Briefs
Detroit’s Wayne State University announces free tuition for families earning less than $70K
Michigan families with annual incomes of $70,000 or less are now eligible for the “Wayne State Guarantee,” a new program that offers a tuition-free degree from Detroit’s Wayne State University with zero out-of-pocket expenses. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer joined WSU officials on Monday to announce the program, set to begin in fall 2023. “Students in Michigan […]
Michigan COVID cases rise, deaths drop in last week
Michigan is reporting 7,438 new COVID-19 cases, according to a weekly report the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services released Tuesday. That’s an increase from the last report issued March 7, when the state said there were 6,903 new cases for the week. A total of 3,071,563 Michiganders have tested positive for COVID-19 since […]
On this day in 1994: President Clinton hosts world leaders at Detroit jobs summit
On March 14, 1994, President Bill Clinton hosted leaders of the world’s industrial nations at Detroit’s Fox Theatre. There, they met about job creation in a sluggish economy. Called the “Group of 7” or commonly known as G7, was a set of meetings included Great Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Japan and the United […]
Kildee leads congressional letter demanding strong enforcement of child labor laws
More than 60 members of Congress, including five from Michigan, signed a letter Monday urging the Biden administration, including the U.S. Departments of Labor (DOL) and Health and Human Services (HHS), to take stronger enforcement actions against those who violate child labor laws in the United States. Led by U.S. Rep. Dan Kildee (D-Flint), the […]
Michigan man charged after threatening Biden, Whitmer, members of LGBTQ+ community
A man from Michigan’s Thumb region, who authorities say made numerous threats to kill FBI agents, members of the LGBTQ+ community, President Joe Biden, and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, has been charged with illegally possessing firearms. According to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan, Randall Robert Berka II, […]
On this day in 1859: Opponents to slavery meet in Detroit
On March 12, 1859, abolitionists Frederick Douglass, a Black man, and John Brown, a white man, met in Detroit to discuss strategy to end slavery. The meeting was just before the start of the Civil War, which began in 1861. Detroit was a desirable site for the meeting in that it was a major stop […]
Duggan pledges to enlist citizens to reduce gun violence
As gun violence has become a growing topic in Lansing amid the Feb. 13 Michigan State University mass shooting, Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan announced on Tuesday that he will partner with community groups to help curb gun violence and homicides in the city. “DPD [Detroit Police Department] doesn’t have the power to take the anger […]
Bill repealing ‘punitive’ third-grade reading law headed to Whitmer’s desk
A long-sought-after Democratic bill to do away with Michigan’s controversial third-grade reading law cleared final passage in the state House on Tuesday, moving the legislation to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s desk for her likely signature. Senate Bill 12 passed 57-51 in the House, with state Rep. Tim Beson (R-Bay City) being the lone Republican vote. “The […]
COVID-19 cases increase, hospitalizations fall in Michigan
Michigan is reporting 6,903 new COVID-19 cases, according to a weekly report the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services released Tuesday. That’s an increase from the last report issued Feb. 28, when the state said there were 7,483 new cases for the week. A total of 3,064,125 Michiganders have tested positive for COVID-19 since […]
Legislation introduced to restore adult supervision requirement for minors handling BB guns
A bill has been introduced to require that an adult be present when minors use pneumatic guns outside their own home or yard. Introduced Thursday by Rep. Julie M. Rogers (D-Kalamazoo), House Bill 4184 would cover BB, paintball and pellet guns. “Allowing kids to use BB guns unsupervised can have life-threatening consequences,” said Rogers. “All […]
Totten to help commemorate ‘Bloody Sunday’ and passage of Voting Rights Act of 1965
Mark Totten, U.S. attorney for Michigan’s Western District, will join more than 30 colleagues from across the nation this weekend to commemorate the 58th anniversary of the Selma, Ala. civil rights march and the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. “I’m honored to join colleagues from across the United States on this trip […]
Michigan House repeals state’s 1931 abortion ban
In bipartisan fashion, the Michigan House approved bills on Thursday that would nullify Michigan’s 1931 abortion ban. The vote was 58-50 on the two bills, with state Reps. Thomas Kuhn (R-Troy) and Donni Steele (R-Orion Twp.) crossing over to join Democrats to vote for the legislation. House Bill 4006, sponsored by state Rep. Laurie Pohutsky […]