State News Archives - Page 2 of 53

Michigan Attorney General Admits Michigan’s Minimum Wage Increase Poses Difficulties

August 24, 2024August 23, 2024 The Center Square

Republican lawmakers are not the only ones raising concerns about Michigan’s minimum wage changes. Attorney General Dana Nessel has filed a motion with the state’s Supreme Court, asking for guidance on how to implement inflation adjustments.

Nessel specifically pointed out how the court’s broad language in its July ruling could lead to five possible options for when and how to adjust the minimum wage over time, with the state Department of Treasury’s approach and the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity’s approach also at odds with each other.

City of Detroit Hired over 2,000 More Democratic Poll Workers than GOP in 2024 Primary, Violating State Law

August 22, 2024August 21, 2024 Just the News

The Detroit Department of Elections hired 2,000+ more Democrats than Republicans as poll workers for the August primary election, similar to prior elections over the last four years and contrary to state law. That law states that election clerks must “appoint an equal number, as nearly as possible, of election inspectors in each election precinct from each major political party.”

Nearly 80% more Democrats were hired as poll workers for Detroit’s primary election this year compared to Republicans. This stark contrast is a trend that has repeatedly occurred over the last four years in Detroit and happened in Flint in 2022, despite state law requiring nearly equal numbers of poll workers from both political parties.

Feds Plan to Send Polluted Waste to Michigan

August 21, 2024August 20, 2024 The Center Square

Michigan lawmakers are expressing alarm at an unexpected federal decision to send thousands of tons of radioactive waste from New York to a disposal facility in Wayne County.

The Niagara Falls Storage Site, which holds World War II era radioactive byproducts and waste from uranium processing during the atomic bomb project, will send 6,000 cubic yards of contaminated soil and concrete and 4,000 gallons of groundwater with elevated radiation levels to Wayne Disposal.

Michigan Line 5 Case to Remain in State Court and a Setback for Enbridge Energy

August 20, 2024 The Center Square

The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals denied Enbridge Energy’s request for the Line 5 lawsuit Nessel v. Enbridge to receive a rehearing in federal court, returning the case to state court.

The court Enbridge had missed the 30-day deadline after Nessel filed the lawsuit in June 2019 to appeal moving the case to federal court, and that it relied on improper arguments when doing so.

Michigan Bill Would Protect Some First Responders from Employer Discrimination

August 18, 2024August 18, 2024 The Center Square

A new bill introduced to the Michigan House would protect emergency responders from getting penalized for leaving work to address crises.

Rep. Jaime Greene, R-Richmond, introduced HB 5905 Tuesday, which would prohibit employers from discriminating against, disciplining or discharging an employee for being absent from work to deal with an emergency as an emergency responder.

Michigan Teacher Shortages Alleviated but Student Performance Has Not Increased

August 17, 2024August 16, 2024 The Center Square

Michigan has made progress addressing teacher shortages in hard-to-fill subjects and specialties within the past five years, the State Board of Education announced.

Since the 2017-18 school year, the number of certified teachers teaching math jumped 60 percent, 31 percent for science, and 53 percent for English as a Second Language and bilingual education. The number of early childhood education teachers increased by 171 percent.

Colorado Jury Unanimously Finds Tina Peters Guilty on Seven of 10 Counts

August 14, 2024 Rachel Alexander

The trial of former Mesa County Clerk and Recorder Tina Peters ended on Monday, with the jury unanimously finding her guilty of seven of the 10 counts she was charged with.

Michigan Senate Candidates Bash Each Other for Alleged Deals with Chinese Companies

August 14, 2024August 14, 2024 The Center Square

Both Michigan candidates for the U.S. Senate hold “tough on China” stances, but in the wake of the Aug. 6 primaries, Democrat Rep. Elissa Slotkin and Republican former Rep. Mike Rogers have escalated accusations that their opponent supports Chinese businesses.

“Want to know the truth about Slotkin? All it takes is a quick Google search,” Rogers posted to social media recently.

Failed Former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot Paid $60,000 to Teach University of Michigan Public Policy Class

August 11, 2024August 10, 2024 Michigan Star Staff

The University of Michigan is spending $60,000 to have ousted Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot co-teach a course on public policy this fall, according to her contract obtained by The College Fix.

