Access to lakes, good and diverse jobs and affordability can help kick-start Michigan’s population stagnation, according to a roundtable of mid-career workers in Michigan spearheaded by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

Yue Stella Yu
More Michigan families could qualify for food assistance for women, children
The state loosened income eligibility requirements for families to qualify for the Women, Infants and Children program, which provides food assistance for pregnant and postpartum women as well as children under the age of 5.
Michigan Senate votes to bar discrimination over Black hairstyles
The bill now heads to the House. If approved, Michigan would join at least 20 states and Washington D.C. in passing laws to ban race-based hair discrimination.
Whitmer signs ‘red flag’ law, allowing Michigan judges to confiscate guns
Michigan becomes the 21st state to allow ‘extreme risk protection orders’ allowing judges to temporarily seize guns of those deemed a danger.
Michigan House OKs ban on holding phones; violators face fines of $100 and up
A measure requiring motorists to use hands-free devices clears after language is removed that would have allowed for 90-day license suspensions.
New Michigan bills could give sexual abuse survivors more time to sue
A nine-bill package introduced Thursday would extend the statute of limitations for sexual assault survivors to take legal action. They would be able to sue until they turn 52 and have two years to consider lawsuits even after the statute of limitations expires.
Michigan Democrats eye hate crime reform, look to add LGBTQ protections
A trio of Democratic lawmakers are seeking to update the state’s anti-hate crime law with an expanded definition of hate crime and enhanced penalties. The law has not been updated since its establishment in 1988.
Cell phone driving ban stalls in Michigan; critics say it’s too harsh
Lawmakers can’t muster enough support to require hands-free devices while driving. Distracted driving crashes are up, but opponents object to possibility of license suspensions, points.
Michigan bill floats balloon release ban
Balloon debris kills birds and befouls lakes. Are $800 fines the answer?
Utilities gave big to Michigan lawmakers now weighing reforms, records show
Nearly 70 percent of sitting Michigan lawmakers have received campaign funds from two utility company PACs tied to Consumers Energy and DTE over the past five years, a Bridge analysis has found.