State News

United States Senator Gary Peters has called on President Donald Trump to delay naming a nominee for the Supreme Court. While eulogizing the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on the Senate floor yesterday, Peters said the government has more urgent matters., and should focus exclusively on COVID-19 relief. President Trump …

The new sign in front of the former Lewis Cass state office building in Lansing was unveiled yesterday. In June, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed an executive order renaming the facility the “Elliott-Larsen Building.” State of Michigan Image The designation honors former Republican State Representative Melvin Larsen and former Democratic State …

The State of Michigan is suing manufacturers of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, collectively known as PFAS. PFAS were used in hundreds of products, ranging from food packaging to water-repellent fabrics to non-stick cookware to firefighting foam. They can cause health problems in humans, and they take so long to break …

The application period to request an absent voter ballot for the November 3rd general election is now open. All registered voters can apply for an absent voter ballot – no reason is needed. County and city clerks will begin mailing out regular absentee voter ballots on September 24th. A ballot-tracking …

The State of Michigan will pay $600 million dollars to victims of the Flint water crisis. The settlement will be officially announced by Governor Gretchen Whitmer tomorrow. 80 percent of the money will go to people who were age 18 or younger in 2014, when a switch in the city’s …

Michigan intends to take part in the federal program that would give an extra $300 per week to unemployed workers. The stipend replaces the $600 per week allowance originally granted under the CARES Act, which expired at the end of July. With Congress unable to agree on an extension, President …

The Michigan House of Representatives yesterday approved COVID-19 back to school legislation, and sent it on to Governor Gretchen Whitmer for her signature. The three-bill compromise was worked out late last week, and approved by the state senate Saturday. State Representative Greg Markkanen of Hancock voted in favor. The plan …

There will be no Upper Peninsula residents on Michigan’s new Independent Redistricting Commission. The 13-member panel was filled today via a random drawing. It includes four Republicans, four Democrats, and five self-described independents. The Republicans are… Douglas Clark, 73: Rochester HillsRhonda Lange, 47: Reed City  Erin Wagner, 54: Charlotte Cynthia …

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources’ annual Fall Surplus Land Auction contains little of interest in the Upper Peninsula. The only parcel in the Copper Country is a small lot on Third Street in Centennial Heights. There’s also a tiny parcel near Watersmeet, and a small landlocked parcel near Germfask. …

The Michigan House of Representatives is expected to begin debate this morning on a compromise plan to guide the reopening of Michigan K-12 schools this fall. The bipartisan deal that was worked out Friday between legislative leaders and Governor Gretchen Whitmer overwhelmingly passed the state Senate Saturday. One sticking point …