Cody Butler

Investigative Journalist

Lansing, Michigan

Cody Butler joined News 10 in January 2020.

Before moving to Mid-Michigan, Cody was a reporter at WFFT-TV in Fort Wayne, Indiana. There he was recognized by the Society of Professional Journalists for his work on breaking news. Before working in his hometown, Cody was a producer for WGTV-TV in Toledo, Ohio and a reporter at KWYB-TV in Bozeman, Montana.

Cody graduated from Ball State University in Muncie, Ind. with a B.A. in Journalism and Telecommunications.

Cody is looking forward to covering the issues coming out of Michigan’s capitol explaining how those decisions effect people across the state.

When Cody’s not at work, he enjoys exploring what Mid-Michigan has to offer.

Have a suggestion on a place he should check out or a story idea? Let him know on Facebook and Twitter or email him at cody.butler@wilx.com.

News

Cocktails-to-go could become permanent in Michigan

Updated: Mar. 27, 2023 at 5:48 PM EDT

By Cody Butler

Lawmakers are considering permanently allowing restaurants and bars to sell alcoholic cocktails with take-out orders.

News

911 calls provide harrowing account of Michigan State University shooting

Updated: Mar. 24, 2023 at 7:21 PM EDT

By Cody Butler

The calls provide insight into the chaos and panic that ensued that evening, as students and faculty members sought to escape the gunfire and seek shelter.

News

Democrats and Republicans condemn MIGOP tweet

Updated: Mar. 23, 2023 at 6:48 PM EDT

By Cody Butler

The American Defamation League said there have been more than 111 antisemitic incidents in Michigan this year.

News

Michigan House passes safe gun storage proposal

Updated: Mar. 22, 2023 at 7:36 PM EDT

By Cody Butler

Democrats have said those proposals are just the beginning. They also introduced plans this month that would raise the age to buy a gun from 18 to 21 and add a 14-day waiting period for someone to take a gun home after buying it.

News

School grade accountability repeal moves forward in Michigan

Updated: Mar. 21, 2023 at 5:12 PM EDT

By Cody Butler

Schools have two different state systems holding to hold them accountable.

News

Michiganders frustrated with regular power outages

Updated: Mar. 20, 2023 at 7:04 PM EDT

By Cody Butler

The Michigan Public Service Commission, which regulates utilities, is trying to figure out how it can hold utilities accountable.

News

Michigan gun reform legislation passes Senate

Updated: Mar. 16, 2023 at 7:05 PM EDT

By Cody Butler

The bills amend handgun licensing, and allows penalties and fines for selling firearms without proper licensing.

News

Michigan Senate passes right-to-work repeal

Updated: Mar. 14, 2023 at 5:50 PM EDT

By Cody Butler

The proposal brought hundreds of people to Lansing letting lawmakers know what they think of right-to-work.

News

Michigan House votes to repeal state’s right-to-work law

Updated: Mar. 8, 2023 at 8:59 PM EST

By Cody Butler

The Democratic-controlled House of Representatives voted 56-53 to repeal Michigan’s right-to-work law Wednesday.

News

There’s not enough money to fix most Michigan roads

Updated: Mar. 6, 2023 at 6:17 PM EST

By Cody Butler

Most roads in Michigan aren’t getting fixed to the level they need to be.

News

AG Nessel threatened, says FBI confirmed she was ‘target’

Updated: Mar. 2, 2023 at 6:20 PM EST

By Carrie Provinsal and Cody Butler

Jack Eugene Carpenter III, of Tipton was arrested according to the FBI Special Agent’s affidavit for charges connected to making threats to cause injury and death to Jewish members of the Michigan government.

News

Rep. Elissa Slotkin announces Senate campaign

Updated: Feb. 27, 2023 at 6:54 PM EST

By Cody Butler and WILX News 10

Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D) of Michigan’s 7th Congressional District announced a run for the U.S. Senate Monday.

News

New details revealed in deadly MSU campus shooting

Updated: Feb. 16, 2023 at 6:24 PM EST

By Cody Butler and WILX News 10

MSU police have joined forces with the FBI to try to find a motive behind this attack.

News

MSU students ask lawmakers for more than thoughts and prayers

Updated: Feb. 15, 2023 at 7:17 PM EST

By Cody Butler

Students were on the steps of the Capitol expressing their frustrations, many said they weren't surprised Monday's mass shooting was literally just down the street.

News

Proposal to add LGBTQ protections to Michigan’s civil rights law moves to full Senate

Updated: Feb. 9, 2023 at 5:14 PM EST

By Cody Butler

The proposal expanding the state’s Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act banning discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity passed out of a senate committee Thursday.

Crime

Over 5,000 human trafficking survivors identified in Michigan, more likely unreported

Updated: Feb. 3, 2023 at 5:15 PM EST

By Cody Butler

AG Dana Nessel wants to see laws changed so survivors of human trafficking don’t have to be afraid to report their trafficker. And advocacy groups said these changes are needed.

News

Michigan family calls for transparency after 5-year-old dies

Updated: Feb. 2, 2023 at 6:48 PM EST

By Cody Butler

Ethan Belcher, 5, died near Detroit last week and now his parents are facing charges.

News

Michigan’s Presidential Primary Elections may move up

Updated: Jan. 31, 2023 at 10:21 PM EST

By Cody Butler

The Michigan House of Representatives approved a proposal to move the Presidential Primary to Feb. 27, but more work needs to be done before it takes effect in time for the 2024 election.

News