Michigan News

The Michigan Supreme Court is the next stop in a legal fight over whether guns can be openly carried at polling places on Election Day.  Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and Attorney General Dana Nessel say guns can be intimidating – especially in a contentious election.  But gun rights advocates say the state can’t step on a right that’s guaranteed under state law.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed bills into law Thursday that show Democrats and Republicans can find room to cooperate on the state’s response to COVID-19.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is once again allowing in-person visits at nursing homes across much of the state.  We have more from Rick Pluta.

Republican state lawmakers have presented their version of a COVID-19 response plan.  This state House GOP proposal follows a court ruling that struck down many of Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s unilateral emergency orders.  We have more from Rick Pluta.

The state’s Chief Medical Executive was among those who testified Monday before a joint House and Senate committee examining the state’s COVID-19 response.  We have more from Rick Pluta. 

The legislative committee looking into the state’s COVID-19 response meets again today.  Top health officials in Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s administration will face questions from the committee.  We have more from Rick Pluta.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer is expected to sign a series of bills adopted by the Legislature as part of a deal on the state’s response to COVID-19.  It includes extending unemployment benefits for people who lost their jobs during the health crisis.  Rick Pluta reports.

The investigation is “ongoing” into an alleged plot by extremists that included plans to kidnap Governor Gretchen Whitmer.  That’s according to Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and the FBI.  They announced Thursday that 13 men were charged with a variety of state and federal crimes.  Authorities say the men wanted to overthrow the state government and incite a civil war.  We have more from Rick Pluta.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer said Sunday a court opinion that she exceeded her authority with a series of COVID-19 emergency orders will not be the final word on the issue.

The court fight over absentee voting in Michigan is not over.  Republican leaders say they’ve filed a notice Thursday that an appeal of the latest court ruling is on the way.  Rick Pluta reports.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer yesterday signed a $62.7 billion state budget as the new fiscal year begins today.  We have more from Rick Pluta.

A federal lawsuit filed by two former Republican secretaries of state has joined the swirl of litigation surrounding absentee voting and the upcoming election.  We have more from Rick Pluta.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer has extended the COVID-19 state of emergency through October 27th.  As we hear from Rick Pluta, the governor also issued four new executive orders.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer says she will issue a declaration to extend Michigan’s COVID-19 state of emergency.   As Rick Pluta tells us, she will do that before the current state of emergency expires later this week.

People will have more places to return cans and bottles as more restrictions on retailers are lifted in a couple weeks.  As we hear from Rick Pluta, the policy was announced Monday by the state treasury department.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel says her office is ready to prosecute any efforts to illegally use intimidate or misinform voters for the November elections.  Rick Pluta has more.

State budget director Chris Kolb and the Legislature’s Republican leaders say they’ve reached a preliminary budget deal.  We have more from Rick Pluta.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer told a business group Wednesday that she can’t predict exactly how long her emergency measures will be required to address the COVID-19 crisis.  That was at roughly the same time those powers were being challenged in court.  We have more from Rick Pluta.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer is blasting the Trump administration’s refusal to allow an additional Affordable Care Act enrollment period.  It would be for people who’ve lost other insurance coverage during the COVID-19 crisis.  We have more Rick Pluta.

A state House committee will hold its first hearing today on bills to offer businesses more protections from COVID-19-related legal actions.  We have more from Rick Pluta.

The Michigan Democratic and Republican parties held their state conventions this past weekend.  The parties finalized their tickets to appear on the statewide November ballot.  Rick Pluta reports.

The state corrections officers union is calling for Michigan Corrections Department Director Heidi Washington to lose her job.  Rick Pluta reports.

A state budget panel has determined that Michigan’s budget picture is bleak, but not as bad as the forecasts from earlier this year.  We have more from Rick Pluta.

Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson says Tuesday’s primary elections were by and large a success.  But she says the November election will be a much bigger challenge.  We have more from Rick Pluta.

Don’t wait.  Drop off your ballot in person.  It’s too late to put it in the mail if you want it to be counted.  That’s the advice elections officials are giving voters in advance of Tuesday’s primaries.  It’s expected a record number of votes will be cast via absentee ballot.  Rick Pluta reports on how the 2020 primary is shaping up to be a unique experiment in the future of voting.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer has signed an order that will allow Detroit’s casinos to re-open next week, but at a reduced capacity.  It could also force many bars and restaurants in northwest lower Michigan and the Upper Peninsula to shut down Friday.  We have more from Rick Pluta.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer says she’s aware parents, students, and teachers are anxious for details on back-to-school plans.  But, as we hear from Rick Pluta, she says there’s still too much uncertainty about how the spread of COVID-19 might affect those plans.

Today is the deadline for the Michigan Libertarian Party to submit its slate of candidates for the November ballot to state election officials.  As Rick Pluta tells us, the Libertarians held a nominating convention this past weekend in Gaylord.

The state will hire a firm to study the possibility of changing some freeways in Michigan to toll roads.  We have more from Rick Pluta.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer and the Legislature’s Republican leaders have reached a deal to address a shortfall in the current budget caused by COVID-19 and its impact on the state’s economy.  We have more from Rick Pluta.