GOVERNOR

Illinois’ Republican candidates for governor are pitching a tough on crime message as their national party calls the Jan. 6 insurrection "legitimate political discourse."

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is planning to deliver a State of the State address in a virtual format on Wednesday, Jan. 26.

A new poll offers some insight on where Michigan voters stand in the state’s upcoming election for governor.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is planning to deliver a State of the State Address in a virtual format on Wednesday, Jan. 26.

The governor is one of three Democrats leading states won by Donald Trump in 2020. His wrangles with Republicans have left him popular nonetheless.

Governors Gretchen Whitmer and Mike DeWine place a bet ahead of The Game on Saturday.

Gov. Gretchen Whiter issued a declaration in support of the Wolverines heading into Saturday's game.

In a letter to the state Labor Department, Kassidy Peters said an inquiry and press reports had “successfully destroyed my business.”

The number of bodies recovered from a collapsed high-rise apartment building in Nigeria’s most populous city has risen to 36, an emergency official told The Associated Press

The race to be Michigan’s next governor is heating up.

The run to be the next governor of Michigan is heating up, especially on the Republican side.

When some suggested the governor did not have the time, he took it personally.

A judge says he would postpone the Oct. 12 trial of five men accused of planning to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

Gavin Newsom appears to have survived a rare state-wide vote to remove him with a clear majority.

James Craig visited Belle Isle on Tuesday to formally announce his plan to run for Michigan governor, but he was shouted down by protesters and forced to leave after just 10 words.

His resignation comes one week after an investigation by New York Attorney General Letitia James that found that he sexually harassed 11 women.

Brittany Commisso speaks out for the first time about alleged groping incidents with New York governor.

Brittany Commisso, identified as “Executive Assistant #1,” in a report last week, said during a television interview that Cuomo was seeking “personal sexual satisfaction.”

Sheriff Craig Apple told the New York Post that the complaint was filed by an executive assistant to Cuomo, one of 11 women who the governor allegedly harassed.

Florida's governor has repeatedly told residents he will not implement a new face mask mandate.

The governor told our Michigan sister station that she'll continue to issue guidance on COVID-19-related matters.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has resumed wearing a mask at indoor events, citing revised guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and a recommendation from the state’s chief doctor.

Florida's governor previously outlawed the ability for local leaders to impose mask mandates.

The former chief of the Detroit police has formed a candidate committee to start raising funds in preparation for Michigan’s upcoming gubernatorial race.

President Joe Biden makes his first official visit to Illinois, meets with Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Gov. J.B. Pritzker.

President Joe Biden makes his first official visit to Illinois since taking office with a stop in Crystal Lake, a key swing area represented by two Democrats in Congress.

Welcome to The Spin, the Chicago Tribune's politics newsletter.

The governor proposed a weekly $300 payment to new workers.

So far, three Republicans say they’re seeking to challenge Pritzker in next year's election.

As Michigan slowly reopens, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer rolled out a plan to use the Federal COVID Relief funding.

Michigan's governor is holding a news conference Thursday about the state's economy.

Ohio's governor plans to host two weekly drawings for five weeks for vaccinated Ohioans.

Ohio's governor plans to host two weekly drawings for five weeks for vaccinated Ohioans.

After announcing his retirement, Detroit police Chief James Craig sat down with Local 4 to talk about his experience and what’s next.

Detroit police Chief James Craig announced his retirement during a news conference Monday after heading the department for eight years.

“He’s had a pretty good career already,” Rev. Sheffield said. “And if he doesn’t do anything else, he will still probably hear those words, job well done.”

“Look, I’m not an advocate for bad police, I demonstrated time and again,” Craig said. “I hold bad police accountable, but the vast majority of our men and women do it right.”

Local leaders across Metro Detroit are weighing in on the speculation that Detroit police chief James Craig is retiring and might be eyeing a run for Governor.

On Monday, Florida's governor signed a law giving himself more permanent authority over local pandemic orders.

On Monday, Florida's governor signed a law giving himself more permanent authority over local pandemic orders.

