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Rep. Scott offers ‘Negro Leagues Day’ bill honoring history of African Americans in baseball
State Rep. Helena Scott (D-Detroit) has introduced a bill designating May 2 of each year as “Negro Leagues Day.” “I am honored to be introducing this legislation to declare May 2 of each year ‘Negro Leagues Day’ in Michigan,’” Scott told the Advance on Wednesday. “I want to recognize all of the outstanding Black athletes […]
‘It’s basically ransom for our freedom’
During a hearty dinner with festive music, Michigan Liberation held its “Michigan Black Mama’s Bail Out Celebration” this week in Detroit’s Old Redford community. The occasion was designed to fete mothers it has bailed out of metro Detroit area jails over the last four years. “I have witnessed a demonstrative carceral system failing the people […]
Whitmer signs ‘red flag’ gun safety bills
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Monday signed more bills establishing gun safety reforms during a news conference in Royal Oak. “No Michigander should fear going to school, work, the grocery store, or their own home because of gun violence,” said Whitmer. “Extreme risk protection orders have been proven to reduce suicides, save lives, and keep guns […]
Whitmer signs ‘Fred Korematsu Day’ legislation
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Wednesday signed Senate Bill 18, which designates Jan. 30 of each year as “Fred Korematsu Day.” “The state of Michigan … recognizes the historic contributions to civil liberties made by Fred Korematsu, a courageous activist and advocate who stood up against racism and oppression,” Whitmer said. Fred Korematsu was born in […]
Michigan Senate OKs bill making Juneteenth a state holiday
In bipartisan fashion, the state Senate on Wednesday approved legislation to make Juneteenth, a holiday widely celebrated by Black Americans for years, an official holiday in Michigan. State Sen. Jim Runestad (R-White Lake) was the only vote against Senate Bill 50, sponsored by Sen. Sylvia Santana (D-Detroit). A call by the Advance to Runestad’s office […]
In Detroit, U.S. and Canadian officials tout first electric vehicle corridor
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Tuesday joined U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Canadian Minister of Transport Omar Alghabra, and Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan to announce the first Binational Electric Vehicle (EV) Corridor between the U.S. and Canada. It will be an international stretch of 869 miles from Kalamazoo to Quebec City — a 13-hour route. “I […]
Gilchrist touts Michigan’s progressive wins at national Dem conference in Detroit
During a conference centered on the “state of democracy,” Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist on Monday rallied a group of Democratic elected officials from across the country. “Our story is compelling,” Gilchrist said at the event in Detroit. Gilchrist was referring to Democrats’ effort on issues like reproductive freedom, voting rights protection and efforts to reduce […]
Hamtramck Stadium, three other sites receive state historic preservation honors
When the Negro National League was founded in 1920, the Detroit Stars was one of its eight charter baseball teams. The team was founded by John “Tenny” Blount with assistance from Andrew “Rube” Foster, who were both African American. Some of the Stars’ games during the 1930s were played at Hamtramck Stadium. “Andrew Foster was […]
Childcare providers call on state government to increase pay
Mothering Justice, a Detroit-based racial and gender justice advocacy organization, held a rally and news conference on Monday in Detroit to continue its call for an increase in childcare provider pay. About 150 men, women and children chanted: “What do we want? More money. When do we need it, now!” and “No contract, no work.” […]
Dingell on hazardous waste storage: ‘We’re worried about living near these sites’
Three federal lawmakers held a public meeting Thursday in Belleville designed to address transportation and storage of hazardous waste in Southeast Michigan. The forum with U.S. Reps. Debbie Dingell (D-Ann Arbor), Rashida Tlaib (D-Detroit) and Shri Thanedar (D-Detroit) was held after public concern surrounding the transport in February of hazardous waste from an East Palestine, […]
Tlaib, reproductive rights advocates call for U.S. Supreme Court reform amid ethics scandals
During a Wednesday news conference in Detroit, U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Detroit) joined reproductive rights advocates and called for major reforms to the judiciary amid growing concern about ethics issues involving the U.S. Supreme Court. Tlaib called for reforming the high court through law and expanding the body, which currently has nine members. “These justices […]
Some parents with kids in college still have their own student debt. New legislation could help.
U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens (D-Waterford Twp.) last week introduced legislation she says will expand financial aid opportunities for students whose parents are still chipping away at their own student debt. The bill introduced Thursday is called the Alleviating Intergenerational Debt (AID) Act. “The average American carries over $30,000 dollars in student debt,” said Stevens, a […]