Emails show Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s office gave the “green light” for a contact tracing deal to a controversial firm, despite her public denials about the awarding of the no-bid contract.
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
LGBT rights group sues Michigan over ballot rules, citing coronavirus
Enforcing traditional petition signature thresholds amid a global pandemic that requires social distancing would be unconstitutional, according to Fair and Equal Michigan, which sued the state on Monday.
Posted inTalent & Education
Conservative appeals court to rehear Detroit 'right to read' lawsuit
The full U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals has agreed to rehear a Detroit literacy case and reconsider a groundbreaking panel ruling that students have a fundamental right to a basic education.
Posted inMichigan Government
Trump’s tour of Ford plant ‘contrary’ to Whitmer’s new work rules, aide says
An executive order by Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer requires newly reopened manufacturers to “suspend all non-essential in-person visits, including tours” to protect workers from the novel coronavirus. Trump is expected to tour a Ford facility on Thursday.
Posted inMichigan Government
What to know about partial reopening of northern Michigan bars, restaurants
Restaurants in northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula can reopen Friday under a new order from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, but hotels are still closed to non-essential workers. And restaurants and bars will operate much differently than before the coronavirus pandemic.
Posted inMichigan Government
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to reopen northern Michigan by Memorial Day weekend
Gretchen Whitmer announces bars, restaurants and other retail establishments in 32 northern Michigan counties can reopen with some restrictions on Friday. And she hints that she could announce this week that more areas can reopen.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan’s $6.2B coronavirus budget gap ‘as bad or worse’ than Great Recession
How bad is it going to be? Very bad. 22 percent unemployment. $1.9 billion in lost taxes out of what would be an $11 billion general fund this year alone. The only options: Huge cuts, tax increases or hope for a D.C. bailout.
Posted inMichigan Government
Lots of rain, few fireworks at latest protest of Michigan’s stay-at-home rules
Some 200 activists gathered at the Michigan Capitol on Thursday for a wet protest against Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. It was a largely peaceful affair aside from a fight sparked by one protester hanging a doll from a noose.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Anti-vaccine and conspiracy activists tied to Lansing coronavirus protests
Protest organizers include at least six people connected to the “medical freedom” movement, with some promoting conspiracies about the pandemic and vaccine testing. The protest comes as health officials report steep declines in child immunization rates in Michigan.
Posted inMichigan Government
Whitmer asks Pence to discourage protests, worries about spreading coronavirus
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Monday asked Vice President Mike Pence to discourage continued Capitol protests over her coronavirus quarantine orders. She also draws a direct link between Lansing demonstrators and the virus spreading to rural parts of Michigan.