Politics + Gov
Government shutdown nears: U.S. House GOP fails to pass one-month spending plan
WASHINGTON — A sweeping government shutdown appeared inevitable on Friday, with the U.S. Senate stuck in a procedural holding pattern on its bipartisan stopgap bill and divided U.S. House Republicans unable to pass their short-term spending bill. Both chambers of Congress must approve and President Joe Biden must sign government funding legislation before midnight on […]
GOP former House speaker sentenced to federal prison for taking bribes as head of state licensing board
A one-time Michigan House speaker has been sentenced to just over four-and-half-years in prison following his conviction for taking bribes while heading up a state licensing board. Rick Johnson, who chaired the Michigan Marijuana Licensing Board (MMLB) from 2017 to 2019, was ordered on Thursday to serve 55 months in prison by U.S. District Court […]
Oakland County judge declares Oxford shooter can be sentenced to life without parole
A hearing that began in July to decide whether or not Oxford High School shooter Ethan Crumbley can be sentenced to life in prison concluded today. Judge Kwame L. Rowe, of the 6th Circuit Court of Oakland County, ruled that the shooter’s status as a minor does not make him ineligible for a no-parole option […]
As of noon, 25,000 UAW members will be striking against the Detroit Three automakers
Two more plants, employing 7,000 workers, are joining the United Auto Workers (UAW) strike at noon Friday, UAW President Shawn Fain announced Friday morning on Facebook Live. This brings the total number of workers who will have walked off the job to 25,000. The strike against Detroit Three auto manufacturers Ford, General Motors and Stellantis […]
Nearly all national park sites to close during government shutdown
Almost all National Park Service sites will be inaccessible during a partial federal government shutdown likely to start this weekend, the U.S. Interior Department said Friday. The agency will bar access to most of the nation’s 425 parks, recreation areas, national historic sites and other units, according to a fact sheet from the Interior Department, […]
U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California dies at 90, reports say
WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein has died, according to multiple media reports. The California Democrat was 90 and had announced in February she would not run for reelection in 2024. Feinstein last voted early Thursday, but missed votes later in the day. Her death was first reported by Punchbowl News. California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom will pick her […]
GOP witnesses at Biden impeachment hearing see insufficient evidence of wrongdoing so far
WASHINGTON — With two days before a partial government shutdown, House Republicans held their first impeachment inquiry hearing Thursday over unproven allegations that President Joe Biden benefited from his son’s business dealings overseas. Witnesses tapped by Republicans for the House Oversight and Accountability Committee hearing acknowledged that there was no evidence showing that the president […]
On this day in 1975: Nation’s first Black-owned TV station launches
On Sept. 29, 1975, Detroit television station WGPR-TV 62 signed on air for the first time. That came after the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) unanimously voted in 1973 to grant a permit by African Americans to operate a television station in Detroit. “There wouldn’t be any need for a station of this type if things […]
U.S. Senate panel weighs free speech and deep fakes in AI campaign ads
Artificial intelligence could be used to disrupt U.S. election campaigns, members of the U.S. Senate Committee on Rules and Administration said during a Wednesday hearing. But the hearing showed that imposing laws and regulations on campaign content without violating constitutional rights to political speech will be difficult. Elections pose a particular challenge for AI, an […]
With two days until shutdown, border security package eyed by U.S. Senate GOP
WASHINGTON — Republican U.S. senators huddled behind closed doors Thursday, attempting to draft an amendment to the short-term government funding bill that would increase spending on border security and make policy changes. The provision could help nudge U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy to put the broadly bipartisan measure up for a vote in that chamber, […]
Government shutdown won’t affect health care or most benefits for veterans, VA says
WASHINGTON — Veterans who rely on government health care and other assistance can continue to see their doctors and receive education and pension benefits despite a possible, and likely imminent, partial shutdown that will temporarily cease many federal operations. The Department of Veterans Affairs on Tuesday released guidance on what functions will continue and not […]
House panel hears testimony on whether to remove ban on local regulation of plastic bags
The House Natural Resources, Environment, Tourism and Outdoor Recreation Committee met on Thursday to hear testimony on bills that would restore local governments’ ability to regulate plastic bags and other reusable or single-use containers. State Rep. Felicia Brabec (D-Pittsfield) — whose House Bill 4359 would repeal a 2016 law preempting local regulations of “certain containers” […]