State News

Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey, and House Speaker Lee Chatfield say they’ve agreed to put rancor about road repair funding aside, and focus on building a state budget before the fiscal year ends on September 30th. The three released this joint statement this morning: “The people of …

Michigan has joined a multi-state lawsuit against one of the nation’s largest student loan servicers. The action against Navient was begun in Pennsylvania, but now includes 30 other states. Pennsylvania authorities allege that Navient engaged in unfair and deceptive practices, including consistently making payment processing errors that added unnecessary penalties …

State Representative Greg Markkanen is disappointed with the way Governor Gretchen Whitmer handled the new ban on flavored nicotine e-cigarettes. Whitmer initiated the ban with an emergency order, bypassing any legislative hearings or votes. Markkanen says he supports keeping such products out of the hands of minors, but would have …

A state audit has found problems in the management of the Michigan Office of the Great Lakes. Doug Ringler The report signed by Auditor General Doug Ringler rates the overall work of the office as “moderately effective.” It reported weaknesses, though, in the way the office monitored how grant money …

Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s plan to ban flavored electronic cigarettes in Michigan has been clarified. While the initial release earlier this week said the ban would take effect immediately, that will not be the case. Instead, the state health department is preparing emergency rules that will prohibit the sale of flavored …

Michigan is banning the sale of flavored e-cigarettes, effective today. The ban will include both on-site and online sales. It will last for six months, and can be renewed for another six months, as the state investigates permanent regulations. Governor Gretchen Whitmer said the move was necessary to protect the …

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has asked a New York-based company to stop selling do-it-yourself sexual assault evidence collection kits in our state. Nessel describes the “Me Too Kits” as a shameless way to make money off the recent “Me Too” movement. All victims of sexual assault are encouraged to …

As the new school year begins, education achievement test results from last year showed few gains statewide, and some slippage. In grades three through seven, fewer than half of students tested as “proficient” or “advanced” in reading. Only 35 percent of fifth through seventh graders tested as “proficient” or “advanced” …

The number of people who walked the Mackinac Bridge yesterday increased for the first time in a couple of years. Officials estimate 30,000 people turned out on a blustery morning. That compares to crowds of around 25,000 people the past two years. As it has been for the past two …

A former state representative has pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor charge of Willful Neglect of Duty by a Public Officer. Todd Courser of Silverwood, in Lapeer County, was accused of soliciting a state employee to send out a false email. Courser was originally charged with several felonies after trying …