This Friday at 9 a.m.: State Rep. @mark_tisdel joins The Moment to discuss his cellphone bill, the relationship between politics and the media and how bipartisanship is crucial to democracy. How to download WLNS+: wlns.com/wlnsplus

Vaccine makers are pulling back on research and investment amid federal government policies that are hostile toward vaccines. www.nytimes.com/2026/02/16/h...

Happy Presidents’ Day. youtu.be/1OSOHt1JM6A?...

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer used the national stage in Munich to unveil a five-year plan to make Michigan a defense and aerospace hub. www.wlns.com/capital-rund...

GOP candidate for governor Tom Leonard says he will establish a U.P. "ambassador" if elected to advocate for U.P. issues. The Upper Peninsula currently has six state lawmakers representing the region in the Michigan Legislature. www.wlns.com/your-local-e...

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer will speak with AOC at a foreign policy panel in Munich this afternoon. www.wlns.com/capital-rund...

Democratic Senate candidates split over PAC money at UAW forum. www.wlns.com/your-local-e...

Sorry, but this shot to goal ratio is insane.

Whitmer's budget recommendation: Higher taxes for gamblers, smokers and a new digital advertising tax — but relief for seniors and working families. www.wlns.com/capital-rund...

Whitmer introduced her new budget recommendation for FY 2027. Key points: - Raise taxes on tobacco and vaping products - New taxes for online gaming and sports betting - New tax on digital advertising The Whitmer admin says it needs to plug a gap left by Medicaid and SNAP cuts.

More coverage on this included here: wlns.com/capital-rund... When asked if he would work with Slotkin on her "housing emergency" legislation, he said he'd love to, and hope to get her on board with the 529 college savings accounts portion.

Mike Rogers is suggesting eliminating taxes on new homes to ease the housing affordability crisis. www.wlns.com/capital-rund...

USA to play for gold in mixed doubles curling. Incredible stuff.

Kenneth Walker should’ve won the Heisman. When he wins Super Bowl MVP today, that would almost be justice.

Kenneth Walker III is a Super Bowl MVP. But of course he is. I did not expect anything else.

Sam Darnold: "As long as you believe in yourself, anything is possible." We aren't talking about this enough. One of the best stories in sports. Everybody wrote him off. Now he's at the top of the mountain.

Former Republican Ohio Gov. John Kasich’s thoughts on the #SuperBowlLX   halftime show.

For everyone just finding out how good Kenneth Walker is: My friends in East Lansing know. We’ve known.

Let’s recap today’s events: 1. Perry Johnson pushes everyone to watch alternative halftime show featuring Kid Rock. 2. Kid Rock endorses his opponent, John James, for Michigan governor.

“Licensing” issues less than two hours before.

Having an ASL performance of the national anthem is probably meaningless if it’s not actually being televised.

Kenneth Walker should’ve won the Heisman. When he wins Super Bowl MVP today, that would almost be justice.

FCC chair Brendan Carr is supporting Nexstar (parent of WLNS) and its bid to acquire Tegna. The FCC would need to raise its market cap rules for the merger to go through. Nexstar currently owns the most local TV stations in the U.S., along with NewsNation and The Hill.

A fantastic essay from Georgia Fort, who was arrested after a Minnesota protest. “A society that claims to value our democracy cannot criminalize those who document threats to democracy.” www.nytimes.com/2026/02/05/o...

Will Lewis steps down as CEO of the Washington Post. www.nytimes.com/2026/02/07/t...

BREAKING: Will Lewis resigns, Washington Post names new acting CEO

McDonald Rivet said she is “astonished” that Democrats do not have a strategy to overturn Citizens United v. FEC.

Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-Bay City) asked the room, “How many people here have a college degree?” The entire room raised their hand. She said, “Well, most people don’t … (A room like this) is not where we develop those big ideas.”

At an event where Dems are strategizing how they can win back working class voters. A speaker just said they don’t feel like the national party cares to appeal to these voters. “It’s not going to be TV ads, it’s going to be hard work knocking doors.”

Going to be so honest, I did not see this coming. Abdul El-Sayed and Mallory McMorrow spoke at a forum at the Black Summit in west Michigan today. Haley Stevens was absent. All three are speaking at a UAW forum next week.

This new Perry Johnson ad for Michigan governor is…interesting. Johnson says he’ll be tuning in to the “All-American Halftime Show” with Kid Rock headlining and referred to Bad Bunny as “dust bunny.” youtu.be/Woqay82gWN8?...

Politics aside, it is common for a secretary of state to oversee an election they're in. Ruth Johnson (R) was secretary of state while simultaneously running for state Senate District 24. I asked Nesbitt about this last year, and he said Johnson didn't "let illegals vote."

AP — Slotkin rejects Justice Department’s request for interview on Democrats’ video about ‘illegal orders’ apnews.com/article/slot...

Today: Nessel launched a form to report immigration enforcement. www.wlns.com/capital-rund...

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer contends that Michigan elections are "safe and secure." “Any attempt by the federal government to take over Michigan elections should be viewed as an attempt to take away Michiganders' constitutional right to vote," she said. "It won't happen on my watch."

Every member of the Michigan Republican delegation signed a letter to Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson demanding answers about election integrity.

New: Dems outpace GOP turnout in high-stakes state Senate special election primary. www.wlns.com/your-local-e...

FRIDAY: Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Leonard joins The Moment. 9 am on WLNS+. Season 2 coming Feb. 20.

Attorney Jason Tunney is declaring victory over retired Dow Corning marketing director Christian Velasquez.

Chedrick Greene beginning to pull away from Pamela Pugh with almost 50% reporting. GOP race is a dead heat between Velasquez and Tunney.

This is an objectively funny way to spin this headline.

Former state Sen. Adam Hollier (D) is shifting his focus from the secretary of state race to a state Senate seat held by Democrat Stephanie Chang. www.wlns.com/your-local-e...

Florida GOP gubernatorial candidate James Fishback says he joined Tinder to "meet young female voters where they are." According to his profile, which he shared on X, his "hottest take" is paid maternity leave.

Defense Dept. selects Michigan as drone test site. www.wlns.com/capital-rund...

New: John James has vowed to open the Legislature and the governor's office to FOIA if elected. www.wlns.com/your-local-e...

Jocelyn Benson and John James led the gubernatorial fundraising race last quarter. Republican Mike Cox reported the most cash on hand. www.wlns.com/your-local-e...

Tom Barrett led the Michigan delegation in fundraising last quarter. Here's how others fared in competitive seats. www.wlns.com/your-local-e...

Tom Barrett's new plan: a 20-year cap for federal judges' service. www.wlns.com/capital-rund...

New: The first major election in Michigan is tomorrow: a special election primary for Michigan's 35th Senate District. The seat has been vacant since McDonald Rivet was elected to the U.S. House in 2024. Here are the candidates. www.wlns.com/your-local-e...

ProPublica has identified the two CBP employees who shot 10 times at Alex Pretti as his body laid motionless on the ground. www.propublica.org/article/alex...