Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is on a statewide tour to pre-sell and fine-tune the State of the State she will deliver next week. The governor made stops in Royal Oak and Warren. In Macomb County, the governor said she wants pandemic recovery plans to create more opportunities for minority- and female-owned businesses. She also said she..
Liberals need to center race and class in political conversations, says Roosevelt Institute’s CEO and president
After ignoring the topic of race for a long time, there is a new debate emerging in Democratic political circles: How should liberals deal with the topic of race in politics? Should they lean into it, and push hard for not only racial justice but a pervasive racial consciousness, potentially shaping a nation dedicated to..
Michigan House cancels session amid COVID-19 surge
COVID-19 is canceling votes and meetings this week in the Michigan House of Representatives. House Speaker Jason Wentworth said Monday that a number of lawmakers and staff members have tested positive for the coronavirus or been exposed to someone who’s tested positive. “Unfortunately, the same COVID wave that is spiking across the country is now..
Michigan Democratic legislators to announce gun storage bill package
Michigan Democratic legislators said Monday that they plan to introduce a bill package designed to encourage safe firearm storage. Sponsors said the bills would apply to gun owners who have children present in the home. They would include penalties for when unsafe storage leads to injury or death. State Sen. Rosemary Bayer (D-Beverly Hills) said..
Michigan secretary of state and attorney general are investigating whether fake electors broke law
State officials — including Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and Attorney General Dana Nessel — say they’re looking into whether people who tried to flip the results of the 2020 presidential election in Michigan broke any laws. “Yes. I do think laws were broken here and I do think there needs to be some sort..
Washington Post investigation takes a look at the 1,700 congressmen who owned slaves and their impact on America
Slavery is an integral part of the American story, and while slavery does not exist today, its history has shaped American institutions, government structures – even its culture, religions and music. On Monday, a new article by The Washington Post uncovered a disturbing fact that further elucidates this idea: That more than 1,700 congressmen once enslaved..
MLK and civil rights movement were more radical than we often remember, says Smithsonian historian
Wayne State University will be one of many local institutions celebrating the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life and legacy as we approach MLK Day. This year, the theme of Wayne State’s celebration is “Looking Back to Look Ahead,” which the university says “will reflect on Dr. King’s teachings and how we live them today..
Whitmer will deliver 4th State of the State on Jan. 26 virtually
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s fourth State of the State address will take place Jan. 26. This is the second year in a row she will deliver the speech remotely due to COVID-19. The announcement was made via a joint statement issued by Whitmer and House Speaker Jason Wentworth: “The State of the State address is a tradition..
Reactions to Michigan’s new district lines are all over the map
Michigan’s redistricting commission has approved new legislative and congressional district maps. But that’s just the beginning of a new chapter of court battles and political maneuvering. As part of the weekly series MichMash, Slate’s Cheyna Roth and WDET’s Jake Neher talk about what happens next. Subscribe to MichMash on iTunes, Spotify, Google Podcasts, NPR One or wherever you get your podcasts. It..
Political scholars weigh in on the highs and lows of President Biden’s first year in office
There was a lot of anticipation for the Biden presidency. For those tired of the Trump presidency, Biden offered a reprieve and the promise of a more stable democracy. The Biden administration has gotten some things done. It passed the American Rescue Plan, a trillion-dollar infrastructure bill, put 100 million shots in 50 million arms..