Sen. Peter Lucido, who chairs powerful committees, is facing a second accusation of sexual harassment, this time from a colleague. He denies the accusations.
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 Environment Watch
Enbridge wins another round over Dana Nessel in Michigan Line 5 tunnel fight
The Court of Appeals decision this week means Enbridge can move forward for now with next steps on the project, including permit requests needed for tunnel construction
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan senator faces sexual harassment probe over comments to reporter
State Sen. Peter Lucido is facing bipartisan criticism and an internal sexual harassment investigation after telling a 22-year-old female reporter she could have “a lot of fun” with a group of schoolboys visiting the Michigan Capitol.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Michigan’s ‘green ooze’ may be ‘tip of iceberg’ of state’s toxic sites
Michigan lawmakers on Wednesday grilled environmental regulators over their response to a “green ooze” disaster in Madison Heights. There are many other crises yet to come, lawmakers warned.
Posted inMichigan Government
Dana Nessel sues 3M, DuPont over ‘unconscionable’ PFAS pollution in Michigan
A lawsuit filed Tuesday by Attorney General Dana Nessel alleges PFAS manufacturers “intentionally hid” known health and environmental risks from the public and state in order to continue profiting off “forever chemicals.”
Posted inMichigan Government
Crashes, injuries spike after Michigan boosts freeway speed limits to 75 mph
More drivers are going over 80 mph – and crashing – since Michigan raised speed limits to 75 mph on rural freeways in 2017. But backers say worst fears about new limits haven’t materialized.
Posted inMichigan Government
Five things to know as Michigan lawmakers kick-start state budget process
Yes, Michigan’s divisive budget battle just ended. But it’s starting again soon, and state officials say there’s good news and bad news. The state collected more taxes, but old decisions limit how they can be spent.
Posted inMichigan Government
Gov. Whitmer, GOP clash on Michigan ban on public funds for private schools
Religious and non-public school groups want the Michigan Supreme Court to strike down a constitutional amendment banning taxpayer funding for private schools, arguing it was motivated by anti-Catholic bias and violates free exercise rights.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan LGBT rights initiative launched for November ballot
Petition language submitted to state election officials on Tuesday would expand the definition of “sex” in Michigan’s Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act of 1976 to include “sexual orientation” and “gender identity or expression,” guaranteeing safeguards in housing, public accommodation and employment.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Green ooze on Michigan freeway prompts calls for tougher polluter pay laws
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer cites an environmental disaster in Oakland County to renew a push for “polluter pays” legislation that would require owners to clean – rather than contain – environmental contaminants used or produced on their property.