In this edition of Stateside, we discuss the impacts of funding cuts on the Michigan Immigrants Rights Center. We also cover a story on a black bear attack that occurred in Isabella, Minnesota. And, we have a conversation with a West Michigan author about his new memoir, Good Soil: The Education of an Accidental Farmhand.

“We've got to, though, have a system that understands that the VA...is not an employment agency," said Secretary Doug Collins.

A program that provided millions of dollars worth of donated foods to Michigan food banks has been cut by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. We talked to the head of one West Michigan food bank about what this means for their operations.

A few hundred people rallied outside a veterans hospital in Ann Arbor this weekend to protest federal cuts to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

The next focus of the Michigan House could involve bills to help counties and local governments fight violent crime.

There is an empty state Senate seat in Michigan's thumb region. No one currently represents the district because Governor Gretchen Whitmer has not yet called a special election. Some Republicans are saying she's playing politics with the 35th state Senate District.

The White House is eagerly promoting supportive comments from the nation’s top auto worker union leader, a previous Trump critic who endorsed Democrat Kamala Harris.

According to DOGE's website, the state health department lost more than $390 million in federal HHS grants this week. But state health officials haven't confirmed it, and DOGE has overinflated cuts in the past.

The moves come at least partly in response to White House executive orders attacking diversity, equity and inclusion.

Michigan House Speaker Matt Hall said Wednesday that a public safety trust fund is a top priority heading into the Legislature’s spring session.