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DTE, Consumers Energy suspend senior, low-income shutoffs
Both of Michigan’s largest public utilities have halted non-pay energy shutoffs for low-income and senior customers for the next three weeks, citing concerns over the spread of COVID-19 in Michigan and the desire to relieve some stress for Michigan’s most vulnerable residents. Consumers Energy and DTE Energy both made the announcements Saturday evening. The end […]
Coronavirus cases climb to 45, casinos closing
In a press conference with other state officials Sunday evening, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced that the total cases of COVID-19 has risen to 45 — and notably, one of the newest cases is a young person. The updated number is 12 more cases than Saturday. The first two positive cases in Michigan were detected less […]
State halts prison, juvenile justice facility visits indefinitely amid coronavirus outbreak
In-person visits at Michigan’s prisons were discontinued Friday until further notice — and as of Saturday, that new policy extends to juvenile correctional facilities and care facilities, as well. The prison visit protocols were announced by the Michigan Department of Corrections (DOC) Friday over concerns about the spread of COVID-19, the disease caused by a new […]
Updated: Michigan coronavirus cases up to 25, SOS stops walk-in appts.
Updated, 9:06 p.m., 3/13/20 with nine new cases There are new cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by a new coronavirus, reported in Michigan as of Friday evening. That has brought the total of presumptive positive cases up to 25, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).* Coronavirus information can be […]
New: Line 5 tunnel contractors hired by Enbridge have troubling track records
Updated, 7:00 p.m., 3/12/20, with comment from Enbridge New information uncovered by the Michigan Advance about the companies hired by Enbridge to build the Line 5 tunnel project, which will encase the dual pipelines under the Straits of Mackinac, has raised alarm bells for Michigan’s attorney general and environmental groups around the state. There already […]
Michigan SOS: Precincts will need more staff, resources for Nov. election
Updated, 11:27 a.m. 3/12/20 Tuesday’s presidential primary election in Michigan went relatively smoothly, according to the Michigan Department of State (SOS), despite high voter turnout and an increased workload for many of the state’s 1,500 local clerks. In a conference call with reporters Wednesday afternoon, SOS spokesperson Jake Rollow said that data is still coming […]
Sanders stays in, challenges Biden on how he plans to win young voters
An issues-focused U.S. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) will fight on in the Democratic presidential primaries, despite big losses Tuesday night. In his first public appearance since losses to former Vice President Joe Biden in most states that voted on Tuesday, including Michigan, Sanders held a Wednesday afternoon press conference from his hometown of Burlington, Vt.. He […]
Biden wins Michigan, says ‘together, we’re bringing the party together’
Shortly after all polls closed at 9 p.m., former Vice President Joe Biden was declared the winner of the crucial battleground state of Michigan by multiple media outlets, which may signal the end of a hard-fought Democratic presidential primary. U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) drew huge crowds in Grand Rapids, Ann Arbor and Detroit rallies […]
‘It has moved into Michigan’: Whitmer declares state of emergency over 2 coronavirus cases
Shortly after reports that the first two presumptive positive cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) had been detected in the state, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer held a last-minute press conference Tuesday evening declaring a state of emergency in Michigan. “I have signed an Executive Order declaring a state of emergency in order to maximize our efforts and assist […]
Whitmer, Duggan reverse course on water shutoffs amid coronavirus concern
In an apparent change of mind, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan and the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD) announced on Monday a plan that will restore water service in Detroit at “no initial cost to customers” for the duration of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Last week, Whitmer’s administration and state health department […]
Sanders appeals to indigenous, environmental activists at Grand Rapids rally
At his Grand Rapids rally on a sunny Sunday afternoon, U.S Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) was able to draw an audience of more than 7,600 people with just a few days’ notice. A common concern among many attendees: climate change and environmental justice. Sanders’ policies on climate change and environmental protections are popular — not […]
Benson warns of late primary results on Tuesday
Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, hoping to temper expectations of when Michigan’s presidential primary votes will be fully counted for Tuesday’s presidential primary, held a press conference Thursday to warn that it may take hours — and possibly days — longer than usual to achieve a full vote count. Benson said the expectation there will […]