Around Michigan

A Michigan court on Thursday ordered a barber to close his shop and stop defying the state’s coronavirus restrictions, though he vowed to keep cutting hair.

Michigan has joined 22 other states to challenge an effort to roll back Obama-era fuel efficiency standards. Attorney General Dana Nessel announced the lawsuit Wednesday. The lawsuit claims new federal rules are illegal and would set back efforts to fight climate change.

A judge dismissed a lawsuit Wednesday against former Michigan State football coach Mark Dantonio and other officials who were accused of retaliating against a staff member when the school was dealing with sexual assault allegations against players.

Rapidly rising water overtook dams and forced the evacuation of about 10,000 people in central Michigan, where flooding struck communities along rain-swollen waterways and the governor said one downtown could be “under approximately 9 feet of water” by Wednesday.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced Wednesday that Michigan will borrow $3.5 billion to rebuild the state’s deteriorating highways and bridges over five years, calling it a fiscally responsible move after the Republican-led Legislature rejected her proposed fuel tax hike.

The Legislature and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer are closing in on an agreement to legalize sports betting and internet gambling in Michigan, with final votes possible this week.

Residents who were falsely accused of defrauding Michigan’s unemployment benefits system won another victory Thursday when the state appeals court ruled 3-0 that their lawsuit seeking financial damages should proceed.

For more than 30 years and under five presidents, Republican Rep. Fred Upton easily won reelection to his southwest Michigan House seat by promoting “common-sense values” and bipartisan accomplishments.

James Daly is eager to make marijuana history on Sunday, when he plans to open the doors to Arbors Wellness, beckon the lengthy line outside and legally start selling recreational pot for the first time in the Midwest.

When $525,000 in state funding was cut from a popular school truancy program she runs to help students in rural northeastern Michigan, Dorothy Pintar held off as long as possible on reducing staff.