Michigan Politics & News
Michigan news from The Daily Signal, tracking state politics, union influence, election integrity battles, and policy debates shaping the Great Lakes State and Midwest region.
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news
Meet the Small Business Leader Fighting to Reopen Michigan
After Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer issued executive orders forcing the closure of many of the state’s businesses amid the coronavirus pandemic, small-businessman Erik Kiilunen said he saw $600,000 in contracts disappear overnight. Kiilunen, of Ahmeek, Michigan, runs Kiilunen Manufacturing Group, which makes construction materials. “My book of business for the next month and a half… -
news
Amid COVID-19 Curbs on Elective Surgery, Michigan Governor Calls Abortion ‘Life-Sustaining’
The governor of Michigan said Thursday that abortion is “life-sustaining.” Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, a Democrat, discussed abortion in times of the coronavirus pandemic during David Axelrod’s “Axe Files” podcast posted Thursday. Whitmer, who has drawn criticism for the coronavirus restrictions she’s implemented, noted that while Michigan has put a hold on performing all elective surgeries, abortions… -
opinion
What Michigan and Ohio Are Doing to Respond to COVID-19
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, a Democrat, issued an order Tuesday to “Stay at Home and Stay Safe” to help slow the spread of the coronavirus. Lindsay Killen, vice president for strategic outreach and communications at Mackinac Center, joins me on The Daily Signal Podcast to talk about how Michigan is responding to the coronavirus crisis…. -
news
Michigan May Add ‘Nonbinary’ Driver’s License Option
Michigan is considering adding an option on driver’s licenses for people who identify as nonbinary. The move would allow Michigan residents who do not identify as either male or female to be represented as “nonbinary” on their licenses, according to ABC News. Michigan would become the 14th state along with Washington, D.C., to add the option. New York City… -
news
Elections Watchdog Seeks Answers in Michigan Voter Fraud Case
A Michigan municipal election official being charged with six felonies in the discarding of nearly 200 votes is not likely an indication of voting problems nationally, election experts say. But an election integrity watchdog still wants to get to the bottom of the matter. “Whether it changed the outcome is not really an issue when… -
opinion
Michigan Brothers Push Back Against Town’s Retaliation in Christmas Tree Farm Fight
When your favorite tool is a hammer, every project looks like a nail, and apparently, a similar rule holds true for local government. When said government’s favorite tool to get its way is threatening residents with ruinous, unconstitutional fines, its response to every problem is to threaten them with even larger, more ruinous—and more unconstitutional—fines…. -
news
A Michigan Hotel Wants to Help Out-of-State Women Get Abortions
The manager of a small-town Michigan hotel is offering a free room for women looking to get abortions, particularly from states that have recently restricted or banned access. Shelley O’Brien, the manager of the Yale Hotel in Yale, Michigan, posted the offer on Facebook in May. The post offers several free nights at the hotel plus a… -
news
Michigan Lawmaker Wants to Fine Restaurants Hundreds for Handing Out Plastic Straws
A Michigan state lawmaker is pushing two bills that would impose a hefty fine on distributing plastic straws unless requested and ban single-use plastic items such as cotton swabs, cutlery, and plates, the Michigan Capitol Confidential reports. Democratic state Rep. Tom Cochran introduced the pair of bills, House Bill 6504 and House Bill 6505, Nov. 27 to start a conversation… -
news
Michigan Activists Lose Fight to Remove Display of 3 Wise Men From Public School Roof
A Michigan school board decided on Monday to keep Christmas decorations on top of the elementary school’s roof despite activists claiming the display is too religious. The three wise men, a biblical reference to Jesus Christ’s birth, are displayed on Newaygo Elementary School’s roof. The Michigan Association of Civil Rights Activists argued the Christmas display went against the separation of church… -
news
Michigan Lawmakers Urge Fast-Food Chains to Stop Offering ‘Gender-Classified’ Toys
More than a dozen Michigan lawmakers support a resolution in the state’s House of Representatives pressuring fast-food chains like McDonald’s to eliminate “gender-classified” toys from their children’s meals. State Rep. Leslie Love, D-Detroit, who introduced House Resolution No. 49 on Wednesday, told The Daily Signal in a phone interview that the purpose of her resolution… -
news
Michigan Professor Refuses to Write Letter of Recommendation for Student Who Wants to Study in Israel
A professor at the University of Michigan has come in for criticism after initially supporting a student’s application to study abroad and then rescinding that support after discovering the student’s intended destination was Israel. The Washington Post reported that John Cheney-Lippold, an associate professor of American culture, received a student’s request for a letter of… -
opinion
An Obama Judge Said Michigan’s Voting Law Was Racially Motivated. A Higher Court Disagrees.
