The Michigan State University College of Law is home to eight law clinics, each specializing in a public service area of the law that provides professional legal counsel to the most vulnerable people in society.

Each clinic is directed by licensed attorneys who are members of the MSU Law faculty and staffed by law students who gain critical hands-on research and litigation experience. The clinics provide pro bono legal services and have won important cases for clients across the country.

MSU Law clinics cover the following areas of the law: immigration, family and juvenile law, housing, small business, public defense, Indian law, tax law, and first amendment.

In this new law clinic podcast series, MSU Today explores how our law clinics have won life-changing cases for clients and have given students incredible starts to successful legal careers.

For today’s episode, we talk with Christina Wease, director of the Alvin. L. Storrs Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year.

Conversation Highlights:

(1:23) - Christina, tell us about your background. How did you get involved in tax law and the Tax Clinic?

(2:07) - What services and work do you provide at the clinic?

(3:05) - Tell us about a case or two that exemplifies the reach of your work.

(5:25) - Are there students who have chosen tax law as their career as a result of working in the tax clinic?

(6:00) - How do you get students interested in the Tax Clinic?

(7:36) - You are celebrating 25 years of operation. Why is this an important milestone?

(8:17) - How do you keep up with changing tax law?

(8:53) - Given laws and political changes in the state and the federal government, how might this change your work?

(9:44) - As many Americans are getting ready to file taxes, do you have any tips or suggestions?

(11:35) - How can people reach out to the clinic?

Listen to “MSU Today with Russ White” on the radio and through Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your shows.

Teresa Dunn is a Mexican American artist raised in rural Southern Illinois. Her identity, life, and art are influenced by her racial and cultural heritages and the complexities of being a brown woman in the Midwest.

She came to MSU in 2006 and is a professor of painting and drawing in the Department of Art, Art History, and Design in MSU’s College of Arts and Letters.

On this episode of MSU Today, she talks about her path to MSU and what inspires and motivates her art. And she describes her piece commemorating the inaugural Spartan Bus Tour.

Conversation Highlights:

(0:33) – Dunn elaborates on her background and what motivates her art.

(1:53) – Were you always drawing as a child? When did you begin to express your heritage through your art?

(3:03) – When does the feeling hit you that you want to and can express your feelings in your way?

(5:40) – Did you feel a creative boost after coming to terms with how you want to express yourself through your art?

(6:37) – How and why do you come to MSU in 2006?

(7:39) – What do you enjoy about teaching?

(8:57) – How have you seen students change over the years?

(10:04) – When you create a piece, are there takeaways you hope people feel when experiencing your art?

(11:32) – How did you become involved in commemorating the Spartan Bus Tour?

(13:33) – How did you grasp the feeling and spirit of the tour?

(15:14) – How would you describe your art, and what would like people to know about Teresa Dunn?

Listen to “MSU Today with Russ White” on the radio and through Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your shows.

State of the State is the monthly round up of policy and research for the state of Michigan from Michigan State University’s Institute for Public Policy and Social Research (IPPSR). Matt Grossmann and Arnold Weinfeld from IPPSR are joined by economist Charley Ballard to discuss the latest in politics and the economy.

Former Michigan Congressman and Governor and U.S. Ambassador to Canada Jim Blanchard joins the trio to discuss the impact of potential tariffs on Canada.

Conversation Highlights:

(1:07) – Grossmann on the politics of President Trump’s executive orders.

(2:54) – Which executive orders do you think will be the most impactful?

(3:46) – What is the reaction to the executive orders across the country? Is this what voters wanted?

(4:36) – Charley, what about the impacts on the economy?

(7:28) – Is the American economy working for most Americans?

(9:44) – Matt, what’s the impact of Gary Peters’ announcement that he will not run for reelection to the U.S. Senate in 2026?

(11:00) – How much will the Michigan governor’s race impact the federal race and vice versa?

(12:59) – Governor Blanchard’s perspective on the potential tariffs on Canada.

(17:12) – This isn’t the first time tariffs have the potential to impact the American economy.

(21:00) – Governor Blanchard says the tariffs will be inflationary.

(23:52) – How are the markets reacting?

(25:33) – Is this more bluster than reality? And what will the diplomatic damage be to our relationship with our allies?

(27:13) – Who pays the price for tariffs that will raise the price of what American consumers buy?

Listen to “MSU Today with Russ White” on the radio and through Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your shows.