With rising costs, an aging population and troubling education scores, the stakes for 2026 elections couldn’t be much higher.
Mike Wilkinson
Posted inPolitical and Public Policy Information
Fact check: Trump promised Michigan peace in Mideast, not troops on US streets
President Donald Trump made big promises to Michigan voters last year. Nine months in, he’s made progress in the Middle East, but the state economy remains sluggish.
Posted inPolice & Public Safety
Drug use a growing factor in fatal crashes on Michigan roadways
New Michigan crash data show drugs now factor in one-quarter of road fatalities, up from 19% a decade ago. Overall, road deaths remain elevated since the pandemic, with teens, seniors, motorcyclists and bicyclists seeing increased risks.
Posted inPolitical and Public Policy Information
Fact check: Trump makes progress on policy promises to Michigan. Will growth follow?
Six months into term, President Donald Trump has made good on some promises to Michigan voters, but results are not yet known.
Posted inEducation
Michigan spent big to fix schools. The result: Worse scores and plenty of blame
In 10 years, Michigan boosted K-12 education spending more than 41 states. The result: More staffers and worse test scores
Posted inPolitical and Public Policy Information
Michigan AG executes search warrant of state economic development offices
The warrant comes as Nessel is investigating money paid to a rocket firm and to a business incubator.
Posted inPolitical and Public Policy Information
Pet project day in Lansing: Lawmakers seek $3.3B for pools, roads and more
Legislators are jockeying to spend big in their districts, filing 800 requests to spend millions on everything from teachers and museums to youth programs, agriculture and bridges.
Posted inEducation
Michigan test scores lag again; students fall farther behind peers in reading
Michigan students score worse in math and reading than their peers nationwide, according to a new test.
Posted inHealth and Welfare
COVID deaths decline steeply in 2024; spread muted so far in winter
Once the No. 3 cause of death in Michigan, COVID-19 is attributed to 1,400 deaths so far in 2024. That’s half of the number who died in 2023 and a small percentage of those who died in 2020-22.
Posted inJobs & Economic Development
Michigan marijuana sales near $10 billion, a few years after legalization
In just over five years, Michigan’s legal marijuana industry is nearing cumulative sales of over $10 billion. But rising demand has been more than met with supply and prices are at their lowest ever.