The longtime leader of the Texas Democratic Party is stepping down.

Former President Donald Trump’s campaign has begun requesting information from his potential vice presidential candidates, sending vetting paperwork to a list of top contenders in recent weeks.

Former President Donald Trump’s youngest son, Barron Trump, won’t be serving as a Florida delegate to the Republican National Convention after all.

As President Joe Biden and Donald Trump step up their campaigning in swing states, a quieter battle is taking place in the shadows of their White House rematch.

A judge has removed Kristina Karamo as Michigan GOP chairwoman.

Former President Donald Trump will be in Waterford Township on Saturday, stumping for votes ahead of the Feb. 27 primary and Mar. 2 GOP caucus.

Watch Flashpoint every Sunday at 10 a.m. on Local 4 News and Local 4+.

The Michigan GOP made it clear Monday in its weekly newsletter that Kristina Karamo is still in charge.

Top Michigan Republicans are going under oath to give their version of what happened with the so-called "False electors" after the 2020 election.

House Republicans went after the IRS when they decided that emergency aid for Israel should be coupled with cuts elsewhere in the budget.

The special counsel overseeing the Hunter Biden investigation is expected to testify before a Congressional committee behind closed doors as a GOP probe into the Justice Department’s handling of the case continues to unfold.

Former President Donald Trump is stepping back from his pointed criticism of Israel.

Former President Donald Trump skipped out on Wednesday night's second GOP debate being held at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in California. Instead, he spoke at Drake Enterprises, which is a non-union auto parts company in Clinton Township.

Former President Donald Trump skipped out on Wednesday night's second GOP debate being held at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in California. Instead, he spoke at Drake Enterprises, which is a non-union auto parts company in Clinton Township.

Michigan's GOP was singled out in Politico this week as one of the state parties in key battleground states with serious financial struggles.

Watch Flashpoint every Sunday at 10 a.m. on Local 4 News and Local 4+.

Morning 4 is a quick roundup of stories we think you should know about to start your day.

White House economists are warning of “severe damage” to the U.S. economy in the event of a debt default.

An appeals court has rejected a bid by the Arizona Republican Party and its lawyers to undo $18,000 in attorneys’ fees that they were ordered to pay for bringing one of the party’s failed lawsuits challenging President Joe Biden’s 2020 victory in the state.

Since the drama of Kevin McCarthy's election as House speaker, there's been some movement toward opening the chamber to more public view.

The day after Governor Gretchen Whitmer pitched targeted tax breaks in her State of the State address, the Michigan legislature did just that, as about a billion dollars will be coming from the state back to you.

Wednesday marked a historic moment in Michigan’s history as Michigan’s first Black Speaker of the House, Joe Tate, gaveled in the state’s newly minted state legislature.

A new GOP-led U.S. House is voting on its new Speaker, but after multiple votes, no one has won a majority.

Tudor Dixon, the 2022 Republican candidate for Michigan governor who lost to incumbent Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, has decided not to run for chair of the Michigan GOP.

House Republicans are promising aggressive oversight of the Biden administration once they assume the majority next year.

Following the Democrat's big win during the midterm election, where they gained majorities in both chambers, there are two groundbreaking picks regarding leadership.

While everyone was consumed with watching the results of the top-of-the-ticket races Tuesday night, the real change was happening farther down the ballot as Michigan Democrats seized power in both legislative chambers.

Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer and GOP candidate Tudor Dixon will each have solo time on stage to answer a series of questions and state their case to lead our important state as Michigan’s governor - hosted by the Detroit Economic Club, moderated by Local 4′s Christy McDonald.

Watch Flashpoint every Sunday at 10 a.m. on Local 4 News and Local 4+

An Associated Press review has found that nearly 1 in 3 Republican candidates for statewide offices that play a role in overseeing, certifying or defending elections supported overturning the 2020 presidential election.

Morning 4 is a quick roundup of stories we think you should know about to start your day.

The State Board of Canvassers deadlocked along party lines, meaning the abortion rights proposal and an overhaul of voting rights will go to the Michigan Supreme Court; The ballot needs to be finalized by Sept. 9, so we’re looking at a week to get a decision from the court.

Reports show that former Education Secretary Betsy DeVos is in talks to be interviewed by the January 6 committee, which could have a ripple effect through the Michigan governor’s race.

The dust has barely settled from primary election night, and the abortion issue is the subject of an ad attacking Tudor Dixon, the GOP nominee for governor.

In decision 2022, for the first time, two women will be facing off in the general election for the chance to be Michigan’s next governor.