Iowa sent so-called “strike teams” to conduct rapid on-site COVID-19 testing at 17 businesses, including some of the state’s largest and most powerful pork and beef companies

A tip to Politico claims Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel has considered to run for governor, challenging Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott said Monday that he would not be throwing the first pitch at the Rangers' game. He said he is protesting MLB's decision to move the All-Star Game out of Atlanta due to Georgia's controversial voting rights law. Katie Johnston of CBSN Dallas-Fort Worth reports.

DETROIT – For a year now the governor and Michigan Legislature have sparred over how to handle the COVID crisis. UPDATE March 9, 2021: Whitmer signs $2.5 billion in COVID-19 relief fundingMost recently the Republican controlled body passed a $4 billion supplemental budget with many strings attached that would require Michigan Gov. They know that is never going to happen and it is just really sad,” said Whitmer. Working with this governor simply means complying,” said Owosso. “The governor is going to have to realize going it alone and shooting from the hip ruling by press conference has to stop.

Andrew Cuomo on Wednesday accused the governor of kissing her without her consent while she served as deputy secretary for economic development in 2018. Boylan made public her harassment accusations against the governor in December, though she did not go into specifics at the time. Cuomo Press Secretary Caitlin Girouard said in a statement, "Ms. Boylan's claims of inappropriate behavior are quite simply false." Boylan wrote that while on a plane from a Western New York event in 2017 with the governor, a press aide and state trooper, Cuomo told her, "Let's play strip poker." Boylan did not claim in her blog post that she was alone on the flight with just the governor, a press aide and state trooper.

“We need a governor who understands those day-to-day challenges that we all face, a governor who will live by the same rules that the rest of us follow, a governor who will stand up to the entrenched special interest groups that have done so much damage. Most importantly, we need a governor we can trust to do the right thing and make tough decisions,” he said.

New York governor accused of nursing home COVID-19 death cover-up There are bipartisan calls for an investigation into New York Governor Andrew Cuomo after his top aide said that his administration intentionally hid the state's COVID-19 death toll in nursing homes.

New Jersey governor urges people to stay off roads in snowstorm New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy urged people Tuesday tot stay home if they don't need to go out, as snow continued to fall in the state during a massive winter storm. Watch his remarks.

You’ve seen her at the Michigan governor’s news conferences. You’ve read her quotes and you’ve followed her insight on COVID-19 in Michigan. But do you really know anything about Dr. Joneigh Khaldun? Local 4 spoke with her a little more this week -- watch the full interview above. She talked about the spotlight thrust upon her when the pandemic swept into Michigan in March 2020.

That took some of the political pressure off of Ryan. But as some of Ryan’s associates were indicted, the governor was wounded so badly by the growing scandal he would have had a difficult time winning reelection. He opted against running for a second term and was indicted after he left office on corruption counts that eventually sent him to prison.

Gretchen Whitmer will attend the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris on Wednesday. As previously reported, Whitmer was chosen to serve as co-chair of the Presidential Inaugural Committee. Moreover, Biden nominated Whitmer to serve as vice chair of the Democratic National Committee (DNC). The chief justice, John Roberts, will administer the oath of office to Biden just after the clock strikes 12. After they take their oaths of office, President-elect Biden will deliver an inaugural address laying out his vision to “defeat the pandemic, build back better, and unify and heal the nation,” according to his inaugural committee.

Gretchen Whitmer has been named to the Presidential Inaugural Committee (PIC) for the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris. Whitmer will co-chair the PIC with Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, Louisiana’s Rep. Cedric Richmond and Delaware’s Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester. Whitmer and the other co-chairs will help guide PIC through the planning and organizing of “historic inaugural activities that will prioritize keeping people safe while engaging Americans across the country,” according to the PIC. “I am humbled to become a part of the inauguration for President-elect Biden and Vice President-elect Harris as a Co-Chair. Biden released this statement:“Kamala and I are honored and grateful to these leaders for joining our inaugural committee as co-chairs and helping to organize a safe inauguration for all Americans.

But the governor said Wednesday that the state subsequently learned that the doses, which could arrive between Dec. 13 and 19 if the FDA grants authorization next week, could be made available to the full 109,000 people. The state expects to receive enough additional vaccines to administer the second dose to those people within the required time frame, he said.

While the governor said he’s optimistic that President-elect Joe Biden and Congress will reach a deal on an aid package to help offset the revenue states have lost due to the pandemic, the state is going ahead with more borrowing.

