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MSU Interim President Teresa Woodruff won’t seek permanent presidency
Michigan State University Interim President Teresa Woodruff announced Sunday that she will not apply to be the institution’s permanent president. “As the third interim president of MSU in the last five years, I wish for a period of stability for the university. Thus, and to enable that goal, I do not seek the full-time presidency […]
Former Grand Rapids gymnastics coach sexual assault case bound over for trial
Women who were as young as 6 years old when they say former Kent County gymnastics coach Shannon Guay sexually assaulted them told their stories Thursday to a Grand Rapids judge, who found it appropriate to bind 19 counts of criminal sexual conduct over to trial court. Guay, 49, formerly a coach at the now-closed […]
New: Whitmer to lay out ‘what’s next’ for Michigan in Aug. 30 speech
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer will deliver a speech announcing her policy priorities for Michigan on Aug. 30. Whitmer’s office announced Thursday that at the end of the month, as the legislature returns for session from summer recess, the governor will outline her priorities for the fall to “move Michigan forward” and expand opportunities in the state. […]
Whitmer signs bills addressing sexual violence, train delays and public safety
Several bills passed by the Legislature last month before its summer break were signed into law Tuesday afternoon by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. They include: Dozens of bills, often championed by survivors of disgraced former U.S.A. Gymnastics and Michigan State University doctor Larry Nassar and other survivors of sexual violence have been introduced in multiple sessions […]
‘Long overdue’: Whitmer signs bills advocated for by sexual assault survivors
Updated, 3:52 p.m., 6/29/23 Lawmakers have introduced dozens of bills for years stemming from lessons the state learned from survivors of sexual violence since the Larry Nassar sex abuse scandal. On Thursday, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed a six-bill package and announced her intention of signing more in the coming weeks. The victim impact statements of […]
Panels advance bills aiming to strengthen sexual assault survivor infrastructure in Michigan
Committees in the Michigan House and Senate on Tuesday each passed sexual violence reform bills. Legislation has been proposed to address the rights of victims of sexual violence since 2018 when 156 women testified in court against former Team USA gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar after decades of sexual abuse. Since then, legislation to expand mandatory […]
Former Grand Rapids gymnastics coach appears in court over sexual assault charges
People from counties all over Michigan and out of state have contacted authorities with reports of sexual assault by former Kent County gymnastics coach Shannon Guay, the prosecution in his criminal case said Wednesday. Guay, 49, formerly a coach at the now-closed Aerials & Baranis Gymnastics Center in Grand Rapids, appeared in court Wednesday, facing […]
Nessel talks ‘constitutional counties,’ gun violence and juvenile justice reform
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel told the Michigan Advance she is working to ensure gun violence laws can withstand legal scrutiny and are properly enforced. With Democrats taking control of the House and Senate and maintaining the governorship after the 2022 election, the Legislature has passed multiple Democratic priorities, including measures requiring background checks for […]
Bills would shave time off prison sentences for participating in educational, vocational programs
Some incarcerated individuals in Michigan could earn time off their sentence through participation in educational, vocational or otherwise rehabilitative programs under legislation that got a hearing in the House Criminal Justice Committee Tuesday. Lawmakers and crime victims spoke of “making good neighbors” out of people once they’ve served their sentences. Many of those who serve […]
Bills would overhaul statue of limitations for sexual assault, establish Survivors Bill of Rights
Lawmakers on Thursday announced they are reintroducing laws they say will help fix Michigan’s broken process for sexual assault crimes. State Rep. Julie Brixie (D-Meridian Twp.) led the announcement, joined by fellow legislators, along with sexual assault survivors and advocates for criminal justice reform. Similar bills had been introduced in previous legislative sessions, but received […]