Sanity has prevailed in the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. A three-judge panel of that court, in very strong language, has stayed the absurd decision of an Obama-appointed judge, Gershwin A. Drain, who threw out the Michigan Legislature’s decision to eliminate straight-ticket voting for supposedly violating the Constitution and the Voting Rights Act. Michigan… -
news
Michigan State Football Star’s Next Uniform Will Be USAF’s, Not NFL’s
Many college football players dream of achieving fame and fortune in the NFL, but Jalen Watts-Jackson, a star defensive back who made the Michigan State University record books, has a different set of goal posts in mind. Watts-Jackson told an MSU athletics blog, Spartan Nation—on the Fourth of July, no less—that he intends instead to… -
news
Justice Department Lays Down the Law on ‘Unconstitutional’ University of Michigan Speech Policies
The Justice Department has filed court papers against the University of Michigan in a lawsuit alleging the school’s speech policies violate students’ free speech rights. Following through on a priority of Attorney General Jeff Sessions, the Justice Department statement of interest filed Monday alleges that the University of Michigan has an “unconstitutional” statement of student rights and responsibilities…. -
news
Michigan Approves $360 in Weekly Unemployment to a German Shepherd
A Michigan dog owner was surprised to find out that the state approved his German shepherd for weekly unemployment benefits. The Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency sent a letter to lawyer Michael Haddock saying that a Michael Ryder was approved to receive $360 a week in unemployment, reports ABC News. The only problem is that Ryder is Haddock’s… -
opinion
In Wake of Nassar Assault Scandal, Michigan State Students Choose Wrong Target
Everywhere I go, I carry a Spartans water bottle. I used to hope that someone on the street would yell to me, “Go, Green!” It would be a friendly Spartans cheer reminding me of my home campus, Michigan State University. But now news reports refer to my school every day, emphasizing the horrific sexual assaults… -
news
Watch What Happened at University of Michigan When Charles Murray Spoke
When libertarian speaker Charles Murray came to speak at the University of Michigan Wednesday, not everyone was pleased. Prior to his arrival, serious threats were issued to College Republicans to intimidate them. An alumnus wrote in the Michigan Daily that Murray was “an ‘alt-right’ bigot who is emboldened by President Donald Trump,” and added that… -
news
Michigan Farmer Fights Back Against City Banning Traditional Marriage Supporters From Farmers Market
A small-town farmer in St. Johns, Michigan, got creative in his fight against East Lansing city officials, who banned another farmer’s family from selling produce at the city’s farmers market because they refuse to host same-sex weddings on their farm. Watch the video to learn how one farmer, Kyle Barnhart, is countering officials who he claims… -
opinion
Lone Wolf Terror Attack in Michigan is 96th US Plot Since 9/11
Earlier this week, Amor M. Ftouhi, a Canadian-Tunisian dual citizen attacked a police officer at Bishop International Airport in Flint, Michigan. This is the 96th Islamist terror plot or attack against the U.S. homeland since 9/11. Ftouhi, who has lived in Montreal for the past 10 years with his wife and three children, reportedly entered… -
news
Michigan Recount Could Cost Taxpayers $4 Million
Green Party candidate Jill Stein filed a request for recount Wednesday in the state of Michigan, following through on her promise to pursue recounts in three states that delivered the election to President-elect Donald Trump. Stein requested a hand recount of the state’s presidential election ballots, a process that will take a tremendous amount of resources…