Chad Livengood
@chadlivengood.bsky.social
Politics Editor & Columnist at The Detroit News
[email protected]
https://www.detroitnews.com/staff/9891415002/chad-livengood/
[email protected]
https://www.detroitnews.com/staff/9891415002/chad-livengood/
Pinned
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer proposed $15M for grant program championed by donor Fay Beydoun
The origins of a lucrative taxpayer grant for a Metro Detroit businesswoman trace back to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's administration, state records show.
www.detroitnews.com
SCOOP: Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer proposed $15M for grant program championed by campaign donor Fay Beydoun
Beydoun’s grant, which ballooned to $20M, is now the subject of a criminal probe by AG Dana Nessel
www.detroitnews.com/story/news/p...
Beydoun’s grant, which ballooned to $20M, is now the subject of a criminal probe by AG Dana Nessel
www.detroitnews.com/story/news/p...
Michigan House Speaker Matt Hall, a self-styled ethics reformer, scored Lions tickets from a Lansing lobbyist — and he won’t say how much he paid for them.
And he’s blocking a FOIA bill that would shine new light on lawmaker-lobbyist relationships.
www.detroitnews.com/story/news/p...
And he’s blocking a FOIA bill that would shine new light on lawmaker-lobbyist relationships.
www.detroitnews.com/story/news/p...
Michigan House speaker gets Lions tickets from lobbyist while blocking open records bill
House Speaker Matt Hall won't say how much he paid a lobbying firm for Lions tickets. He's opposing bills that could shine light on the details.
www.detroitnews.com
November 26, 2025 at 1:20 PM
Michigan House Speaker Matt Hall, a self-styled ethics reformer, scored Lions tickets from a Lansing lobbyist — and he won’t say how much he paid for them.
And he’s blocking a FOIA bill that would shine new light on lawmaker-lobbyist relationships.
www.detroitnews.com/story/news/p...
And he’s blocking a FOIA bill that would shine new light on lawmaker-lobbyist relationships.
www.detroitnews.com/story/news/p...
NEW: Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, a dozen-plus Michigan Economic Development Corp. employees pitched in at 'donor reception' for private foundation funding her travel
MEDC acknowledges using the state’s Great Seal for a non-state government function
www.detroitnews.com/story/news/p...
MEDC acknowledges using the state’s Great Seal for a non-state government function
www.detroitnews.com/story/news/p...
Whitmer, MEDC pitched in at 'donor reception' supporting her travel
The revelations, which came in a batch of documents obtained through an open records request, shine new light on the tangled web of relationships.
www.detroitnews.com
November 25, 2025 at 4:07 AM
NEW: Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, a dozen-plus Michigan Economic Development Corp. employees pitched in at 'donor reception' for private foundation funding her travel
MEDC acknowledges using the state’s Great Seal for a non-state government function
www.detroitnews.com/story/news/p...
MEDC acknowledges using the state’s Great Seal for a non-state government function
www.detroitnews.com/story/news/p...
White House Christmas tree rooted in Michigan for first time since Reagan
www.detroitnews.com/story/news/l...
www.detroitnews.com/story/news/l...
White House Christmas tree rooted in Michigan for first time since Reagan
This will be the third time on record that a Michigan grower is supplying the official White House Christmas tree.
www.detroitnews.com
November 22, 2025 at 12:22 PM
White House Christmas tree rooted in Michigan for first time since Reagan
www.detroitnews.com/story/news/l...
www.detroitnews.com/story/news/l...
Howell Township puts pause on data centers after hundreds protest www.detroitnews.com/story/busine...
Howell Township puts pause on data centers after hundreds protest
Howell Township trustees Thursday unanimously voted in favor of a six-month pause on data center applications.
www.detroitnews.com
November 21, 2025 at 11:42 AM
Howell Township puts pause on data centers after hundreds protest www.detroitnews.com/story/busine...
Jeff Daniels and his son and daughter-in-law to open new music venue and restaurant in downtown Chelsea
www.detroitnews.com/story/entert...
www.detroitnews.com/story/entert...
Jeff Daniels to open new music venue and restaurant in Chelsea
JD's Stage and Bistro will have a state-of-the-art live room, a restaurant and private dining spaces.
www.detroitnews.com
November 21, 2025 at 2:38 AM
Jeff Daniels and his son and daughter-in-law to open new music venue and restaurant in downtown Chelsea
www.detroitnews.com/story/entert...
www.detroitnews.com/story/entert...
U.S. Coast Guard will no longer classify swastikas, nooses as hate symbols
www.detroitnews.com/story/news/n...
www.detroitnews.com/story/news/n...
