Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer pardons Lue Yang, a Hmong refugee detained by immigration officials based on a decades-old criminal record already expunged by the state. Advocates are not sure where he is.
Lauren Gibbons
Lauren covers state politics and policy for Bridge Michigan. Prior to joining Bridge's Capitol team, she worked at MLive, where she led coverage of the state Legislature and the redistricting process, and before that covered the state Senate for MIRS News. She has covered the ins and outs of Michigan politics for nearly a decade and has won awards both for her political coverage and her work documenting the Larry Nassar sexual abuse case. Lauren grew up in the Lansing area and graduated from Michigan State University, majoring in journalism and history. She lives in Ferndale, and her party tricks include Irish dancing and telling friends what political districts they live in without looking. Reach her at lgibbons@bridgemi.com or on Twitter @LaurenMGibbons
Posted inMichigan Government
Food assistance to ‘pause’ for 1.4M in Michigan due to federal shutdown
Michigan health officials: SNAP food assistance benefits for 1.4 million will “temporarily pause” in November if federal government shutdown continues. Program for mothers with infant children also at risk.
Posted inMichigan Government
Most violent Michigan crimes go unsolved. Lawmakers want to change that
Less than half of violent crimes like murder, assault, rape and robbery are speedily solved in Michigan. A bipartisan effort in the Michigan Legislature would offer targeted funding to help police departments solve more cases.
Posted inMichigan Government
Federal shutdown hits Michigan telehealth, Head Start, environment, more
One researcher called the shutdown “a crisis in slow motion” and multiple officials said cuts will worsen if the shutdown drags on.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Amid Trump tariffs, a ‘burst of optimism’ for one Michigan manufacturer
Business is booming for a steel wire manufacturer in southern Michigan, whose owner credits President Donald Trump’s tariffs. “The math has just totally changed.”
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan National Guard troops headed south to assist border patrol
About 120 Michigan National Guard soldiers will be deployed to the southern border to assist the Trump administration with an ongoing crackdown on illegal immigration.
Posted inMichigan Government
Trump and UAW credit tariffs with Michigan investments, but headaches remain
The UAW is crediting President Donald Trump’s tariffs on imports with recent, massive investments. But other manufacturers report headaches, canceled orders — and uncertainty remains.
Posted inTalent & Education
Michigan schools budget: free meals, record funding, safety upgrades
Michigan’s $24.12 billion budget includes universal no-cost K-12 school meals, boosts at-risk funding and includes funding for safety and mental health. School groups said the process was a mess.
Posted inMichigan Government
$50M for controversial UP copper mine on chopping block in Michigan budget
A state budget still under negotiation is not expected to include $50 million for the controversial Copperwood mine project in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
Posted inMichigan Government
Gretchen Whitmer hints she won’t run for president, blasts Trump tariffs
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer used a Toronto speech to blast Trump’s tariffs and then implied she won’t run for president in 2028: ‘I don’t know if I need to be the main character in the next chapter’