Detroit Archives | The Michigan Star

Zuckerberg Group Gave Detroit $7.4 Million to ‘Dramatically’ Expand Vote in City Key to Biden Win

April 12, 2021 Michigan Star Staff

The Center for Tech and Civil Life (CTCL), a voter advocacy group funded by Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, donated $7.4 million last year to Detroit to, among other things, “dramatically expand strategic voter education and outreach” in a blue city key to Joe Biden’s 2020 election win, according to memos obtained by Just the News under an open records request.

Detroit received three grants in 2020 from CTCL for $200,000, $3,512,000, and $3,724,450, according to the records released under Michigan’s Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

Detroit Sues Black Lives Matter Members, Claims They Endangered ‘Lives of Police and the Public’

December 25, 2020December 24, 2020 Michigan Star Staff

Officials in Detroit sued a prominent activist group and several Black Lives Matter demonstrators for damages following allegations of riots, violence and a “civil conspiracy” to defame local authorities.

The suit was filed against multiple individuals and an organization called Detroit Will Breathe, which indicates on its webpage that it plans to use “militant resistance” to enact “meaningful change” for people of color. City leaders allege that the group was part of a conspiracy to damage property, attack law enforcement and incite riot activity, the lawsuit read.

Commentary: Faith in Fairness Is Shattered Beyond Recovery

December 7, 2020December 7, 2020 Michigan Star Staff

Many people, including some good friends, believe that Joe Biden won the 2020 presidential election fair and square.

Many others – and I place myself among them – believe that something is rotten in the state of Denmark, or, to be more specific, in the cities of Milwaukee, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Detroit, not to mention Maricopa County, Arizona. I think what happened was so rotten that I regard the election as illegitimate.

What proof, you might ask, do I have?

Breakdown of Sidney Powell’s Lawsuits in Georgia and Michigan

November 28, 2020November 27, 2020 Corinne Murdock

Attorney Sidney Powell delivered on her promise to file massive election fraud lawsuits in Georgia and Michigan. The Georgia lawsuit was the weightier of the two, totaling 104 pages, with the Michigan lawsuit reaching 75 pages. Both lawsuits and all evidence are included on Powell’s legal defense fund website.

Thanksgiving Eve was an action-packed day for Powell – she followed up the presidential pardoning of her client, General Michael Flynn, by filing both lawsuits just before midnight.

RNC Chairwoman Confirms 12K Incident Reports and Over 400 Affidavits Filed for Voter Fraud

November 14, 2020November 13, 2020 Corinne Murdock

According to a press release, Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel has confirmed about 12,000 incident reports and over 400 affidavits filed concerning potential voter fraud.

McDaniel appeared on Fox Business to provide the brief update. The chairwoman shared that the campaign has issued nine lawsuits currently nationwide.

Class-Action Lawsuit Targets Wayne County Foreclosure Practices

October 25, 2020October 24, 2020 Michigan Star Staff

A Detroiter filed a class-action lawsuit against Wayne County on Thursday, claiming officials foreclosed on her home, sold it at less than half the market value, and then pocketed the proceeds.

Philip L. Ellison, an attorney at Hemlock-based Outside Legal Counsel, and others filed the lawsuit Thursday in the U.S. Eastern District Court on behalf of Tonya Bowles, who lost her East State property to foreclosure in 2017.

Detroit City Council Greenlights $200,000 Facial Recognition Contract

September 30, 2020September 29, 2020 Michigan Star Staff

The Detroit City Council on Tuesday approved a contract supporting facial recognition in Detroit, even after a vast majority of public comments were in opposition to the measure.

The measure, approved by a 6-3 vote, approves spending $219,984 to cover costs associated with upgrades and maintenance. The council’s vote was preceded by a morning protest and an hour of public comment from residents opposing facial recognition, arguing the technology is “racist.”

Michigan Taxpayers to Foot Major Portion of $20 Million Lincoln Motor Co. Redevelopment

August 28, 2020August 27, 2020 Michigan Star Staff

The Michigan Strategic Fund has agreed to subsidize a major portion of a proposed $19.7 million redevelopment of the former Lincoln Motor Co. headquarters in the Northwest Goldberg neighborhood of Detroit.

More than half of those funds will derive from public taxpayer assistance, including a $5 million state grant, $2.7 million in additional tax transfers, and another $3.4 million in tax breaks.