U.S. Coast Guard will no longer classify swastikas, nooses as hate symbols
The Coast Guard will classify the Nazi-era insignia as “potentially divisive” under its new guidelines.
www.detroitnews.com
November 20, 2025 at 7:45 PM
U.S. Coast Guard will no longer classify swastikas, nooses as hate symbols
www.detroitnews.com/story/news/n...
www.detroitnews.com/story/news/n...
Is the Ann Arbor school district hiding a biological male on the Skyline High School girls' volleyball team?
The evidence is as clear as mud.
Reporter Jennifer Chambers wades through the controversy in today’s Detroit News:
www.detroitnews.com/story/news/l...
The evidence is as clear as mud.
Reporter Jennifer Chambers wades through the controversy in today’s Detroit News:
www.detroitnews.com/story/news/l...
Transgender claim shadows Ann Arbor girls' volleyball team
Skyline High School's standout season ended in the state quarterfinals amid an online furor over whether one of its players is transgender.
www.detroitnews.com
November 20, 2025 at 1:19 PM
Is the Ann Arbor school district hiding a biological male on the Skyline High School girls' volleyball team?
The evidence is as clear as mud.
Reporter Jennifer Chambers wades through the controversy in today’s Detroit News:
www.detroitnews.com/story/news/l...
The evidence is as clear as mud.
Reporter Jennifer Chambers wades through the controversy in today’s Detroit News:
www.detroitnews.com/story/news/l...
Trump attacks ABC reporter Mary Bruce and threatens the network's license after she asked about his family doing business in Saudi Arabia, Jeffrey Epstein and Saudi Crown Prince MBS orchestrating the killing of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi
www.detroitnews.com/story/news/p...
www.detroitnews.com/story/news/p...
Trump attacks ABC reporter after question about killing of Saudi journalist Khashoggi
After asking Bruce who she worked for, Trump called ABC “fake news” and defended his family's business operations in Saudi Arabia.
www.detroitnews.com
November 19, 2025 at 3:38 PM
Trump attacks ABC reporter Mary Bruce and threatens the network's license after she asked about his family doing business in Saudi Arabia, Jeffrey Epstein and Saudi Crown Prince MBS orchestrating the killing of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi
www.detroitnews.com/story/news/p...
www.detroitnews.com/story/news/p...
NEW: A dark money group supporting Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer amassed $7.7M in anonymous donations in 2024, swelling in size from zero to 18 employees, newly-released tax records reveal.
It could be a presidential campaign in waiting.
www.detroitnews.com/story/news/p...
It could be a presidential campaign in waiting.
www.detroitnews.com/story/news/p...
Whitmer-tied nonprofit draws $7.7M from secret donors in 2024, staffs up
The pro-Whitmer group Road to Michigan's Future can accept limitless anonymous donations and expanded its scope in 2024, tax records reveal.
www.detroitnews.com
November 19, 2025 at 10:58 AM
NEW: A dark money group supporting Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer amassed $7.7M in anonymous donations in 2024, swelling in size from zero to 18 employees, newly-released tax records reveal.
It could be a presidential campaign in waiting.
www.detroitnews.com/story/news/p...
It could be a presidential campaign in waiting.
www.detroitnews.com/story/news/p...
NEW: Detroit Three CEOs invited to testify before Congress for the first time since the 2008 banking and housing crisis that preceded GM and Chrysler's bankruptcies
www.detroitnews.com/story/busine...
www.detroitnews.com/story/busine...
Detroit Three CEOs invited to testify before Congress in January for first time since 2008
The last time the heads of Ford, GM and Stellantis (formerly Chrysler) testified together was at the start of the auto crisis in the Great Recession.
www.detroitnews.com
November 19, 2025 at 1:57 AM
NEW: Detroit Three CEOs invited to testify before Congress for the first time since the 2008 banking and housing crisis that preceded GM and Chrysler's bankruptcies
www.detroitnews.com/story/busine...
www.detroitnews.com/story/busine...
U.S. House votes overwhelmingly to force release of Epstein files, sending bill to Senate www.detroitnews.com/story/news/p...
House votes overwhelmingly to force release of Epstein files, sending bill to Senate
It's the culmination of a monthslong effort that has overcome opposition from Trump and Republican leadership.
www.detroitnews.com
November 18, 2025 at 8:03 PM
U.S. House votes overwhelmingly to force release of Epstein files, sending bill to Senate www.detroitnews.com/story/news/p...
Reposted by Chad Livengood
And you can too! Join us virtually on Wednesday.
