Benson Holds 5-Point Edge Over James in Late Governor Poll
LANSING, Mich. — Democrat Jocelyn Benson still leads Republican John James in the race for Michigan governor, but the gap has tightened in the final stretch, according to a statewide survey released Thursday by Mitchell Research & Communications. The firm found 49% of likely voters backing Benson and 44% supporting James. Its early October survey
Michigan Sues Dollar General Over Checkout Overcharges
LANSING, Mich. — Michigan shoppers who have watched a Dollar General register ring up a higher number than the shelf tag are now part of a federal case, after Attorney General Dana Nessel joined the Federal Trade Commission and a group of other states in suing the discount chain on Monday. The complaint, filed in
Michigan Insurance Regulators Urge Early Prep
LANSING, Mich. — Roughly 497,000 Michigan residents who buy health coverage through HealthCare.gov have a few days left before the 2027 shopping season opens, and the state insurance regulator wants them to use that time to get ready. Michigan’s Department of Insurance and Financial Services says rising premiums make planning more important this year, whether
Utility Money Reaches $215,000 in Fight Against Proposal 2
LANSING, Mich. — The two biggest power companies in Michigan are paying to defeat the ballot measure aimed squarely at them. Money tied to Consumers Energy and DTE Energy has now reached $215,000 in the committee working against Proposal 2, which voters decide on Nov. 3. The newest checks match. CMS Energy Corp., the parent
Why Michigan Third-Grade Reading Keeps Sliding
LANSING, Mich. — Fewer than four in 10 Michigan third graders can read at grade level, and the slide did not happen overnight. It has been a slow leak that started well before the pandemic. On the spring 2026 state test, 38.2% of third graders reached proficiency in English language arts, the weakest result for
Michigan DNR Offers Free Deer Aging
LANSING, Mich. — Michigan deer hunters who want to know just how old that buck really is can get an answer for free next month. The Department of Natural Resources is holding hunter appreciation days at field offices and service centers across the state on Nov. 16 and Nov. 21, with doors open 10 a.m.
Benson Outraises James in Michigan Governor Money Race
LANSING, Mich. — Democrat Jocelyn Benson brought in more money than Republican John James over the last stretch of reporting in the race for Michigan governor, but James heads into the final days with the bigger bank account, according to pre-general election campaign finance statements filed Friday, Oct. 23. The reports cover Aug. 25 through
Michigan Archery Hunters Near 30,000 Deer
LANSING, Mich. — Bowhunters across Michigan have reported close to 30,000 deer so far in the early archery season, and the mix is tilting more toward does and fawns than it did a year ago, according to harvest totals hunters have filed with the state Department of Natural Resources. Antlered bucks account for 62.4% of
Nessel Asks Regulators to Block Consumers Energy Dam Sale
LANSING, Mich. — Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is pressing state utility regulators to turn down Consumers Energy’s plan to hand off its 13 hydroelectric dams to a private buyer, setting up a showdown at the state Public Service Commission early next month. Under the deal, Consumers would sell the river dams to Confluence Hydro,
Michigan Public University Enrollment Falls 2% This Fall
LANSING, Mich. — After three years of holding steady, enrollment at Michigan’s public universities slipped again this fall. The state’s 15 public campuses counted 254,107 students, down 5,223, or 2%, from 259,330 a year earlier, according to preliminary figures from the Michigan Association of State Universities. Graduate programs took the biggest hit. Graduate headcount fell