Government Oversight & Ethics
72 storiesReporting can include records-based investigations, audit analysis, ethics explainers and accountability timelines. Stories may trace open-meetings issues, procurement oversight or financial disclosures, but the central question is always whether public conduct, decision-making and oversight can be documented clearly and fairly.
Michigan State Board of Education race could shift policy direction
Michigan voters will pick two members for the State Board of Education on November 3. The results could change the board's partisan split and shape public school policy for the next eight years.
Michigan third grade reading scores hit record low on state test
Sixty-two percent of Michigan third graders failed to meet grade-level reading standards on the latest M-STEP exam. The results raise urgent questions about state education policy and the future of student achievement.
Michigan House backs mandatory prison terms for child sexual crimes
The Michigan House has passed a bill that would force anyone convicted of first-degree criminal sexual conduct with a child to serve at least 15 years in prison. The plan also calls for tougher penalties for other sexual offenses and now heads to the Senate.
ACLU launches $2.3 million voter education push in Michigan races
The ACLU of Michigan and its Voter Education Fund are putting $2.3 million into informing voters about civil liberties at stake in Michigan House, Senate, and Supreme Court races ahead of November.
Michigan Proposal 2: Voters Weigh Campaign Money Limits Amid Daily Struggles
This November, Michigan voters face Proposal 2, a plan to curb political donations from utilities and big contractors. But with rising costs hitting families now, the real impact of the measure may not show for years.
Michigan Moves to Take Over Carbon Capture Project Permitting
Michigan lawmakers are pushing to shift oversight of underground carbon storage wells from the federal government to the state, hoping to speed up approvals, attract private investment, and support jobs in manufacturing and energy.
Six Charged in Michigan COVID Loan Fraud Sweep Targeting $8 Million
Federal prosecutors have charged six individuals in Michigan with COVID-era loan fraud totaling $8.2 million as part of a national crackdown that has identified over $245 million in intended losses.
Michigan High School Faces Backlash Over Menstrual Cycle Policy
Lakeview High School in Michigan is under scrutiny after parents objected to a gym class rule requiring girls to report menstrual cycle details to make up missed swimming days, raising questions about privacy and fairness.
Acquitted Michigan Brothers Sue Over Whitmer Kidnapping Charges
Michael and William Null, cleared of involvement in the alleged plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, are suing state and local officials for malicious prosecution and civil rights violations after their 2023 acquittal.
Federal Court Orders Closure of Michigan Coal Plant After Illegal Extensions
A federal appeals court has ordered the J.H. Campbell coal plant in Michigan to shut down, ruling that repeated emergency orders to keep it open were unlawful. The decision ends years of delays that left local families paying extra costs and exposed to ongoing pollution.
Michigan Court Freezes Stadium Funding, Puts State Earmarks Under the Microscope
A Michigan court has stopped payments for two minor league baseball stadiums, drawing attention to billions in state earmarks that may violate constitutional rules and raising questions about what happens to unspent taxpayer funds.
Federal Court Overturns DOE Order Keeping Michigan Coal Plant Open
A federal appeals court has struck down the Department of Energy's emergency order that forced Consumers Energy's J.H. Campbell coal plant in West Olive to stay open past its planned 2025 closure, citing federal overreach and major cost concerns for Michigan ratepayers.
Whitmer Moves to Revoke Line 5 Tunnel Permit in Michigan
Governor Gretchen Whitmer has directed state regulators to reconsider the Line 5 tunnel permit and called on Enbridge to prepare for decommissioning the pipeline, citing risks to Michigan's water, wildlife and economy
Michigan Officials Push Back on Federal Election Data Order
Michigan leaders are raising concerns about a federal executive order that could give Washington new control over state voter data and absentee ballot procedures ahead of the next election
Consumers Energy Seeks Delay on Michigan Dam Sale Decision
Consumers Energy has asked state regulators to postpone a ruling on its plan to sell 13 Michigan dams, following opposition from the governor and an administrative law judge. The company now says it is open to negotiations with critics
Michigan National Guard marks 25 years of post 9 11 readiness
The Michigan National Guard reflects on a quarter century of deployments and evolving responsibilities since 9 11, highlighting the ongoing demands on service members and their families across the state
Michigan Candidates Push for Limits on Flock License Plate Cameras
Michigan lawmakers and candidates are calling for statewide rules on Flock Safety license plate cameras as concerns mount over privacy, data sharing and the rapid spread of surveillance technology across local communities
Proof of Citizenship Voting Proposal Blocked from Michigan Ballot
A proposal to require proof of citizenship for voting in Michigan will not appear on the November ballot after both the US Supreme Court and Michigan Supreme Court denied emergency appeals from supporters seeking last-minute approval
Michigan Ballot Proposal Targets Utility and Contractor Political Donations
Michigan voters will decide in November whether to ban political donations from major utilities and large state contractors while requiring new donor disclosures for election ads. The measure would not restrict union or most out-of-state spending
Michigan Candidates Demand Limits on Flock License Plate Cameras
Automated license plate readers operated by Flock Safety have become a flashpoint in Michigan's 2026 elections, with candidates from both parties urging new rules on data use and retention as the technology spreads across the state
Benson Holds Fundraising Lead in Michigan Governor Race
Jocelyn Benson has built a significant cash advantage over John James in the Michigan governor's race, with new filings showing major donations from utility and health executives as both campaigns face questions about donor transparency and campaign finance rules
Detroit Police Chief Faces Scrutiny Over Call to Activist
Detroit Police Chief Todd Bettison is under public scrutiny after contacting activist Jahdante Smith about social media posts involving city officials, raising questions about the boundaries between personal and official conduct
Michigan Ballot Proposal Targets Utility and Contractor Political Donations
Michigan voters will decide in November whether to ban political donations from major utilities and large state contractors while requiring new donor disclosures for election ads. The measure would not restrict union or most out-of-state spending
Proof of Citizenship Ballot Proposal Blocked for Michigan's November Election
A proposal to require proof of citizenship for all Michigan voters will not appear on the November ballot after both the U.S. and Michigan Supreme Courts denied emergency appeals, leaving only two statewide measures for voters this fall.
Missouri Supreme Court Halts New U.S. House Map, Orders Statewide Vote
Missouri's highest court has blocked the use of new congressional districts backed by President Donald Trump, requiring voters to decide their fate before they can take effect in the November general election.
Supreme Court Asked to Weigh Trump Mail Ballot Rule Before Midterms
With mail ballots set to go out in North Carolina, the Trump administration is urging the Supreme Court to allow new federal restrictions on mail voting, even as lower courts question the system's readiness and legality ahead of November's elections
California Agencies Face New Rules for Public Participation and Trust
California's updated Brown Act now requires local agencies to offer two-way remote participation and expanded language access, but experts say real public trust depends on showing how community input shapes decisions
Michigan Audit Finds Voter Rolls Largely Accurate Ahead of 2026 Election
A new audit shows Michigan's voter registration system is overwhelmingly accurate, with only a handful of noncitizens and deceased individuals found on the rolls as the state prepares for the 2026 midterm election.
New York City Ends $200 Million T-Mobile Chromebook Contract for Schools
New York City has canceled a costly T-Mobile contract that provided LTE service for school-issued Chromebooks, citing duplication and high expense. The move is expected to save tens of millions as the city shifts to a more targeted internet access program for students.
Federal Judges Increase Security Measures Amid Rising Threats
Federal judges across the U.S. are taking new steps to protect themselves and their families as threats and harassment rise, with recent studies showing a 57% increase in serious security incidents over the past year
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