Briefs
Lawrence ‘insulted’ at GOP congressman claiming Trump isn’t racist since he hired Black official
The U.S. House Oversight Committee hearing on Wednesday was as circus-like as you’d expect with Michael Cohen, President Donald Trump’s former lawyer, taking the stand. U.S. Rep. Brenda Lawrence (D-Southfield) had a big moment in which she called out a Republican congressman on a stunt during proceedings. Cohen was sentenced to three years in prison for […]
Whitmer’s advice to 2020 contenders: Don’t skip the Midwest
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has dipped her toe into the 2020 election, but not as a presidential or vice presidential contender. As the Advance first reported in December, Whitmer said she wasn’t interested in being on the ticket. But on Monday, she did invite Democratic presidential hopefuls to visit Michigan via her new personal Twitter account. Whitmer’s office has […]
Republicans: Trump deserves credit for Fiat Chrysler deal, not Whitmer
There’s one person responsible for the 6,500 jobs estimated to come to metro Detroit under the new Fiat Chrysler Automotive deal, according to the Republican National Committee. And that would be President Donald Trump. In a news release, the RNC took a shot at Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, saying she shouldn’t take credit: “Let’s just […]
On this day in 1952: House Un-American Activities Committee meets in Detroit
The Rev. Charles A. Hill, Hartford Avenue Baptist Church pastor, on this day in 1952 testified before the U.S. House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) in Detroit’s federal building. HUAC was an investigative committee created in 1938 to investigate alleged disloyalty and subversive activities by private citizens, public employees and those organizations suspected of having fascist […]
On this day in 1809: Education act drafted
James Witherell, a member of the Territorial Supreme Court, authored an education act on this day in 1809, according to the Historical Society of Michigan. His effort ultimately helped to establish a compulsory education system for the young territory. Witherell was born in Mansfield, Mass., in 1759. He served in the Continental Army from 1775 […]
Leaders reject white supremacist posters found in Lansing’s Old Town
Lansing Mayor Andy Schor has condemned posters with links to a nationally recognized white supremacist group that were found in the Old Town neighborhood last week. They read: “Keep America American. Report any and all illegal aliens. They are criminals.” “The fliers that have shown up in Old Town are not representative of Lansing residents,” […]
African-Americans want Whitmer to tackle jobs, health care before roads
Michigan African-Americans support Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, but they want her to address job creation and health care before fixing infrastructure. That’s according to a new statewide survey commissioned by the Michigan Democratic Party Black Caucus. The poll captures their responses to several questions including how to rate Whitmer’s first 30 days in office; how much she’ll […]
Whitmer uses new Twitter account to invite 2020 presidential hopefuls to Michigan
Updated, 7:30 a.m., 2/26/19 Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Monday morning debuted a new personal Twitter account and her first message was aimed at Democratic 2020 presidential candidates. Using her @WhitmerMI handle, the governor included a video message from Washington, D.C., where she attended the National Governors Association* meeting and a White House dinner. The account was […]
Nessel gets the Jerusalem Post treatment
Welcome to the Advance‘s semi-regular roundup of how Michigan is covered in the national — and sometimes international — news. In the last week, Attorney General Dana Nessel was the subject of a somewhat stiltedly titled Jerusalem Post profile, “Jewish-American lesbian elected Michigan attorney general.” Hey, all news is local is some sense. Here’s the […]
Amash rips GOP over Trump’s emergency declaration
U.S. Rep. Justin Amash (R-Cascade Twp.) took to Twitter over the weekend to call out his fellow Republicans over their support for President Donald Trump’s emergency declaration. As the Advance reported last week, the libertarian-leaning Republican stands as the only GOP legislator to sign his name to a Democratic-led U.S. House resolution to block Trump’s […]
SOS forms panel to enact Proposal 3, update election procedures
Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson this week announced a new Election Modernization Advisory Committee. The panel will advise her administration and the Bureau of Elections on implementing Proposal 3 of 2018 and other election reforms. On Thursday, Benson held a press conference in Flint Township heralding one aspect of Proposal 3: the start of […]
A thing that really happened: Gleason blasts ‘junket’ in Mickey Mouse costume
Genesee County Clerk John Gleason donned a Mickey Mouse costume, complete with drooping ears and hand-drawn whiskers, during a press conference this week decrying travel spending by county employees. Gleason, a Democratic former state lawmaker, was flanked on Wednesday by a woman dressed in a Minnie Mouse costume holding fake money. His desk also featured a […]