Hundreds gather at Michigan Capitol to blast Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s pandemic orders Friday, the same day that President Donald Trump tested positive for COVID-19. His diagnosis set off a brief panic among Republicans.
Jonathan Oosting
Jonathan is a deputy editor for Bridge Michigan. He helps plan and execute in-depth reporting and campaign coverage. As a longtime political reporter, Jonathan was named 2021 Journalist of the Year by the Michigan Press Association. He and a colleague shared that honor again in 2023, when they were also named Journalists of the Year by the Society of Professional Journalists – Detroit Chapter. Jonathan covered the state Capitol for The Detroit News and MLive before joining Bridge in September of 2019. He's from Grand Rapids, lives in Lansing and loves spending time Up North.
Posted inMichigan Government
Trump's COVID-19 diagnosis a 'wake-up call,' Michigan Gov. Whitmer says
The president is in quarantine but had planned rallies in Wisconsin on Saturday. Whitmer said the diagnosis is a reminder that the dangers of the pandemic persist.
Posted inMichigan Government
Two conservative operatives charged with trying to suppress votes in Detroit
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel alleges two conservative operators used robocalls in Detroit and other cities with large African-American populations. The calls claimed that voting could ‘track people for mandatory vaccines.’
Posted inMichigan Government
Trump needs suburbs to win Michigan. But many women reject his racial pitch.
Suburban women have fled from the GOP, and President Trump hopes to win them back with ads stoking fears of rioting and public housing. It’s a message that may have worked in the 1970s, but it’s a tougher sell in increasingly diverse communities, voters and pollsters say.
Posted inMichigan Government
Fact Squad | Trump, Biden swap falsehoods about Michigan, autos at messy debate
Amid all the shouting and interrupting, there were a few factual claims about Michigan and the auto industry during the first debate between Trump and Biden. Spoiler alert: The pursuit of truth was not a debate winner.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan lawmaker, a critic of masks and Gov. Whitmer, contracts COVID-19
Republican state Rep. Beau LaFave, a critic of orders to restrict businesses because of COVID-19, is self-quarantining after contracting the virus. He said the illness hasn’t changed his mind about Gov. Whitmer’s orders.
Posted inMichigan Government
Nessel investigates Unlock Michigan petition drive
One longtime elections attorney said the attorney general’s probe could result in misdemeanor criminal charges against circulators, petition firms or others involved in the effort.
Posted inMichigan Government
Unfazed by crises, northern Michigan embraces Trump record on jobs, abortion
Welcome to Missaukee County, where 3 of 4 voters backed Donald Trump four years ago and voters say racial injustice and the coronavirus aren’t pressing issues. Trump needs to dominate in such rural areas if he hopes to repeat in November, experts say.
Posted inMichigan Government
Signature fight expected over Michigan petition drive to limit Whitmer powers
The Unlock Michigan group seeking to repeal Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s emergency powers has collected enough signatures to advance its initiative to the Republican-led Legislature for likely enactment. But they may not be counted until next year, setting up a fight.
Posted inMichigan Government
Schools spared, pork added, Pure Michigan restored in $62.8B state budget
Months after dire predictions that COVID-19 would force massive state spending cuts, rebounding revenue and federal assistance helped Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and legislative leaders strike a deal to avoid major service cuts. They even managed to find enough money for 33 “pork barrel” spending projects.