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‘Exhausted’ in the wake of mass shootings, Democratic-led House passes ‘red flag’ legislation
Just hours after Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed on Thursday the first set of gun reform bills backed by students, families and communities traumatized by mass shootings at Michigan State University and Oxford High School, as well as other gun violence throughout the state, the Democratic-led House passed more legislation. Those bills would permit a court […]
Expert: Grand Rapids officer ‘did not have reasonable fear for his life’ when he killed Lyoya
Former Grand Rapids police officer Christopher Schurr violated his training and used unnecessary and excessive force when he shot and killed Patrick Lyoya, a 26-year-old unarmed Black man, at a time when the officer’s life was never in danger, law enforcement experts said in two new affidavits. They were submitted in a $100 million civil […]
With hunger on the rise, Food Bank Council asks the Michigan Legislature to boost funding
As Michiganders increasingly turn to food pantries and other community sites in the wake of pandemic-related benefits ending and grocery prices rising, the Food Bank Council of Michigan is asking lawmakers for additional funds advocates say would help to address the growing food insecurity that’s leaving residents to struggle with hunger across the state. The […]
In Michigan, DeSantis describes his enemies: The ‘legacy’ media and the ‘woke’ left
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis had a long list of people, groups and ideas he took issue with during a visit to Hillsdale College in southern Michigan Thursday night. The Republican went after the “woke” left; the concept of “diversity, equity and inclusion,” which he liked to deem “division, exclusion and indoctrination;” a public education system […]
In wake of Nashville school shooting, Oxford students hold walkout to demand change
When the clock struck 1:15 p.m. on Wednesday, the classroom doors at Oxford High School opened. Students streamed out of them. They walked, determinedly, to a school gymnasium. Standing in a circle, they spoke the words that students across the United States are saying in the wake of yet another mass shooting at a school: […]
Scholten says she’s found a ‘strong sisterhood in Congress’
As U.S. Rep. Hillary Scholten (D-Grand Rapids) witnessed vote after vote for House speaker during her first days in office, she thought more than once: “Put a couple of working moms in charge, and we’ll solve this in half the time.” Eventually, U.S. Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) became speaker in January — after the most […]
Scholten bill would increase fines for child labor violations
As record numbers of migrant children enter the United States without parents, many of them end up being forced into dangerous, exploitative jobs at companies flouting child labor laws — including at factories and farms across Michigan. In an attempt to hold these companies responsible for endangering vulnerable children, U.S. Reps. Hillary Scholten (D-Grand Rapids) […]
Michigan GOP’s Holocaust post shows growing far-right extremism in the party, experts say
There is a phrase that political experts, Jewish leaders and elected officials repeatedly used when responding to Michigan GOP Chair Kristina Karamo’s vehement defense of the party’s social media posts linking the Holocaust to gun reform bills introduced in the wake of the Michigan State University mass shooting: “I am not surprised.” Disgusted, yes. Outraged, […]
U of M graduate instructors approve strike authorization
Faced with steep cost of living increases, including burdensome rents, unionized graduate student workers at the University of Michigan voted Thursday night to authorize a strike should union leaders determine it’s necessary in an effort to secure increased wages in their new contract. Ninety-five percent of the Graduate Employees’ Organization (GEO) AFT Local 3500 members […]
Judge gives final stamp of approval on $626M settlement for Flint water crisis victims
Nearly a decade after the water crisis began to devastate Flint in 2014, leaving thousands of people to drink lead-contaminated water in the Black-majority city, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced Tuesday the state’s historic Flint water settlement totaling about $626.25 million has been formally approved. Genesee County Circuit Court Chief Judge David J. Newblatt […]
‘Seismic shift in Michigan politics’ paves way for urban economic development, pols say
For the state lawmakers gathered Monday at Linc Up, a Grand Rapids-based nonprofit focused on racial equity, the push to invest in Michigan’s disenfranchised urban cores is, ultimately, about acknowledging that Black Michiganders and other marginalized residents have long been pushed from their homes in the wake of racist policy and new development — and […]
‘A very dark time’: SNAP cuts leave Michigan families, food banks struggling
It’s 8 a.m. on a Wednesday morning, which means Karen Palumbo is on the move. Cradling loaves of bread, she deftly maneuvers under the neon lights of the LMTS Community Outreach Services’ food pantry in Lansing as she stocks the shelves for the people who will start streaming through the doors in a matter of […]