Advocates Sound Alarm Over Wayne County’s Absentee Ballot Signature Verifications, Other Election Issues

August 23, 2020August 23, 2020 Jason M. Reynolds

Election integrity advocates believe something fishy is going on in Wayne County with absentee ballots, and they say Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson is undermining the security of the process there and across Michigan.

Glen Sitek of the Election Integrity Fund provided an exclusive statement to The Michigan Star.

Detroit Teachers Authorize Strike Over in-Person Education Concerns

August 22, 2020August 21, 2020 Michigan Star Staff

The Detroit Federation of Teachers (DFT) voted Wednesday to authorize a strike if an agreement can’t be reached over COVID-19 concerns.

The vote, with 91 percent in favor, authorizes DFT leadership to call a strike if the union and the Detroit Public School Community District (DPSCD) don’t reach an agreement.

Amazon to Add Thousands of Tech, Corporate Jobs in Six American Cities

August 19, 2020August 18, 2020 The Associated Press

Amazon plans to create 3,500 new tech and corporate jobs in six cities nationwide, the company announced Tuesday.

Most of the company’s new hires will be located in Amazon’s New York office with the rest being added in Dallas, Detroit, Denver, Phoenix and San Diego, according to a press release. Amazon also announced plans to expand the six offices to accommodate the new hires.

State Announces Plans for Detroit to Ann Arbor Self-Driving Vehicle Corridor

August 15, 2020August 14, 2020 Michigan Star Staff

The state of Michigan Thursday announced a plan to explore the viability of developing a 40-mile corridor for connected and autonomous vehicles between Downtown Detroit and Ann Arbor.

The state selected Cavnue, a subsidiary of Sidewalk Infrastructure Partners (SIP) that partners with Alphabet, Google’s parent company, to develop the project.

Demand for Electric Cars Fuel Detroit Manufacturers to Invest in Car Charging Stations

August 3, 2020August 3, 2020 The Associated Press

As the automotive industry fills the demand for electric cars, the country – and the world – will need thousands more plug-in charging stations for vehicles powered by batteries alone. And because they’re being asked to invest before that demand arrives, automakers and charging companies are struggling to raise the numbers.

Currently electric vehicles make up only about 1.3% of total new vehicle sales in the U.S., according to the Edmunds.com auto site. Electrics are much bigger in other countries, accounting for 2.6% of global new vehicle sales last year, the International Energy Agency says. There are now 26,000 electric vehicle charging stations open to the public in the U.S., with more than 84,000 plugs.

Detroit Police Chief James Craig Cites Unified City, Not Backing Down for Peaceful City Among Protests

July 30, 2020July 29, 2020 Jordyn Pair

Detroit Police Chief James Craig credited the city’s success in remaining peaceful during nationwide protests and riots with having a city that has stood together and a police force that refuses to give up “the ground to the radicals.”

In an appearance on Fox News’s Tucker Carlson Tonight on Tuesday, Craig told Carlson that “we don’t retreat here in Detroit.”

City of Detroit Seeking Photos of Coronavirus Victims for Memorial

July 28, 2020July 27, 2020 Jordyn Pair

The City of Detroit is seeking photos of those who lost their lives to the coronavirus to display as part of a city memorial event.

Detroit will host Detroit Memorial Day on August 31 to honor city residents who died because of COVID-19, Mayor Mike Duggan announced earlier this month. The city plans to install large photo boards with the submitted pictures along a route on Belle Isle.

Gov. Whitmer Rebuffs Trump: ‘There Is No Reason for the President to Send Federal Troops’ to Detroit

July 21, 2020July 20, 2020 Jordyn Pair

President Trump on Monday threatened to send federal law enforcement into several cities, including Detroit, in order to quell continuing unrest there.

Trump recently sent federal law enforcement to Portland to break up protesters, who had approached a federal courthouse and set a fire outside of it, according to The Detroit News. He said that the federal officers had done “a fantastic job in a very short time.”

Detroit Mayor Orders Christopher Columbus Statue Taken Down, Put Into Storage

June 16, 2020June 15, 2020 Jordyn Pair

A bust of Christopher Columbus in downtown Detroit was removed by order of the Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan on Monday.

The 110-year-old statue is currently in storage, according to the Detroit Free Press.

