Governor Gretchen Whitmer

Northern Michigan schools and sports teams buck state requests for 2-week pause, will meet in-person

By • Apr 10, 2021
Courtesy of the office of the governor

UPDATE: Traverse City Area Public Schools' middle and high schools will continue with virtual learning the week of April 12, following a school board decision on Saturday. School sports will continue.

Gov. Whitmer turns to persuasion over COVID-19 restrictions

By • Apr 9, 2021
Governor Gretchen Whitmer answers questions from reporters in Traverse City on October 9, 2020.
Dan Wanschura / Interlochen Public Radio

Less stick. More carrot. That appears to be Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s approach now as Michigan wracks up some of the nation’s worst COVID-19 numbers. 


Whitmer asks for more doses, ramps up vaccine goals

By • Apr 1, 2021
Michigan Executive Office of the Governor

Governor Gretchen Whitmer has doubled Michigan’s vaccination targets as the pace of COVID-19 related deaths has accelerated and the state leads the nation in per capita COVID cases.

For Sara Cambensy, being a Democrat from the UP means being a lone wolf

By • Mar 29, 2021
Michigan House Democrats

Michigan’s Upper Peninsula used to be represented by Democrats in Lansing and Washington, DC.

Now there’s one left: Sara Cambensy from Marquette represents the 109th District in the Michigan House of Representatives. The UP Democrat attacks her governor and sometimes votes with Republicans.

That is what kept Rep. Cambensy in office, but she might be the last of a dying breed.

Whitmer to call for expanding civil rights law to include LGBTQ protections

By • Mar 8, 2021
Office of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer

Governor Gretchen Whitmer is expected to formally throw her support behind legislation to add LGBTQ protections to Michigan’s civil rights law on Monday.

Historically, votes on similar bills have been blocked by GOP leaders.

Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey (R-Jackson) is opposed. Another Republican State Sen. Jim Runestad (R-White Lake) said Friday on Michigan Public Television that he also has questions on protecting religious rights.

Whitmer challenges GOP to bargain on COVID response

By • Feb 18, 2021
Cheyna Roth / WKAR-MSU

On Wednesday, Governor Gretchen Whitmer again claimed the Legislature’s Republican leaders are failing to bargain on a COVID-19 plan for Michigan. The governor said GOP leaders have not engaged in serious discussions, even though Republicans and business groups have put forward their plans.

GOP lawmakers Up North welcome bipartisanship in Whitmer’s speech but tensions still high

By • Jan 28, 2021
Max Johnston / Interlochen Public Radio

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer gave her third State of the State speech Wednesday night. Because of the coronavirus pandemic it was the first delivered virtually, with the Governor speaking from her Lansing office.

In it she called for bipartisan solutions to the coronavirus.


State House passes COVID-19 relief legislation; sends bill to Whitmer

By • Dec 21, 2020
Lester Graham / Michigan Radio

Updated 12/21/2020 10:30 a.m.

The Michigan House has approved a COVID-19 relief bill that includes a pay boost for workers on the front lines of dealing with COVID-19; funding for vaccine distribution; and extending unemployment benefits. There’s also money to help small businesses that have been hurt by the continuing health crisis. The bill now goes to Governor Gretchen Whitmer for her signature.  


Parochial schools challenge MDHHS COVID order

By • Dec 9, 2020
Steve Ioya / Flickr

A group of Christian high schools claims Michigan’s COVID-19 restrictions violate religious freedom rights. The schools have filed a federal lawsuit in west Michigan to block the continuation of the restrictions.

Whitmer announces extension of the 'pause' for 12 days, outlines metrics for possible return

By & • Dec 8, 2020
On Monday, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced an extension of the restrictions put in place three weeks ago.
Michigan Executive Office of the Governor

Citing continuing concerns about hospital capacity and “alarmingly high” death rates, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced a 12-day extension of the COVID-19 restrictions initially put in place three weeks ago.

86th District Court judge eases bond requirements for twin brothers accused in terrorist plot

By • Dec 2, 2020
86th District Court Zoom

Update 10/4/20: Both Null brothers have made their bonds and were released Thursday from the Grand Traverse County jail.

An 86th District judge agreed to conditions Wednesday that make putting up bail much easier for two men charged with aiding in a terrorist plot.


Democrats and Republicans in Lansing agree on one thing: strong COVID legislation unlikely this year

By • Nov 30, 2020
MAXIM JENKINS / WKAR-MSU

After a lot of action in the Spring, the state legislature has been quiet on COVID-19 for months. Instead many have focused on legal and political battles.

Now legislators on both sides say that gridlock over the pandemic is likely to continue.