“The governor needs to go back to what he did earlier in the year, where he stated that we need to have 6.5% cuts in the agencies’ spending across the board,” Durkin said. “There’s a little bit more than $1 billion, we could start there. Cuts are not easy to do, but when you spend and continue to spend above and beyond the revenue that we bring in, this is what’s going to happen.”

Detroit Lions player Trey Flowers and Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist will be part of an online voting townhall this afternoon titled “Your Vote Matters: How to Cast Yours in Michigan." Eligible Michigan voters can learn their options when it comes to registering to vote and casting their ballot. The event is being hosted by the “Players Coalition” which is an independent advocacy organization made up of over 1,400 professional athletes, coaches and team owners. The online townhall gets underway at 5 p.m. and to register to be apart of it click here.

If you’re looking to get caught up on Thursday’s announcement about a foiled plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, here’s what to know. These are 10 of the 13 people who were charged after the FBI uncovered a plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. BOTTOM (left to right): Pete Musico, Eric Molitor, William Null, Michael Null, Joseph Morrison.

President Donald Trump tweeted Thursday night criticizing Gov. Gretchen Whitmer hours after Whitmer addressed the FBI uncovering a plot by a group of Michigan residents to kidnap her. “Governor Whitmer of Michigan has done a terrible job. Governor Whitmer—open up your state, open up your schools, and open up your churches!”Thirteen people have been charged in the plot. Not in our lifetimes.”“I’ve said it many times: We are not one another’s enemy,” Whitmer said.

Ralph Northam announced Friday that he and his wife have both tested positive for the coronavirus, though he said he is showing no symptoms. He's among four governors around the country who have tested positive for the virus that causes COVID-19, but one of the others turned out to be a false positive. The governor and first lady were notified Wednesday that a member of the Executive Mansion staff developed COVID-19 symptoms and that the staff member's virus test came back positive. Mike Parson, a Republican who has steadfastly refused to require residents to wear masks, announced he’d tested positive. Kevin Stitt in July became the first governor to announce he’d tested positive.

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Supreme Court wants more information after listening to hours of arguments over Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s sweeping use of authority during the coronavirus pandemic. The Supreme Court ordered lawyers to address by Sept. 16 whether “public safety” in the law “encompasses ‘public health’ events such as epidemics.” The court also wants input about how the law fits in the context of public health. The law doesn't include the word “health.”The order came after the court listened to arguments Wednesday. Republicans who control the Legislature argue that Whitmer, a Democrat, should consult with them when considering whether to extend emergencies, under a 1976 law.

During a live interview Wednesday morning on Local 4 News Today, Whitmer right away addressed both scheduled visits to Michigan from presidential candidates Joe Biden and Trump. Biden is scheduled to speak in Warren on Wednesday while Trump is scheduled to speak Thursday in Freeland, near Saginaw. Whitmer said she is concerned about how well attendees at the events will follow social distancing and mask-wearing safety measures amid the coronavirus pandemic. She said she was particularly concerned about the Trump event because of what she’s seen happening at such events in other states. “I’ve been talking with the Biden campaign and I know that they have plans to observe all of our executive orders, social distancing and mask wearing," said Whitmer.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer explores safety options to potentially reopen gyms. For more information, https://www.clickondetroit.com/. If you need help with the Public File, call (313) 222-0566.

The following is a response to our call for people to share thoughts and concerns about Michigan schools returning to in-person learning this fall. “If the governor can shut down bars and require masks to be worn, decide if casinos open or close, then why the hell is she leaving it up to the school districts? And I feel like she should be ashamed of herself.”-- CarlyView more: School ConfessionalsMichigan school districts, colleges and universities are working to prepare for a return to in-person classes this fall amid the coronavirus pandemic. The “MI Safe Schools Return to School Roadmap” is a 63-page document that outlines coronavirus (COVID-19) safety protocols for each phase of Whitmer’s reopening plan. Please share your thoughts and concerns about returning to in-person learning this fall -- we want to hear from you:Related:

Traditional bars, nightclubs and strip clubs will have to end indoor service. Also on Wednesday, Whitmer signed a package of bills allowing restaurants to serve alcoholic drinks to-go and via delivery. READ: Michigan bars, restaurants can now deliver alcoholic drinks, sell them to-go, offer 2-for-1 dealsFollowing recent outbreaks tied to bars, I am taking this action today to slow the spread of the virus and keep people safe, Whitmer said. Nearly 25% of diagnoses in June were of people ages 20 to 29, up from roughly 16% in May. That shift aligns with national trends, and the evidence suggests that young people may be driving a new phase of the pandemic, according to state officials.

