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Dept. of Civil Rights issues discriminatory charge to Traverse City salon for anti-trans posts
The Michigan Department of Civil Rights (MDCR) has issued a charge of discrimination against Studio 8 Hair Lab, the Traverse City salon that drew national attention in July for anti-trans online posts made by its owner, Christine Geiger. Geiger declared in an initial Facebook post in July that her salon would deny service to transgender […]
As the Michigan Legislature plans to adjourn for the year, Republicans protest, call for pay cuts
After several long sessions in the last two weeks that saw the passage of clean energy, abortion rights and transparency legislation, the Democratic-led Michigan Legislature is preparing to adjourn for the year over objections from some Republicans. Both the House and Senate on Thursday held their final votes of the year and approved House Concurrent […]
Repeal of Michigan’s Engler-era drug immunity law passes House
A bill repealing a Michigan law preventing state lawsuits against drug manufacturers passed the state House of Representatives on Wednesday. Senate Bill 410, sponsored by Sen. Jeff Irwin (D-Ann Arbor), passed 79-30 in an overwhelming show of support for the rollback of the 1995 law. It’s now up to the Senate to approve the final […]
Anti-abortion protesters gather at Michigan Capitol as lawsuit is filed to overturn Proposal 3
One year after Michigan voters passed landmark abortion rights laws via Proposal 3, over 1,000 people rallied to eliminate it during a “march for life” at the Capitol building. Earlier the same morning, Right to Life of Michigan, the event’s organizer, filed a lawsuit alongside other Michigan organizations in federal court asking for legal intervention […]
Michigan Board of State Canvassers approve recall petition against Rep. Kelly Breen
A petition to recall state Rep. Kelly Breen (D-Novi) was declared sufficient during a Monday meeting of the Board of State Canvassers. Breen, along with several other Democratic legislators, became the subject of recall attempts over the summer, based on her “yes” vote for extreme risk protection, or “red-flag” measures in March. The now-law that […]
Ahead of Biden’s rural America tour, White House emphasizes green energy, agriculture policies
President Joe Biden is set to kick off his “Investing in Rural America” tour Wednesday in Minnesota in hopes of showcasing his administration’s legislative wins intended to help bolster small town economies and retain rural populations. The rural Midwest has already been the beneficiary of programs funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the American […]
Board of Canvassers OKs two Dem recall petitions, deadlocks on $15 minimum wage proposal
The Board of State Canvassers approved two petitions and deadlocked on another in a Friday special meeting. Petitions to recall state Reps. Noah Arbit (D-West Bloomfield) and Betsy Coffia (D-Traverse City) passed the board after earlier attempts failed this summer. The board — which is evenly divided between Democrats and Republicans — also deadlocked on […]
Michigan gun owners call for passage of bills preventing domestic abusers from owning firearms
A group of Michigan gun owners joined state Rep. Amos O’Neal (D-Saginaw) on Thursday to express support for a bill package that, if passed, would prohibit domestic abusers from owning or possessing firearms for eight years after sentencing. Advocates from End Gun Violence Michigan and Giffords Gun Owners for Safety called for the passage of […]
‘They do not speak for us’: Rep. Steckloff laments House GOP resolution on Israel as ‘insensitive’
State Rep. Samantha Steckloff (D-Farmington Hills) has been in daily contact with the three other people in the Michigan House of Representatives who understand how she’s been feeling since the militant group Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7 — her Jewish and Muslim colleagues. Reps. Noah Arbit (D-West Bloomfield), Abraham Aiyash (D-Hamtramck) and Alabas Farhat […]
Pro-Palestinian groups rally at the Capitol as Israel-Hamas war continues
Updated, 10:27 p.m., 10/13/23 Almost a week after a surprise assault by the Islamic militant group Hamas Israel, the nation’s subsequent military retaliation spurred about 150 Michiganders to gather Thursday night at the Capitol to call attention to the Palestinian cause. Since the Hamas attacks that began Saturday, the death toll has risen to nearly […]
Reproductive Health Act bills receive mixed testimony in Senate committee
Updated, 7:40 p.m., 10/10/23 A package of Michigan Senate bills updating the state’s reproductive health policies received varied and at times emotional testimony from medical professionals and interest groups in the Tuesday meeting of the Health and Human Services Committee. If passed, Senate Bills 474-477, sponsored by state Sens. Sarah Anthony (D-Lansing), Stephanie Chang (D-Detroit), […]
In Big Rapids, Vivek Ramaswamy looks for a campaign boost from anti-Gotion rally
Emerging from behind a tractor and under the watchful eyes of two large Friesian horses, GOP presidential hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy dove into a conversation that has divided a community and turned neighbors against each other. At a Wednesday evening rally near Big Rapids, Ramaswamy joined local activists in decrying the forthcoming construction of the Gotion […]