Michigan is ‘the birthplace of the militia movement,’ but experts say the Wolverine Watchmen group linked to plots to kidnap Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, target police and storm the state Capitol appears to be part of an increasingly extreme and conspiracy-minded antigovernment movement.
Kelly House
Kelly House covers Michigan environmental issues for Bridge. She joined the Bridge staff in March 2020. Previously, Kelly reported for the Oregonian, where her coverage of the environment and other topics garnered national honors and sparked state efforts to better protect Oregon’s natural resources. She has a master’s degree in environmental law from Lewis & Clark Law School and a bachelor’s in journalism from Michigan State University. She is from Harrison and lives in Lansing. You can reach her at khouse@bridgemi.com or on Twitter at @Kelly_M_House.
Posted inMichigan Government
‘Liberate Michigan’: Months of angry rhetoric precede Whitmer kidnap plot
Emotions have boiled over repeatedly this year over coronavirus lockdown orders. Violence has erupted over masks and protests have included guns. And now, a plot to kidnap Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
Posted inMichigan Government
FBI claims Michigan militia group tried to kidnap Gov. Gretchen Whitmer
Federal authorities arrest six men on allegations they tried to kidnap and put Whitmer on trial. They called her a ‘tyrant,’ echoing language of opponents of her COVID-19 restrictions.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan Supreme Court rules Whitmer lacks COVID-19 emergency powers
A divided court declared unconstitutional a 1945 law Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has used to issue orders without input from the Legislature. The GOP declares it a ‘great day’ and the fate of 120-plus orders from Whitmer are now in question.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Gov. Whitmer unveils $500M spending strategy for Michigan water
Experts said the strategy, which largely draws upon existing funding sources to tackle PFAS contamination, lead pipe replacement, sewer overflows and other water challenges, is a good step but fixing Michigan’s water infrastructure will require more investment.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Michigan dam safety program underfunded, understaffed, slow to enforce
The state’s dam program suffers from a “culture of minimal enforcement” and lacks the time, staff, and budget to properly do its job, an outside review team has found.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Smoke over Michigan skies as western wildfires burn
So far, the wildfire smoke hovering over Michigan has not impacted regional air quality. But climate experts say it should serve as a sobering reminder that the Great Lakes State is not immune to worsening natural disasters caused by climate change.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Michigan may get through COVID-induced bottle backlog sooner than expected
Michigan’s soft drink and recycling industries say they are ahead of projections for absorbing all those bottles and cans back into the system. Long lines, closures and bottle limits at groceries may ease this fall.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Judge: Enbridge can resume full operations on Michigan Line 5 pipeline
Ingham County Circuit Court Judge James Jamo on Wednesday said Enbridge can resume normal operations on Line 5, which had been partially shut down for months after damage was discovered to an anchor support on the lakebottom petroleum pipeline.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Enbridge just wants a permit. Michigan critics want to bring down Line 5
As the Public Service Commission considers whether to allow Enbridge to move pipelines into a tunnel, opponents hope to elevate the case into a broader discussion over whether Line 5 is good for Michigan.