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 judge upholds Jocelyn Benson’s absentee ballot application mailings

August 26, 2020 | Riley Beggin

An appeals judge rules that Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson was within her rights on a controversial decision to send out 7.7 million absentee ballot applications earlier this year.

As Election Day approaches, Trump and Michigan GOP now push absentee voting

August 21, 2020 | Riley Beggin, Jonathan Oosting

Both Democrat Joe Biden and Republican President Donald Trump are leaning into mail-in voting as the coronavirus pandemic promises to complicate the November election. Trump has long raised doubts about the practice.

Whitmer wins another round over executive powers. On to the Supreme Court

August 21, 2020 | Riley Beggin

A second court sided with Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in a battle over the emergency powers she’s used to implement protections against COVID-19.

Relief, optimism and mistrust greet $600M Flint water lawsuit settlement

August 20, 2020 | Jonathan Oosting, Riley Beggin

Half a decade after LeAnne Walters helped expose the Flint water crisis, the mother of four says she and her children still suffer from rashes because of the stew of toxins they ingested through their tap. A $600 million settlement with the state “is a form of justice, but by no means does this fix what has happened,” she told Bridge.

Postal Service delays changes. Michigan, other states sue over slowdown

August 18, 2020 | Riley Beggin

Michigan and other Democrat-led states on Tuesday sued the U.S. Postal Service over cost-cutting moves that may have contributed to mail delays. The suit came the same day Postmaster General Louis DeJoy backed down from planned changes.

Meet the 13 residents who will draw Michigan’s new political districts

August 17, 2020 | Riley Beggin

Two years after voters approved an amendment to wrest decennial district-making from politicians, the Michigan Secretary of State announces the 13 (mostly) ordinary citizens charged with ending gerrymandering. Most have little political experience.

Michigan may sue feds over postal service delays, absentee ballot concerns

August 17, 2020 | Riley Beggin

The Michigan Attorney General’s office says it’s exploring a multi-state lawsuit to ensure absentee ballots are counted following concerns about cost-cutting and delays. The Detroit postal district had the second-worst delays in the country from April 1 to June 30.

Gov. Whitmer extends Michigan COVID-19 state of emergency through Sept. 4

August 7, 2020 | Riley Beggin

The extended state of emergency allows the governor to continue issuing executive orders such as the mask-wearing requirement and stay-at-home order.

Map: Trump counties less likely to vote absentee in Michigan primary

August 7, 2020 | Riley Beggin, Mike Wilkinson

Heavily Republican counties were less likely to embrace mail-in voting than their Democratic counterparts. Counties with more coronavirus cases also were more likely to cast absentee ballots.

Michigan’s new coronavirus order: masks for little kids at camp, child care

August 6, 2020 | Riley Beggin

Following an outbreak at a camp, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Thursday issued another executive order requiring masks for those older than 2. Child care officials say most already were taking similar precautions.

Michigan passes absentee ballot voting test. November could be another story.

August 5, 2020 | Riley Beggin

Despite fears of multiple-day waits and long lines, Michigan’s primary Tuesday experienced few major issues. Even more absentee voting is expected this fall and clerks say there’s no guarantee of smooth sailing without new laws.

Michigan primary results: Rashida Tlaib cruises, Peter Meijer wins big

August 5, 2020 | Jonathan Oosting, Riley Beggin

An absentee ballot surge that broke records during the coronavirus pandemic delayed some counting, but Michigan’s congressional delegation was taking shape by Wednesday afternoon.

Michigan Gov. Whitmer orders state police to enforce COVID executive orders

August 4, 2020 | Riley Beggin

As coronavirus cases rise in Michigan — and enforcement of social distancing rules is spotty statewide — the governor orders state police to enforce her executive orders like any other law and requires state agencies to consider pulling licenses of violators.