Michigan

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer pushed back against Democrats who have begun questioning the party's support for transgender rights, telling them plainly that she has 'never wavered' on the issue. Her comments put her at odds with voices in the party calling for a softer line, and position her as a firm defender of trans rights ahead of the next election cycle.

Lansing, Michigan has begun mailing out roughly 23,000 absentee ballots to voters ahead of the November election. The mailing marks the start of the absentee voting process in the city, with residents who requested ballots now able to receive and return them by mail, drop box, or in person at the clerk's office.

Michigan House lawmakers are working through a list of legislative items as they wind down sessions ahead of the general election. With campaigns intensifying and the legislative calendar narrowing, representatives are considering several pending bills before adjourning. The wrap-up period typically marks the last chance to advance measures until after voters head to the polls in November.

One year after an attack on a church in Grand Blanc, Michigan, residents are reflecting on loss and recovery while reporting that the community has grown closer through shared grief and mutual support. Local coverage describes healing efforts and gatherings marking the anniversary of the assault.

The Lansing-Jackson television market in Michigan has booked $39 million in political advertising, with total spending expected to keep rising. WKAR reported the figure, underscoring how heavily advertisers are targeting Michigan's mid-Michigan media market as political campaigns pour money into the state ahead of the election.

Richard Manoogian, the longtime Masco Corporation executive known for his business leadership, philanthropy and major art collection, has died at the age of 90. The Detroit News reported his death, and tributes are highlighting his role in Michigan business and his support of the arts and charitable causes.

The Livonia city clerk in Michigan has outlined the key procedures residents need to follow to vote by absentee ballot in the upcoming election. The guidance covers how to request a ballot, deadlines for submission, and how completed ballots must be returned. Local officials routinely publish such explanations before elections to help voters avoid common mistakes that could lead to ballots being rejected.

Michigan health officials say residents can return to their normal lettuce-eating habits as new cases of cyclosporiasis, an intestinal illness often linked to contaminated produce, have slowed. The advisory had cautioned people about eating lettuce during the outbreak. Officials' announcement suggests the immediate public health risk has passed, though they continue monitoring for any further cases.