Gov. Gretchen Whitmer

The Legislature advances a coronavirus plan after weeks of hyperbole and outright misinformation about how it would impact everyday Michiganders. We separate truth from exaggeration.

The Democratic governor ran for office to ‘make state government more open, transparent and accountable.’ She’s now in a firestorm over deals that paid $241,000 to two former top aides to keep quiet.

Two other severance deals come to light, as Whitmer defends her decision to pay her former health director, Robert Gordon, nine months' salary in exchange for his silence. Ethics experts say the deal 'looks like something is funny is going on,' and Republicans plan hearings.

Michigan’s Senate approves a relief plan that links more than $1 billion in education and contract tracing funding to separate bills requiring the Democratic governor to give up some of her authority.

After weeks of mostly positive COVID trends, the governor allows bars, restaurants and retail stores to open at 50 percent capacity and eases limits on casinos and exercise facilities. Some worry the limits last too long.

Robert Gordon received $155,506 as part of a separation deal that prevents him from discussing his departure. His resignation has never been explained, and Republicans call the agreement ‘shocking.’

In a Monday letter, chambers of commerce statewide urge the governor to allow long-suffering restaurants to ‘open as soon as we can in ways that are safe.’

A growing percentage of Michigan students have the option of learning in classrooms at least part of the week, as COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations decline and vaccinations rise.

Michigan’s COVID-19 rates have continued falling since the state allowed restaurant dining rooms to reopen Feb. 1, but capacity limits are continuing to cripple the instury, according to owners who are urging Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to relax restrictions again.

A $370 million infusion could make child care more affordable for 150,000 families and keep struggling child care centers afloat.

From Albion and Detroit to Saginaw, Flint and Pontiac, cities that relief on local income taxes suffered big budget shortfalls due to increased unemployment from the pandemic.

Spend the way out of the pandemic or be prudent? That could be the debate, as the Democratic governor seeks big boosts in pandemic pay, free college and a major infrastructure investment.

Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey is in hot water again after he went off-script in a video secretly filmed by a Hillsdale County activist who says the top Republican candidate isn’t conservative enough.

As the state’s Republican-run Legislature tries again to rein in the Whitmer administration’s pandemic authority, the governor said that encouraging trends in efforts to contain COVID-19 will allow even indoor sports to resume — with some cautions.

A power struggle between Republicans and the Democratic governor shows no sign of letting up, and advocates say schools and the needy could be the victims.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer says the state is No. 6 in vaccines. Republicans say Michigan is locked down. Neither is quite true, but both sides are finding the best data to suit their arguments.

On the eve of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s State of the State Address, new Michigan House Speaker Jason Wentworth says partisanship ‘can’t get any worse’ in Lansing and blames the governor for the troubles.

New COVID variants make it more important to observe safety protocols. Meanwhile, Michigan is improving on distribution of vaccines, as more arrive over the weekend. But the governor still won’t explain the abrupt departure of MDHHS director Robert Gordon last week.

Whitmer wants to fast-track federal spending for vaccine distribution and aid to schools and businesses. But Republicans in the Legislature may block spending requests over ongoing business restrictions.

In this open letter to the governor, restaurant owners from across the state make a plea against the ban on indoor dining.