Michigan Fact Squad

Conservative “news” outlets, activists and a Republican super PAC this week falsely accused Michigan’s Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer of “defunding the police” by executive order. Fact Squad sets the record straight.

A new ad thanks freshman U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin for fighting PFAS. While mostly accurate, the ad leaves out a few details, Fact Squad finds.

The first-term incumbent senator says he’s one of the most effective and most bipartisan legislators in Congress. A subjective claim? For sure. Fact Squad takes a look.

Is Gretchen Whitmer a hero for borrowing billions to fix highways or has she already broken a central campaign promise? Michigan Fact Squad investigates ads reaching opposite conclusions on the governor.

With Michigan expected to play a crucial role in national election politics, Bridge is launching weekly coverage of issues in the race. We also are launching the Michigan Fact Squad to scrutinize political ads.

Presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders claims car insurance rates will fall with his Medicare for All plan. He doesn’t mention that they’re expected to change anyway this year.

Proposal 1 language includes provisions to keep marijuana off school property and prevents pot-infused edibles from being packaged to appeal to kids.

It is difficult to predict how much tax revenue Michigan could expect from legalizing pot. But predictions of a $500 million windfall for the state are misleading.

The Michigan Republican attorney general used an offhand remark from his Democratic rival to make a series of attacks. But his arguments lacked evidence and delves into conspiracy theory.

Bridge Magazine waded through a litany of stale talking points to provide context and facts to accusations leveled by Democrat Gretchen Whitmer and Republican Bill Schuette at their final debate Wednesday.

A state GOP ad accuses Democratic governor candidate Gretchen Whitmer of doing nothing as Ingham County Prosecutor when informed of damaged evidence in pending criminal cases. That’s patently untrue.

Experts confirm Proposal 2 would be more expensive than our current redistricting system, but the ballot initiative has accountability provisions the radio ad ignores

Ads accuse Michigan Democratic governor candidate Gretchen Whitmer of pushing “radical” healthcare plan, missing more than 1,000 votes in the legislature, being the “worst kind of politician.”

A Democratic Governors Association PAC says Schuette’s office “OK’d” the deal that produced lead-tainted water in Flint, and that residents were harmed as a result of his office’s inaction.

Truth Squad examines claims made by Republican Bill Schuette and Democrat Gretchen Whitmer on health care, the Flint water crisis, the Larry Nassar case and immigration enforcement.

Bill Schuette is campaigning to eliminate pension taxes if he’s elected governor. You’d never know it from Gretchen Whitmer’s latest TV ad.

A Gretchen Whitmer ad goes beyond criticizing Schuette for his efforts to abolish the ACA. She says he favors letting insurance companies decide whether to cover people with pre-existing medical conditions.

The prosecution of Larry Nassar, who was convicted of sexually abusing his former patients, has emerged in new attacks in the Michigan governor’s race.

Are the hazardous chemicals a serious threat? Yes. Have 11,000 Michigan sites tested positive for them? Nowhere close.

A TV ad blasts the Democratic attorney general candidate for her former law firm’s defense of accused child sex offenders, and ties her to Weinstein, Cosby and Nassar for good measure.