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Nessel criticizes MSU trustees for reversing course on releasing Nassar documents
Despite new leadership and new members comprising the ever-embattled Michigan State University Board of Trustees, and a renewed request from Attorney General Dana Nessel, the eight-person panel appears still unable to budge on providing documents regarding disgraced former MSU doctor Larry Nassar. The former USA Gymnastics and MSU doctor sexually abused more than 150 student […]
Childcare expenses could be paid for with campaign funds under new Michigan bills
Two bills have been introduced in the Michigan Legislature that would allow political candidates to pay for childcare costs with campaign funds. Senate Bill 278, sponsored by state Sen. Stephanie Chang (D-Detroit), and House Bill 4413, sponsored by state Rep. Rachel Hood (D-Grand Rapids), would amend Michigan’s campaign finance act to let candidates expense caregiving […]
New: Feds award Sault Tribe, Bay Mills $500k each to expand broadband service
Updated, 1:53 p.m., 4/25/23 Two Ojibwe tribes in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula are set to receive nearly $1 million total, as part of a federal agency’s ongoing program to expand high-speed Internet access in tribal communities. The Bay Mills Indian Community and Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians will receive $499,850 and $500,000, respectively. The […]
Bill closing marital rape loophole clears House, despite some GOP opposition
A bipartisan bill to close a loophole in Michigan’s marital rape law cleared the state House on Wednesday, albeit with several no-votes from GOP “Freedom Caucus” members. House Bill 4202, sponsored by state Rep. Laurie Pohutsky (D-Livonia), would do away with a provision that can protect a person from prosecution if they drugged and raped […]
Bill repealing antiquated Michigan law criminalizing cohabitation met with GOP pushback
The repeal of an antiquated, unenforced Michigan statute on cohabitation received unexpected pushback in the Senate Wednesday, as several Republicans argued in support of the century-old statute that criminalizes unmarried couples living together. Senate Bill 56 would amend Section 750.335 of the 1931 Michigan Penal Code, which currently states: “Any man or woman, not being […]
Several ‘red flag’ gun reform bills clear final hurdle in Michigan Senate
The Democratic-led Michigan Senate on Wednesday teed up a second round of gun reform bills for Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to sign, this time passing legislation that would enact so-called “red flag” laws. Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) laws can be used to temporarily prohibit people from accessing firearms if they present a danger to themselves […]
U of M grad workers continue to strike while appealing ruling
A ruling from a state administrative law judge on Monday has not stopped graduate workers at the University of Michigan from picketing in Ann Arbor this week, as the workers continue to seek higher pay, better services and more supports from the university by picketing through Friday. On Monday, administrative law judge (ALJ) David Peltz […]
Convictions cleared for nearly 850K Michiganders as ‘Clean Slate’ program takes effect
Criminal justice reforms signed three years ago took effect last week, with nearly 850,000 Michiganders seeing at least one conviction automatically set aside. The automatic expungement process began on Tuesday. The bipartisan “Clean Slate” legislation, as advocates call it, wipes clean a range of convictions from people’s records after a defined waiting period. Michigan has […]
At Michigan State University, Whitmer signs first gun reform bills
Eight weeks to the day when three Michigan State University students were killed by a gunman on the school’s campus, state officials, lawmakers and more than 100 advocates packed another campus space Thursday to celebrate the first round of gun reform bills signed into law. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed Senate Bills 79, 80, 81 and […]
Gilchrist: Whitmer, Legislature are ‘taking out the trash’ in reversing Snyder-era policies
In the first 100 days of 2023, with Democrats now holding the reins after a dozen years of total Republican legislative rule, Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist says he and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer are proud to have successfully rolled back several high-profile, right-wing policies. Since January, the Michigan Legislature has been passing bills — and Whitmer […]
Following conflicting rulings, officials say abortion pill remains ‘safe and legal’ in Michigan
The abortion pill is still accessible and legal in Michigan, officials and lawyers say, despite competing legal rulings in Texas and Washington on Friday. On Friday, a Texas judge’s decision in Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine v. FDA revoked the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) two-decade-old approval of a key abortion drug, mifepristone. Minutes later, […]
Native boarding school survivors share experiences and healing at MSU panel
A room full of survivors, supporters and listeners, many donning ribbon skirts and orange shirts, filled an MSU auditorium this week in the hopes that by sharing difficult truths, healing can continue. The boarding school healing and justice panel — titled “ginoojimomin apii dibaajimoyang,” which translates in Anishinaabemowin to “our stories heal” — was just […]