Brad LaPlante
@bradlaplante.me
Writing about politics & more @WLNS.bsky.social. Prev: @statenews.com. New episodes of The Moment out Fridays. blaplante@wlns.com. Signal: bradlaplante.10
Pinned
FRIDAY: Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Leonard joins The Moment. 9 am on WLNS+.
Season 2 coming Feb. 20.
Season 2 coming Feb. 20.
A fantastic essay from Georgia Fort, who was arrested after a Minnesota protest.
“A society that claims to value our democracy cannot criminalize those who document threats to democracy.” www.nytimes.com/2026/02/05/o...
“A society that claims to value our democracy cannot criminalize those who document threats to democracy.” www.nytimes.com/2026/02/05/o...
February 8, 2026 at 1:58 AM
A fantastic essay from Georgia Fort, who was arrested after a Minnesota protest.
“A society that claims to value our democracy cannot criminalize those who document threats to democracy.” www.nytimes.com/2026/02/05/o...
“A society that claims to value our democracy cannot criminalize those who document threats to democracy.” www.nytimes.com/2026/02/05/o...
Will Lewis steps down as CEO of the Washington Post. www.nytimes.com/2026/02/07/t...
www.nytimes.com
February 7, 2026 at 10:58 PM
Will Lewis steps down as CEO of the Washington Post. www.nytimes.com/2026/02/07/t...
Reposted by Brad LaPlante
BREAKING: Will Lewis resigns, Washington Post names new acting CEO
Washington Post names new CEO as Will Lewis exits
Jeff D'Onofrio was named acting CEO and publisher. He joined the Post in 2025 as CFO.
www.axios.com
February 7, 2026 at 10:54 PM
BREAKING: Will Lewis resigns, Washington Post names new acting CEO
McDonald Rivet said she is “astonished” that Democrats do not have a strategy to overturn Citizens United v. FEC.
February 7, 2026 at 2:55 PM
McDonald Rivet said she is “astonished” that Democrats do not have a strategy to overturn Citizens United v. FEC.
Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-Bay City) asked the room, “How many people here have a college degree?” The entire room raised their hand.
She said, “Well, most people don’t … (A room like this) is not where we develop those big ideas.”
She said, “Well, most people don’t … (A room like this) is not where we develop those big ideas.”
At an event where Dems are strategizing how they can win back working class voters. A speaker just said they don’t feel like the national party cares to appeal to these voters.
“It’s not going to be TV ads, it’s going to be hard work knocking doors.”
“It’s not going to be TV ads, it’s going to be hard work knocking doors.”
February 7, 2026 at 2:28 PM
Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-Bay City) asked the room, “How many people here have a college degree?” The entire room raised their hand.
She said, “Well, most people don’t … (A room like this) is not where we develop those big ideas.”
She said, “Well, most people don’t … (A room like this) is not where we develop those big ideas.”
At an event where Dems are strategizing how they can win back working class voters. A speaker just said they don’t feel like the national party cares to appeal to these voters.
“It’s not going to be TV ads, it’s going to be hard work knocking doors.”
“It’s not going to be TV ads, it’s going to be hard work knocking doors.”
February 7, 2026 at 2:22 PM
At an event where Dems are strategizing how they can win back working class voters. A speaker just said they don’t feel like the national party cares to appeal to these voters.
“It’s not going to be TV ads, it’s going to be hard work knocking doors.”
“It’s not going to be TV ads, it’s going to be hard work knocking doors.”
Going to be so honest, I did not see this coming.
Abdul El-Sayed and Mallory McMorrow spoke at a forum at the Black Summit in west Michigan today. Haley Stevens was absent.
All three are speaking at a UAW forum next week.
Abdul El-Sayed and Mallory McMorrow spoke at a forum at the Black Summit in west Michigan today. Haley Stevens was absent.
All three are speaking at a UAW forum next week.
February 7, 2026 at 3:31 AM
Going to be so honest, I did not see this coming.
Abdul El-Sayed and Mallory McMorrow spoke at a forum at the Black Summit in west Michigan today. Haley Stevens was absent.
All three are speaking at a UAW forum next week.
Abdul El-Sayed and Mallory McMorrow spoke at a forum at the Black Summit in west Michigan today. Haley Stevens was absent.
All three are speaking at a UAW forum next week.
This new Perry Johnson ad for Michigan governor is…interesting.
Johnson says he’ll be tuning in to the “All-American Halftime Show” with Kid Rock headlining and referred to Bad Bunny as “dust bunny.” youtu.be/Woqay82gWN8?...
