As we close out Black History Month, Michigan Advance is highlighting several health care workers who challenged and overcame educational and professional barriers. They gave back to their communities through their work inside and outside of the office. Story from @kdavidsonjrn.bsky.social

Gov. Gretchen Gretchen Whitmer will highlight her record after nearly a decade in office as Michigan’s chief executive Wednesday evening, but don’t expect the governor’s eighth and final State of the State address to be just another greatest hits compilation. From @bensolis1.bsky.social

On Tuesday members of the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments on whether Michigan AG Dana Nessel's case to shut down Line 5 should proceed in state court or be heard in federal court. @michiganadvance.com michiganadvance.com/2026/02/24/s...

Rep. Penelope Tsernoglou (D-East Lansing) joined w/ Rep. Julie Brixie (D-Okemos), and members of the AFL-CIO, the Professional Employees Council of Sparrow Hospital and Communication Workers of America to share details on proposed regulations for AI in the workplace. From @kdavidsonjrn.bsky.social

Our small staff of four reporters has brought distinctive stories about Operation Metro Surge this year, for free and without advertising. Your generous support is what makes that work possible. If you're willing and able, please help us keep it going. minnesotareformer.com/donate/

ICYMI:@kdailey.bsky.social and I took at look at the proposed Lansing data center and the developer's promises on energy and water use, as well as a policy put forth by city council to allocate a portion of utility revenue to housing services. @michiganadvance.com michiganadvance.com/2026/02/23/d...

On Wednesday, the Democratic National Committee is set to file a friend of the court brief backing Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson in a lawsuit filed by the Republican National Committee last November. Story from @kdavidsonjrn.bsky.social

FBI won’t provide Minnesota investigators with evidence in Alex Pretti killing, state says minnesotareformer.com/briefs/fbi-w...

NEW: A federal tool meant to find noncitizens on voter rolls is consistently marking citizens as noncitizens, especially if they were born outside the U.S., causing chaos as election clerks try not to disenfranchise voters, @zachdespart.bsky.social and I found. 🧵 www.propublica.org/article/save...

Heading into her final budget season, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has proposed $88.1 billion in funding for the 2027 Fiscal Year, a pitch she says would double down on her administration’s long-term priorities while looking to provide Michiganders with financial relief. From @kdavidsonjrn.bsky.social

Marking off a priority that she first shared in her 2025 State of the State Address, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer put her signature to a set of bills to ban cellphones during instruction time in Michigan classrooms. From @kdavidsonjrn.bsky.social

From @kdailey.bsky.social Judge Hala Jarbou has ruled that there is no federal law requiring states to turn over voter registration lists to the federal government, dismissing a case brought against Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson. michiganadvance.com/briefs/feder...

Whitmer weighs in as Trump threatens to block opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge. @michiganadvance.com michiganadvance.com/2026/02/10/w...

While President Trump faces bipartisan backlash over a now-deleted post with a blatantly racist depiction of former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama, it also contained a widely discredited falsehood about voter fraud in Michigan’s 2020 election. By @bensolis1.bsky.social

“All eyes are really turning to Governor Whitmer,” Earth Justice Senior Attorney Julie Goodwin told me earlier today, arguing that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers final environmental impact statement telegraphs a decision in Enbridge's favor. @michiganadvance.com michiganadvance.com/2026/02/06/a...

The county said in a news release that routine testing after the first sample was detected in the sheriff’s office led to Legionella being identified in the water systems of North Oakland Health Center and the Resource and Crisis Center. Story by @bensolis1.bsky.social

The Kent County Prosecutor’s Office on Wednesday charged Traci Kornak, an attorney who once served as the Michigan Democratic Party’s treasurer and is an associate of AG Dana Nessel, with the embezzlement of money from a vulnerable adult to whom she was a conservator From @bensolis1.bsky.social

A package of bills allowing farmers to sell raw milk directly to customers is one step closer to a vote on the Michigan House floor, after members of the House Government Operations Committee referred the packages to the Committee on Rules. Story from @kdavidsonjrn.bsky.social

Trump unveils his new 'Board of Peace,' but some countries wary www.newsfromthestates.com/article/trum...

Following a Friday decision to bar the state from spending contested work project funds, Michigan House Speaker Matt Hall told reporters he’d be open to restoring funds to some work projects through a supplemental budget. Story by @kdavidsonjrn.bsky.social

GOP U.S. Senate candidate Mike Rogers was a member of an advisory board at a cell phone service provider operating in Latin America which admitted to collaborating with the Venezuelan government — then led by the now-deposed Nicolas Maduro — to spy on its citizens. From @bensolis1.bsky.social

Michigan AG Dana Nessel has launched an investigation to seek accountability for harms inflicted on Native American children at boarding schools in Michigan. As @kdavidsonjrn.bsky.social reports, it aims to document abuse, elevate survivor voices, and confront a shameful chapter in our history.

Under the current law, Michigan farmers are barred from selling unpasteurized milk, however a set of bills from Republican Rep. Matt Maddock would permit farmers to sell raw milk directly to consumers. @michiganadvance.com michiganadvance.com/2026/01/15/s...

