Business + Labor
Union representing nurses and other caregivers reaches tentative contract with UMH-Sparrow
A tentative contract agreement reached Tuesday between the union representing nurses and health care professionals at the University of Michigan Health-Sparrow has averted a planned strike set to begin Monday. The Professional Employee Council of Sparrow Hospital-Michigan Nurses Association (PECSH-MNA) says its bargaining team had been negotiating since August and had added bargaining dates this […]
Service industry workers testify as lawmakers consider chopping tipped wage and sick leave laws
There’s a misconception that Michiganders can’t make a career out of waiting tables or working in family-owned businesses, according to the restaurant workers and other service industry professionals who offered testimony Tuesday to a legislative panel. The newly formed Michigan House Select Committee on Protecting Michigan Employees and Small Businesses was filled with workers from […]
At U of M, Buttigieg talks infrastructure, misinformation and political cynicism
In one of his last official appearances as U.S. Transportation Secretary, Pete Buttigieg spoke Monday with students at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor about the Biden administration’s long-term investments on transportation, but also encouraged them to remain politically engaged as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office next week. Buttigieg, speaking during a […]
Minimum wages are increasing in nearly half the states this year
The minimum wage will increase in nearly half the states this year even as the federal wage floor remains stuck at $7.25 per hour. In many states, the minimum wage is automatically adjusted upward as inflation rises. But voters in several states, including deeply red ones such as Alaska and Missouri, chose in November to […]
Recalling Rep. Whitsett is easier said than done
Anger among Democrats at the actions of state Rep. Karen Whitsett (D-Detroit) is nothing new, but any discussion of recalling her from office appears to be a nonstarter because of 2012 changes to state law that make it virtually impossible to remove an incumbent from office in districts where only one political party is dominant. […]
No need to provide an avian flu vaccine for humans yet, expert says
An infectious disease expert says the relatively mild cases of avian influenza detected so far among dairy workers don’t warrant making a vaccine available to them, even as they work to contain and prevent spread of the contagious virus among herds. Dr. Shira Doron, an epidemiologist and chief infection control officer for Tufts Medicine in […]
Barrett touts support for Laken Riley Act, says he’s focused on cost-of-living policies
As the winter air cast a chill across Lansing Monday morning, U.S. Rep. Tom Barrett (R-Charlotte), gathered with local and state officials to open his congressional office across the street from the state Capitol. Flanked by Lansing Mayor Andy Schor, state Sen. Lana Theis (R-Brighton), and state Reps. Angela Witwer (D-Delta Twp.) and Jason Woolford […]
Whitmer signs laws creating research and development tax credits, new innovation fund
In the Newlab workspace at the newly renovated Michigan Central technology and innovation complex in Detroit, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer stood amongst machinery and tools Monday to showcase new laws aimed to support entrepreneurship and job growth in Michigan. By signing five bipartisan bills, Whitmer said in a news release Monday Michigan is taking a leap […]
Improvements to unemployment insurance are silver lining for lame duck cloud
The year 2024 didn’t end with the bang many in Lansing hoped it would. Instead, any bang was more like a car engine backfiring: a lot of noise and potentially damaging. The drama and pageantry of Michigan’s lame duck legislative session dominated our news feeds and left many advocates disappointed in the process. Many reading […]
Major legal brawl may decide what types of cars Americans can buy
Blue states are bracing for a battle with the Trump administration over their authority to limit tailpipe emissions, a showdown that will have major repercussions on the types of cars and trucks sold to American drivers. All sides expect President-elect Donald Trump to try to revoke states’ authority to adopt California’s strict rules on the […]
As technology evolves, it becomes harder to tell ‘real’ AI from marketing
In his college courses at Stanford University, Jehangir Amjad poses a curious question to his students: Was the 1969 moon landing a product of artificial intelligence? It might sound like a work of science fiction, or time travel, he said, but understanding the history of AI answers the question for them. “I would actually argue, […]
Skeptical Supreme Court justices weigh a rescue of TikTok from nearing ban
U.S. Supreme Court justices on Friday questioned why they should intervene to block a law forcing the sale of TikTok in nine days, saying the short-form video platform’s Chinese parent company does not enjoy First Amendment rights. Lawyers for TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, and a group of the platform’s users faced sharp questions from justices […]