A three-judge panel is weighing whether Michigan’s independent redistricting commission discriminated against Black voters when drawing legislative political districts.

The latest Lunch Break event featured elected leaders from both parties discussing the 2023 legislative session’s biggest successes and failures.

Michigan Democrats are rushing to finalize major bill packages on financial disclosure for lawmakers and energy reform because of presidential politics, a tenuous majority and upcoming hunting break.

A divided Michigan House passes legislation requiring utilities to draw 100 percent of their energy from clean sources by 2040. That's a later timeline than environmentalists had sought — and foes say it will raise rates — but many say the reform is overdue.

Passed along party lines, the legislation would end local governments’ authority to approve or deny projects. Proponents say the change would end local controversies and jump-start clean energy. Foes say it’s anti-farm and heavy-handed.

A first-ever immunization against RSV for babies was approved with much hope in July; already, there’s not enough to go around, according to the state’s pediatricians’ group. That, and a flagging interest in flu and COVID vaccines, have some doctors worried.

At age 16, Jamarria Hall joined a lawsuit that accused Michigan state officials of failing to provide Detroit students a basic reading education. He remains involved in the fight.

It’s fall back Sunday. Despite legislative action and grim health and economic reports, switching clocks twice a year isn’t going away anytime soon.