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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Among other things, the expansion of the law would protect people who’ve had abortions from being denied a job, a promotion, or housing. -
There are a variety of rulings from courts in other states regarding the drug mifepristone. The sometimes-competing decisions have created uncertainty surrounding the continued availability of the drug from suppliers. It’s expected the final call will be made by the U.S. Supreme Court. -
Patients seeking abortions in Michigan can still get the abortion pill — at least, for now.
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The political roundtable discusses the repeal of the state’s 1931 abortion law, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ visit to Michigan, and the charges against a former Republican Speaker of the House. -
The ban is superseded by a voter approved amendment to the state Constitution. But Governor Gretchen Whitmer said it’s important to strip what she calls “zombie laws” off the books to protect reproductive rights. -
The It’s Just Politics political roundtable discusses the week in Michigan politics as lawmakers hold hearings on new gun safety bills and Senators vote to add LGBTQ protections to the state’s civil rights act. -
The ban is unenforceable due to a state constitutional amendment passed last year that guarantees abortion rights. But advocates say it should still come off the books. -
The Michigan Supreme Court has officially closed the books on Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s effort to have Michigan’s 1931 abortion law declared unconstitutional. -
Governor Gretchen Whitmer signs an executive directive to make sure state government is ready to comply with the state’s new abortion-rights amendment. -
Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed an executive directive Wednesday to make sure state government is ready to comply with the new abortion-rights amendment to the Michigan Constitution.
