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Greatest performance by a Michigan athlete at the just-concluded Rio Olympics? No question, it was Flint’s Claressa Shields, winning her second gold medal in her boxing weight division at age 21. Shields is the first female athlete in the world ever to win two straight Olympic gold medals (2012 and 2016) in boxing. No American […]

We’ve all heard of “judicial overreach,” and executive power in both the federal and state governments has increased dramatically for decades while the legislative branch withers. Now, however, the Empire Strikes Back! The 98th Michigan Legislature has employed a rarely-used time deadline and an obscure legal doctrine called “conclusive presumption” to ensure that its recent […]

Yes, it’s the arfs of August, hot and sticky and the world is asleep. The Michigan primary election is history and November seems a long way away. Capitol workmen are frenetically shoring up the building’s basement while the legislature is away for the summer. No important politics, right? Well, maybe a little: BOTH major party […]

How did Michigan’s proud 1st Congressional District — home of defiant Yoopers and self-reliant Trolls — produce two major party nominees this year who have only tenuous connections to their respective peninsulas? How did Lt. Gen. (ret.) Jack Bergman of Watersmeet, a complete political unknown at the start of the year who had spent four […]

Incumbent officeholders at the state and federal levels are rarely defeated in Michigan, but there are other ways to get rid of politicians whom the citizenry decides for various reasons they don’t like. It’s important to note, though, that they hardly ever happen. At the local level, incumbents are often defeated. In this year’s Aug. […]

With less than a week to go before the Aug. 2 primary, what’s likely to happen in key races for the state House of Representatives, Democrat and Republican, in districts that are open (because of term limits) or where incumbents might be imperiled? Here’s a breakdown: 2nd State House: Former Rep. Bettie Cook Scott in […]

A little-noticed lawsuit has been filed in the state Court of Claims challenging the constitutionality of the $617 million financial rescue and restructuring plan for Detroit’s beleaguered public schools, and the plaintiffs appear to have a strong chance to be successful. Amazingly, those plaintiffs include the elected Detroit school board members, the Keep the Vote/No […]

Few Michigan politicians in the past half-century have had a more varied, productive life than former state Senator/Congressman John J.H. “Joe” Schwarz (R-Battle Creek), an otolaryngologist whose career in public service was almost an anti-climax to all that had gone before. Schwarz submitted himself to an hour and half-long videotaped interview on July 8 for […]

Thomas J. Cleary was 32 years old, married with six kids to feed, and out of a job through no fault of his own. Prowling the empty halls of the Hollister Bldg. on Allegan Street in downtown Lansing, he wondered, “How did I wind up here? Can I turn things around?” He did, and here’s […]

A lot of races, many candidates, a few polls, tons of speculation — but what are the ODDS on what will happen in coming days, weeks and months in Campaign 2016, particularly as it relates to Michigan? Here is The Ballenger Report’s morning line: Odds Hillary Clinton will win Democratic Presidential Nomination: 1-10 Odds on […]