The Michigan GOP canceled an election watch party that was scheduled for Tuesday night after receiving threats.

Watch Flashpoint every Sunday at 10 a.m. on Local 4 News and Local 4+.

Former president Donald Trump has endorsed Republican gubernatorial candidate Tudor Dixon just days before Michigan’s primary election.

Ahead of next week’s primary election, the five GOP candidates for Michigan governor weighed in on the topics that matter most to voters.

Here's where to find election results for the Michigan GOP gubernatorial primary election on Aug. 2, 2022.

Local 4 is asked the Michigan GOP candidates the same questions ahead of the Michigan Primary Election. Each candidate has a different opinion on the important topics that Michiganders care about. On Tuesday, the topic was based on the economy in the state and what they would do to help fight inflation.

Local 4 is asked the Michigan GOP candidates the same questions ahead of the Michigan Primary Election.

There are new developments surrounding the battle over certifying Michigan’s results in the 2020 election.

Morning 4 is a quick roundup of stories we think you should know about to start your day.

Progress Michigan has filed a lawsuit with the goal of preventing Republican candidate for governor Ryan Kelley from appearing on the general election ballot.

With absentee ballots in homes right now, the GOP hopefuls for governor turned the pressure up on each other at a debate in Grand Rapids.

A Republican lawmaker from Illinois on Saturday night called the decision to overturn the landmark 1973 Supreme Court ruling in Roe v. Wade a “victory for white life” during a rally alongside ex-President Donald Trump.

One of the leading Republican candidates for Michigan governor was arrested by the FBI and charged for his role in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot on Thursday morning.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Ryan Kelley was reportedly arrested by the FBI on Thursday at his Michigan home.

Two more Republican candidates for governor are suing to get on the Aug. 2 primary ballot, just days before the Michigan lineup must be settled.

Watch Flashpoint every Sunday at 10 a.m. on Local 4 News.

Two of the leading candidates for the GOP nomination for Michigan governor will ask the courts to intervene after they were found ineligible for the August primary.

On Monday, five Michigan Republican candidates for governor failed to file enough nominating signatures that would qualify them for the August primary.

The Michigan Bureau of Elections says five GOP candidates for governor are ineligible for the August ballot, including former Detroit Police Chief James Craig and Quality Guru Perry Johnson.

Eight GOP Gubernatorial hopefuls had a chance to woo primary voters at the Livingston County GOP Lincoln Day Dinner. A debate, of sorts, was the feature of the evening.

Multiple campaigns that used the same paid signature gatherers appear to have the same petition problems, starting with forged signatures.

Bridge Michigan’s Lauren Gibbons speaks on how the republican party is responding to the possibility of Roe V. Wade in Michigan.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Kevin Rinke says his “bold” proposal to eliminate Michigan’s personal income tax would help residents and sets him apart in a 10-person primary field.

We’re diving into what the Republican Party in Michigan is about right now.

Petitions filed by three Republicans seeking to run for Michigan governor this year are being challenged due to alleged forgery and other signature and form issues.

A milestone Supreme Court confirmation that endured a flawed process.

Michigan Congressman Fred Upton, a Republican who has been serving the 6th district in West Michigan since 1987, says he’s retiring from Congress.

Pizza, pierogies, politics, and punches? That’s what went down in Shelby Township Thursday (March 31) night, according to police at a GOP delegate event.

Monday (Jan. 31) night, John James announced that he is running for Michigan’s newly drawn 10th Congressional District. The 10th Congressional District has no incumbent, and both Democrats and Republicans view it as winnable. There are still fights over the district maps, but James’s entry into the race would seem to shift the dynamic if this district holds its shape.

Monday (Jan. 31) night, John James announced that he is running for Michigan’s newly drawn 10th Congressional District. The 10th Congressional District has no incumbent, and both Democrats and Republicans view it as winnable. There are still fights over the district maps, but James’s entry into the race would seem to shift the dynamic if this district holds its shape.

Monday (Jan. 31) night, John James announced that he is running for Michigan’s newly drawn 10th Congressional District. The 10th Congressional District has no incumbent, and both Democrats and Republicans view it as winnable. There are still fights over the district maps, but James’s entry into the race would seem to shift the dynamic if this district holds its shape.

The chairperson and secretary of a group of 16 Michigan Republicans who signed a false certificate claiming Donald Trump won Michigan’s electoral votes in the 2020 General Election have been subpoenaed by the U.S. House Committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack at the Capitol.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer was out and about in Flint on Thursday, the first stop in what she’s calling her “Post State of the State Tour.”