Gretchen Whitmer was working Thursday at Lafayette Coney Island in Detroit, serving coney dogs as she campaigns to open up the states restaurants safely during the COVID-19 pandemic. Whitmer believes there is a light at the end of the proverbial pandemic tunnel for Michigan, but she continues to take a conservative approach. As for choosing Lafayette Coney Island over next-door rival American Coney Island, it came down to family loyalty. Whitmer wants people to feel safe about eating at restaurants, which were allowed to open up their dining rooms to customers on June 8. The governor wants safety measures taken by both restaurant workers and customers, reiterating the need for masks.

Gretchen Whitmer was working Thursday at Lafayette Coney Island in Detroit, serving coney dogs as she campaigns to open up the states restaurants safely during the COVID-19 pandemic. Whitmer believes there is a light at the end of the proverbial pandemic tunnel for Michigan, but she continues to take a conservative approach. Weve got more work to do, but if we all keep our guard up and do the right thing, were going to get there, she said. As for choosing Lafayette Coney Island over next-door rival American Coney Island, it came down to family loyalty. Whitmer wants people to feel safe about eating at restaurants, which were allowed to open up their dining rooms to customers on June 8.

Published: May 26, 2020, 9:11 am Updated: May 26, 2020, 3:43 pmDETROIT Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer held a briefing on Tuesday to address the states ongoing response to coronavirus. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer extended the stay-at-home order late last week, but there are still segments of the state that will reopen this week. Michigan is now under a stay-at-home order until June 12, and a state of emergency until June 19.

Gretchen Whitmer is expected to hold a briefing on Thursday morning to address the states ongoing response to coronavirus. Whitmer sent a letter to President Trump requesting federal aid in responding to the catastrophic flooding in Midland County. Thousands of people were forced to evacuate as water surged into their streets, homes, and businesses in the county of Midland, said Gov. The governor then called on President Trump to declare an emergency for Midland County on an expedited basis. Whitmer on mid-Michigan floods: Devastation, possible legal action, peak flood level

DETROIT Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer will hold a coronavirus news briefing Monday afternoon. UPDATED: Michigan Gov. Governor Whitmer provides update on states response to COVID-19https://t.co/Ejv6Bb9JN4 Michigan State Police (@MichStatePolice) May 18, 2020Two weeks ago, Gov. Related: Michigan Gov.

DETROIT Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer will hold a coronavirus news briefing Friday afternoon. Last week, Gov. Related: Michigan Gov. Related: Michigan Gov.

DETROIT – Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer will hold a coronavirus news briefing Wednesday afternoon. Whitmer and Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Chief Medical Executive Dr. Joneigh Khaldun will provide an update regarding the state’s response efforts to COVID-19. Last week, Gov. Related: Michigan Gov.

DETROIT – Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer will hold a coronavirus news briefing Monday afternoon. Whitmer and Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Chief Medical Executive Dr. Joneigh Khaldun will provide an update regarding the state’s response efforts to COVID-19. Last week, Gov. On Monday, manufacturing, including automakers, were allowed to begin reopening and calling employees back to work, with strict safety precautions in place.

DETROIT – Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer will hold a coronavirus news briefing Thursday afternoon. Whitmer and Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Chief Medical Executive Dr. Joneigh Khaldun will provide an update regarding the state’s response efforts to COVID-19. UPDATE: Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer extends stay-at-home order until May 28Watch the briefing live at 3 p.m. in the video player above.

Michigan State of Emergency expires at midnight; governor wants 28-day extensionPublished: April 30, 2020, 12:13 pmThe Michigan Legislature is meeting Thursday to continue debating the State of Emergency in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Gretchen Whitmer wants to extend the emergency another 28 days after it expires Thursday night at midnight. The state Legislature is slated to vote on the governor’s request before it expires.

