Michigan News

Michigan could become a completely hands-free driving state.  A new bill in the state House comes after Governor Gretchen Whitmer made distracted driving a priority during her State of the State address.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer set some big goals in her first State of the State Address Tuesday night.  She’s calling for major investments in infrastructure, education, and clean water, among other things.  But Republicans are skeptical about the costs of her ideas.  As Jake Neher reports, the speech represents a bold vision for Michigan that’s already sparking partisan divisions.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer will give her first State of the State address tonight.

State lawmakers are trying to once again raise the age of who is considered an ‘adult’ in the criminal justice system.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s plans to restructure the state Department of Environmental Quality could be over.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s executive order to restructure the Department of Environmental Quality could be overturned before any changes are made.

A lawsuit contesting how Michigan has drawn its political district lines is headed for trial.  A 3-judge panel denied an attempt by Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and the League of Women Voters of Michigan to settle the case out of court.

Lawmakers in Lansing are working on getting rid of the state’s tax on feminine hygiene products.  This isn’t the first attempt to get rid of the so-called “tampon tax.”

U.S. lawmakers announced the creation of a bipartisan task force Wednesday to fight PFAS chemicals.  A majority of the members on the task force are from Michigan.

Lawmakers in Lansing are contemplating ways to help furloughed federal employees get by until the government reopens.  There are thousands of federal employees in Michigan that haven’t been paid since December.

Democrats in the state Senate plan to try and undo a controversial bill that passed during last year’s lame duck session.

Some health advocates want to raise the minimum age for tobacco purchases.  The American Cancer Society also wants changes to make pricing for cancer treatments more fair in Michigan.

The state Legislature returned last week to open its 100th session.

The Michigan Legislature will gavel in for its 100th session this week.  Lawmakers say they have one multi-billion dollar issue to tackle first.

Michigan officially has a new governor.  Gretchen Whitmer was sworn in Tuesday on the Capitol steps. 

Republicans in the state Legislature are trying to limit the powers of statewide offices that – come January – will flip to Democrats.  It's a strategy that's angered Democratic voters, and protestors have been flooding the state Capitol with chants like “We voted for blue, not for you.”. 

The board assembled to advise Governor Rick Snyder on pipeline safety in the state of Michigan held its last meeting Monday. 

Michigan’s new governor will start in January.  But Governor-Elect Gretchen Whitmer faces an adversarial state Legislature, which could impact what Whitmer is able to accomplish.

Michigan’s new Governor-elect is already making plans for her administration.

Young voters could play a crucial role in Tuesday’s election results.  Here's what some groups are doing to get them to the polls.

Former Vice President Joe Biden held a rally in Lansing Thursday.  Biden was in town to stump for Democratic candidates.

This year’s midterm election continues to break records in political spending.  Special interest groups are at an all-time high for election spending.  That’s according to data gathered by the watchdog group, Michigan Campaign Finance Network.

The second and final debate between the Republican and Democratic candidates for governor aired last night. 

In just two weeks, Michigan’s next governor will be decided – and that decision will have come with a hefty price tag.

Legislation awaiting President Trump’s signature would provide more support for people struggling with opioid addiction. 

Michigan’s senior U.S. Senator and her Republican opponent faced off in a debate Monday in front of the Detroit Economic Club.

Governor Snyder’s office says a ruling by the US Coast Guard will better protect the Great Lakes from oil spills. 

Tens of thousands of people were falsely accused of cheating on their unemployment benefits.  The state took money from their tax refund or ordered them to re-pay benefits.  That was after a problem with the state’s automated system.  The Michigan Supreme Court will decide if a lawsuit against the state for the false fraud accusations can go forward.

If you want to have a say in deciding Michigan’s next governor, you must register to vote by today.  Governor Rick Snyder is unable to run again due to term limits.  That makes this the first time in eight years Michigan residents have a governor’s ballot without an incumbent.

Legislation in Michigan would reduce criminal penalties for people who intentionally don’t tell their sexual partners that they have HIV in order to spread the disease.  Those bills have stalled in a state House committee.