Author

Laina G. Stebbins covers the environment, Native issues and criminal justice for the Advance. A lifelong Michigander, she is a graduate of Michigan State University’s School of Journalism, where she served as Founding Editor of The Tab Michigan State and as a reporter for the Capital News Service.
Peters launches investigation into Postal Service delays
By: Laina G. Stebbins - August 6, 2020
U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D-Bloomfield Twp.) announced Thursday that he has launched an investigation into a myriad of reported issues at the U.S. Postal Service (USPS). Peters cites widespread delays of crucial mail deliveries, including prescriptions and mail-in ballots, that have come following recent changes directed by newly appointed leadership at the federal agency. Postmaster […]
Updated congressional results: Hoadley squeaks by; Tlaib, Meijer score big
By: Laina G. Stebbins - August 5, 2020
Updated, 8:24 a.m., 8/6/20 with winner in the 8th District Votes were still being counted in congressional primaries last night, given the influx of absentee ballots. But now we have a clearer picture on races on both the Democratic and GOP sides of the aisle. Here are some key races the Advance is tracking: 13th […]
Key state House races: Thanedar headed to Lansing, Whitsett holds on
By: Laina G. Stebbins and C.J. Moore - August 5, 2020
It looks like millionaire Shri Thanedar will finally be coming to Lansing — as a member of the state Legislature in January. Here’s a look at some noteworthy state House primaries on Tuesday on both the Democratic and GOP sides: 3rd House District There was a crowded eight-candidate Democratic field vying for the 3rd state […]
Coulter leads in Dem Oakland County exec race, 2 progressives ahead in big prosecutor primaries
By: Laina G. Stebbins and C.J. Moore - August 5, 2020
There were some big primaries for top local government offices on Tuesday, particularly in populous Southeast Michigan counties. Here’s a look at where top races stand: Oakland County Executive Incumbent Democrat Dave Coulter has held a steady lead over challenger Oakland County Treasurer Andy Meisner as Oakland County executive. Coulter has 53.3% to Meisner’s 46.7% […]
Congressional primaries: Tlaib has early lead against Jones, Hoadley could face upset
By: Laina G. Stebbins and C.J. Moore - August 4, 2020
In one of the most-watched U.S. House Democratic primaries in Michigan and beyond, U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Detroit) leads two-time rival Detroit City Council President Brenda Jones 66.3% to 33.7% in a bid to retain her seat in Michigan’s 13th Congressional District. However, less than 1% of precincts are reporting in the heavily Democratic Detroit-anchored […]
Michigan joins 6-state compact for rapid COVID-19 tests
By: Laina G. Stebbins - August 4, 2020
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced Tuesday that she has entered into a major bipartisan agreement with the governors of Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Ohio and Virginia to expand rapid COVID-19 testing capabilities among the states. The compact, made in conjunction with the private New York-based Rockefeller Foundation, is the first of its kind and may be joined […]
Session canceled after lawmaker contracts COVID-19
By: Laina G. Stebbins - August 3, 2020
Following the announcement of state Sen. Tom Barrett (R-Potterville) Sunday that he has tested positive for COVID-19, GOP legislative leadership announced that session in both chambers will be canceled for the rest of the week. The House and Senate did not extend the same protocol when state Rep. Isaac Robinson (D-Detroit) died from a suspected […]
Supreme Court: Absentee ballots must be received by election day to count
By: Laina G. Stebbins - July 31, 2020
Only absentee ballots that are received by 8 p.m. on election day will be counted — even if they are earmarked for an earlier date. This Michigan Supreme Court decision comes as Michigan has seen historic levels of mail-in voting, thanks to a voting rights constitutional amendment passed in 2018. In a 4-3 order Friday, […]
Nessel doesn’t appeal Line 5 tunnel decision to Supreme Court
By: Laina G. Stebbins - July 31, 2020
Attorney General Dana Nessel will no longer pursue one of her legal fights against Canadian oil company Enbridge, while another continues on. Nessel had originally pledged to appeal the latest ruling in Enbridge v Nessel to the Michigan Supreme Court, after a Court of Appeals panel ruled on June 11 that Enbridge’s plan to replace […]
Nessel joins suit against Trump excluding immigrants in redistricting
By: Laina G. Stebbins - July 30, 2020
Attorney General Dana Nessel has joined 20 other AGs, nine cities, four counties and one combined city and county in all corners of the country to sue the President Trump administration for unlawfully excluding undocumented immigrants from each state’s apportionment base. Trump issued a memorandum on July 21 announcing that “illegal aliens” are to be […]
Michigan tops 80K COVID-19 cases after lab reports delayed tests
By: Laina G. Stebbins - July 29, 2020
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) reported Wednesday that 80,172 Michiganders have tested positive for COVID-19 and 6,172 have died from the virus — an additional 996 cases and two deaths since Tuesday. DHHS notes that approximately 300 of Wednesday’s new cases, however, are older results that were delayed due to a […]
Trapped in a gym contract during COVID-19? These bills make it easier to cancel.
By: Laina G. Stebbins - July 29, 2020
Two Democratic state lawmakers are trying to change strict requirements about gym membership contracts, which they say are unfairly trapping gym-goers in memberships that are difficult to get out of during the COVID-19 outbreak. House Bills 6028 and 6029, introduced Thursday by state Reps. Darrin Camilleri (D-Brownstown Twp.) and Kevin Coleman (D-Westland), would strengthen consumer […]