Rep. Karen Whitsett of Detroit has often been at odds with leaders in her own party. While she supports abortion rights, she has reservations on several bills. And she warned leaders that other Democrats share her concern.

Lauren Gibbons
Michigan Democrats halt early-release plan for prisoners amid blowback
Legal questions and opposition pause the plan, but sponsors still want to bring it back. Thirty-five states have some form of ‘good time’ credits for inmates.
Trial to weigh if Michigan legislative maps discriminate against Black voters
A three-judge U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals panel determined nine state legislative districts would proceed to trial over claims the district maps violate the Voting Rights Act.
Audit: Michigan civil rights agency slow to investigate discrimination
State auditors found the Department of Civil Rights took on average 3 times the recommended time to resolve complaints. Some complaints were never even reviewed, ending up instead in an abandoned junk email folder.
Whitmer’s population group eyes Michigan infrastructure, education, economy
A group tasked with tackling Michigan’s population crisis announced 64 workgroup members to make recommendations about longstanding problems.
Raise a glass, Michigan. Cocktails-to-go, college stadium beer sales now legal
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signs new laws she says are about ‘fairness, safety and revenue.’
Sixteen Michigan Trump loyalists face felonies in ‘false elector’ scheme
Attorney General Dana Nessel brings charges against former state GOP chair, others. One defendant says the charges amount to a ‘political attack.’
Michigan group eyes ballot measure to bring back prisoner ‘good time’ credits
State voters in 2024 could decide whether good behavior should cut prison sentences. A group pushing the issue must first collect more than 350,000 signatures.
Traffic, theft, drug crimes top Michigan automatic expungements
State police automatic expungement records obtained by Bridge Michigan show traffic offenses, theft, drug use or possession and weapons charges dominated the list of initial convictions dropped from criminal records in April.
Juneteenth becomes an official state holiday in Michigan
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed legislation Wednesday making June 19, or Juneteenth, a paid state holiday for government workers. It marks the date enslaved people in Texas were emancipated by Union troops in 1865.