June 25th-July 7th, 2025

According to a recently Michigan Economic Indicators (MEI) report by the Senate Fiscal Agency (SFA), Michigan’s economy showed signs of resilience in April. Our state added 16,000 jobs, the largest monthly gain in over two years, driven primarily by growth in professional, education, and health services. Manufacturing, however, continued to lag, shedding 10,000 jobs compared to the same time last year. Motor vehicle production rose by 8.2% month-over-month, but remained down 9.2% from April 2024, with Michigan’s share of national auto production at its lowest level in over a year.

Despite positive movement in employment and modest housing start gains, national consumer sentiment hit a concerning low, falling for the fourth consecutive month to one of the weakest readings since the survey began in 1952. At the same time, oil prices dipped to their lowest point since 2021, retail sales posted a healthy 4.7% year-over-year gain, and inflation in Detroit remained relatively modest at 1.4%. While some sectors are clearly under pressure, Michigan’s labor market and industrial activity continue to show pockets of strength amid broader economic uncertainty.

Read the full SFA report here.

The U.S. Court of Appeals has ruled to uphold the constitutionality of Michigan’s Newborn Screening Program, allowing our state to continue one of its most critical public health efforts. This decision came when the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals reversed a lower court ruling and confirmed that the state’s collection and use of de-identified newborn blood samples, used to screen for over 50 potentially life-threatening conditions, does not infringe on constitutional rights. The ruling also protects the BioTrust for Health, a research initiative that supports medical advancement through the use of privacy-protected samples.

Attorney General Dana Nessel and Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Director Elizabeth Hertel both praised the decision as a win for families across the state. Since its launch in 1965, the Newborn Screening Program has enabled early diagnosis and treatment for thousands of Michigan infants who might otherwise have gone undiagnosed. With the court’s ruling, the program can continue to detect rare disorders in their earliest stages— when intervention is most effective— while also supporting responsible medical research that may benefit future generations.

State Attorney General Dana Nessel recently joined 16 other state attorney generals in filing a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Education over its decision to halt funding for mental health services in K–12 schools. The legal challenge asserts that the Department’s action to discontinue congressionally allocated grants violates federal law, including the Administrative Procedure Act and constitutional protections. These funds were initially approved to support the hiring of school-based mental health professionals in response to growing student needs.

The lawsuit highlights the significant impact of these grants, which helped serve hundreds of thousands of students and expand access to school counselors, social workers, and psychologists. In Michigan, the Department of Education, Grand Valley State University, and Lansing School District were among those affected. Attorney General Nessel emphasized that revoking these resources could worsen the mental health crisis facing schools and deprive students of essential support. The suit seeks to restore the funding and prevent further disruptions to these critical services.

Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald has publicly launched her campaign for Michigan Attorney General, adding a high-profile Metro Detroit voice to the growing Democratic field.

Known statewide for her landmark prosecution of the Oxford High School shooter and his parents, McDonald is emphasizing her experience as a former judge, an educator, and mother in a campaign focused on protecting public safety, defending civil rights, and tackling complex legal challenges like gun violence and human trafficking.

Her career includes establishing Oakland County’s first Conviction Integrity Unit, a Hate Crimes Unit, and a Trafficking Unit, along with a commission aimed at reducing gun violence. McDonald now accompanies Washtenaw County Prosecutor Eli Savit and former U.S. Attorney Mark Totten in seeking the Democratic nomination.