Between President Trump's first year in office and several major policy battles in Congress, national politics garnered many, many headlines this year.
And while Lansing may have had a slow legislative year, that doesn't mean Michigan wasn't affected by the goings-on in D.C.
Here are the political stories followed throughout 2017:
Michigan congressional members bow out
Three Michigan congressmen announced their retirement this year, although one definitely garnered more attention. After a number of sexual harassment allegations were revealed, John Conyers resigned in December. Democrat Sander Levin and Republican David Trott are simply retiring, leaving their seats without an incumbent in 2018.
- Rep. John Conyers resigns from Congress
- Conyers leaves a complicated history; race to replace him could draw a crowd
- Longtime Michigan Congressman Sander Levin to retire
- Trott announces retirement from U.S. House of Representatives
Betsy DeVos becomes secretary of education
Donald Trump announced that Betsy DeVos, a Grand Rapids native and major GOP donor, was his choice for the secretary of education in December 2016. The Senate confirmation of DeVos was hotly contested, ending in a tie that had to be broken by Vice President Mike Pence.
- Protesters march in Betsy DeVos’ hometown ahead of confirmation vote
- In Senate hearing, DeVos shows ignorance of central debate over how to measure schools
The 2018 election begins
In 2018, Michiganders will be voting for: governor and lieutenant governor, all 14 Congressional seats, secretary of state, attorney general, and the entire state House and entire state Senate. Throw in some major ballot proposals, and it’s not surprising that the 2018 election really started in 2017.
- Your guide to Michigan's very crowded field of gubernatorial candidates
- Grassroots group one step closer to overhauling redistricting in Michigan
- 5 things to know about the ballot proposal to end gerrymandering in Michigan
New immigration policies affect Michigan
Two days after President Trump’s inauguration, his administration issued a travel ban against several Muslim-majority countries. Thus began a year of confusion and chaos within the immigration system, which often affected Michigan communities.
- What do your representatives think of President Trump's immigration ban?
- He said he would go after "bad hombres." This order allows him to go after soccer moms.
- "We're going to be separated from my dad." A family's final days together before deportation
- Trump makes a deal with Iraq, and hundreds suddenly face deportation
