AP NEWS https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-race-and-ethnicity-mi-state-wire-michigan-71ddb374ea78603a7892ac5375d9ef0dClick to copyhttps://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-race-and-ethnicity-mi-state-wire-michigan-71ddb374ea78603a7892ac5375d9ef0dClick to copyRelated topicsLANSING, Mich. (AP) — The chairwoman of Michigan’s Democratic Party said people who support President Donald Trump are racist, saying she will not remain silent because “uncomfortable” conversations must occur amid protests over police killings of George Floyd and other black people.Lavora Barnes, who is African...…AP NEWS https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-race-and-ethnicity-mi-state-wire-michigan-71ddb374ea78603a7892ac5375d9ef0dClick to copyhttps://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-race-and-ethnicity-mi-state-wire-michigan-71ddb374ea78603a7892ac5375d9ef0dClick to copyRelated topicsLANSING, Mich. (AP) — The chairwoman of Michigan’s Democratic Party said people who support President Donald Trump are racist, saying she will not remain silent because “uncomfortable” conversations must occur amid protests over police killings of George Floyd and other black people.Lavora Barnes, who is African...WW…

AP NEWS https://apnews.com/article/politics-virus-outbreak-us-news-ap-top-news-mi-state-wire-04532a9591fa190a74146cbd8c92f949Click to copyhttps://apnews.com/article/politics-virus-outbreak-us-news-ap-top-news-mi-state-wire-04532a9591fa190a74146cbd8c92f949Click to copyRelated topicsLANSING, Mich. (AP) — Hundreds of people angry or frustrated over Michigan’s coronavirus stay-at-home order protested again outside the state Capitol on Thursday, standing in the rain to call for a loosening of restrictions and for business owners to reopen in defiance of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.The demonstration...…AP NEWS https://apnews.com/article/politics-virus-outbreak-us-news-ap-top-news-mi-state-wire-04532a9591fa190a74146cbd8c92f949Click to copyhttps://apnews.com/article/politics-virus-outbreak-us-news-ap-top-news-mi-state-wire-04532a9591fa190a74146cbd8c92f949Click to copyRelated topicsLANSING, Mich. (AP) — Hundreds of people angry or frustrated over Michigan’s coronavirus stay-at-home order protested again outside the state Capitol on Thursday, standing in the rain to call for a loosening of restrictions and for business owners to reopen in defiance of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.The demonstration...WW…

David EggertAssociated Press LANSING — A lawmaker warned Tuesday of a potential 25% cut in state funding for K-12 schools because of economic fallout from the pandemic, saying he is not “banking” on Congress sending additional aid to states or giving flexibility to use previously passed rescue money.Sen. Wayne Schmidt, a Republican who chairs the Senate's education budget subcommittee, said 25% is “certainly the high end,” but that schools should brace for the worst in the next fiscal year. About 40% of the $14 billion in state revenues for the school aid fund comes from sales tax...…David EggertAssociated Press LANSING — A lawmaker warned Tuesday of a potential 25% cut in state funding for K-12 schools because of economic fallout from the pandemic, saying he is not “banking” on Congress sending additional aid to states or giving flexibility to use previously passed rescue money.Sen. Wayne Schmidt, a Republican who chairs the Senate's education budget subcommittee, said 25% is “certainly the high end,” but that schools should brace for the worst in the next fiscal year. About 40% of the $14 billion in state revenues for the school aid fund comes from sales tax...WW…

David EggertAssociated Press LANSING — Michigan said Wednesday that 31,000, or nearly two-thirds, of state employees will take temporary layoff days through late July as the state confronts a budget shortfall amid the coronavirus pandemic.Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced that the state will participate in a federal “work share” program, allowing employees to work fewer hours but collect partial unemployment benefits to make up a portion of their lost wages. The furloughs — two layoff days per two-week pay period for non-managers — will start this Sunday and go through July 25.Higher-level...…David EggertAssociated Press LANSING — Michigan said Wednesday that 31,000, or nearly two-thirds, of state employees will take temporary layoff days through late July as the state confronts a budget shortfall amid the coronavirus pandemic.Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced that the state will participate in a federal “work share” program, allowing employees to work fewer hours but collect partial unemployment benefits to make up a portion of their lost wages. The furloughs — two layoff days per two-week pay period for non-managers — will start this Sunday and go through July 25.Higher-level...WW…

AP NEWS https://apnews.com/article/indiana-in-state-wire-mi-state-wire-michigan-il-state-wire-e9dea7912bce46723a4e36fb43e38f43Click to copyhttps://apnews.com/article/indiana-in-state-wire-mi-state-wire-michigan-il-state-wire-e9dea7912bce46723a4e36fb43e38f43Click to copyRelated topicsLANSING, Mich. (AP) — Seven Midwestern governors announced Thursday that they will coordinate on reopening their state economies amid the coronavirus pandemic, after similar pacts were made in the Northeast and on the West Coast.The latest agreement includes Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Wisconsin,...…AP NEWS https://apnews.com/article/indiana-in-state-wire-mi-state-wire-michigan-il-state-wire-e9dea7912bce46723a4e36fb43e38f43Click to copyhttps://apnews.com/article/indiana-in-state-wire-mi-state-wire-michigan-il-state-wire-e9dea7912bce46723a4e36fb43e38f43Click to copyRelated topicsLANSING, Mich. (AP) — Seven Midwestern governors announced Thursday that they will coordinate on reopening their state economies amid the coronavirus pandemic, after similar pacts were made in the Northeast and on the West Coast.The latest agreement includes Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Wisconsin,...WW…

