Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed three bills Monday that will ban convicted domestic abusers from owning firearms for eight years, including those convicted on misdemeanor charges.
Lauren Gibbons
Trial begins to decide if Michigan election districts harm Black voters
A three-judge panel will decide if electoral maps drawn by the state’s Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission violate the rights of Black Detroit voters.
In Michigan, juvenile justice carries high cost: crippling debt for parents
Michigan allows courts to bill parents for costs of locking up their children, a system that allows debts to quickly grow to tens of thousands of dollars. The fees are so high many avoid getting their kids help. Now, the Legislature seeks a change.
Michigan council hears bold (if vague) ideas to solve population crisis
What will it take to attract more people to work, live and stay in Michigan? Several groups presented their ideas Thursday afternoon.
Do Michigan’s political maps dilute power of Black voters? Trial will decide
An independent commission’s redraw of legislative maps following the 2020 Census faces scrutiny on claims it diluted representation for minority voters by extending Detroit districts into the suburbs.
Meet the Democrat blocking Michigan abortion bills. She says she’s not alone
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.
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.
