Rick Pluta

A Michigan Court of Appeals panel says a lower court judge got it wrong by refusing to enforce an order to shut down Owosso, Mich., barber Karl Manke, who gained fame or notoriety for cutting hair in defiance of Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's COVID-19 emergency orders. The orders include a ban on barbers and hair salons doing business during the declared crisis.

LANSING, MI (MPRN)--   Michigan joined 22 other states and the District of Columbia Wednesday in filing an environmental protection lawsuit.

State Attorney General Dana Nessel wants to preserve fuel economy standards set during the Obama administration.

Michigan’s auto companies are split on whether to support the new rules that roll back emissions standards for cars and trucks. The new federal rules set less-ambitious goals to boost fuel economy.

LANSING, MI (MPRN)--   A Michigan Court of Claims judge has ruled Governor Gretchen Whitmer has the power to declare consecutive states of emergency without waiting for the Legislature's approval.

The challenge was filed by the Legislature’s Republican leaders. They argued the Democratic governor exceeded her authority and that she must get the Legislature’s approval after 28 days.

LANSING, MI (MPRN)--   The Michigan State Capitol Commission will hold a meeting remotely Monday.

One of the agenda items is a discussion on whether to ban firearms in the Capitol. It will be the commission’s first meeting since a protest that saw many demonstrators carry guns into the building at the same time the Legislature was meeting to make decisions on the state’s coronavirus response. Many Democrats say they felt threatened and called for a ban on the open carry of firearms in the building.

John Truscott is a Republican on the commission.

LANSING, MI (MPRN)--   The Legislature’s Republican leaders are suing Governor Gretchen Whitmer.

They say she’s exceeded her emergency authority to deal with the COVID-19 health crisis and violated the state constitution. The GOP leaders want the Michigan Court of Claims to strike down the governor’s new emergency declaration. Her most recent declaration expired April 30th..

House Speaker Lee Chatfield says any new emergency declarations must be approved by the Legislature.

LANSING, MI (MPRN)--   The drug maker Pfizer says it’s producing a test version of a possible COVID-19 vaccine at its Kalamazoo facility. It will be used in clinical trials that are underway. 

Governor Gretchen Whitmer says that’s good news for Michigan.

Pfizer is one of several drug manufacturers testing a vaccine. Governor Whitmer said on NBC’s “Today” show that it’s still too soon to lift many social distancing precautions, but this is a promising development.

LANSING, MI (MPRN)--   Governor Gretchen Whitmer has extended the COVID-19 state of emergency in Michigan through May 28th.

That’s despite the threat of a lawsuit from the Legislature’s Republican leaders.

Lawmakers let a Thursday deadline to renew an earlier emergency declaration lapse, and with it many emergency powers. So Governor Whitmer issued a new order that lasts another four weeks. On a town hall broadcast, she said the number of deaths and confirmed infections are proof dramatic actions are still required.

LANSING, MI (MPRN)--   Governor Gretchen Whitmer rolled out a plan Wednesday to help health care staff, retail workers and delivery people pay for college or job training.

Whitmer says the heroes of the COVID-19 crisis are the people who work directly with sick patients, who watch out for elderly, and make sure store shelves are stocked and food delivered to people sheltering at home.

“Each of these sectors of our economy has continued on because we depend on them, and so they deserve our thanks and our support.”

LANSING, MI (MPRN)--   The Legislature’s Republican leaders have called for lawmakers to return to Lansing Tuesday.

They could vote on whether to extend Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s COVID-19 emergency declaration. The current declaration expires Thursday, and the governor has asked for another 28 days.

Whitmer has started to lift restrictions imposed in earlier executive orders, but state Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey says he’d like to pick up the pace of re-opening businesses compared to Whitmer’s plans to re-open sectors of the economy. 

LANSING, MI (MPRN)--   Governor Gretchen Whitmer says she will announce plans soon to allow some businesses to re-open and to permit more public gatherings. 

She says the state is preparing the next phase of its response to the COVID-19 emergency.

Whitmer says governors have asked the White House to let states decide how they’ll use emergency financial aid to fill budget holes. The emergency could create a $2.6 billion budget deficit for Michigan in this fiscal year. That’s according to the University of Michigan.