Day-Long Protest Turns Violent in Detroit as Police Declare ‘Unlawful Assembly’

May 31, 2020November 9, 2020 Admin

After a relatively peaceful day of protests Saturday, the Detroit Police Department declared an increasingly agitated and violent crowd of roughly 250 people an unlawful assembly when they refused to leave the downtown Detroit area on the second night of unrest following the controversial death of George Floyd.

Detroit Democrat Jonathan Kinloch Pushing Censure of State Lawmaker Says Elected Dems ‘Do Not Belong to Themselves’

April 28, 2020April 27, 2020 Michigan Star Staff

Michigan Democrats plan to censure the state lawmaker who “broke protocol” by thanking President Trump for recommending hydroxychloroquine. State Rep. Karen Whitsett (pictured right) earlier this month credited the controversial drug for saving her life after she had battled the deadly coronavirus for weeks.

Elected Democrats “do not belong to themselves,” explained Jonathan Kinloch, the chairman of the 13th Congressional District Democratic Party Organization (pictured left).

Gov. Whitmer on Bankruptcy Comments: ‘It’s Outrageous for Senator McConnell to Even Suggest That’

April 27, 2020April 26, 2020 Michigan Star Staff

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said Sunday that bankruptcy is not an option for Michigan in response to comments last week from U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.

Whitmer appeared on ABC’s “This Week with George Stephanopoulos” on Sunday. Stephanopoulos asked her if default was on the table for Michigan.

“No, and it’s outrageous for Senator McConnell to even suggest that,” Whitmer said. “But that’s what the matter is. Our general fund budget when adjusted for the inflation is the same size it was during – when Richard Nixon was our president. We have been incredibly smart stewards and we have not made some of the investments I think we should have as a state because of this artificially low number that we’ve been working with.”

Michigan Dem Says Chloroquine Saved Her Life, Thanks Trump for ‘Making It a Priority’

April 8, 2020April 7, 2020 Michigan Star Staff

A Democrat state representative from Detroit, Michigan, who has been battling the coronavirus for weeks, is crediting hydroxychloroquine for saving her life, the Detroit Free Press reported on Monday. State Rep. Karen Whitset thanked President Trump – even as the corporate media continued to criticize him for touting an “unproven” drug—because she would not have asked for it unless he had brought it up.

Michigan National Guard Prepares COVID-19 Response at TCF Center

April 2, 2020April 1, 2020 Michigan Star Staff

The Michigan National Guard is helping Detroit prepare additional space to care for COVID-19 patients.

About 20 members of the Michigan National Guard will help the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) form a Federal Medical Station (FMS) at TCF Center in Detroit from Tuesday through today.

Those members will manage inventory to prepare for the care of those with COVID-19.

Joe Biden Snaps at Detroit Worker: ‘You’re Full of Sh–‘

March 10, 2020May 21, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

Former Vice President Joe Biden lost his temper Tuesday after a Detroit auto worker accused him of “actively trying to end our Second Amendment rights.”

Former UAW President Gary Jones Charged with Embezzlement, Racketeering, and Tax Evasion

March 7, 2020March 6, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

Former United Auto Workers President Gary Jones was charged with embezzlement, racketeering, and tax evasion Thursday in a massive FBI probe that has brought down several of the union’s top leaders.

Poll: Michigan Dems Favor Biden Over Sanders, Name ‘Beating Trump’ Top Priority

March 6, 2020March 5, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

A new Michigan poll predicts former Vice President Joe Biden will emerge victorious over Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) in Michigan’s Democratic primary.

‘Struggling’ Detroit Announces Opening of New Arts and Culture Office

February 25, 2020February 24, 2020 Michigan Star Staff

The city of Detroit announced the inauguration of its new Office of Arts, Culture and Entrepreneurship (ACE) with former Detroit Free Press columnist Rochelle Riley as its director.

Riley and Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan officially declared the new joint public-private government initiative at a Thursday press event.

Rashida Tlaib Speaks at Democratic Socialists Event, Says Student Debt Tied to ‘Racial Discrimination’

February 22, 2020February 21, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI-13) spoke this week at an event hosted by the Young Democratic Socialists of America at Wayne State University.

Architect of Michigan’s ‘McDonald’s for Drugs’ Operation Gets 30 Years

February 20, 2020February 19, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

The architect of a Detroit-based drug ring described by many former customers as the “McDonald’s for drugs” was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison last Friday.

