After over 50 years of legal abortion in America, the U.S. Supreme Court has overturned Roe v. Wade. In Michigan, a 1931 law on the books would make the procedure a felony. Anticipating the federal ruling, Governor Gretchen Whitmer filed a lawsuit in April 2022 in hopes that Michigan's Supreme Court declares abortion rights are protected by the state Constitution.
Below, you can find the latest stories about what the end of Roe v. Wade means legally, politically, and medically for Michiganders.
Top Stories
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State Court of Claims Judge Elizabeth Gleicher ruled Wednesday that the Michigan Constitution’s due process clause is broad enough to include a woman’s right to an abortion.
Jodi Westrick
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Michigan Radio
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Legal Questions
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Jodi Westrick/Michigan RadioThe Michigan Court of Claims granted preliminary injunction in a lawsuit filed by Planned Parenthood of Michigan. The injunction means the state’s 1931 abortion ban would not be enforced immediately if Roe v. Wade is overturned. -
Jodi Westrick/Michigan RadioA judge says Michigan’s 90-year-old abortion law can’t be enforced until courts decide if banning abortion is constitutional. -
Michigan RadioGovernor Gretchen Whitmer filed a lawsuit Thursday challenging the state’s abortion ban that would take effect if Roe v. Wade is overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court. -
Dee DwyerSeven Michigan county prosecutors have said publicly that they won’t prosecute abortion cases, and they've signed onto Governor Whitmer's effort to have the Michigan Supreme Court overturn that law.
Medical Questions
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Erik McGregor/LightRocket via Getty ImagesMany women in the state had no idea that if Roe goes, a 1931 law making abortion a felony would spring into effect. -
Traci Hahn/trac1 - stock.adobe.com/129738451Michigan's law criminalizing abortion would only allow exceptions to "preserve the life" of the woman. But that's a dangerously ambiguous term, medical experts say.
Read More
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Arguments in a legal challenge to abortion restrictions that remain on the books in Michigan opened Thursday before a Michigan Court of Claims judge. The laws are currently blocked by a preliminary ruling from Judge Sima Patel. -
The Thomas More Society, a law firm that opposes abortion rights, asked Trump for 21 of the pardons. The group said the prosecutions were unjust. -
On Monday, President Donald Trump promised to roll back protections for transgender people. And Michiganders who get gender-affirming medical care "are very fearful that they won't be able to get their medications in the future," said Dr. Sarah Wallett of Planned Parenthood of Michigan. -
Today, we talk to Natasha Bagdasarian about the state partnering with the department of health and human services to provide free access to birth control and sexually transmitted disease prevention medication. And, a feature on women stocking up on Plan B in Michigan. -
If your group text right now is all about stockpiling Plan B, you’re not alone. Some Michigan patients are asking for sterilizations, birth control, and gender-affirming care ASAP post-election. -
Today, a Michigander, with family living in Lebanon, shares his experience watching violence unfold from afar. Then, a deeper look into how abortion access may play a part in Michiganders’ attitudes heading to the polls. And in that vein, we turn to the next episode of What The Vote. What does Gen Z have to say about the abortion debate in politics? -
Michigan voters may make a big difference in the presidential election. Here's what we know about candidate plans for the economy, abortion, immigration, Ukraine, Gaza and other issues you care about. -
When the Reproductive Health Care Act passed last year, it contained a little-known provision that’s about to take effect. After this summer’s data drop, Michigan state officials will no longer keep track of abortion care procedures in the state.
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Today, the reason Michigan no longer collects data about abortions happening in the state. We’ll learn about the implications for both pro-life and pro-choice advocates.
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A report on Michigan's law requiring parental consent for teens to access abortion care, a preview of the Freep Film Fest this weekend, the environmental importance of vernal pools during spring, and an up close encounter with a rare and stinky plant
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Some Republican prosecutors also say they’re not bound by the Court of Claims order. But no abortion providers have been charged with violating the ban. -
The Reproductive Freedom for All ballot initiative campaign to secure abortion rights in Michigan’s Constitution has been getting a surge of signatures and volunteers since Roe v. Wade was overturned. -
The Michigan attorney general and the state's regulatory agency say abortion is legal in the state. But a lawyer for two county prosecutors says they can prosecute abortion providers now. -
With the U.S. Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade, Michigan Democrats see a big role for abortion rights in the upcoming general election. -
In two new filings, the Michigan Supreme Court is being pressed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Democratic prosecutors to declare abortion rights are protected by the state constitution now that Roe v. Wade has been overturned. -
Abortion is still legal in Michigan but it's the subject of litigation, is moving toward the ballot as a state constitutional amendment and will be a big issue in the competitive race for governor. -
Organizers encouraged people to keep rallying in the streets, vote in upcoming elections, and call on legislators to make Michigan a sanctuary state for abortion. -
Abortion providers are reassuring patients they can still come to their appointments. But they're also bracing themselves for what will happen if the state's 1931 abortion ban goes into effect. -
Abortion opponents say they are preparing for more fights to end abortion rights in Michigan after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade in the Dobbs v. Jackson decision. -
The decision to overturn federal protections for access to abortions has elicited strong reactions among people on both sides of the issue. We hear from two of them.
