Briefs
MSU acting President Udpa apologizes to Nassar survivors
Michigan State University’s new acting president, Satish Udpa, issued a statement apologizing to survivors of former MSU gymnastics Dr. Larry Nassar’s sexual assault during a Board of Trustees meeting Friday. In a statement, Udpa said he felt the need “to formally apologize and to effectively atone” for the abuse that hundreds of young girls who […]
Video: Lawmakers on gov. agenda of equal pay, auto insurance reform
As Gov. Gretchen Whitmer ramps up to reveal her first budget next month, Republican and Democratic lawmakers, not surprisingly, are hoping to hear different things. The Advance interviewed legislators following Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s first State of the State address on Tuesday. Democrats tended to praise her for highlighting long-term problems in state government like low […]
The day women took over the Senate in 1974
A chorus of “Happy Birthday” to suffragette Susan B. Anthony rang out on the floor of the Michigan Senate on this day in 1974. Although only men were serving in the Legislature’s upper chamber at the time, several progressive organizations sponsored a mock female Senate session designed to dramatize the need for women political candidates. […]
On this day in 1963: Romney helps Detroit’s Olympics bid
On this day in 1963, Gov. George Romney formed a five-person finance committee to find money to construct an Olympic Stadium complex on the Michigan State Fairgrounds. The idea was designed to strengthen Detroit’s bid to host the 1968 Summer Olympic Games. The committee included Chair Donald Valley, president of the National Bank of Detroit; […]
Shades of Cherry Commission in Whitmer’s education and workforce agenda
Do you remember what the Cherry Commission was? If so, congratulations. Like me, you are a huge policy nerd. But in light of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s announced goal at her State of the State address to have 60 percent of Michigan residents attain a post-high school credential by 2030, it’s worth taking a trip in […]
Whitmer declares state of emergency in Ionia County
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer declared a state of emergency in Ionia County due to severe winter weather, the governor’s office announced Wednesday. “Ionia County continues to recover from the heavy impacts of this winter weather, which include severe flood damage in the city of Portland and ice storm damage in the city of Belding,” Whitmer said […]
Jacobs: Gov. right to spotlight state worker morale, Medicaid work rules
Gilda Jacobs has watched her share of State of the State addresses, having spent a total of 12 years in both chambers of the Legislature. The now president and CEO of the Michigan League for Public Policy wrote a column for the Advance last month about serving alongside Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in both the House […]
Detroit’s first Black teacher died on this day in 1922
Fannie Richards, the city’s first Black public school teacher, died on this day in 1922. She was 81 years old. Richards was born on October 1, 1840, to free parents in Fredericksburg, Va. As a child, she moved with her parents to Toronto, Canada, where she was educated. In 1863, Richards opened a private school for […]
On this day in 1965: Feds seek Dearborn mayor after racist mob attack
U.S. marshals sought to arrest segregationist Dearborn Mayor Orville Hubbard on this day in 1965 for failing to show up for an arraignment. The charge: Hubbard, who was white, withheld police protection in a racial incident, according to the feds. The incident occurred on Labor Day 1963 after a mob was enraged by false rumors […]
Lapeer judge draws misconduct complaint over money issues
The commission in charge of disciplining out-of-order judges filed a misconduct complaint against a Lapeer County judge last week. The Michigan Judicial Tenure Commission filed the 96-page complaint against Lapeer judge Byron Konschuh over his alleged history of depositing bad checks into a personal bank account. Konschuh pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor in 2016, […]
Levin ‘upset’ over Democratic member of Congress using ‘anti-Semitic trope’
U.S. Rep. Andy Levin (D-Bloomfield Twp.) weighed in Monday on remarks made by a fellow freshman Democratic member of Congress, Ilhan Omar of Minnesota. He said he’s concerned about the use of an “anti-Semitic trope,” but rejects “the speech but not the human being.” Omar, who is one of the first two Muslim congresswoman ever elected […]
Biden, Bill Clinton to speak at Dingell memorials
The late U.S. Rep. John Dingell (D-Dearborn) will be eulogized by former President Bill Clinton and former Vice President Joe Biden, among other political leaders who have been longtime friends. The office of U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Dearborn) on Sunday announced speakers for memorials this week scheduled in both Dearborn and Washington, D.C. John Dingell […]