Jonathan Oosting

Conservatives are campaigning to remove a high-ranking Michigan Republican Party official because he blamed former President Donald Trump — not fraud — for last year’s election loss.

Republicans in Michigan are joining conservative colleagues across the country in a race to pre-emptively ban COVID-19 “vaccine passports,” citing concerns over privacy and personal liberty amid a mass inoculation effort.

Democrat Joe Biden carried Michigan by extending his support into the suburbs to withstand a surge for Republican Donald Trump in rural parts of the state. But precinct-level data shows many exceptions, with one sliver of Detroit going for Trump and more of west Michigan favoring Biden.

The Board of State Canvassers on Thursday failed to certify petition signatures from Unlock Michigan, blocking initiated legislation to repeal the 1945 law used by Gov. Whitmer during the pandemic.

This is the latest travel-related controversy the Whitmer administration has faced in the last few weeks.

Republicans in the Michigan House want to award most of the state’s presidential electors by congressional district, an overhaul that would increase clout of rural areas and decrease it in metro Detroit.

Whitmer visited her ill father before receiving any vaccines, drawing accusations of hypocrisy from Republicans. Whitmer’s staff has defended trips from other aides, noting they were vaccinated.

The trial of police officer Derek Chauvin has ignited a debate about police practices. More than 30 states have passed reforms. Michigan isn’t one of them, despite general support on the need for change.

Following the Jan. 6 riots in the U.S. Capitol, Toyota said it would pause and assess political donations. It’s given money to two of those who voted to overturn the election, U.S. Rep. Jack Bergman of Watersmeet in February and March, and another $1,000 to U.S. Rep. Tim Walberg of Tipton.

Business leaders from some of Michigan’s largest employers on Tuesday urged the state’s Republican-led Legislature to avoid approving any new election laws that would reduce participation or disenfranchise voters. It’s a direct response to a 39-bill plan from state Senate Republicans.

The Democratic governor is offering an olive branch to Republicans who control the Legislature. They aren’t happy, though, that Whitmer made the peace offering through the media.

Michigan’s proposed reform of election laws shares similarities with a Georgia law sparking a backlash, such as requiring ID and regulating drop boxes. But it lacks other measures such as a ban on water for those in line.

New ID requirements. Ballot box regulations. Bans on paid postage for absentee ballots. Rules for challengers. All told, the plans from Republicans would disproportionately impact Democratic counties and cities.

Whitmer wants more vaccines from Biden and voluntary restrictions on activities from residents. But she resisted pressure from some health officials to respond to a flood of cases with new mandates.

Michigan cities, townships, villages and counties are expected to receive a collective $4.4 billion from the COVID-19 stimulus package. Experts say the “rescue plan” can help local governments meet their immediate needs and think long-term.

Dominion Voting Systems is threatening to sue former state Sen. Patrick Colbeck, who has been touring the state with a PowerPoint presentation that echoes false claims about the 2020 election. “Make no mistake—Dominion will hold you accountable for these lies,” the attorneys wrote.

Michigan Republicans are planning a rare, controversial maneuver that is permissible under the state constitution. Bridge Michigan breaks down the details on how it could play out.

Michigan now has the highest rate of new coronavirus infections in the nation and a surge that mirrors the deadly one from the fall. But so much is different this spring — from vaccination levels to warming temps.

Thousands were freed from state jails and prisons, but a difficult transition became harder due to the pandemic. Nonprofits are stepping up to help with jobs and accessing services.

Despite gains, women lawmakers who ‘lean in’ take more ‘heat, ugliness and threats,’ Whitmer says. Lansing is roiling from GOP chair calling women ‘witches’ and harassment claims against Democratic consultant.