Zena Issa
Criminal Justice ReporterZena Issa is Michigan Public’s new Criminal Justice reporter, joining the team after previously working as a newsroom intern and Stateside production assistant. She has contributed to award-winning projects like Voter Voices and What the Vote. A fluent Arabic speaker and experienced multimedia journalist, she has reported for WLNS-TV, WDIV-TV, and WBAL-TV, and brings strong social media storytelling skills to her new role. She's also a graduate of the University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. (Go Blue!)
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The proposed bill aims to ban several synthetic food dyes and additives from school meals by July 2026 to promote healthier eating and address behavioral concerns. -
Hours after the U.S. House passed a GOP-backed spending plan that would slash funding for programs like Medicaid and food assistance, Michiganders were on the streets. -
Marking 77 years since the Nakba, University of Michigan–Dearborn protesters called on the school to divest from companies tied to Israel amid growing concerns over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. -
Washtenaw County Prosecutor Eli Savit is running for Michigan attorney general, highlighting his record on workers’ rights. Student activists question his progressive credentials. -
The Michigan Supreme Court ruled that mandatory life without parole sentences for people who committed first-degree murder at ages 19 and 20 are unconstitutional. Prosecutors say the decision will place major strains on already under-resourced offices. -
A lawsuit against Benton Harbor city officials over the lead-contaminated water crisis is moving forward after a federal appeals court reinstated key claims. -
A pair of bills proposed by Sen. Jim Runestad and Rep. James DeSana grant people immunity from civil suits if they're cleared of criminal charges. -
The Michigan Infrastructure and Transportation Association is offering cash through its Pothole Payback contest to help drivers cover pothole-related car repairs and draw attention to the state’s crumbling roads. -
The United Auto Workers union is speaking out against federal job cuts at NIOSH saying the decision will harm workers, local communities, and efforts to prevent injuries and save lives. -
A Dearborn-based lawyer says immigration officials questioned him for 90 minutes at the Detroit Metro airport over the weekend. Amir Makled was returning to the U.S. from a family vacation in the Dominican Republic.