Fresh off a victory with a 7 billion dollar investment from General Motors, Governor Whitmer pitches her plans as she heads into an election year. Because of COVID, Gov. Whitmer did her State of the State remotely. Breaking tradition, Whitmer took her show on the road to Detroit Diesel to give her address.

Documents show a group from Michigan attempted to overturn the 2020 election by sending false documents to the state, the courts and the national archives.

A Michigan group has raised $2.5 million from a liberal nonprofit to fight a Republican-backed ballot drive that would toughen voter ID requirements, ban the unsolicited mailing of absentee ballot applications and make other election changes.

The run to be the next governor of Michigan is heating up, especially on the Republican side.

The investigation included 30 hours of public hearing, witness testimony from nearly 90 people, more than 400 pages of testimony and subpoenaed key documents from Secretary of State and municipal governments.

The campaign finance complaint argues the plane cost falls outside an incidental office expense and that the trip was personal.

A restrictive voting bill in Texas that was on the verge of reaching Republican Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk failed to pass Sunday night after Democrats walked out of the House chamber before a midnight deadline.

State Rep. Matthew Maddock is no stranger to conspiracy theories and lies about both the election and pandemic.

The group’s members include former governors, members of Congress, presidential advisors and party officials who all agree the Republican Party needs to be fixed of challenged by a new party entirely.

Multiple COVID data points are severe enough that under a bill passed in the Michigan’s Republican-controlled Senate, the data would trigger a shutdown of indoor dining.

The company at the center of unproven claims of voter fraud in the 2020 U.S. General Election is now going after a former Michigan state senator.

The University of Michigan Board of Regents censured Regent Ron Weiser on Friday for his comments against Michigan lawmakers.

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan has billions of dollars in federal COVID relief to spend. The GOP Legislature has made a series of bills spending it, but a large piece of that $4.2 billion comes with strings attached. READ: Michigan Legislature nears passing $4.2B in virus aid without deal$2 billion goes to education, which means an additional $450 per student, as well as millions more for summer school and student health. About $840 million is tied to moving the power from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to local health departments when making decisions when it comes to in-person education and high school sports. Another $2.3 billion would give millions in aid to businesses, renters, hazard pay for care workers and more, but it ties $347 million for COVID testing to limiting the amount of time the health department restrictions can stay in place to 28 days.

that allegedly involved national GOP Party Chair Ronna McDaniel after Weiser allegedly called McDaniel. She is also mentioned in a similar pay-off scheme during her run for Michigan GOP Chair, also allegedly organized by Weiser. Michigan’s GOP elected the new leadership amid party infighting and accusations of illegal activity. One involved an alleged $200,000 pay-off for a candidate to drop out of a race that allegedly involved national GOP Party Chair Ronna McDaniel after Weiser allegedly called McDaniel. She is also mentioned in a similar pay-off scheme during her run for Michigan GOP Chair, also allegedly organized by Weiser.

Ron Weiser, chairman of the University of Michigan Board of Regents. DETROIT – University of Michigan Board of Regents member Ronald Weiser was elected to Michigan’s GOP chair during Saturday’s virtual Michigan Republican Party 2021 Convention. AdWeiser had been the Michigan GOP chair from 2009-2011 and 2017-2019. Ambassador to Slovakia under President George W. Bush from 2001-2005 and has been on the University of Michigan Board of Regents since 2016. The rest of Saturday’s election results can be read on the Michigan GOP website here.

On Friday night, a few dozen people gathered to remember 12-year-old, Phoebe Elliot, at the St. John Lutheran Church in Taylor. The number of confirmed cases of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in Michigan has risen to 566,630 as of Friday, including 14,797 deaths, state officials report. On Thursday, the state reported a total of 565,251 cases and 14,778 deaths. The state also reports “active cases,” which were listed at 68,700 on Thursday -- near the lowest it’s been since November. AdNew Today: Coronavirus in Michigan: Here’s what to know Feb. 6, 2021Here’s a look at more of the data:

(AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)LANSING, Mich. – Democratic Michigan officials are taking action against attorneys who supported former President Donald Trump and his campaign in their effort to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. Gretchen Whitmer and Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, Nessel filed a motion for sanctions against Michigan attorneys Greg Rohl, Scott Hagerstrom and Stefanie Junttila and Texas attorney Sidney Powell -- a close Trump ally. Filed with the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, the motion seeks to recover attorneys fees of about $11,000. Now-President Joe Biden won the 2020 election with 306 electoral votes, beating Trump’s 232. AdClick here to view the motion for sanctions filed on behalf of Whitmer and Benson on Thursday, or read it in the document below.

