Michigan Supreme Court

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 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 Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners has cancelled its regularly scheduled meeting Wednesday night as they determine if they can legally continue to hold virtual meetings during COVID-19.  

Many of Governor Gretchen Whitmer's executive orders were struck down by the Michigan Supreme Court on Friday.  That created a great deal of uncertainty among residents and businesses about COVID-19 protocol and regulations.  For clarification, the Washtenaw County Health Department issued four orders of its own on Monday.  Health Department spokesperson Susan Cerniglia joined WEMU's David Fair to further explain the county response. 

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

The Michigan Supreme Court heard arguments on whether it was legal for the state Legislature to adopt citizen-led ballot initiatives last year…and then quickly change them.  Cheyna Roth was in court for the proceedings.

Lawyers from the state Attorney General’s Office will be in front of the Michigan Supreme Court today.  The twist?  They’ll be arguing both sides of the same issue.  Cheyna Roth explains.

This week, the Michigan Supreme Court will hear arguments on a debate that started during a contentious and busy lame duck session last year.  Whether or not the state’s highest court will actually step in with a ruling remains to be seen.

As Cheyna Roth reports, the battle is over whether it was okay for the Republican-led Legislature to adopt and then quickly amend minimum wage and paid sick leave ballot initiatives.

The Michigan Supreme Court says the state’s tribal governments do not fall under a constitutional provision that can prevent some people from running for office.  Cheyna Roth has more.

The Michigan Supreme Court will take another look at whether it’s ever OK for taxpayer dollars to go to private or parochial schools.  As Rick Pluta reports, the court is responding to a challenge against state budgets.

A state commission says a judge in Livingston County should lose her job due to serious misconduct on the bench. 

With continuing growth in student enrollment, 2018 was a good year for the Ann Arbor public school district. 

89.1 WEMU’s Lisa Barry spoke with superintendent Dr. Jeanice Swift about the first half of the school year and what they're looking forward to moving into 2019.

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.

The November general election is getting closer, and more events are coming up to highlight the upcoming ballot.  Judicial races, affordable housing, and voter registration info are just some of topics discussed in this week's "Civic Matters" with WEMU's David Fair and the CivCity Initiative's Mary Morgan.

Whether another initiative can go on the November ballot could be decided by the Michigan Supreme Court.

The Michigan Supreme Court won’t decide if a controversial practice by the Grand Rapids Police Department is constitutional.  It did make a decision that advocates say could improve police relations in the future.

An initiative to change how Michigan draws its political boundaries is headed for the November ballot.  The Michigan Supreme Court made the ruling late Tuesday.  

The Michigan Supreme Court is wrapping up its business before the end of its term on Tuesday.  One case they will likely decide this week is about a ballot initiative to change the way the state draws its political district lines.

Schools in Michigan can ban guns on their property, following a ruling from the state Supreme Court.

89.1 WEMU's Lisa Barry spoke to Ann Arbor Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Jeanice Swift to get her reaction to the ruling.

A plea deal that prevented one former lawmaker from holding office for five years is not enforceable.  That was the ruling of the Michigan Supreme Court on Thursday.

The Michigan Supreme Court heard arguments Wednesday about whether a redistricting proposal can go on the November ballot.

The Michigan Supreme Court will hear arguments this week about whether a redistricting measure can go on the November ballot.  This is the last stop for the contentious proposal.