Politics + Gov
U of M ends joint program with Chinese university, earning praise from key Republican congressman
With U.S.-China tensions continuing to rise in advance of a second Trump administration, the University of Michigan announced last week that it plans to terminate its two-decade academic collaboration with Shanghai Jiao Tong University in China. The decision, confirmed Friday by university President Santa Ono, followed an Oct. 31 letter from U.S. Rep. John Moolenaar […]
Immigration lawyers fear Laken Riley bill could have broad impact as Trump takes office
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate this week is moving to pass a bill that immigration attorneys and experts warn could have far-reaching ramifications, such as swamping federal courts with challenges by state attorneys general and subjecting some migrants — including children and teens — to rapid detention and deportation. The legislation, the Laken Riley Act, S. […]
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 […]
Firearms will be permitted in the Michigan House Office Building again, GOP speaker says
In his first week as Michigan House speaker, Matt Hall (R-Richland Twp.) has reversed the ban Democratic leadership placed last session on state House employees bringing firearms to work in the House Office Building. Michigan officials had debated for years whether to continue allowing firearms in and around the Michigan State Capitol Building after an […]
New data suggests more people are leaving states with abortion bans
As the public health and legal effects of overturning Roe v. Wade continue to unfold, researchers have also begun studying the economic consequences of the historic Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision that ended federal abortion rights. In a new working paper from the nonprofit National Bureau of Economic Research, researchers found that about 36,000 people per quarter collectively left […]
Complaint alleges Michigan police director and top deputy improperly received bonuses
According to a complaint filed with the State Board of Ethics, both the director of the Michigan State Police, Col. James Grady, and his chief deputy, Lt. Col. Aimee Brimacombe, improperly received nearly $20,000 in bonuses. The panel’s members are appointed by the governor and it has only advisory powers. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer tapped Grady […]
Trump and the latest climate change red flag
Like a three-pack-a-day smoker who blames their chronic cough on allergies, or a recent flu shot — everything but their addiction — President-elect Donald Trump continues to embrace an absurd and criminally irresponsible brand of denialism on the subject of climate change. This hard truth was exposed yet again by the latest horrific California wildfires. […]
U.S. House passes bill banning trans athletes from competing in women’s school sports
WASHINGTON — A measure that would bar transgender students from participating on women’s school sports teams consistent with their gender identity passed the U.S. House on Tuesday. The legislation — which advanced 218-206 — came as an increasing number of states have passed laws banning trans athletes from participating in sports in K-12 schools and colleges that […]
Court of Appeals hears arguments against Line 5 tunnel project
Attorneys representing Native American tribes and environmental organizations brought their case Tuesday before a three-judge panel in the Michigan Court of Appeals to challenge a 2023 permit from the Michigan Public Service Commission — one of three needed for Enbridge to proceed with its controversial Line 5 tunnel project. Enbridge’s Line 5 is a 645-mile […]
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 […]
Trump pick for Pentagon chief, Pete Hegseth, grilled at lengthy confirmation hearing
WASHINGTON — Senators jockeyed to magnify contrasting aspects of Pete Hegseth’s life at his confirmation hearing Tuesday on whether the veteran, Fox News personality and accused perpetrator of sexual misconduct is qualified to lead the nation’s military and its nearly $900 billion budget. Lawmakers on the Senate Committee on Armed Services questioned the nominee for […]
U.S. House speaker pitches conditions on disaster aid, upending long-standing practice
WASHINGTON — U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson said Tuesday that Congress will likely provide billions in disaster aid to help California recover from devastating wildfires, but indicated he might set a new precedent by placing conditions on that emergency funding based on policy and political differences with the Democratic-led state and the city of Los […]