Johnson says he’ll be tuning in to the “All-American Halftime Show” with Kid Rock headlining and referred to Bad Bunny as “dust bunny.” youtu.be/Woqay82gWN8?...
Perry Johnson: Super Bowl Bunny
YouTube video by Perry Johnson for Governor
youtu.be
February 5, 2026 at 5:41 PM
This new Perry Johnson ad for Michigan governor is…interesting.
Johnson says he’ll be tuning in to the “All-American Halftime Show” with Kid Rock headlining and referred to Bad Bunny as “dust bunny.” youtu.be/Woqay82gWN8?...
Johnson says he’ll be tuning in to the “All-American Halftime Show” with Kid Rock headlining and referred to Bad Bunny as “dust bunny.” youtu.be/Woqay82gWN8?...
Politics aside, it is common for a secretary of state to oversee an election they're in. Ruth Johnson (R) was secretary of state while simultaneously running for state Senate District 24.
I asked Nesbitt about this last year, and he said Johnson didn't "let illegals vote."
I asked Nesbitt about this last year, and he said Johnson didn't "let illegals vote."
February 5, 2026 at 5:31 PM
Politics aside, it is common for a secretary of state to oversee an election they're in. Ruth Johnson (R) was secretary of state while simultaneously running for state Senate District 24.
I asked Nesbitt about this last year, and he said Johnson didn't "let illegals vote."
I asked Nesbitt about this last year, and he said Johnson didn't "let illegals vote."
AP — Slotkin rejects Justice Department’s request for interview on Democrats’ video about ‘illegal orders’ apnews.com/article/slot...
Slotkin rejects Justice Department request for interview on Democrats' video about 'illegal orders'
Sen. Elissa Slotkin of Michigan says she won't sit for an interview with the Justice Department regarding a probe into a video she organized urging U.S. military members to resist “illegal orders.”
apnews.com
February 5, 2026 at 2:59 PM
AP — Slotkin rejects Justice Department’s request for interview on Democrats’ video about ‘illegal orders’ apnews.com/article/slot...
Today: Nessel launched a form to report immigration enforcement. www.wlns.com/capital-rund...
Nessel accuses ICE of ‘illegal actions,’ launches ICE tracker
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel launched a report mechanism for residents to track ICE and Border Patrol actions, accusing them of committing “illegal actions” against residents a…
www.wlns.com
February 4, 2026 at 9:26 PM
Today: Nessel launched a form to report immigration enforcement. www.wlns.com/capital-rund...
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer contends that Michigan elections are "safe and secure."
“Any attempt by the federal government to take over Michigan elections should be viewed as an attempt to take away Michiganders' constitutional right to vote," she said. "It won't happen on my watch."
“Any attempt by the federal government to take over Michigan elections should be viewed as an attempt to take away Michiganders' constitutional right to vote," she said. "It won't happen on my watch."
Every member of the Michigan Republican delegation signed a letter to Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson demanding answers about election integrity.
February 4, 2026 at 8:17 PM
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer contends that Michigan elections are "safe and secure."
“Any attempt by the federal government to take over Michigan elections should be viewed as an attempt to take away Michiganders' constitutional right to vote," she said. "It won't happen on my watch."
“Any attempt by the federal government to take over Michigan elections should be viewed as an attempt to take away Michiganders' constitutional right to vote," she said. "It won't happen on my watch."
Every member of the Michigan Republican delegation signed a letter to Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson demanding answers about election integrity.
February 4, 2026 at 8:11 PM
Every member of the Michigan Republican delegation signed a letter to Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson demanding answers about election integrity.
New: Dems outpace GOP turnout in high-stakes state Senate special election primary. www.wlns.com/your-local-e...
Democrats outpace GOP turnout as Greene, Tunney win primaries for high-stakes state Senate race
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) — Saginaw Fire Chief Chedrick Greene won the Democratic primary for Michigan’s 35th Senate District. Attorney Jason Tunney edged out retired Dow Corning marketing director Chr…
www.wlns.com
February 4, 2026 at 4:22 PM
New: Dems outpace GOP turnout in high-stakes state Senate special election primary. www.wlns.com/your-local-e...
FRIDAY: Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Leonard joins The Moment. 9 am on WLNS+.
Season 2 coming Feb. 20.
Season 2 coming Feb. 20.
February 4, 2026 at 3:03 PM
FRIDAY: Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Leonard joins The Moment. 9 am on WLNS+.
Season 2 coming Feb. 20.
Season 2 coming Feb. 20.
