MIRS Monday, March 23, 2026

About this episode

The episode discusses recent assaults on train employees and features interviews with union representatives and a political candidate.

Earlier this month, an intoxicated passenger reportedly assaulted two Amtrak train employees in Eaton County, on a train transporting multiple college students. MIRS sits down with Eric Stanger, the Michigan legislative director with the SMART union – representing rail and transportation employees – and local union representative and Amtrak conductor Nate Hatton. They are ramping up their calls for legislators to pass bills creating specified penalties for individuals who assault operators on Michigan's trains and buses (1:05). Also, who is Shelley Wright? MIRS sits down with the Harrison Township Republican working to take on state Sen. Kevin Hertel – the Saint Clair Shores Democrat – in one of Michigan's most competitive battleground districts (19:30).

People in this episode

Guests: Eric Stanger, Nate Hatton, Shelley Wright

Topics covered

• assault on train employees
• Michigan legislation
• political competition

Keywords

• Amtrak
• SMART union
• Michigan politics

Mentioned in this episode

Products: Amtrak

Places: Eaton County, Michigan, Harrison Township, Saint Clair Shores

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