Breaking update: Gov. Whitmer announced at noon today the special election will take place with a primary in February 2026 and a general election in May 2026.

Almost two years ago, the Legislature passed a sea change in how utility scale solar and wind energy projects win government approval. Gongwer reporter Nick Smith takes a look at what's happened since and finds it's slow going. bit.ly/3I0X8lu

Nessel on proposed House budget: the office won’t have capacity to help with appeals in 56 counties or county prosecutorial vacancy assistance under funding plan. Also in jeopardy is specialist staff in opioid cases and federal lawsuits against Trump admin Gongwer Michigan (State Affairs Michigan)

Every announcement of economic development projects in Michigan makes sure to bold and highlight one figure: the number of jobs the project is projected to create. bit.ly/4g548KT

Story from Liz Nass with lots of really interesting comments about how to measure success in economic development projects.

House Speaker Matt Hall and Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks met to discuss the state budget on Wednesday. The meeting went poorly. bit.ly/4gqYjaV

Twenty-six days to go. Story by Elena Durnbaugh

Senators in bipartisan votes passed legislation that would enact state-level carbon sequestration regulations, which supporters touted as having potential environmental and business benefits, while opponents raised public health and energy cost concerns. bit.ly/46aQZLP

Some school districts are cutting programming and laying off support staff with less than than a month to go for the state to pass a budget before the new fiscal year starts Oct. 1. Bob McCann of The K-12 Alliance of Michigan is this week's guest on MichMash. Listen on any podcast platform.

Shifting someone from third-party witness to a potential target in a criminal investigation, as has occurred with MEDC CEO Quentin Messer Jr., is common in white collar cases and often used as a form of leverage, criminal law experts say. bit.ly/4prBoAi

Legislative leadership has not answered questions regarding whether there is a plan in place for paying lawmakers and legislative staff in the event of a shutdown. bit.ly/45Yr4Io

Attorney General Dana Nessel is weighing an appeal following the dropping of 15 criminal cases against the 2020 Republican presidential electors. Republicans hailed the cases coming to an end, calling Nessel's charges baseless and politically motivated. bit.ly/487UqVU

With just under three weeks to go before the clock runs out on the 2024-25 fiscal year, a sense of panic is taking root in the education community at the lack of progress on a state budget, school leaders say. bit.ly/3V7Fxvj

New episode of MichMash is live! Co-hosts Zach Gorchow and Cheyna Roth break down the dismissal of charges against the 2020 Trump electors. Then Steve Currie from MI Assoc of Counties joins the show to discuss the state budget stalemate and revenue sharing. Listen on any platform!

Road conditions will deteriorate during the next five years as the state's bond program infusing infrastructure with cash winds down and in the absence of a long-term road funding plan from lawmakers, the MDOT director said in a recent interview. bit.ly/42xdMjE

It appears Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has decided the time to push back against House Speaker Matt Hall, R-Richland Township, has arrived. bit.ly/4pqEAMe

Was called off the bench to report this one. And some exclusive details too boot.

With two weeks left in the fiscal year, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer returned to Lansing on Tuesday to give a speech urging speedy passage of the state budget and make clear she is aligned with Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks as talks move forward. bit.ly/4pxcHT8

Michigan needs to strengthen penalties against insurers engaging in practices that keep policyholders from successfully obtaining their claims or receiving needed services, lawyers and those who have battled their insurance companies told a Senate panel. bit.ly/3Ksc2C1