Governor Gretchen Whitmer

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.

Michigan Appeals Court Says Barbershop Must Close Despite Its Protests

By • May 28, 2020

A Michigan Court of Appeals panel says a lower court judge got it wrong by refusing to enforce an order to shut down Owosso, Mich., barber Karl Manke, who gained fame or notoriety for cutting hair in defiance of Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's COVID-19 emergency orders. The orders include a ban on barbers and hair salons doing business during the declared crisis.

After Michigan school closure, switch to online learning could leave rural families behind

By • Apr 9, 2020
Max Johnston / Interlochen Public Radio

The coronavirus pandemic means Michigan schools are closed for the rest of the academic year.

Many districts are switching to online learning and it’s a big adjustment. It’s also a gamble because some families may not be able to access it.

 

School is still in session

Legislature to vote on extending Whitmer's emergency powers

By • Apr 7, 2020
Governor Gretchen Whitmer gives an update on Michigan's repsonse to the COVID-19 pandemic on April 6, 2020.
Michigan Executive Office of the Governor

The Legislature will meet Tuesday to vote on a resolution to extend the emergency powers Governor Gretchen Whitmer invoked to address the COVID-19 outbreak.

The House and the Senate have adopted special rules for in-person voting while adhering to health protections.


Michigan Coalition Against Homelessness has COVID-19 asks for Whitmer

By • Mar 31, 2020
Max Johnston / Interlochen Public Radio

The Michigan Coalition Against Homelessness (MCAH) is asking Gov. Gretchen Whitmer for policy changes during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a letter signed by over 80 homelessness organizations in Michigan, the MCAH asked for funding for temporary housing and longer bans on evictions and foreclosures, among several other proposals.

Michigan should let some contractors work under 'stay at home' order, says lawmaker

By • Mar 31, 2020
Michigan House of Representatives

The state house majority leader wants the Governor to let some Michigan businesses get back to work. State Rep. Triston Cole (R-Mancelona) said so in a letter to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer late Monday.

Michigan schools, students, parents want clarity on school year

By • Mar 27, 2020
The Greenfields stepped out for a safe social distance interview at Veterans Memorial Park in Ann Arbor. Left to right: Heather, Jill, Sonja and Gregory Greenfield from left to right, with Allison Greenfield up front.
Rick Pluta / Michigan Public Radio Network

School officials in Michigan will have to make some tough decisions very soon about the rest of the school year. One of them is whether to send layoff notices to teachers and other school staff who aren’t working.

That would save money for later in case the school year is extend to make up for days lost due to the COVID-19 outbreak.


Northern Michigan schools prepare emergency child care centers

By • Mar 23, 2020
Max Johnston / Interlochen Public Radio

 

On Monday, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed an executive order mandating people stay in their homes.

People who work in hospitals, pharmacies and grocery stores and who provide other essential services are excempt.

 

To help exempt workers do their jobs, Whitmer asked northern Michigan educators to coordinate child care services and make emergency daycare centers available if needed.

 

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