LANSING, Mich. – The annual State of the State address went online Wednesday night, an address like no other due to the pandemic. “My mission is to find common ground so we can emerge from this crisis stronger than ever,” Whitmer said. Whitmer seeks common ground, virus relief in State of State“I know you’re used to me saying ‘fix the damn roads.’ This year, let’s fix the damn road ahead and let’s find common ground to grow our economy,” she said. Whitmer did not mention the House GOP plan in her address. State Rep. Ann Bollin (R-Brighton), who sits on Appropriations, said her colleagues are ready to go.

In this Oct. 14, 2020 file photo, Michigan's 3rd District Congressional Republican candidate Peter Meijer speaks at a campaign rally in Grand Rapids, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – A newly elected Michigan Republican congressman who voted to impeach President Donald Trump is already drawing a GOP opponent for the 2022 race. Tom Norton, a Trump supporter, said he will challenge Rep. Peter Meijer in the Republican primary in the Grand Rapids area. Meijer was one of 10 House Republicans who voted to impeach Trump over the deadly insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. He said he knew his vote could create a backlash among Republicans. “If someone’s in office and looking over their shoulder the whole time, they’re probably not going to be making decisions within the best interests of their constituents,” Meijer said.

Most notably, the order allows restaurants to resume indoor dining services on Feb. 1, in addition to allowing movie theaters and casinos to reopen concessions and more. Read: Michigan restaurants can officially reopen Feb. 1 with curfew, other COVID safety restrictionsMichigan business owners, employees and patrons alike have waited months for the good news -- but it doesn’t come without stipulations. Under the new order, restaurants must operate indoor dining services at only 25 percent capacity, sit six people or less at a table and follow a 10 p.m. curfew. More: MDHHS announces next COVID order, revising rules for Michigan restaurants, stadiums, gatheringsThe Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association (MRLA) is calling the state’s loosened restrictions overdue. Whitmer’s office is hoping that people take the precautions seriously this time around to avoid the need to shut down indoor dining again.

DETROIT – Members of Michigan’s House of Representatives want to remove a Republican colleague from office for attending the rally in Washington, D.C. that preceded the deadly siege on the U.S. Capitol Building that left five dead. RELATED: ‘They didn’t care if they hurt people’ -- Michigan lawmakers react to deadly DC riotsRep. Matt Maddock and his wife Meshawn are vocal supporters of President Donald Trump and have tried to overturn President-elect Joe Biden’s victory in Michigan. Matt Maddock and Meshawn -- who is expected to become the next Republican Party Co-Chair -- spent much of Thursday in closed-door meetings. Matt Maddock was sworn into the Michigan House of Representatives Wednesday. “What we are seeing play out across our country right now is deeply concerning,” Whitmer said.

FILE - In this Jan. 6, 2021, file photo, supporters of President Donald Trump are confronted by U.S. Capitol Police officers outside the Senate Chamber inside the Capitol in Washington. Joined by Michigan Rep. Fred Upon, Meijer was one of only 10 Republican House representatives to support the second impeachment of President Donald Trump on Jan. 13. “At the end of the day, this was a vote of conscience,” Meijer said during an interview on MSNBC Thursday morning. Just last spring, a group of armed protesters entered the Michigan Capitol Building and yelled at members of security outside the legislative chambers to be let inside. The Michigan Capitol Commission has unanimously voted to ban the open carry of firearms inside the building, but some officials argue that new rule is not enough to protect the Capitol and those working inside.

President Donald Trump is set to present one of the nation's highest civilian honors to Nunes. Scott Applewhite)WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump on Monday presented the Presidential Medal of Freedom to one of his most outspoken congressional allies, California Rep. Devin Nunes, as he looks to reward loyalists with just over two weeks left in his term. Nunes, the former chair of the House Intelligence Committee, has been an ardent backer of Trump's during probes into Russian interference in the 2016 election and the president's 2019 impeachment by the Democratic-led House. In a statement, the White House credited Nunes with uncovering “the greatest scandal in American history," referencing Nunes' efforts to discredit the Russia investigation. U.S. intelligence agencies and multiple congressional committees concluded that Russia interfered in the 2016 election with the aim of boosting Trump’s candidacy.

