Milliken Remembered As ‘Great’ Man, Coalition Builder At Memorial Service

Speakers fondly remembered the late William Milliken, Michigan’s longest-serving governor, during a moving 90-minute service Thursday.

1.6M Voted Absentee This Election, But Not Everyone Received Their Ballot

A record number of people voted absentee for Tuesday’s primary election, but voting rights advocates say there is still more work to do.

Top Trump Official Vows Federal Agents ‘Will Not Back Away’ From Protests

Acting Deputy Homeland Security Secretary Ken Cuccinelli said federal agents could exert force in other cities, too.

Light Traffic At The Polls, As 1.6m Cast Absentee Ballots During Pandemic

Polling places around Michigan were much quieter this year for the primary elections on Tuesday than in past years.

Session Canceled After Lawmaker Contracts Covid-19

GOP legislative leadership announced that session in both chambers will be canceled for the rest of the week.

Gov. Whitmer Approves $28M In Outdoor Recreation Development And Acquisition Grants

Whitmer on Friday signed legislation creating more opportunities for quality outdoor recreation by authorizing $28.7 million in grants.

Michigan GOP Senator Tests Positive For Covid-19

State Sen. Tom Barrett (R-Potterville) announced Sunday that he has tested positive for COVID-19.

Whitmer Signs FY 2020 Budget Fix

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Friday signed fixes to Michigan’s current Fiscal Year 2020 budget after the COVID-19 pandemic cinched revenues.

Same-Sex Marriage Has Been Legal For 5 Years. State Law Is Still Outdated.

The U.S. Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage in 2015, but Michigan’s 2004-passed ban remains in the Constitution and state law.

Michigan’s Jobless Benefits Are Dated. The Claims System Is Plagued With Problems. So What Can Be Done?

Michigan last updated its maximum state unemployment insurance (UI) benefits in 2002.

Teachers Finally Invited To Testify About School Reopening Concerns

Two teachers were asked to testify during the Senate Education and Career Readiness committee meeting Tuesday.

Whitmer Calls On Senate GOP To Increase Federal COVID-19 Recovery Funds

Whitmer’s comments come as federal enhanced benefits of $600 per week are set to expire on Friday.

Chang Rips Lafave Bill To Make Chinese Govt. Pay For Covid-19

The bill directs the Michigan Department of Treasury to determine the fiscal impact of the pandemic and send an invoice to China.

At Least 6 Michigan Public Districts Will Start The School Year Completely Online

At least six districts​ have formally announced plans to parents for completely virtual instruction.​

Michigan Wolf Surveys Show Stable, Healthy Population

Recent winter survey results point to a minimum estimated Upper Peninsula population of nearly 700 wolves.

He Spent $10m Of His Own Money Running For Governor In ‘18. So Why Does Shri Thanedar Want To Join The Legislature Next Year?

After spending more than $10 million of his personal fortune, Thanedar still ended up coming in third.

Michigan’s 1st PFAS Drinking Water Standards Clear Final Hurdle

After nearly a year of rulemaking debate, Michigan’s very first set of PFAS limits for drinking water passed its last obstacle Wednesday.

In-Person Learning Required For K-5 Students Under GOP Plan Passed By The House

Wednesday’s House session ran late into the night while state representatives debated the Republicans’ “Return to Learn” legislation.

Budget Fix Bills Head To Gov’s Desk

The supplementals passed through the Senate with a 36-1 vote and through the House late Wednesday evening with a 104-0 vote.

East Lansing Bar Keeps Liquor License After ‘Superspreader’ Covid-19 Event

An outbreak of COVID-19 swept premises of Harper’s Restaurant and Brewpub near Michigan State University and directly sickened 144 patrons.

Applebee’s Grill + Bar Launches “Apps For Apps” Program

Hiring event for 600 positions across Michigan with open interviews Tuesday, July 28

The Rent Is Coming Due. Will Congress Offer More Relief?

The nation’s political leaders have returned to the capital this week with their sights on a fifth round of coronavirus relief.

Schools Will See More Funding Under Bipartisan Deal To Fix This Year’s Budget

State leaders have come to a bipartisan consensus on how to fill the $2.2 billion budget hole for the 2020 fiscal year.

Dingell ’Emotional’ As House Passes Bipartisan Public Lands Bill, Next Stop Trump’s Desk

President Donald Trump is expected to sign the bill when it arrives on his desk.

Abortion Ban Fails In Michigan

The bureau recommended that the Board of State Canvassers deny the petition after it fell short of the 340,047 required signatures.

House Republicans Push Debunked Claim That Whitmer Encouraged Violence Against Unmasked Residents

As a recent USA Today fact-check pointed out, Whitmer called on Michiganders to “politely, but also forcefully” help enforce the mandate.

Dems Criticize GOP School Reopening Plan For ‘Devos Agenda’ Of Privatizing Services

Teachers were again not included in the hearing Tuesday.

Poll: Americans On Board With Mask Mandates

A new national survey suggests that Americans strongly support wearing masks to help prevent COVID-19 spread.

Trump Claims Michigan Is Blocking His Rallies, But Whitmer’s Office Says That’s ‘Inaccurate’

President Donald Trump said during a national TV interview Sunday that he wasn’t allowed to hold an in-person rally in Michigan.

Dingell Pans Dem-Led Committee For Axing PFAS Cleanup From Defense Bill

An effort to crack down on toxic chemicals has been thwarted again — this time by Democrats.

MSU Converting Residence Hall To Covid-19 Isolation Housing

Michigan State University is designating one of its residence halls as isolation housing for students infected with or exposed to COVID-19.

Border Officials Didn’t Follow Guidelines On Migrant Children’s Health Care, Govt. Investigators Find

U.S. Customs and Border Protection has not consistently followed new guidelines for medical care of migrant children.

Board Faces Suit After Approving ‘Defective’ Anti-Whitmer Petition Language

The “Keep Michigan Safe” committee filed the lawsuit Tuesday in the Court of Appeals seeking to have Unlock Michigan’s petition withdrawn.

Medical Professionals Call For More Voting Options Amid Covid-19 Crisis

A voting rights advocacy group and medical professionals called on state and local officials to enact necessary election reforms.

Michigan Teachers Not Invited To Legislative Hearing On Reopening Schools

The state House and Senate Education committees met Wednesday to discuss reopening plans for schools this fall amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Michigan Sees ‘Notable Rebound’ In June Unemployment Rate

Michigan’s unemployment rate declined to 14.8% in June, signaling a 6.5 percentage point decrease from the month before.

Survey: Blacks, Asian Americans Face Discrimination During Covid-19 Crisis

American adults said it has become more common for people to express racist views toward Asians since the COVID-19 crisis began.

Nessel Sues ICE For Threats To Deport International Students If Classes Are Online

Attorney General Dana Nessel filed a lawsuit on Monday to stop a new federal rule that threatens deport international students.

Report Criticizes Prisons Nationwide Over COVID-19, Michigan Doc Touts Testing, PPE

A new report from the Prison Policy Initiative has graded Michigan’s response to the state’s COVID-19 outbreak as a “D-."

Almost 200k Michigan Jobs Could Be Lost If Unemployment Benefits Expire

The $600 weekly federal unemployment insurance benefits meant to stimulate the economy during the pandemic expire on July 31.