FOIA Documents Show the City of Detroit, Wayne County, Mailed Property Assessment Three Weeks Later Than Original Claim

February 17, 2020February 16, 2020 Michigan Star Staff

The Coalition for Property Tax Justice filed a federal class-action lawsuit claiming the city of Detroit, Wayne County, and state officials “eviscerated” every homeowners’ due process rights by denying them the ability to appeal inflated property taxes.

Michigan Democratic Party’s Black Caucus Endorses Biden After Initially Backing Harris

February 12, 2020February 11, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

The Michigan Democratic Party’s Black Caucus endorsed former Vice President Joe Biden in the Democratic Party, at least according to Biden’s campaign.

Commentary: If Only We Could Get Back the Taxes We Overpaid Before Trump

January 23, 2020January 23, 2020 Admin

The overtaxation scandal in Detroit underscores the importance of giving President Trump four more years in the White House, lest the tax-and-spend Democrats drown working Americans in a flood of new taxes.

Detroit Overtaxed Homeowners by $600 Million Due to Delayed Property Reevaluations

January 13, 2020January 12, 2020 Michigan Star Staff

Detroit overtaxed homeowners more than $600 million because it didn’t reevaluate property values after the Great Recession until 2017.

Whitmer Approval Rating Drops, James in Dead Heat with Peters in New Michigan Poll

January 13, 2020January 12, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

A new survey of Michigan voters found that Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s approval rating has dropped by more than seven percentage points since June.

Iraqi Consulate in Detroit Opened for ‘Condolences’ for Soleimani

January 10, 2020January 9, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

The Iraqi Consulate General in Detroit held a memorial event for Iranian general Qasem Soleimani, the leader of a designated terrorist organization who was killed last week in a U.S. airstrike.

Attorney General Barr Announces Federal Crackdown on Crime in Detroit, Other Major Cities

December 27, 2019December 30, 2019 Anthony Gockowski

U.S. Attorney General William Barr recently spoke at a press conference in Detroit where he announced a new federal program that will “surge an unparalleled amount of federal backing” to the most dangerous cities in America.

Lawsuit Claims Detroit Has 2,500 Dead People on Voter Rolls

December 16, 2019December 30, 2019 Anthony Gockowski

A public interest law firm sued the City of Detroit Wednesday for failing to clean dead and duplicate registrants from its voter rolls.

Wayne State Governors Claim They Voted to Oust President Over Free Tuition Pledge

November 7, 2019 Anthony Gockowski

Four disgruntled members of the Wayne State University Board of Governors claimed this week that they voted to terminate President M. Roy Wilson during a Monday night meeting.

Wayne State Governors Claim They Voted to Oust President Over Free Tuition Pledge

November 7, 2019November 6, 2019 Anthony Gockowski

Four disgruntled members of the Wayne State University Board of Governors claimed this week that they voted to terminate President M. Roy Wilson during a Monday night meeting.

Plaintiff Applauds Founders Brewing for Agreeing to ‘See Color’ Moving Forward

November 2, 2019 Anthony Gockowski

Founders Brewing Company has settled a lawsuit filed by an ex-employee who accused the company of promoting an “overtly racist culture” where employees frequently used racial slurs.

Plaintiff Applauds Founders Brewing for Agreeing to ‘See Color’ Moving Forward

November 2, 2019November 1, 2019 Anthony Gockowski

Founders Brewing Company has settled a lawsuit filed by an ex-employee who accused the company of promoting an “overtly racist culture” where employees frequently used racial slurs.

GM Strike Cost Automaker Estimated $3 Billion, $18.5 Million in Lost Michigan Income Tax Revenue

October 31, 2019October 30, 2019 Anthony Gockowski

The United Auto Workers’ strike against General Motors cost the company $1 billion in earnings and that number is expected to rise to $3 billion on the year, CEO Mary Barra said in a phone call with investors this week.

Board Members Call for Wayne State President’s Resignation Following Free Tuition Program

October 30, 2019October 29, 2019 Anthony Gockowski

Wayne State University President M. Roy Wilson recently announced that the school will begin providing free tuition to all high school graduates from Detroit, which prompted some members of the Board of Governors to call for his resignation.

Rep. Rashida Tlaib Joins Fellow Michigander Sen. Stephanie Chang in Calling for $12 Million Public Health Fund in Response to New FCA Plant

October 29, 2019October 28, 2019 Anthony Gockowski

Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI-13) joined with State Sen. Stephanie Chang (D-Detroit) for a press conference Monday on the site of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles’ (FCA) new assembly plant in Detroit.