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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It's no secret that websites and apps collect your personal data, including those you may use to track your period. Data is often used for targeted ads, but the end to the constitutional right to abortion has made privacy experts concerned about surveillance as well. -
Abortion rights advocates in Michigan are hoping a wave of newly-motivated activists will turn out this year to override an abortion ban and put broad reproductive rights in the state constitution. -
The Reproductive Freedom for All campaign delivered a record-setting 753,759 signatures to the Michigan Secretary of State. This is one of the final steps of a ballot initiative that aims to make abortion a constitutional right in Michigan. -
Today on Stateside, we discussed a community land trust that aims to help Detroit residents secure affordable housing, and a new exhibit at Cranbrook Art Museum featuring Flint artist Tunde Olaniran. Plus, petition signatures have been submitted for the Reproductive Freedom for All ballot initiative. -
The Reproductive Freedom For All ballot initiative turned in a total of 753,759 signatures to the Michigan Secretary of State Monday morning. If verified, the issue will be on the November ballot. -
Abortion is still legal in Michigan. But many privacy advocates are urging caution about online activity that could be used to prosecute people seeking or assisting with abortion services. -
In 1966, Renee Chelian had an illegal abortion that almost killed her. That experience, when she was just 15 years old, inspired a lifetime of work as an abortion clinic owner in Metro Detroit. -
On today's show, two reporters discussed their conversation with Renee Chelian, founder of Northland Family Planning Centers. Plus, the hosts of "The Great Muslim-American Road Trip" talked about their experience with the project, and we heard more about how Michigan is dealing with the recent Supreme Court ruling in West Virginia v. EPA.
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On today's show, we heard about new census data from Michigan, and how the Michigan History Center is helping families preserve their legacies. Then, one food writer dished on simple summer recipes, and a DNR forester gave an update on spongy moths. To wrap up, an ACLU representative gave an update on an abortion rights ballot initiative in Michigan.
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Renee Chelian started Northland Family Planning in 1976, after having an illegal abortion in a Detroit warehouse as a teenager. Her clinics are still operating, but the Supreme Court's decision in Dobbs imperils her 50 years of work to make abortion safe and available.
