research Council will revisit the data when 2025 numbers are released to determine whether teen takeovers represent a meaningful shift or a media-driven narrative. This evidence underscores the importance of fact-based policymaking and sustained investment in the most effective, protective supports for Detroit’s youth.

2. 

   29 Sept 2026

   Michigan’s Proposal 2 promises to “get money out of politics,” but what does it actually do?

   In this episode of the #FactsMatter Podcast, host Guy Gordon and Research Council analyst Karley Abramson break down the three major changes that would take effect if Michigan voters approve Proposal 2: expanded disclosure rules for modern digital ads, new contribution bans for large state contractors, and the more widely known prohibition on political donations from regulated utility companies. Abramson explains where Proposal 2 addresses real concerns, but only within narrow constitutional limits, and why some impacts may be smaller—or legally more vulnerable—than voters expect. They discuss how Proposal 2’s effects may be modest and that some parts may face legal challenges. Voters will ultimately weigh transparency and anti-corruption goals against free-speech concerns. For some, the vote may serve more as a protest statement than as a policy solution.

3. 

   22 Sept 2026

   Article XII: What People Should Know Before Voting on a Con-Con

   Article XII of the Michigan Constitution governs how the Constitution can be amended or revised. In this episode of the #FactsMatter podcast, Eric Lupher and Guy Gordon focus on Article XII, examining whether Michigan’s current system makes constitutional change too easy or too hard and what issues might arise if voters approve a constitutional convention. Eric emphasizes that the constitution is “the people’s document,” but the process must strike a balance—accessible enough to enable meaningful change yet difficult enough to prevent outside interests from easily reshaping Michigan’s foundational rules. As he notes, Michigan has adopted 44 amendments since 1963. They discuss Michigan’s unusually accessible citizen-initiative process, which is among the easiest in the nation (only Oregon and California are easier), the narrow gap between statutory and constitutional signature thresholds, and the outsized role this plays in pushing groups to amend the constitution rather than pursue legislation. The conversation underscores why Michigan’s 16-year constitutional convention question exists and why the Citizens Research Council’s analyses remain essential, providing Michigan’s policymakers and citizens with the rigorous research needed to protect the integrity of the state constitution and to make informed decisions.

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

3 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

2 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 46 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

60

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

81

Contact #FactsMatter, the Citizens Research Council of Michigan podcast

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

Shows with a similar audience

• 

  MichMash Politics

• 

  MIRS Monday Podcast

• 

  Planet Money

• 

  Marketplace

• 

  The Journal.

• 

  WSJ Tech News Briefing