News
The day women took over the Senate in 1974
A chorus of “Happy Birthday” to suffragette Susan B. Anthony rang out on the floor of the Michigan Senate on this day in 1974. Although only men were serving in the Legislature’s upper chamber at the time, several progressive organizations sponsored a mock female Senate session designed to dramatize the need for women political candidates. […]
Critics say EPA’s PFAS action plan too little, too late
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said Thursday it will begin the early stages of establishing drinking water limits on two chemicals tied to cancer and other health problems. Acting EPA administrator Andrew Wheeler said during a video conference with reporters that the federal agency will continue studying two of the most prevalent substances in […]
ACLU: Ballot measure limit law unconstitutional, ‘squelches’ speech
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Michigan says a new law restricting the ballot initiative process is unconstitutional and will result in citizens’ speech being “squelched.” Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson has already requested that Attorney General Dana Nessel consider the constitutionality of the law. The ACLU was asked to weigh in and did […]
Dingell’s D.C. compatriots bid farewell to ‘Mr. Michigan’
WASHINGTON — John Dingell would have gotten a good laugh out of his funeral service here on Thursday. His friends and former colleagues — Democrats and Republicans alike — packed the pews at the historic Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Georgetown to bid farewell to the longest-serving member of Congress in history, who died last […]
GOP Legislature kills Whitmer environmental order
In a sign of divided government, the Republican-led Legislature voted on Thursday to overturn an executive order issued by Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer earlier this month that would have restructured the embattled Department of Environmental Quality. The move marks the first time in more than 40 years the Legislature has voted to reject a governor’s […]
On this day in 1963: Romney helps Detroit’s Olympics bid
On this day in 1963, Gov. George Romney formed a five-person finance committee to find money to construct an Olympic Stadium complex on the Michigan State Fairgrounds. The idea was designed to strengthen Detroit’s bid to host the 1968 Summer Olympic Games. The committee included Chair Donald Valley, president of the National Bank of Detroit; […]
1957 legendary Dingell letter: ‘Please take two running jumps and go to hell’
WASHINGTON — John Dingell was never known as one to hold his tongue. The iconic Michigan lawmaker, who died last week at age 92, was known for his combative style during his more than 59 years in Congress. During his career on Capitol Hill, he was famous for “Dingellgrams,” pointed requests for information from administration […]
Whitmer declares state of emergency in Ionia County
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer declared a state of emergency in Ionia County due to severe winter weather, the governor’s office announced Wednesday. “Ionia County continues to recover from the heavy impacts of this winter weather, which include severe flood damage in the city of Portland and ice storm damage in the city of Belding,” Whitmer said […]
West Michigan biz leaders cheer Whitmer’s LGBTQ rights push
Several members of West Michigan’s famously conservative business community are on board with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s call in her State of the State address for expanded LGBTQ protections. It’s legislative Republicans who continue to oppose the move. Speaking before almost 400 people in Grand Rapids on Wednesday morning, just 12 hours after finishing her speech […]
GOP leader may open door to new revenue for roads
State Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey (R-Clarklake) may agree with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s administration that a major fix to state roads will likely have to include new revenue, a spokeswoman said Wednesday. But Shirkey, Whitmer and House Speaker Lee Chatfield (R-Levering) first need to agree on how much money it’s going to cost to fix […]
Jacobs: Gov. right to spotlight state worker morale, Medicaid work rules
Gilda Jacobs has watched her share of State of the State addresses, having spent a total of 12 years in both chambers of the Legislature. The now president and CEO of the Michigan League for Public Policy wrote a column for the Advance last month about serving alongside Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in both the House […]
Detroit’s first Black teacher died on this day in 1922
Fannie Richards, the city’s first Black public school teacher, died on this day in 1922. She was 81 years old. Richards was born on October 1, 1840, to free parents in Fredericksburg, Va. As a child, she moved with her parents to Toronto, Canada, where she was educated. In 1863, Richards opened a private school for […]