Lightfoot is a Democrat whose onerous actions on COVID-19, her refusal to give exclusive interviews to white journalists, and rampant crime during her tenure, among other issues, prompted massive criticism and led to her losing her re-election bid last year to Mayor Brandon Johnson. She has since become a darling of higher education institutions, teaching at Harvard, University of Chicago, and now Michigan.

National Kroger Settlement Brings Funding to Michigan Communities Damaged by Opioid Addiction

August 10, 2024August 9, 2024 The Center Square

Michigan’s local governments have until Aug. 12 to request funds from the $1.2 billion National Kroger Settlement on opioid abuse.

The Great Lakes state is expected to receive $42 million over the course of 11 years. Eligible communities, at the city or county level, can apply for the funding to be used toward drug abuse treatment. Agreements are expected to be effective by early fall.

Butler Township Police Decline to Name Officer Who Claimed to Warn Secret Service of Would-Be Trump Assassin’s Perch, Cite ‘Numerous Investigations’

August 9, 2024 TPappert

The Butler Township Police Department (BTPD) on Friday declined to provide The Pennsylvania Daily Star with the name of the police officer who claimed to warn the U.S. Secret Service about the possibility of an assassination attempt in a June 13 bodycam video released by the department Thursday.

Detroit Students Finished Online Credit Recovery Courses 20 Times Faster than Recommended

August 7, 2024August 6, 2024 The Center Square

Students at a Detroit combined virtual school took their online credit recovery courses 20 times faster than the courseware provider suggests in the 2023-24 school year.

According to a public records request filed with Detroit Public Community School District, students took their 11th and 12th-grade English language arts classes in about four hours, while the courseware provider Edgenuity recommends students spend 80 hours on such courses.

Commentary: Six Things to Know About Kamala Harris’ Possible VP Pick Gov. Josh Shapiro

August 5, 2024 Admin

Vice President Kamala Harris has a short list for running mates, and it seems Democratic Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro is her most likely choice.

Prosecution’s Key Witness in Trial Against Former Mesa County Clerk Repeatedly Claims He Doesn’t Remember Much

August 3, 2024 Rachel Alexander

The trial against former Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters wrapped up its first week on Friday, featuring testimony by witnesses for the prosecution including IT professional Gerald Wood.

First Two Prosecution Witnesses in Trial of Former Colorado Elections Clerk Referred Disparagingly to Conservative News Site

August 1, 2024 Rachel Alexander

The trial against former Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters over her efforts combating election fraud began this past week where two witnesses for the prosecution testified all day made disparaging remarks about The Gateway Pundit, a conservative news site.

John Fredericks: ‘Everything Is Hanging in the Balance’ Leading Up to Pennsylvania November Election

July 31, 2024 Kaitlin Housler

Pennsylvania-based radio show host John Fredericks said the Keystone State’s politics are “hanging in the balance” leading up to the upcoming November 5 general election.

Israel a Potential Issue in Michigan’s U.S. Senate Race

July 31, 2024August 14, 2024 The Center Square

Candidates in Michigan’s U.S. Senate race disagree on issues ranging from electric vehicles to crime, but most recently, they’ve clashed over foreign policy.

U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich, is facing former U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers. Republicans hope to flip the seat as incumbent Democrat Debbie Stabenow is not running for reelection.

Michigan Bill Signed to Combat Statewide EMT, Paramedic Shortages

July 27, 2024July 26, 2024 The Center Square

Michigan has a new way to address its EMT shortage.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed a law that would extend temporary EMT and paramedic licenses from 120 days to a year. House Bills 4613 and 4614 were sponsored by state Rep. Dave Prestin, R-Cedar River.

Trump Leads Harris in Arizona, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Michigan but Ties in Wisconsin, Poll Claims

July 26, 2024July 25, 2024 TPappert

A poll released Thursday and conducted after President Joe Biden dropped his bid for reelection shows former President Donald Trump leading Vice President Kamala Harris in the battleground states Arizona, Pennsylvania, Georgia, and Michigan, while the former president is tied with the vice president in Wisconsin.

The New Emerson College pollsters found Trump enjoys his greatest lead in Arizona, where they determined 49 percent of voters support him while just 44 percent back Harris.

Trial of Former Colorado County Clerk Tina Peters for Exposing Election Discrepancies with Voting Machines Starts Next Week

July 25, 2024 Rachel Alexander

The trial against a former Colorado elections clerk over her efforts combating election fraud is set to begin on Monday.