In her keynote remarks at the Detroit Auto Show Thursday, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer called for increased trade collaboration between the U.S. and Canada, criticizing the impact of tariffs put in place by President Donald Trump as having “taken a terrible toll.” Story from @kdailey.bsky.social

In a push to start the year off with a potential bipartisan win, the Republican-led Michigan House has revived a piece of legislation aimed at banning cell phones in schools after a failed vote on the bill last July. Story from @kdavidsonjrn.bsky.social

ICYMI A Ford factory worker caught on video heckling President Donald Trump as a “pedophile protector” has been identified as 40-year-old TJ Sabula, a member of UAW Local 600. Sabula, who has been suspended by Ford, says he has “no regrets”. Story from @bensolis1.bsky.social

The Michigan Association of State Universities shared a report Tuesday detailing the financial impact the state’s 15 public universities have across the state’s economy, bringing in $45 billion in new economic activity while supporting more than 129,000 jobs statewide. By @kdavidsonjrn.bsky.social

Following the Michigan Public Service Commission’s conditional decision to allow DTE Energy to supply power to a data center in Saline Township, the attorney general and a coalition of advocacy groups are asking regulators to rehear the case. @michiganadvance.com michiganadvance.com/2026/01/09/n...

Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson announced her plan to reform the state's healthcare system if elected governor Thursday. The centerpiece of that promise? Revamping the Department of Health and Human Services. @michiganadvance.com michiganadvance.com/2026/01/08/a...

U.S. Reps. Haley Stevens (D-Birmingham), Debbie Dingell (D-Ann Arbor), Rashida Tlaib (D-Detroit) and Hillary Scholten (D-Grand Rapids) were among those introducing a bill to close major regulatory gaps and strengthen government oversight on PFAS air pollution. From @kdavidsonjrn.bsky.social

I talked with EGLE Director Phil Roos yesterday about the department's environmental protection efforts in 2025, and EGLE's main priorities for 2026. @michiganadvance.com michiganadvance.com/2026/01/07/y...

Michigan’s top doc says current vaccine guidance will remain despite new CDC schedule michiganadvance.com/briefs/michi... Story from @bensolis1.bsky.social

A small group of supporters, some holding flowers, have gathered on Constitution Avenue for what they describe as a 5-year anniversary march honoring the Jan. 6, 2021, attack and the people, including police, who died as a result. They plan to march to the Capitol.

In recent months, there have been questions about whether the Corporation of Public Broadcasting would go into "hibernation" -- biding its time in case new funding eventually became available. That won't happen. The board of the CPB has voted to dissolve the organization.

After a 17 minute season in 2025, Black Lake sturgeon season is set for Feb. 7. @michiganadvance.com michiganadvance.com/briefs/state...

The first two hours this morning

The Michigan Public Service Commission gave its approval to a set of contracts for DTE to power an incoming data center in Saline Twp. — with some conditions. However those additional provisions offered little comfort to residents. @michiganadvance.com michiganadvance.com/2025/12/18/p...

Members of the Michigan Public Service Commission unanimously voted to conditionally approve DTE's contract to supply 1.4 gigawatts of power to a data center in development in Saline Township, prompting an outcry from several individuals in attendance. @michiganadvance.com

A federal judge has deemed Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s move to revoke the Line 5 oil pipeline’s easement to operate within the Great Lakes unenforceable, determining that the move is barred by federal law, siding with Canadian pipeline company Enbridge. Story from @kdavidsonjrn.bsky.social

It’s preposterous for President Trump to sue the BBC when he hasn’t lost a penny because of its editing, @seth-stern.bsky.social told BBC.

It's almost the holidays! Except in Congress. Today, a bill that would jail doctors for up to 10 years if they provide gender-affirming care to minors is scheduled for a House vote. It's not expected to become law, but it's still a big deal. Catch up here:

A multibillion dollar data center planned for Saline Township has taken a major hit to its funding, with a prime financial backer - Blue Owl Capital - saying it will not provide $10 billion in funding to support the project, leaving it on uncertain financial footing. From @kdavidsonjrn.bsky.social

Detroit Mayor-elect Mary Sheffield says the city’s current police chief, Todd Bettison, will retain his role when Sheffield takes office, citing a major drop in violent crime under his leadership. michiganadvance.com/briefs/betti... From @kdavidsonjrn.bsky.social

ICYMI: A few hundred people from across the state gathered outside the Michigan Capitol on Tuesday to speak out against the proliferation of data center projects in the state. @michiganadvance.com michiganadvance.com/2025/12/16/f...

Fallout from Michigan House Republicans' decision to cancel $645 million in work project spending continues as the Legislature moves into its final session days for the year. From @kdailey.bsky.social for @michiganadvance.com. michiganadvance.com/2025/12/16/m...

Busy day in Lansing. Protestors speaking out against data center projects across the state march by right as another rally detailing the impacts of MI House Republicans' decision to cancel $645 million in spending is wrapping up. @michiganadvance.com

As health researchers point to a number of physical and health positives brought on by exposure to nature, a new report from the Sierra Club finds that more than 20% of Detroit military veterans are unable to access those benefits. @michiganadvance.com michiganadvance.com/2025/12/16/p...

Carrying forward an effort that began in 2018, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel on Monday released the latest report in a series detailing her office’s investigations into the seven dioceses of Michigan’s Catholic Church. Story from @kdavidsonjrn.bsky.social

As President Donald Trump takes steps to establish cryptocurrency as a mainstream part of the nation’s financial system, Michigan House Republicans are following suit, forging ahead on policies to incorporate the digital currency into the state’s economy. From @kdavidsonjrn.bsky.social

The Great Lakes PFAS Action Network has launched a “Eat Safe Fish” mapping tool, which collects “Do Not Eat” and consumption advisories into an interactive map, allowing anglers to examine where contamination has been detected and which fish are safe to eat. From @kdavidsonjrn.bsky.social