Democrats Keep MSU Board Seats, Flip Wayne State Posts
LANSING, Mich. — Democrats swept the statewide races for Michigan State University trustees and Wayne State University governors, locking in new eight-year terms that begin in early 2027. MSU Board Chair Brianna Scott of Muskegon and Trustee Kelly Tebay Zemke of Detroit, both Democrats first seated in 2019, beat Republicans Julie Maday of Novi and
Benson Pledges to Open Governor Office to FOIA
LANSING, Mich. — Governor-elect Jocelyn Benson said the Michigan executive office will start answering open-records requests the day she takes the oath, even though the statute still leaves that office outside FOIA. Benson made the pledge Wednesday as she began the handoff from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. Michigan joins just one other state in keeping that
Benson Open to Cutting Michigan State Gas Tax
LANSING, Mich. — Governor-elect Jocelyn Benson said at her first post-election news conference that she is open to cutting Michigans state gasoline tax to give drivers relief at the pump. The stance marks a shift from her earlier campaign warning that pausing the states roughly 52-cent-per-gallon levy would blow a hole in the budget and
Michigan Rejects Constitutional Convention
LANSING, Mich. — Michigan will keep its constitution as it stands after voters on Tuesday soundly turned down Proposal 1, the once-every-16-years question asking whether to call a convention to rewrite it. The race was called at 9:40 p.m. By early Wednesday, with about 91% of the expected vote in, no led 73.8% to 26.2%,
Michigan Voters Pass Proposal 2 Limiting Utility Donations
LANSING, Mich. — Regulated utilities and big government contractors in Michigan will soon be shut out of campaign giving after voters overwhelmingly approved Proposal 2 on Tuesday. The measure was called at 9:38 p.m., shortly after polls closed. By early Wednesday, with about 91% of the expected vote counted, the yes side stood at 81.1%
Cavanagh, Hood Win New Terms on Michigan Supreme Court
LANSING, Mich. — Both sitting justices on Michigan’s Supreme Court ballot kept their seats Tuesday. Voters returned the chief justice, Megan Cavanagh, and her colleague Noah Hood to the state’s highest court. The winners each get eight more years on the bench. Court races in Michigan appear on the nonpartisan part of the ballot, but
Michigan Bans Untreated Out-of-State Firewood
LANSING, Mich. — Campers, cabin owners and anyone else hauling firewood into Michigan have less than two months before a new state quarantine takes effect. On Jan. 1, 2027, the state stops letting in any firewood that lacks proof of heat treatment. The rule comes from MDARD, the state’s agriculture department, and it covers every
Barrett, Huizenga Trail as Michigan Congress Incumbents Win
LANSING, Mich. — Michigan’s delegation to the U.S. House looked mostly familiar after Tuesday’s election, but two Republican incumbents were trailing early Wednesday in the statewide election and one open seat remained close as counting continued. In the 7th District, Rep. Tom Barrett was behind challenger William Lawrence 51.0% to 47.8%, a gap of about
Michigan Burn Rules to Know Before Burning Fall Leaves
LANSING, Mich. — Raking season is in full swing across Michigan, and state environmental and forestry officials want residents to check a few rules before setting a match to that backyard pile of leaves and brush. Start with a permit. A burn permit is required any time the ground is not covered by snow. In
Michigan Voters Weigh Nearly $4 Billion in School Bonds
LANSING, Mich. — School construction money is on the line across Michigan on Election Day, with 42 districts asking voters Tuesday to approve bond issues that add up to nearly $4 billion. Bonds are only part of the school-tax picture on this ballot. Voters will also settle 14 requests to raise sinking funds and nine