Whitmer Signs Law Banning Gay and Transgender ‘Panic’ Legal Defense in Michigan

July 25, 2024July 24, 2024 Just the News

Michigan’s Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed a bill on Tuesday that outlaws defense lawyers from using a victim’s sexual orientation or gender identity as part of their defense argument.

The bill passed the state House in a 56-54 vote, and prohibits people accused of violent crimes from claiming that their alleged victim’s perceived or actual gender identity or orientation caused them to “panic.” Michigan is now the 20th state to pass such a law.

Whistleblowers Claim Secret Service Provided ‘Loose’ Security, Assigned Inexperienced Staff Prior to Assassination Attempt at Trump Rally

July 20, 2024 TPappert

Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) revealed on Friday that U.S. Secret Service whistleblowers approached his office to inform him the agency assigned Department of Homeland Security (DHS) personnel who were not part of the Secret Service to protect former President Donald Trump during the Pennsylvania rally where he suffered an assassination attempt.

Poll: Trump Leading Biden in Michigan

July 20, 2024July 19, 2024 The Center Square

Former President Donald Trump leads President Biden by 3 points in Michigan and 5 points in Wisconsin, according to the results of a new Emerson College poll.

The poll, conducted July 15-16, surveyed about 1,000 likely voters per swing state. Democrats for the Next Generation sponsored the poll, which has a +/-3% margin of error. It was released Thursday, the final day of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.

Michigan Republicans Sue Whitmer and Benson over Voter Registration Agencies

July 19, 2024July 18, 2024 The Center Square

Michigan’s governor, secretary of state and three other officials are facing a lawsuitfiled by the Trump campaign this week over granting some government offices the power to conduct voter registration.

Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer issued an executive order in December meant to designate certain state offices, including the Small Business Administration and the Department of Veterans Affairs, to act as voter registration agencies.

Attempted Trump Assassin Thomas Crooks Reportedly Diagnosed with ‘Major Depressive Disorder,’ Hinted at Attack on Gaming Platform

July 18, 2024 TPappert

Thomas Matthew Crooks, who was killed by a Secret Service counter-sniper during his failed assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump last Saturday, was reportedly diagnosed with major depressive disorder prior to his death.

Local Police Sniper Photographed Attempted Trump Assassin, Who Held Laser Rangefinder Prior to Shooting

July 17, 2024 TPappert

A sniper from one of the local law enforcement agencies providing assistance at former President Donald Trump’s rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on July 14 saw Thomas Matthew Crooks, the 20-year-old shooter who was killed at the scene, and photographed the would-be assassin immediately prior to his attack, a Wednesday report claims.

Biden’s Secret Service ‘Created the Conditions’ for Trump Assassination Attempt and Truth Must Be ‘Devastating,’ Argues The Federalist Co-Founder

July 17, 2024 TPappert

The U.S. Secret Service last Saturday “created the conditions” for 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks to climb onto the roof of a building and take aim at former President Donald Trump at his Butler, Pennsylvania rally “deliberately and with malice aforethought,” argued The Federalist co-founder Sean Davis, who led a series of criticisms against the agency on Tuesday.

Pennsylvania Shooter’s Neighbors Portray Detached, Reclusive Family

July 16, 2024 JGrandstaff

Conversations by The Pennsylvania Daily Star with around two dozen neighbors near the house where Thomas Crooks, the 20-year-old who tried to assassinate former President Donald Trump, lived painted a picture of a family that mostly keeps to itself and a young man who had little interaction with the neighborhood.

Record-Breaking 1.5 Million Michiganders Choosing Mail-in Ballots

July 16, 2024July 16, 2024 The Center Square

Four weeks out from Michigan’s Primary Election Day, more than 1.5 million of the state’s voters have requested or received an absentee ballot, breaking records set in 2020.

More than 178,000 of those voters have already submitted a completed ballot.

Pennsylvania Rally Attendee ‘We Thought the Shooter Was in the Crowd’

July 15, 2024 JGrandstaff

An attendee at former President Donald Trump’s Saturday rally in Butler, Pennsylvania told The Pennsylvania Daily Star that attendees feared the shooter stood among the crowd, and they felt relief only when Trump rose to his feet and raised his fist.

Pennsylvania Fire Captain Resigns After Celebrating Attempted Trump Assassination

July 15, 2024 TPappert

Tony Bendele, a social media creator and trained firefighter in Pennsylvania, claimed he resigned his position as a captain in the Sunbury Fire Department on Monday after he expressed disappointment when an attempted assassin failed to kill former President Donald Trump at the Saturday rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.