New order imposes COVID-19 restrictions for three weeks

By & • Nov 16, 2020
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services

Starting Wednesday, restaurants in Michigan are again limited to delivery and takeout, high school and college classes can only be online, and non-professional sports games are cancelled. That’s under an order from Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s public health director.

MDHHS lowers indoor gathering limit, Traverse City region set back to Phase 4

By • Oct 29, 2020
Dan Wanschura / Interlochen Public Radio

The Michigan Department of Health & Human Services is lowering the number of people allowed at indoor gatherings and sending the Traverse City region back to Phase 4 of the MISafeStart Plan. The move comes as the state sees record-high COVID cases.

Whitmer officials to appear before GOP-led COVID committee

By • Oct 19, 2020
Governor Gretchen Whitmer answers questions from reporters in Traverse City on October 9, 2020.
Dan Wanschura / Interlochen Public Radio

The legislative committee looking into the state’s COVID-19 response meets again Monday – where top health officials in Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s administration will face questions from lawmakers.

This will be the first committee hearing since the state Supreme Court struck down the governor’s continued use of emergency powers and encouraged the Legislature and Whitmer to strike a bargain.

Facebook shuts down pages for conservative radio host and Antrim County political group

By • Oct 11, 2020

"Trucker” Randy Bishop, host of “Your Defending Fathers” radio show and leader in Michigan second amendment rights groups, says Facebook has taken down his account.

13 charged in plot to kidnap Whitmer

By & • Oct 9, 2020
MPRN

State and federal authorities have charged a group of 13 suspected terrorists in an alleged plot to kidnap Governor Gretchen Whitmer and recruit militia members to storm the state Capitol.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and the FBI announced the charges Thursday. They say the men wanted to overthrow the state government and incite a civil war.

Stateside: Alleged Whitmer kidnapping plot; rise of alt-right militias; legacy of Yusef Lateef

By • Oct 8, 2020

Today on Stateside, an alleged plot from an anti-government extremist group to kidnap Governor Whitmer and take hostages at the state Capitol has been foiled by federal investigators. We'll talk about what we know about this case so far and how it ties into a broader discussion about the rise of violent alt-right movements in America. Plus, we talk about the life and legacy of the late Detroit native and jazz legend Yusef Lateef ahead of his 100th birthday. 

FBI says it has foiled a militia plot to kidnap Gov. Whitmer

By • Oct 8, 2020
Michigan.gov

A gang of militia members violently opposed to Governor Gretchen Whitmer were putting in motion a plot to kidnap her, according to an unsealed criminal complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan.

Senate returns to Lansing to deal with COVID-19 bills

By • Oct 8, 2020
Lester Graham / Michigan Radio

The state Senate returns Thursday after the Michigan Supreme Court declared many of Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s COVID-19 executive orders unconstitutional.

Stateside: AG investigates petition drive group; fall mushroom hunting; AfroUrbanism in Detroit

By • Sep 28, 2020

Today on Stateside, we talk to one urban planning professional about what Detroit could look like if the built environment reflected the Black lives that have formed the fabric of the city. Plus, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is opening a criminal investigation into the group Unlock Michigan, which organized a petition drive seeking to limit Governor Gretchen Whitmer's executive powers. 

Stateside: Petition to curb governor's powers; new MI Opera Theatre director; UM grad student strike

By • Sep 14, 2020

Today on Stateside, a petition aiming to curb the governor's executive powers is nearing the number of signatures it needs. And, graduate students at the University of Michigan are continuing their strike against the school over concerns about COVID-19 regulations and precautions. Plus, a conversation with the director of Michigan Opera Theatre about how he plans to add to Detroit’s illustrious musical legacy.

Retail workers deal with increased harassment over enforcing mask order

By • Jul 16, 2020
Shari Bernstein

This week a shopper in Meijer in Acme threatened an employee with a knife, upset he was told to wear a mask.

In Lansing, a man was stabbed and in May, a security guard at a Flint dollar store was shot to death.

Too many dams, too little money

By Cassidy Hough • Jun 8, 2020
Tim Cwalinski

Of the nearly 2,600 dams in Michigan, more than 90% are going to hit or exceed their design life in 2020, according to a 2014 report. 

Among those is the 54-year-old Cornwall Creek Dam in Wolverine, Michigan.

Whitmer lifts more restrictions in northern Michigan, salons to open next week

By & • Jun 5, 2020
Governor's Office

 

A new order signed Friday by Governor Gretchen Whitmer will soon allow Michiganders to get their hair cut or styled – as well as head to the gym or a movie theater – with certain precautions.

The restrictions will be lifted first in the northern Lower Peninsula and the Upper Peninsula starting Wednesday -- followed by southern Michigan starting June 15th.

In northern counties, indoor gatherings of 50 people will be permissible.

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