Muskegon Rising
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07/03/2026
What actually happens to your grocery bill when tariffs go up? Or your mortgage payment when the Fed moves rates? On this episode of Muskegon Rising, host DJ Hilson sits down with Matt Farrar, Muskegon County's Deputy County Administrator, to break down the economic terms you hear on the news but rarely see explained in plain English.
Matt brings a unique perspective, decades in public works and local government, paired with a PhD focused on economics, to connect the dots between global trade policy and what's happening right here in Muskegon County. They dig into tariffs, interest rates, the ongoing housing demand, and why the slowdown some are feeling isn't cause for panic. It's a grounded, no-spin look at why smart economic development benefits everybody, not just a select few.
Watch: https://youtu.be/6xpJi1S1xLc?si=vXj2VIIi0XeY7rXx
Listen: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2269729/episodes/19440851-matt-farrar-muskegon-county
Economics Finally Explained - Matt Farrar Muskegon Rising (a service of the Muskegon Rotary Club) takes on “e...
Muskegon Rising (a service of the Muskegon Rotary Club) takes on “economics you can actually use” as host DJ Hilson welcomes Matt Farrar, Muskegon County’s Deputy County Administrator, for a plain-spoken conversation about how the economy works—globally and right here at home. From tariffs and “economic indicators” to housing demand, interest rates, and why uncertainty can slow investment, this episode connects the headlines to real life in Muskegon County and explains why smart, steady economic development can be good for everybody.
06/11/2026
What would it take for you to pack your bags at 16 and spend a year living in Denmark? For Muskegon High School sophomore Neve McGinn, the answer is courage, curiosity, and a little help from Rotary.
In this episode, host DJ Hilson talks with Neve about her path into the Rotary Youth Exchange program and the year abroad that's about to change her life. From a rigorous selection process to learning the art of cultural flexibility, Neve opens up about how this opportunity is shaping her future, including her passion for culinary arts and her dream of becoming a confident global citizen.
She'll be representing Muskegon County on the world stage, and after hearing her story, we think Denmark is lucky to have her.
Listen: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2269729/episodes/19330373-neve-mcginn-muskegon-high-school
Watch: https://youtu.be/oOwMP_8NDxU?si=KcBDxQpJ2mQAWdyh
Student Exchange Journey - Neve McGinn In this episode of Muskegon Rising, host DJ Hilson sits down with M...
Coming June 18, an interview with a Muskegon High School student, Neve McGinn, traveling abroad.
06/06/2026
In the latest episode of the Muskegon Rising Podcast, hosts DJ Hilson and John Gale explore how Muskegon County is strengthening school safety through preparation, partnership, and proactive leadership. Gale, a retired Norton Shores Police Chief and current Safety & Security Liaison for the Muskegon Area ISD, explains how law enforcement, educators, and administrators work together to prevent threats, respond effectively to emergencies, and keep students safe.
The conversation covers active-shooter training, threat assessment teams, reunification planning, and the role parents and students play in reporting concerns responsibly.
This episode highlights the kind of coordinated, community-driven leadership that continues to move our region forward.
Listen:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/2269729/episodes/19292712-john-gale-muskegon-area-isd
Watch:
https://youtu.be/_9vo0I5imf4?si=OeR6JuSQKcOhW4_c
What is an emergency guide? This is what safe schools is all about. June 4 at 4:00 PM, watch the entire episode.
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Muskegon, MI
49441