The U.S. Supreme Court put orders that directed Michigan to redraw its electoral maps on hold. Federal judges had said they favored one political party too much. Right now the Supreme Court is considering whether voting district maps are unfairly drawn to favor one political party in some states. It’s often called gerrymandering. Last month we told you that federal…
There is a challenge to a Michigan lame duck law that makes it harder for voter initiated proposals to get on the ballot. The lawsuit was filed Thursday by the League of Women Voters of Michigan, Michiganders for Fair and Transparent Elections, as well as individual voters. Wednesday State Attorney General Dana Nessel said the law is unconstitutional. The lawsuit…
Continuing coverage on Lansing’s efforts to reduce the state’s high auto insurance premiums. State lawmakers will meet for an additional day tomorrow. They could vote on legislation that would overhaul the no fault insurance law. Michigan is the only state requiring drivers to buy unlimited personal injury protection benefits as part of their car insurance policy. Lawmakers want to let…
Emergency crews rescued six people from an overturned boat on a Wexford County lake. Around 3 p.m. Thursday, emergency crews got a call about an overturned sailboat with people stranded on Lake Mitchell. Despite rough conditions, the Cadillac Fire Department got there with a rescue boat in 11 minutes. The overturned catamaran was about 250 yards offshore. They say two…
A former Kingsley teacher, football coach and wrestling coach has taken a plea deal. He’s accused of stealing thousands from the Kingsley Youth Wrestling Club. Jason Leonard pleaded guilty to embezzlement. In exchange, another charge was dropped. The wrestling club’s treasurer noticed something was off in 2016. Investigators believe Leonard took more than $5,000 from a fundraiser he was in…
A legal fight is likely brewing over voter-initiated proposals in Michigan. Wednesday the state attorney general said the lame-duck passed law making it harder to put them on the ballot is unconstitutional. The opinion from Democratic Attorney General Dana Nessel binds state officials, unless it is reversed by a court. A legal fight is expected. Proposal 1 passed and legalized…
A woman who ran a Grand Traverse County daycare and was convicted of child abuse is headed to prison. A judge sentenced Melissa Ullom to three and a half to 20 years in prison. Ullom ran the Little Squirts Daycare out of her home in Blair Township. In 2016 police say Ullom claimed she took a baby to a neighbor’s…
A House committee passed funding to begin building a second freighter-sized lock. The House Appropriations Committee gave that legislation the green light. It looks to funnel more than $75 million to the Army of Corps of Engineers to start the project. Congress still has to approve the measure. Michigan Works! Is now advertising new job openings for work in the…
A Grand Traverse County man is charged with stealing money from a nonprofit where he worked. Martin Conway turned himself in Tuesday. He is charged with embezzlement. State police say Conway was the hospitality chairman for the Fraternal Order of Eagles in Traverse City. He was entrusted to deposit $3,000 from an event last summer. Police say the money was…
Michigan Republicans continue to distance themselves from a Northern Michigan lawmaker. Representatives voted to remove Larry Inman from the House Republican Caucus over the federal charges he’s facing. A federal grand jury indicted Inman last week. He’s accused of bribery, attempted extortion and lying to the FBI. He allegedly asked unions for money in exchange for his vote. The indictment…
