Bills Would Require Background Screening Before Pet Adoptions

Bills requiring shelters to deny adoptions to people convicted of animal abuse within past five years move to full Michigan House.

Abolitionist Harriet Tubman Wins Popular Vote to Be Face of $20 Bill

Former slave and Underground Railroad leader will be proposed by Women On 20s to replace Andrew Jackson on the currency.

Lawmaker Wants to Replace Flat Tax with Graduated Scale to Fix Roads

New poll suggests a majority of Michigan taxpayers would support change to graduated scale, but legislative hurdle is steep.

Security Level Heightened at Michigan's Sefridge, Other U.S. Military Bases

Amid concerns of ISIS attacks on U.S. soil, threat level raised to “Bravo” for the fifth time since 2001 terrorist attacks.

Officially in the GOP White House Race, Carson Pledges 'Blunt' Talk: Watch

The famed pediatric neurosurgeon said he won’t shy away from talking about his faith during campaign for the GOP presidential nomination.

As High Court Considers Same-Sex Marriage Bans, Michigan Takes Up Religious Freedom

Religious Freedom Restoration Act supporters admit they’d like to get laws on the books before potential watershed ruling.

Same-Sex Marriage Showdown Before U.S. Supreme Court: Michigan Patch Poll

The court is on the verge of a historic precedent, and Michigan’s same-sex marriage ban is at the heart of the debate. What do you think?

Faith-Based Adoption Agencies Could Refuse Gay Couples Under Michigan Bills

Critics say bills write religious discrimination into law; supporters warn failure to protect faith-based agencies hastens their demise.

Groups Back Marijuana Sales-Tax Pot to Get State Out of Financial Weeds

Legalized recreational pot could be a cash cow to help close Michigan budget gaps, backers of three possible ballot measures say.

Patch Poll: Yes or No on Michigan Proposal 1 Sales Tax to Fix Roads?

What do you want other Michigan voters to keep in mind May 5 when they vote on 1 percent sales tax?

PETA Unfazed by Michigan Ban on Drone Use by Hunters, Activists

PETA says “eyes in the sky” drones assist game wardens cracking down on illegal hunting, but lawmaker thinks offer to help is disingenuous.

Experts: Criminalizing HIV Transmission Fuels Spread of Virus

Two Michigan cases being decided as experts call on lawmakers around the country to remove legal obstacle to HIV/AIDS testing and treatment.

Rolling Blackouts Warning: 'Looming Crisis' or Political Ploy?

Big utilities warn losing coal plants could increase power interruptions, but some say that’s a scare tactic to encourage full regulation.

Ex Mayor, Serving 28 Years on Federal Racketeering Conviction, Asks Obama for Pardon

Family of Kwame Kilpatrick and Bobby Ferguson seek pardons for the pair, whose crimes federal prosecutors said accelerated Detroit’s demise.

Love thy Neighbor, Love thy Enemy

War, Violence, Easter, Christianity, Passover, Conscience, Prayer

Snyder Vows to Veto Religious Freedom Legislation

Governor says he'll use veto pen if RFRA isn't tied to protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity in civil rights law.

New Poll Shows Proposal 1 to Fix Crumbling Roads Will Fail 3-1

Opposition to the complex proposal to raise state sales tax grew when respondents learned about 10 laws it would trigger.

Question to Pols Backing Religious Freedom: Did You See What Happened in Indiana?

The next battleground for religious freedom could be Michigan, where lawmakers are urged to learn from firestorm of criticism in Indian

Important Deadline Coming Up for May 5 Proposal 1 Ballot Question

The voter registration deadline is quickly approaching for the complex proposal voters will decide on May 5.

Gov. Rick Snyder for President? Michigan Patch Poll

Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder hasn’t ruled out a run for the White House. Would you support him?

Snyder Gives Rare Pardon to Politically Connected Lawyer

Of 750 recommended pardons, governor approved only 11, including one clearing the drunken driving record of a state economic board member.

Lawsuit: Planet Fitness Should Discriminate Against Transgendered Woman

A Michigan woman’s lawsuit against her local gym says its anti-LGBT discrimination policy violates her rights.

Census Report: Wayne County Population Losses Mean Gains in Oakland and Macomb

Wayne County has led the nation in population losses every year since 2005, when that distinction went to hurricane-stricken Orleans Parish.

Michigan May Purge Laws Making Cursing Illegal and Other Archaic Codes

Laws that no longer have context may be scoured from Michigan penal code, which critics say is one of the most expansive in the country.

Attorney: Dearborn Cleric Popular with ISIS Faces 'Unprecedented Scrutiny'

Ahmad Jebril could face contempt of court charges Tuesday when he appears in U.S. District Court.

Should Voting Be Mandatory in the U.S.? Patch Poll

President Obama thinks mandatory voting would “completely change the political map of the country.” Others disagree. What do you think?

Could Ice Cream Save Michigan's Rocky Roads?

Ashby’s Sterling Ice Cream will donate 1 percent of sales of – wait for it – Michigan Pot Hole ice cream to state road fund.

Emails: Rodents Nibbled on Cake Given to Prisoners

According to emails obtained under the Freedom of Information Act, Aramark worker told inmate to frost the cake and give serve it anyway.

Lawmaker: Best Way to Control Youth Access to Pot is to Legalize It

A Michigan lawmaker says he plans to introduce a bill that would make Michigan the fifth state to OK recreational marijuana.

Why did Netanyahu have 'every right' to speak? Chris Rosati's speech shares American's core values, have him speak to Congress!

Bibi Netanyahu, Rep. Mike Bishop, Zionist Israel, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Iran, US Congress

Patch Poll: Time to Stop the Clock on Daylight Savings Time?

Your body has had a week to adjust to the spring forward. Is it time to pick a time and stick with it?

Ex-Tiger Evan Reed Looking for Another Dismissal of Rape Charges

Michigan Court of Appeals could toss the case alleging pitcher drugged and raped a woman; if not, trial starts in July.

State AG Apologizes to Reporters over Subpoena for Notes

Reporters interviewed prisoners on treatment in Michigan prisons and allegations by some they were sexually abused as juveniles.

Prosecutors: Hooker Blackmailed Software Mogul with Sex Threesome to Extort $3M

Salacious details of a years-long extortion scheme revealed in 119-count indictment against alleged Westland hooker and parents.

Peaceful Protests: What Madison Learned from Ferguson that Michigan Knew All Along

Michigan confronted accusations of profiling and harassment two decades ago with community-police engagement program.

Possible GOP Candidate Sorry for Saying Being Gay is a Choice

Ben Carson, the first in a likely crowded GOP field to formalize presidential aspirations, regrets saying prison turns straight people gay.

Study: Michigan One of Top States for Identity Theft

For the 15th consecutive year, identity theft is the No. 1 consumer complaint, according to a new FTC study.

Film Tax Credit Could End This Year

With more than $800 million owed in business tax credits, Michigan can’t afford $50 million for movies, lawmaker says.

Investigators Scratching Heads Over Bullets in Prisoner's Breakfast Tray

Investigators say they may never know who put three bullets in an inmate's pre-packaged meal in one of Michigan's most dangerous prisons.

How Law to Help Cops Arrest Drugged Drivers Went Terribly Wrong

Michigan Legislature wanted to make it easier to get drugged drivers off the street. Instead, judges are kicking some cases.