The Michigan Legislature is meeting Thursday to continue debating the State of Emergency in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Gretchen Whitmer wants to extend the emergency another 28 days after it expires Thursday night at midnight. The state Legislature is slated to vote on the governor’s request before it expires. The number of confirmed cases of the coronavirus in Michigan has risen to 40,399 as of Wednesday, including 3,670 deaths, state officials report. State officials say the rate of growth is continuing to slow, while testing rates continue to rise.

DETROIT – Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer held a news conference Wednesday afternoon to address the state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Whitmer, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Chief Medical Executive Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity Director Jeff Donofrio and President of the Michigan AFL-CIO Ron Bieber provided an update regarding the state’s response efforts on COVID-19. Last week, Gov. Earlier this week: Whitmer introduces ‘MI Safe Start Plan’ -- What does it mean for reopening Michigan?

Gretchen Whitmer will hold a news conference Monday afternoon to address the state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. UPDATE: Whitmer introduces ‘MI Safe Start Plan’ -- What does it mean for reopening Michigan? Last week, Gov. Stores selling nonessential supplies can reopen for curbside pickup and delivery. Whitmer is expected to announce more details on the state’s reopening plan this week.

Michigan governor looking at next week to roll out plan for reopening statePublished: April 22, 2020, 5:23 pmMichigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has been promising more details about the state reopening after the coronavirus (COVID-19) shutdown, and she’s looking to roll out those details next week.

Gretchen Whitmer held a news conference Wednesday afternoon to address the state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Whitmer again was joined by Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Chief Medical Executive Dr. Joneigh Khaldun. Moreover, today Dr. Marisa Eisenberg from the University of Michigan Department of Epidemiology joined the governor’s news conference. “What happens depends on how the next 10 days go,” Whitmer said, telling residents to stay home to continue mitigating spread. “For those of you who want to get back to work, stay home."

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced Monday she is taking a 10 percent pay cut to her salary during the COVID-19 pandemic. Whitmer said her senior staff members will take a 5 percent pay cut. The number of confirmed cases of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in Michigan has risen to 32,000 as of Monday, including 2,468 deaths, state officials report. Sunday’s total was 31,424 confirmed cases and 2,391 deaths.

UPDATE: Michigan confirms first 2 cases of coronavirus, both in Metro DetroitMORE: First 2 cases of coronavirus confirmed in Michigan: What we know, don’t knowBoth cases are in Metro Detroit -- an Oakland County resident and a Wayne County resident. The Oakland County resident has a recent history of international travel while the Wayne County resident has a recent history of domestic travel. One case has been confirmed in an Oakland County resident, and the other is in a Wayne County resident. The Oakland County resident has a recent history of international travel while the Wayne County resident has a recent history of domestic travel. Michigan coronavirus testingEarlier on Tuesday, Michigan health officials were reporting 39 people in Michigan had tested negative for the virus and 124 were still being monitored.

Published: February 6, 2020, 10:38 am Updated: February 6, 2020, 11:30 am(Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. Gretchen Whitmer’s fiscal year 2021 Executive Budget Recommendation was outlined on Thursday at the state Capitol. State Budget Director Chris Kolb outlines the governor’s budget recommendation during to a joint session of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees. Whitmer delivered her second State of the State address last week. She introduced a plan to fix Michigan roads without increasing the gas tax.

Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder is back in Flint to meet with officials about the water crisis Friday. He testified Thursday before a House panel. Some members of Congress are calling for Snyder and the head of the EPA to resign over the lead contamination. Adriana Diaz reports.

Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder says it's not unfair of his critics to say the Flint water crisis is his Hurricane Katrina, but he’s rejecting calls to step down. The dangerous water contamination led to protests Monday outside Snyder's home. Flint's water has been poisoned with lead for months. Adriana Diaz reports.

8/21: Inside the failed attempt to free hostages from ISIS; Ex-Virginia governor takes stand in his corruption trial The U.S. government admitted it tried to rescue American journalist James Foley and other hostages in Syria, but failed. Margaret Brennan has details on the unsuccessful raid and Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel's dire warning about the militant group; and, on his first full day on the witness stand, former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell testified that his marriage was so bad during his four years as governor, he put it "on hold." McDonnell and his wife are charged with accepting more than $165,000 in gifts and using their official positions to support businessman Jonnie Williams' health supplement business.