Elections & Politics
Sen. Jim Runestad, R-White Lake Township.

Michigan works to pass new laws surrounding juvenile justice system

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JUVENILE JUSTICE: Michigan is poised to change the rates at which it reimburses counties for juvenile justice services. That means more state funds for county-run residential and mental health services. The legislation passed the House and Senate and is awaiting the governor’s signature. Sponsors are from Detroit, West Bloomfield, Warren, Northfield Township and Taylor. We hear from the Michigan Center for Youth Justice in Ann Arbor, the Prosecuting Attorneys Association president, from Kalamazoo County, who supports the measure and an Oakland County senator who voted against it. By Stephanie Rauhe. FOR DETROIT, LANSING CITY PULSE AND ALL POINTS.

Government

One year after Proposal 3, activists and lawmakers find new battlegrounds on abortion

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Just over a year ago, during the Nov. 8 midterm election, Michigan voters overwhelmingly voted to pass Proposal 3, a ballot measure designed to enshrine abortion rights in the state constitution. 

One year later, legislators and activists on both sides of the abortion debate continue to spar on how the promises created by the proposal should be achieved in practice. Genevieve Marnon, the legislative director at Right to Life of Michigan, said there was “a tremendous amount of disappointment” for anti-abortion activists following the results of the midterm election. Marnon said she attributes the results to a few reasons including being outspent three to one by pro-abortion groups, a lack of support from national anti-abortion groups, and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s outspoken support for Proposal 3. “We knocked thousands of doors, we manned the polls, we sent out information, we did ads to the best of our ability given our limited budget,” Marnon said.

Business & Economy
Alpena Community College has 16 apartments that are in high demand.

Community college students struggle with affordable housing 

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COMMUNITY COLLEGE HOUSING: Community colleges are urging the Legislature to make it easier for them to afford to build housing for their students, many of them already hard pressed financially to attend. Their association wants $40 million in grants to help pay for construction of housing at about eight campuses. Twelve of the 28 public colleges offer housing, including Monroe Community College, Northwestern Michigan College, Southwestern Michigan College, Kirkland Community College, North Central College, Gogebic COmmunity College and Bay College.We hear from the Michigan Community College Association, and the presidents of Alpena and West Shore community colleges. By Kenzie Terpstra. FOR ALPENA, ALCONA, MONTMORENCY, TRAVERSE CITY, LEELANAU, MONROE, ADRIAN, BLISSFIELD, LUDINGTON, LAKE COUNTY, OCEANA COUNTY, MARQUETTE, IRON MOUNTAIN, DETROIT, SAULT STE. MARIE, PETOSKEY, HARBOR SPRINGS, STURGIS, THREE RIVERS, CLARE, CRAWFORD COUNTY AND ALL POINTS.

Government

Two simultaneous protests at Michigan Capitol rally for their causes

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Two protests simultaneously occurred at Michigan’s capitol building on Nov. 8. The east side of the building hosted Michigan’s March for Life Rally, a pro-life event hosted by the Right to Life of Michigan, while the west side hosted The Rent is Too Damn High, who advocated for passage of the state House’s Renters’ Bill of Rights and an increase to the state budget for social housing aid.

Elections & Politics
Rep. Tom Kunse of Clare is the top Republican on the House Ethics and Oversight Committee

House Ethics panel rarely met this year 

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ETHICS COMMITTEE: The House Ethics and Oversight Committee hasn’t met in months. The Democratic chair says the committee is still doing its work, but Republicans feel frustrated. We talk to lawmakers from Dearborn, Clare, Novi and Rochester Hills and to Common Cause. By Liz Nass. FOR CLARE, DETROIT, LANSING CITY PULSE AND ALL POINTS.

Agriculture
Michigan State University, a land grant university, conducts research on agricultural and farm practices at the MSU Tollgate Farm and Education Center in Novi. Michigan farmers are seeking more research money in the upcoming Farm Bill renewal.

State farmers eye upcoming federal Farm Bill

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FARM BILL: Congress is working on the Farm Bill which will help set national agricultural policy for the next five years. What do Michigan farmers want in it? We hear from experts at the Michigan Farm Bureau, MSU Extension Agriculture and Agribusiness Institute and Michigan Farmers Union. By Liz Nass. FOR MICHIGAN FARM NEWS, CORP! GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS AND ALL POINTS.

Elections & Politics

Governor Whitmer Enacts Legislation Protecting Minors’ Right to Consent in Marriage

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In a historic move, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed a bill, HB 4302, aimed at safeguarding the well-being of minors in Michigan by raising the minimum age of consent for marriage to 18. This action not only represents a continuation of Whitmer’s previous initiatives signed into law in early 2023, but also positions Michigan as a progressive leader, making it the tenth state in the United States to officially eliminate child marriage. Before the bill, the legal age to get married in Michigan was 16 with parental consent. The bill was first introduced on March 16, 2023, and passed on Sep. 26. 

The other nine states that have a ban on underage marriage with no exceptions are Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Rhode Island, New York, Massachusetts, Vermont and Connecticut. 

“I am committed to keeping Michiganders – especially young women – safe and healthy, and today’s bipartisan bill fully implements Michigan’s ban on child marriage,” Whitmer said in a press release.

Environment

VIDEO: Ingham County resident survives tornado damages

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LANSING, Mich.—Timothy Hillock is one of the many people that suffered damages to his home after the severe tornadoes that occurred across the state on Aug. 24–26. A tree was blown over during the storm and fell on Hillock’s roof, destroying his home. On Sept. 19, FEMA and the Michigan State Police assessed the damages following the tornadoes.