House Republicans Demand Michigan Secretary of State Explain Work with SBA on Elections

July 12, 2024July 11, 2024 Just the News

Republican members of the House Small Business Committee demanded Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson (D) provide an explanation over working with the U.S. Small Business Administration to allegedly aid President Biden’s reelection campaign.

The letter, sent Monday from committee chairman Roger Williams, R-Texas, and Michigan representatives on the committee, demanded documents from the secretary of state’s office regarding voter registration efforts the federal agency is implementing with the state, Fox News reported.

Controversial Election Bills Now Law in Michigan

July 10, 2024July 9, 2024 The Center Square

Michigan’s process of handling election recounts and fraud allegations has changed, with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signing two controversial bills into law Monday.

Senate bills 603 and 604 modify the requirements for conducting ballot recounts and prosecuting election-related crimes.

New York Judges Disbar Rudy Giuliani for ‘False Statements’ About Election Fraud, But Don’t Consider the Evidence

July 6, 2024 Rachel Alexander

A panel of five New York appeals court judges this week unanimously disbarred former President Donald Trump’s former attorney, Rudy Giuliani, over statements he made about election illegalities in the 2020 presidential election.

Michigan Budget Includes Tuition-Free Pre-K and Community College

July 6, 2024July 5, 2024 The Center Square

The recently passed Michigan budget would guarantee tuition-free community college for all residents, and expands access to tuition-free preschool.

The tuition-free community college program is paid for by $330 million in taxpayer dollars, an increase of $30 million from last year. The new program gets rid of income caps, so any student can receive free tuition at an in-district community college.

Michigan Bills Aim to Counter Election Discrimination and Fund Voter Lawsuits

July 3, 2024July 2, 2024 The Center Square

The Michigan Senate is expected to soon vote on legislation meant individual voting protections in state elections.

A four-bill package would create a state fund to reimburse voter discrimination lawsuit costs, set up an election and voting database and provide help to disabled or non-English speaking voters, among other changes.

China a Potential Issue in Michigan U.S. Senate Race

June 29, 2024June 28, 2024 The Center Square

Foreign policy is an infrequent subject in U.S. Senate campaigns. In Michigan’s Senate election, however, tough talk on the Chinese Communist Party is growing on the campaign trail.

Michigan, a key swing state in 2024’s general elections, will vote this year to elect a successor to retiring Democratic Sen. Debbie Stabenow. Though the primary election is Aug. 6, the race has crystallized around Democratic Rep. Elissa Slotkin and former Republican Rep. Mike Rogers – the leading candidates for their parties’ nominations – who have both attacked the CCP with a frequency unusual among this year’s Senate campaigns.

Michigan Museum Funding Could Raise Property Taxes

June 26, 2024June 25, 2024 The Center Square

A new Michigan policy could cost Oakland and Macomb county households thousands in higher property taxes.

The Michigan House recently approved House Bill 4177, seeking to subsidize two nonprofit museums run through the Wright and Detroit Historical Societies. Because they likely could not stay open through admission fees and donations alone, Oakland and Macomb County residents would pay up to $200,000 in property taxes over the next 10 years.

Retired Border Chief Says Michigan and Other States Face Impacts of Border Crisis

June 22, 2024June 21, 2024 The Center Square

The immigration wave at the southern border is a crisis of national security, and Michigan is not exempt from its effects, a recently retired Border Patrol chief says.

Former Chief Chris Clem, who is visiting Michigan as part of Americans for Prosperity’s “Secure Borders, Secure America” tour, served more than 27 years and under five presidents as a U.S. border patrol agent. He was promoted to Yuma Sector chief in December 2020, right before President Joe Biden took office.

Michigan House Republican Gains Bipartisan Support for Estate Reform Bill

June 19, 2024June 18, 2024 The Center Square

Estate planning could get a little easier in Michigan if a bill that cleared the Michigan House continues to move forward.

Sponsored by Rep. Doug Wozniak, R-Shelby Township, HB 5110 allows income trusts to convert to unitrusts, and vice versa. A unitrust gives a fixed percentage of the assets to the recipient per year, while an income trust provides a steady stream of income.

Bill Advocating National Popular Vote Draws Support and Criticism in Michigan

June 15, 2024June 14, 2024 The Center Square

A proposed bill could change the way Michigan votes for president.

