Riley Beggin

Riley Beggin is a Capitol reporter covering Michigan politics, including legislative, gubernatorial and other statewide elections. She joined Bridge in January 2018 after working at KPCC, Los Angeles’ NPR member station. Before that, she was a fellow at ABC News’ Washington Bureau and an intern with NPR’s investigative unit. Riley majored in history and international relations at the University of Wisconsin—Madison. She also holds a master’s degree in investigative journalism from the University of Missouri. You can reach Riley at rbeggin@bridgemi.com or call her at 517-657-3580.

Articles

Michigan may study whether tolls are solution to state’s awful roads

January 28, 2020 | Riley Beggin

Plenty of obstacles remain, but the Michigan Senate wants to study whether tolls could help fix roads. The proposal comes as Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is expected to announce her new plans for road repairs.

Law limiting Michigan ballot drives mostly unconstitutional, court rules

January 28, 2020 | Riley Beggin

House and Senate Republicans may appeal the decision to the Michigan Supreme Court.

Three possible Michigan cases of deadly coronavirus being tested

January 24, 2020 | Riley Beggin

State health officials say two people in Washtenaw County and one in Macomb have “mild” symptoms of the illness, but that a diagnosis remains days away.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to give response to Trump’s State of the Union

January 24, 2020 | Riley Beggin

The speech is often given to rising stars in the party that is not in the White House. That provides opportunities and risks for the state’s first-term Democratic governor.

Liberal group launches ballot effort to change Michigan lobbying laws

January 23, 2020 | Riley Beggin

Voters could decide in November whether to approve a constitutional amendment to increase disclosure rules for lobbyists and bar them from giving lawmakers anything of value.

Along Michigan-Ohio border, small-town Morenci is transformed by marijuana

January 20, 2020 | Riley Beggin

Once a frontier town dominated by agriculture, Morenci now finds itself on a new frontier, with the scent of pot wafting through its streets. Despite reluctance from “conservative farm folks,” most support the financial boost the industry has brought.

The answer to swelling jails? Stop jailing so many folks, Michigan report says

January 14, 2020 | Riley Beggin

A high-level report unveiled Tuesday recommends sweeping changes to Michigan’s criminal justice system to reduce the number of people sent to jail. The group found that far too many inmates are people of color or have mental illnesses.

Larry Inman recall effort is dead again, after Michigan nixes signatures

January 10, 2020 | Riley Beggin

The Michigan Bureau of Elections has determined a group seeking to force a recall election against state Rep. Larry Inman didn’t meet the threshold of 12,201 signatures.

Michigan Supreme Court urged to release Bill Schuette emails on private accounts

January 8, 2020 | Riley Beggin

A liberal advocacy group argues the state is unjustly refusing to give up government emails the group requested in 2016. Current Attorney General Dana Nessel’s office has picked up Schuette’s defense, citing technical concerns with the suit.

Michigan to allow cellphones in all courts, striking down local bans

January 8, 2020 | Riley Beggin

Lawyers and advocates argued that cellphone bans create barriers to justice, while some judges raised concerns over court chaos.

Three Michigan Superfund sites among backlog of unfunded polluted sites

January 7, 2020 | Riley Beggin

Projects in mid-Michigan, northern Michigan and Macomb County remain at a standstill without the money to get started.

New year, old problems: Six issues Michigan leaders vow to tackle in 2020

January 6, 2020 | Riley Beggin

As they return to Lansing this week, Michigan’s leaders are faced with tough questions on how to improve roads, education, skilled trades and more.

Michigan Gov. Whitmer on tough first year: ‘I did what I said I was going to’

December 20, 2019 | Jonathan Oosting, Riley Beggin

Gretchen Whitmer came into office promising big fixes to roads and schools. But with a Republican Legislature, the Democrat’s first year is ending with few big victories.

Michigan Supreme Court won’t rule on GOP minimum wage, sick leave changes

December 18, 2019 | Riley Beggin

The Court determined that it lacks jurisdiction to issue an opinion on the constitutionality of the “adopt and amend” strategy employed by Republican lawmakers in last year’s lame-duck session.

Mike Shirkey: I’m open to changing Michigan’s third-grade reading law

December 18, 2019 | Jonathan Oosting, Riley Beggin, Ron French

Hearing concerns from educators, Michigan’s Senate Majority Leader says he’s considering changes to the law that could flunk 5,000 third-graders in May.

Welcome to Michigan, President Trump. About that economy you promised …

December 17, 2019 | Riley Beggin, Jonathan Oosting, Mike Wilkinson

Jobs and wages are down in most of the 12 counties that switched support from Barack Obama to Donald Trump in 2016, but voters say they have confidence in the president and the economy.

30-minute guarantee at Michigan Secretary of State — if you have appointment

December 12, 2019 | Riley Beggin

Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson said she’s met her promise of 30-minute waits at every branch office, thanks to innovative changes. Walk-ins, though, can still wait for hours and getting an appointment at busier branches can take time.

Deal reached between state, townships and Wolverine World Wide over PFAS

December 10, 2019 | Riley Beggin

Wolverine will pay $69.5 million to extend municipal water to PFAS-affected residents in northern Kent County under the tentative agreement.

Congrats on budget, Michigan. It does little to fix state’s biggest problems.

December 10, 2019 | Riley Beggin, Jonathan Oosting

Michigan’s divided government finally passes a budget. It barely addresses the state’s bad roads, middling schools and expensive colleges.

Michigan, we have a budget deal. (Give or take $400 million)