It'll remind you of the power of good reporting to make a difference.
Details here, and a link to register, here:
spjdetroit.org/behind-the-h...
It'll remind you of the power of good reporting to make a difference.
Details here, and a link to register, here:
spjdetroit.org/behind-the-h...
Behind the Headlines: Anatomy of an Award-Winning Investigative Series
SPJ Detroit presents a virtual conversation with Beth LeBlanc and Chad Livengood on their project exposing government wrongdoing that is the subject of a criminal investigation.
Join us on Wednesday,...
spjdetroit.org
November 17, 2025 at 11:00 PM
And you can too! Join us virtually on Wednesday.
It'll remind you of the power of good reporting to make a difference.
Details here, and a link to register, here:
spjdetroit.org/behind-the-h...
It'll remind you of the power of good reporting to make a difference.
Details here, and a link to register, here:
spjdetroit.org/behind-the-h...
Reposted by Chad Livengood
It began with a $4,500 coffeemaker. But it sure didn't end there.
I can't wait to moderate this virtual conversation with Beth LeBlanc + @chadlivengood.bsky.social on their investigative series into a $20 million earmark, revealing reckless spending, corruption and loose oversight in government.
I can't wait to moderate this virtual conversation with Beth LeBlanc + @chadlivengood.bsky.social on their investigative series into a $20 million earmark, revealing reckless spending, corruption and loose oversight in government.
November 17, 2025 at 10:48 PM
It began with a $4,500 coffeemaker. But it sure didn't end there.
I can't wait to moderate this virtual conversation with Beth LeBlanc + @chadlivengood.bsky.social on their investigative series into a $20 million earmark, revealing reckless spending, corruption and loose oversight in government.
I can't wait to moderate this virtual conversation with Beth LeBlanc + @chadlivengood.bsky.social on their investigative series into a $20 million earmark, revealing reckless spending, corruption and loose oversight in government.
Federal judges block Texas from using the GOP’s new ‘racially gerrymandered’ U.S. House map in the 2026 midterms
www.detroitnews.com/story/news/p...
www.detroitnews.com/story/news/p...
Texas cannot use a new congressional map drawn by Republicans in hopes of securing the party additional U.S. House seats, a panel of three federal judges ruled Tuesday.
Federal judges block Texas from using its new U.S. House map in the 2026 midterms
Texas cannot use a new congressional map drawn by Republicans in hopes of securing the party additional U.S. House seats, a panel of three federal judges ruled Tuesday.
bit.ly
November 18, 2025 at 6:31 PM
Federal judges block Texas from using the GOP’s new ‘racially gerrymandered’ U.S. House map in the 2026 midterms
www.detroitnews.com/story/news/p...
www.detroitnews.com/story/news/p...
Amazon drone delivery live in Pontiac (and within 7-8 miles), expands to Hazel Park
www.detroitnews.com/story/busine...
www.detroitnews.com/story/busine...
Amazon drone delivery live in Pontiac, expands to Hazel Park
Customers in the Pontiac area can now have millions of items delivered to their doorstep
www.detroitnews.com
November 18, 2025 at 1:25 AM
Amazon drone delivery live in Pontiac (and within 7-8 miles), expands to Hazel Park
www.detroitnews.com/story/busine...
www.detroitnews.com/story/busine...
John Skelton arraigned on murder charges in sons' 2010 disappearance, held on $60M bond
www.detroitnews.com/story/news/l...
www.detroitnews.com/story/news/l...
John Skelton arraigned on murder charges in sons' 2010 disappearance, held on $60M bond
The three boys were last seen at his Morenci home on Thanksgiving 2010. They were declared legally dead in April.
www.detroitnews.com
November 17, 2025 at 7:59 PM
John Skelton arraigned on murder charges in sons' 2010 disappearance, held on $60M bond
www.detroitnews.com/story/news/l...
www.detroitnews.com/story/news/l...
BREAKING: In reversal, Trump says House Republicans should vote to release Epstein files
www.detroitnews.com/story/news/p...
www.detroitnews.com/story/news/p...
In reversal, Trump says House Republicans should vote to release Epstein files
“We have nothing to hide," President Donald Trump wrote Sunday night on social media.
www.detroitnews.com
November 17, 2025 at 3:09 AM
BREAKING: In reversal, Trump says House Republicans should vote to release Epstein files
www.detroitnews.com/story/news/p...
www.detroitnews.com/story/news/p...
👀 Hamtramck mayor's race hinges on contested ballot envelopes left open in clerk's office
www.detroitnews.com/story/news/p...
www.detroitnews.com/story/news/p...