House Bill 4156 would enter Michigan into the National Popular Vote Compact, an agreement among participating states to elect the president by national popular vote.

RNC Declares ‘Victory’ in Judge Ruling on Michigan Secretary of State’s Signature Verification Rule

June 14, 2024June 13, 2024 Just the News

A Michigan judge partially ruled against Democratic Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson’s lenient guidance on signature verification, following a lawsuit brought by the Republican National Committee.

On Wednesday, Michigan Court of Claims Judge Christopher Yates ruled “that the ‘initial presumption’ of validity in signature verification of absentee-ballot applications and envelopes mandated by the December 2023 guidance manual” issued by Benson “is incompatible with the Constitution and laws of the State of Michigan.”

Michigan Gov. Whitmer Requests FEMA Assistance Following May Tornadoes

June 11, 2024June 11, 2024 The Center Square

Southwestern Michigan impacted by recent storms might be given a federal disaster declaration.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer wants President Joe Biden to issue a Major Disaster Declaration for four Michigan counties after the multiple tornadoes earlier this month. While Branch, Cass, Kalamazoo and St. Joseph counties have all received state disaster support, and preliminary estimates suggest a need for federal financial assistance.

MSTAR Program Given Additional $10 Million for EV Semiconductor Research

June 8, 2024June 7, 2024 The Center Square

by Carly Moran Gov. Gretchen Whitmer gave another $10 million toward the Michigan Semiconductor Talent and Technology for Automotive Research, a private-public partnership that wants to make the Great Lakes State a leader in electric car innovation. The MSTAR initiative was launched a year ago and has developed a portfolio…

Poll: Trump Leads Biden in Michigan

June 6, 2024June 5, 2024 Michigan Star Staff

The latest battleground poll reveals that President Trump is still leading Joe Biden in the crucial swing state of Michigan, with exactly five months to go before the November election.

As Breitbart reports, the poll by Mitchell Research shows Trump at 49% to Biden’s 47% in a head-to-head matchup. When the poll includes the three major third-party candidates – independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., independent candidate Cornel West, and Green Party candidate Jill Stein – Trump leads Biden with 46% to 45%. In the five-way poll, 5% support Kennedy, while 1% each choose West and Stein.

Michigan State Has over 140 Employees Working on 222 DEI Action Items

June 5, 2024June 4, 2024 Michigan Star Staff

Michigan State University currently has more than 140 employees working on 222 different “diversity, equity, and inclusion,” agenda items.

The salaries for those employees, some of whom work on DEI full-time, totals more than $18 million dollars according to a College Fixanalysis. One of these goals included an “inclusive language” guide that instructed university employees not to say “America” or use Easter and Christmas imagery.

Michigan Gov. Whitmer Announces Updated Low-Income Housing, Energy Goals

June 1, 2024May 31, 2024 The Center Square

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced broad goals for affordable Michigan housing yesterday.

At the Mackinac Policy Conference held annually by the Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce, the governor pushed an increased housing construction goal and low-income household energy financing.

Reuters Anti-Trump Propaganda Begins in Pennsylvania

May 31, 2024 TPappert

The global news organization Reuters claimed on Friday that women voters in Pennsylvania may now have second thoughts about voting for former President Donald Trump after he was convicted in the controversial New York hush money trial on Thursday.

Michigan Republicans Fire Back at Attorney General’s Environmental Lawsuit

May 29, 2024May 28, 2024 The Center Square

Michigan Senate Republicans universally signed a letter opposing Attorney General Dana Nessel after she threatened to sue the fossil fuel industry.

Nessel issued a statement earlier this month seeking assistant attorneys to litigate on behalf of the state, saying the industry has knowingly caused the state harm. In response, the senate Republicans described the lawsuit as a mistake.

Secretaries of State from Arizona, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Georgia Claim AI ‘Disinformation’ Top Threat in 2024

May 27, 2024 TPappert

Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes on Sunday joined a number of his counterparts from other states for a Meet the Press panel discussion, and the top state election official claimed that artificial intelligence (AI) will pose new “mis- and disinformation” threats during the 2024 elections.

Fontes told Meet the Press host Kristen Walker, “AI is not a new weapon. It’s an amplifier and a magnifier of mis- and disinformation,” and revealed that his office held a “tabletop exercise” that apparently involved both election officials and members of the media.