Attorney Jason Tunney is declaring victory over retired Dow Corning marketing director Christian Velasquez.
February 4, 2026 at 5:24 AM
Attorney Jason Tunney is declaring victory over retired Dow Corning marketing director Christian Velasquez.
Chedrick Greene beginning to pull away from Pamela Pugh with almost 50% reporting.
GOP race is a dead heat between Velasquez and Tunney.
GOP race is a dead heat between Velasquez and Tunney.
February 4, 2026 at 3:53 AM
Chedrick Greene beginning to pull away from Pamela Pugh with almost 50% reporting.
GOP race is a dead heat between Velasquez and Tunney.
GOP race is a dead heat between Velasquez and Tunney.
This is an objectively funny way to spin this headline.
February 4, 2026 at 2:43 AM
This is an objectively funny way to spin this headline.
Former state Sen. Adam Hollier (D) is shifting his focus from the secretary of state race to a state Senate seat held by Democrat Stephanie Chang. www.wlns.com/your-local-e...
Adam Hollier exits secretary of state race, shifts focus to Michigan Senate District 3
Former state Sen. Adam Hollier has suspended his campaign for secretary of state and is instead running for the Michigan State Senate in District 3, currently held by Democrat Stephanie Chang.
www.wlns.com
February 3, 2026 at 6:28 PM
Former state Sen. Adam Hollier (D) is shifting his focus from the secretary of state race to a state Senate seat held by Democrat Stephanie Chang. www.wlns.com/your-local-e...
Florida GOP gubernatorial candidate James Fishback says he joined Tinder to "meet young female voters where they are." According to his profile, which he shared on X, his "hottest take" is paid maternity leave.
February 3, 2026 at 6:22 PM
Florida GOP gubernatorial candidate James Fishback says he joined Tinder to "meet young female voters where they are." According to his profile, which he shared on X, his "hottest take" is paid maternity leave.
Defense Dept. selects Michigan as drone test site. www.wlns.com/capital-rund...
Defense Dept. selects Michigan for designated drone testing site
The Department of Defense has selected Michigan’s National All-Domain Warfighting Center as its designated drone testing range, allowing the Army and National Guard to train pilots and test d…
www.wlns.com
February 3, 2026 at 6:08 PM
Defense Dept. selects Michigan as drone test site. www.wlns.com/capital-rund...
New: John James has vowed to open the Legislature and the governor's office to FOIA if elected. www.wlns.com/your-local-e...
John James vows opening Legislature, governor’s office to FOIA if elected
John James, a Republican congressman from Shelby Township, has proposed expanding FOIA and increasing transparency in Lansing, as well as implementing a “Freedom from Corruption Agenda”…
www.wlns.com
February 3, 2026 at 4:58 PM
New: John James has vowed to open the Legislature and the governor's office to FOIA if elected. www.wlns.com/your-local-e...
Jocelyn Benson and John James led the gubernatorial fundraising race last quarter. Republican Mike Cox reported the most cash on hand. www.wlns.com/your-local-e...
Benson leads gubernatorial fundraising for last quarter, Cox reports largest war chest
Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson raised the most funds in the final quarter of 2025, while Republican Mike Cox had the most in cash reserves entering the new year.
www.wlns.com
February 3, 2026 at 4:25 PM
Jocelyn Benson and John James led the gubernatorial fundraising race last quarter. Republican Mike Cox reported the most cash on hand. www.wlns.com/your-local-e...
Tom Barrett led the Michigan delegation in fundraising last quarter. Here's how others fared in competitive seats. www.wlns.com/your-local-e...
Barrett led Michigan delegation in fundraising last quarter. Here’s how the rest are doing, and their challengers
Campaign finance reports show that Rep. Tom Barrett (R-Charlotte) raised over $1 million in the last quarter, while Rep. Bill Huizenga (R-Holland) raised $433,832 and Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet (D…
www.wlns.com
February 3, 2026 at 4:03 PM
Tom Barrett led the Michigan delegation in fundraising last quarter. Here's how others fared in competitive seats. www.wlns.com/your-local-e...
Tom Barrett's new plan: a 20-year cap for federal judges' service. www.wlns.com/capital-rund...
Tom Barrett’s new plan: 20-year cap for federal judges
Rep. Tom Barrett (R-Charlotte) is proposing a constitutional amendment to cap federal judges’ service at 20 years, with the goal of restoring trust in government and introducing more regular …
www.wlns.com
February 2, 2026 at 4:52 PM
Tom Barrett's new plan: a 20-year cap for federal judges' service. www.wlns.com/capital-rund...