Hamtramck mayor's race hinges on contested ballot envelopes left open in clerk's office
Wayne County election officials delayed on deciding whether to count the votes, that could change the outcome in Hamtramck's mayoral race.
www.detroitnews.com
November 13, 2025 at 9:49 PM
👀 Hamtramck mayor's race hinges on contested ballot envelopes left open in clerk's office
www.detroitnews.com/story/news/p...
www.detroitnews.com/story/news/p...
SIGNIFICANT TRANSPARENCY REFORM following years of Detroit News reporting on this issue⤵️
After scandals, Michigan lawmakers set 45-day earmark disclosure standard
www.detroitnews.com/story/news/p...
After scandals, Michigan lawmakers set 45-day earmark disclosure standard
www.detroitnews.com/story/news/p...
After scandals, Michigan lawmakers set 45-day earmark disclosure standard
The compromise represented a significant change that comes in response to a series of scandals tied to a wave of earmark spending.
www.detroitnews.com
November 13, 2025 at 9:25 PM
SIGNIFICANT TRANSPARENCY REFORM following years of Detroit News reporting on this issue⤵️
After scandals, Michigan lawmakers set 45-day earmark disclosure standard
www.detroitnews.com/story/news/p...
After scandals, Michigan lawmakers set 45-day earmark disclosure standard
www.detroitnews.com/story/news/p...
BREAKING: New Republican-authored job-creation legislation offloads MEGA tax credits for Detroit automakers
Beth LeBlanc has the scoop:
www.detroitnews.com/story/news/p...
Beth LeBlanc has the scoop:
www.detroitnews.com/story/news/p...
New job-creation legislation offloads MEGA tax credits for Detroit automakers
The legislation seeks to offload a controversial, decades-old tax credit scheme and create a new, separate income tax capture program
www.detroitnews.com
November 13, 2025 at 12:22 PM
BREAKING: New Republican-authored job-creation legislation offloads MEGA tax credits for Detroit automakers
Beth LeBlanc has the scoop:
www.detroitnews.com/story/news/p...
Beth LeBlanc has the scoop:
www.detroitnews.com/story/news/p...
U.S. House passes bill to end historic government shutdown, sending measure to Trump
www.detroitnews.com/story/news/p...
www.detroitnews.com/story/news/p...
House passes bill to end historic government shutdown, sending measure to Trump
The vote Wednesday sends the measure to President Donald Trump for his signature after a historic 43-day funding lapse.
www.detroitnews.com
November 13, 2025 at 1:31 AM
U.S. House passes bill to end historic government shutdown, sending measure to Trump
www.detroitnews.com/story/news/p...
www.detroitnews.com/story/news/p...
NEW: Convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein alleged in emails that Donald Trump knew of his conduct “spent hours at my house” with one of Epstein’s victims
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/12/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/12/u...
Epstein Alleged in Emails That Trump Knew of His Conduct
www.nytimes.com
November 12, 2025 at 1:51 PM
NEW: Convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein alleged in emails that Donald Trump knew of his conduct “spent hours at my house” with one of Epstein’s victims
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/12/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/12/u...
Supreme Court extends its order blocking full SNAP payments, with federal government shutdown potentially near an end www.detroitnews.com/story/news/n...
Supreme Court extends its order blocking full SNAP payments, with shutdown potentially near an end
The high court’s decision Tuesday came amid signals that the government shutdown could soon end and food aid payments resume.
www.detroitnews.com
November 11, 2025 at 11:31 PM
Supreme Court extends its order blocking full SNAP payments, with federal government shutdown potentially near an end www.detroitnews.com/story/news/n...
LEDE: The Democratic-led Michigan Senate has forced two longtime GOP staffers out of their jobs over their ties to a petition-gathering firm they founded two years earlier, a move that Republican Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt is calling a "witch hunt."
www.detroitnews.com/story/news/p...
www.detroitnews.com/story/news/p...
2 Michigan Senate staffers forced out over campaign work, a move called a 'witch hunt'
The departures of Jeff Wiggins and Meghan Reckling represented a shakeup in the state Legislature's upper chamber.
www.detroitnews.com
November 11, 2025 at 7:17 PM
LEDE: The Democratic-led Michigan Senate has forced two longtime GOP staffers out of their jobs over their ties to a petition-gathering firm they founded two years earlier, a move that Republican Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt is calling a "witch hunt."
www.detroitnews.com/story/news/p...
www.detroitnews.com/story/news/p...