Michigan News

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.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s administration has rolled out more police reform plans.  As we hear from Rick Pluta, the plans include a ban on chokeholds and requiring other officers to intervene where they see misconduct.

A judge has ordered Enbridge Energy to shut down a set of twin pipelines that run through the Straits of Mackinac.  As we hear from Rick Pluta, that’s in response to a request filed by state Attorney General Dana Nessel. 

The petition campaign to add LGBTQ protections to Michigan’s civil rights law was granted an extension to continue gathering signatures.  Rick Pluta reports the Wednesday ruling came from a state Court of Claims judge.

Michigan joined 22 other states and the District of Columbia Wednesday in filing an environmental protection lawsuit.   As we hear from Rick Pluta, state Attorney General Dana Nessel wants to preserve fuel economy standards set during the Obama administration.

Michigan lost more than a million jobs from March to April, largely due to COVID-19 related layoffs.  As we hear from Rick Pluta, that led to a record-setting 22.7% state unemployment rate.

There was another rally Thursday at the state Capitol to protest Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s continued use of emergency powers to slow the spread of COVID-19.  We have more from Rick Pluta.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer says she has health and safety concerns about future protests at the state Capitol.  As we hear from Rick Pluta, the next known demonstration is supposed to happen Thursday.

The Michigan State Capitol Commission has delayed a decision on whether to ban the open-carry of firearms in the building.  As we hear from Michigan Public Radio’s Rick Pluta, the commission called for further study first.

The Legislature’s Republican leaders are suing Governor Gretchen Whitmer.  They say she’s exceeded her emergency authority to deal with the COVID-19 health crisis and violated the state constitution.  We have more from Rick Pluta.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer says protests at the state Capitol where demonstrators displayed Confederate flags and swastikas don’t represent most Michiganders.  She defended the state and her efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19 on national television.  We have more from Rick Pluta.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer issued new executive orders Thursday to extend Michigan’s COVID-19 state of emergency for another four weeks.  That was after Republicans in the Legislature refused her request to extend the emergency through May 28th.  The Legislature’s Republican leaders say they are ready to go to court to block future use of the emergency powers the governor has exercised to address the coronavirus crisis.  We have more from Michigan Public Radio’s Rick Pluta.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer rolled out a plan Wednesday to help health care staff, retail workers, and delivery people pay for college or job training.  We have more from Rick Pluta.

The state Senate was in Lansing Tuesday and, as we hear from Rick Pluta, the Republican-controlled chamber adopted resolutions asking Governor Gretchen Whitmer to reconsider aspects of her stay-at-home orders.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer has issued a new COVID-19 executive order.  This order sets rules to help manage the re-opening of some businesses and recreational activities.  We have more from Rick Pluta.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer is expected to outline plans Friday to lift some travel restrictions and to allow some businesses to resume operating – even if it’s at just partial capacity.  Many Republicans in the Legislature have been unhappy with how Whitmer’s used her authority during the COVID-19 crisis.  GOP leaders have called a special Friday session to vote on measures to place new restrictions on her emergency powers. Rick Pluta reports.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer says details will be released soon on her plans to re-start parts of the state’s economy.  As we hear from Rick Pluta, Whitmer says she wants the plans to allow more activities to resume in phases.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer says she will announce plans soon to allow some businesses to re-open and to permit more public gatherings.  As we hear from Rick Pluta, Whitmer says the state is preparing the next phase of its response to the COVID-19 emergency.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer says her strict stay-at-home order and the shutdown of many businesses appears to be slowing the spread of COVID-19.  We have more from Rick Pluta.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s expanded stay-at-home order has passionate supporters and ardent critics.  It’s being challenged in federal court.  And foes of the order are planning a rally today at the state Capitol.  Their plan is to have a caravan of cars and trucks drive around the four blocks that surround the building.  That will allow them to register their objections without violating the order.  We have more from Michigan Public Radio’s Rick Pluta. 

Attorneys won’t be in the Michigan Supreme Court chambers this week as they argue cases.  As we hear from Rick Pluta, the state’s highest court has moved arguments online due to the COVID-19 crisis.

Two lawsuits seek the release of medically vulnerable immigrants being detained in three county jails in Michigan by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.  Rick Pluta has more.

The state Senate leader says he wants to start planning now to allow some businesses to resume operations amid the coronavirus crisis.  Rick Pluta reports.