The group says that if the 10-day audit isn’t granted, they will object to the Electoral College votes that have declared Biden the president-elect. Michigan Republicans are joining the last-ditch effort to overturn the election results. More than 100 Republican House members from the so-called Kraken Caucus are also expected to object to the presidential election results next week. This week, Democratic Senator Gary Peters called objections to the election results deliberate attempts to undermine trust in American elections. Trump and his allies have filed roughly 50 lawsuits challenging election results, and nearly all have been dismissed or dropped.

Here’s what you missed on Local 4 News at 4:Trump’s $2,000 checks all but dead as GOP Senate refuses aidPresident Donald Trump’s push for $2,000 COVID-19 relief checks all but died Wednesday as Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell proposed an alternative approach of loading up the bill with other White House priorities that appeared destined to fail.

President Donald Trump has once again taken aim at Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel on Twitter early Sunday morning -- and she was not having it. https://t.co/9OXZOujVtE — Dana Nessel (@dananessel) December 27, 2020“A patriot is a person who vigorously defends their country against its enemies and detractors. You’re not our type.”Nessel followed up with another tweet Sunday, saying she doesn’t expect this behavior from President-elect Joe Biden come his inauguration in January. “We’d be asking there be action taken against her law license including potentially disbarment.”In one of the latest filings, the attorney for Wayne County, Robert Davis, called on the federal judge in Michigan’s Eastern District to sanction the lawyers for six Michigan Trump supporters who are suing Gov. With no credible legal options remaining and the Electoral College having confirmed Biden’s victory earlier this month, Trump is turning his attention to Jan. 6.

Here’s what’s coming up on Local 4 News at 4:GOP blocks $2,000 checks as Trump leaves COVID aid in chaos -- What to knowThose stimulus checks are in jeopardy after the House failed to advance a plan to give $2,000 to most Americans this morning. Lawmakers were brought back to square 1 because of a surprise demand from President Trump.

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan Rep. Gary Eisen has been removed from his committee assignments for the rest of the term after he made comments during a radio interview on Monday. Whitmer, Secretary Benson, Rep. Johnson and others on the Oversight committee, Republicans, Democrats, and members of the Electoral College. Because of that, Rep. Eisen has been removed from his committee assignments for the rest of the term. Our group, who will also be at the Capitol today to request to be seated as electors, intends to participate in our democracy peacefully. Rep. Gary EisenREAD: Michigan State House and Senate offices close Monday during Electoral College vote

LANSING, Mich. – Eight-hundred people signed up to speak and thousands watched as the Michigan Board of State Canvassers met in Lansing to vote on whether to certify election results. After Michigan certified, the Biden campaign received a letter from the General Services Administration (GSA) that the Trump Administration is ready to begin the formal transition process. Read more: Board ends controversy over Michigan election after certifying resultsThe Michigan Board of State Canvassers ended the controversy over the November election Monday afternoon. It voted 3-0 to certify the election results with one abstention. There were circulating rumors that both Republican Board of State Canvassers members were considering voting no and delaying the certification.

DETROIT – A group of Detroit voters are now suing the Trump Campaign, claiming it’s trying to disenfranchise Black voters in their attempt to block the certification of votes in Wayne County. The lawsuit Anthony is talking about is 18 pages long. The plaintiffs are several local Detroit voters, along with the Michigan Welfare Rights Organization. They are suing Donald Trump and his campaign, claiming they’re trying to disenfranchise Black voters by trying to block the certification of votes in Wayne County. And we hired Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.”You can read the entire lawsuit filed against Trump and his campaign by the Michigan Welfare Rights Organization and Detroit residents here.

DETROIT – The envoy of Michigan Republican lawmakers who traveled to the White House Friday for a controversial meeting with President Donald Trump returned home Saturday. Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey refused to answer questions despite releasing a statement the day before. There were also photos of Chatfield and several other Michigan Republicans drinking inside Trump Hotel while seated at a table. The State Board of Canvassers meets Monday to vote on certifying the state election. Since the presidential election Republican leaders have made allegations of voter fraud without substantial evidence.

DETROIT – Three Detroit voters have joined a local organization in suing President Trump and his campaign over their effort to overturn the results of the 2020 election. Wayne County Board of Canvassers certifies results despite initial deadlockThe lawsuit comes days after two GOP members of the Wayne County Board of Canvassers initially voted not to certify the votes, citing discrepancies in the county’s numbers. The pair changed their minds again, however, after President Trump called them personally on Tuesday evening after the certification process. Still, some argue that their meeting with the president so close to the state’s certification meeting is concerning. We expect the State Board of Canvassers to do its job and count the votes.”The Michigan Board of State Canvassers is scheduled to meet at 1 p.m. on Monday.