WASHINGTON — The federal government recognized President-elect Joe Biden as the “apparent winner” of the Nov. 3 election, formally starting the transition of power after President Donald Trump spent weeks testing the boundaries of American democracy. Trump relented after suffering yet more legal and procedural defeats in his seemingly futile effort to overturn the election with baseless claims of fraud.Trump still refused to concede and vowed to continue to fight in court after General Services Administrator Emily Murphy gave the green light Monday for Biden to...…WASHINGTON — The federal government recognized President-elect Joe Biden as the “apparent winner” of the Nov. 3 election, formally starting the transition of power after President Donald Trump spent weeks testing the boundaries of American democracy. Trump relented after suffering yet more legal and procedural defeats in his seemingly futile effort to overturn the election with baseless claims of fraud.Trump still refused to concede and vowed to continue to fight in court after General Services Administrator Emily Murphy gave the green light Monday for Biden to...WW…

David EggertAssociated Press LANSING — A federal appeals court on Wednesday refused to block the creation of a Michigan commission to draw seats in Congress and the Legislature after the 2020 census, denying lawsuits filed by Republicans who say eligibility rules violate their constitutional rights.A voter-approved 2018 amendment to the state constitution took redistricting out of the hands of state lawmakers and placed it with a 13-member commission whose four Republicans, four Democrats and five independents will be selected at random among applicants. It was a bid to curtail...…David EggertAssociated Press LANSING — A federal appeals court on Wednesday refused to block the creation of a Michigan commission to draw seats in Congress and the Legislature after the 2020 census, denying lawsuits filed by Republicans who say eligibility rules violate their constitutional rights.A voter-approved 2018 amendment to the state constitution took redistricting out of the hands of state lawmakers and placed it with a 13-member commission whose four Republicans, four Democrats and five independents will be selected at random among applicants. It was a bid to curtail...WW…

AP NEWS https://apnews.com/article/health-government-and-politics-michigan-coronavirus-4de9c363899c1f350b9a1d818206769fClick to copyhttps://apnews.com/article/health-government-and-politics-michigan-coronavirus-4de9c363899c1f350b9a1d818206769fClick to copyRelated topicsLANSING, Mich. (AP) — Former Michigan health director Robert Gordon will testify next week before a legislative committee about his abrupt departure from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s administration, following the panel’s vote to subpoena him Thursday.Gordon ordered coronavirus restrictions for more than three months after the...…AP NEWS https://apnews.com/article/health-government-and-politics-michigan-coronavirus-4de9c363899c1f350b9a1d818206769fClick to copyhttps://apnews.com/article/health-government-and-politics-michigan-coronavirus-4de9c363899c1f350b9a1d818206769fClick to copyRelated topicsLANSING, Mich. (AP) — Former Michigan health director Robert Gordon will testify next week before a legislative committee about his abrupt departure from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s administration, following the panel’s vote to subpoena him Thursday.Gordon ordered coronavirus restrictions for more than three months after the...WW…

David EggertAssociated Press LANSING — Michigan on Tuesday began accepting applications for tuition-free assistance from adults 25 and older to earn an associate’s degree or postsecondary certificate at a community college or private training school.The program is being supported with an initial $30 million in state funding, enough to cover approximately 30,000 people. Applicants must be at least 25, have lived in the state a year or more, have a high school diploma or equivalent and not have an associate’s or bachelor’s degree.More than 4.1 million, or 41%, of residents may be eligible....…David EggertAssociated Press LANSING — Michigan on Tuesday began accepting applications for tuition-free assistance from adults 25 and older to earn an associate’s degree or postsecondary certificate at a community college or private training school.The program is being supported with an initial $30 million in state funding, enough to cover approximately 30,000 people. Applicants must be at least 25, have lived in the state a year or more, have a high school diploma or equivalent and not have an associate’s or bachelor’s degree.More than 4.1 million, or 41%, of residents may be eligible....WW…

Sign inWelcome! Log into your accountForgot your password? Get helpPassword recoveryRecover your passwordA password will be e-mailed to you.Keep up with all things West Michigan business. Sign up for our free newsletters today. Staying current is easy with CGR's news delivered straight to your inbox, free of charge. Click below to see everything we have to offer.Crain's Grand Rapids Business launched in 2023, bringing together MiBiz, the Grand Rapids Business Journal and Crain Communications to create the top source of business news, analysis and information in West...…Sign inWelcome! Log into your accountForgot your password? Get helpPassword recoveryRecover your passwordA password will be e-mailed to you.Keep up with all things West Michigan business. Sign up for our free newsletters today. Staying current is easy with CGR's news delivered straight to your inbox, free of charge. Click below to see everything we have to offer.Crain's Grand Rapids Business launched in 2023, bringing together MiBiz, the Grand Rapids Business Journal and Crain Communications to create the top source of business news, analysis and information in West...WW…