LANSING, Mich. (WILX) – From Michigan’s state capitol to the White House, there was no shortage of major political action to follow in 2025.
Here in mid-Michigan, it included the case of a Jackson County couple held in a Mexican prison for over a month.
“I never thought we would be coming home for months,” said Christy Akeo.
Christy and Paul Akeo were taken into custody after stepping off their plane in Mexico, based on claims by a resort company that the couple wrongfully disputed credit card charges from the resort. The two parties eventually reached a settlement after U.S. Congressman Tom Barrett stepped in to negotiate.
“I saw some of the conditions they were in and I wanted to get them out as soon as possible,” said Rep. Tom Barrett (R-Michigan).
Only a few months later, Barrett and his colleagues in Congress would enter their own dispute with one another, leading to the longest government shutdown in the nation’s history. A key obstacle was Democratic lawmaker concerns about expiring healthcare credits.
“There is a health care crisis in this country that is being precipitated by the Big, Beautiful Bill,” said Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Michigan). “Everyone I know is getting a notification of an increase in their private insurance.”
The “Big, Beautiful Bill” is what President Donald Trump calls his most significant piece of legislation in 2025. In it, he ordered millions of dollars for deportation efforts nationwide.
A St. Johns man and Hmong immigrant, Lue Yang, was one of thousands of people deported. It was an emotional roller coaster for his family.
“We are humans. These are families that are being impacted,” said Ann Vue. “I don’t want my children to grow up in trauma.”
Yang, who came to the U.S. as a refugee, was detained and deported based on a nonviolent offense he committed as a teenager. Thanks to the action of state and federal officials, he was returned home.
President Trump also put a focus on rolling back diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. Executive orders from the White House led to policy changes at universities across the country, including Michigan State, which pulled DEI statements from its employment practices, drawing concern from staff.
“I recognize that it is vital for me to be surrounded by people who look different than me, who have different lived experiences than me,” said Jamie Alan, MSU professor.
There were unexpected challenges close to home and further north. All eyes were on northern Michigan as communities there battled a springtime ice storm unlike anything first responders had ever witnessed.
“It’s kind of an other worldly experience when you have that much ice on the trees, roads that were basically down to a two track,” said Chuck Barker, MSP emergency management specialist.
There was disaster in the upper half of the lower peninsula and tragedy. Back in July, 11 people were severely injured by one man who allegedly entered a Traverse City Walmart and began randomly stabbing shoppers. Law enforcement said it was a group of citizens who stopped the violence before police arrived, saving many lives.
“It’s not very often that we have citizens that are willing to step up and take action,” said Michael Shea, Grand Traverse County sheriff.
Details of the crime reached people nationwide. Meanwhile, another headline caught global attention with the appointment of Pope Leo the 16th. Leo is the first American head of the Catholic Church, much to the surprise of Lansing’s Bishop Earl Boyea.
“It would seem, to elect an American would be so political, and I just did not expect that at all,” said Bishop Earl Boyea of the Diocese of Lansing.
Major changes for the state, nation and world are setting the stage for what could be an even more eventful 2026.
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