Author

Jon King
Jon King has been a journalist for more than 35 years. He is the Past President of the Michigan Associated Press Media Editors Association and has been recognized for excellence numerous times, most recently in 2021 with the Best Investigative Story by the Michigan Association of Broadcasters. He is also an adjunct faculty member at Cleary University. Jon and his family live in Howell, where he also serves on the Board of Directors for the Livingston Diversity Council.
University of Michigan Health to purchase Sparrow Health System
By: Jon King - December 9, 2022
Following an approval Thursday by the University of Michigan Board of Regents, Lansing-based Sparrow Health System will be bought by University of Michigan Health. While a purchase price was not disclosed, the addition of the Sparrow Health System would make U-M Health a $7 billion organization, with 200 care sites across Michigan. Of those sites, […]
Legislative session ends without supplemental budget deal
By: Jon King - December 8, 2022
A supplemental budget deal failed to materialize late Wednesday as Michigan’s 101st Legislature came to a close, ending a dozen years of total Republican rule. Incoming House Minority Leader, Rep. Matt Hall (R-Comstock Township), said the deal between Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and GOP leaders fell apart in the session’s final hours. “This would have […]
As antisemitism rises in U.S., Michigan leaders fight hatred at home
By: Jon King - December 7, 2022
As questions remain concerning the police response last week to an incident at an Oakland County synagogue, public officials have universally condemned the antisemitic threats prosecutors say were made toward Jewish parents and their children. Hassan Yehia Chokr, 35, of Dearborn, was arraigned Sunday on two counts of ethnic intimidation after allegedly threatening families and […]
Despite concerns of ‘fishing expedition,’ state canvassers approve limited recount on Props 2 and 3
By: Jon King - December 6, 2022
A week after certifying the Nov. 8 election results, the Michigan Board of State Canvassers voted unanimously Monday to allow requested recounts of two ballot proposals to move ahead. The 3-0 vote followed almost three hours of discussion and public comment concerning the petitions filed last week by Jerome Jay Allen of Bloomfield Township targeting […]
Report details how drag events have been targeted with threats and harassment
By: Jon King - December 2, 2022
Updated, 4:04 p.m. 12/2/22 With a month still to go in 2022, a recent analysis found there were more than a hundred incidents nationwide targeting drag performances. GLAAD, the world’s largest LGBTQ+ media advocacy organization, released what it is calling “the first comprehensive count and analysis” of increased threats, protests and violent action against specific […]
Updated: GOP group celebrates recount of hundreds of Michigan precincts over Proposals 2 and 3
By: Jon King - December 1, 2022
Updated, 8:43 a.m. with more details from the Secretary of State’s office The votes in more than 600 precincts across Michigan will be recounted after an Oakland County man filed paperwork Wednesday alleging “fraud or error” in balloting for voting and abortion rights proposals that were approved by voters on Nov. 8. The petitions, signed […]
‘A new day’ for Michigan LGBTQ+ officials preparing for leadership roles in the new Legislature
By: Jon King - December 1, 2022
“Validation.” That’s how state Sen. Jeremy Moss (D-Southfield) termed the results of the Nov. 8 election, a campaign cycle he called “one of the most rabidly anti-LGBTQ campaign cycles.” Yet that agenda was roundly rejected by Michigan voters. “It just felt like maybe Republicans were onto something,” Moss, the first openly gay senator in the […]
GOP MSU trustee resigns, citing mishandled Title IX investigations
By: Jon King - December 1, 2022
Citing Title IX efforts he felt were mishandled, Pat O’Keefe, a Republican member of the Michigan State University Board of Trustees, resigned Wednesday. In a letter to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, O’Keefe cited the investigation of MSU’s business school Dean Sanjay Gupta, who resigned in August. “My fear is that the Board will bypass yet another […]
Karamo joins other failed 2022 candidates seeking to lead the Michigan GOP
By: Jon King - November 30, 2022
The top three Michigan Republicans candidates who were roundly rejected by voters on Nov. 8 are all either in the running or considering a run to lead the party into 2024. On Tuesday, failed secretary of state nominee Kristina Karamo announced that she would seek to be the chair of the Michigan Republican Party, joining […]
Biden calls CHIPS Act a ‘game-changer’ during Bay County semiconductor plant tour
By: Jon King - November 30, 2022
President Joe Biden was in Michigan Tuesday to spotlight the expansion of a semiconductor manufacturing facility as he reinforces his economic agenda in advance of a Republican takeover in the House. Biden was in the Bay City area to visit the plant owned and operated by SK Siltron of South Korea. The $300 million expansion […]
Despite historic Nov. 8 losses, hard-liners jockey to lead Michigan GOP
By: Jon King - November 29, 2022
After their historic loss at the polls on Nov. 8, conventional wisdom would point to the Michigan Republican Party taking a different path to achieve electoral success. However, there is little indication that is happening. Tudor Dixon, who was defeated by Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer by a nearly 11-point margin, and Matthew DePerno, who lost […]
New poll: Nearly 60% have seen online calls for violence based on race, gender or sexual identity
By: Jon King - November 28, 2022
Women, people of color and the LGBTQ+ community are all experiencing higher levels of harassment and threats of violence on social media than other users. That’s according to a new report set for release Tuesday commissioned by four advocacy groups; UltraViolet, GLAAD, Kairos and Women’s March, and conducted by YouGov. The Michigan Advance obtained an […]