Congressman Fred Upton and colleague Bill Huizenga are celebrating a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers decision to include funding in the fiscal year 2020 budget to dredge Holland Harbor. The budget at first did not include the dredging funds, but Upton tells WSJM News he and Huizenga were able to convince the Corps the work is needed.. ...Read Full Story
The South Haven City Council is pleased with City Manager Brian Dissette. City Human Resources Director Kim Wise tells us the council filled out Dissette’s annual performance evaluation last month, extending his contract another year. On a scale of one to five, Dissette’s overall score was a 4.67. Council members rated him on categories including communications with the council, in which he got a 4.43 out of 5, professionalism, in which he got a 4.86, and delivery of services, in which he got a 4.71. Council members saluted Dissette for being dedicated, having a wealth of knowledge, and rising to the occasion in a crisis. He was granted a 3% pay increase, bringing his salary up to $113,000, and was also given a performance bonus of $6,000. Dissette has been the city manager of South Haven for 12 years.. ...Read Full Story
Nobo of Michigan, LLC, the company that bought the former Alreco Metals property in Benton Harbor with plans to grow medical marijuana there, is now seeking permission to operate a retail location. At a Tuesday meeting of the Benton Harbor City Commission, Nobo CEO Alan Bonsett told commissioners the company is looking to buy 107 Water Street for its provisioning center. They already have an office there. Bonsett said the retail operation will draw traffic into the community.. ...Read Full Story
First Michigan State, and now the University of Michigan is investigating allegations one of its former sports doctors sexually abused student athletes. U of M is looking for more potential victims of Robert Anderson. Spokesman Rick Fitzgerald says they know of a handful of cases so far involving Anderson, who examined young men playing for Bo Schembechler and Lloyd Carr from 1968 to 2003. Fitzgerald says there is a hotline to help those who may have been abused find resources to help.. ...Read Full Story
The Inn at Harbor Shores is one of two hotels to earn AAA of Michigan’s Four Diamond Designation this year. There are now 19 such hotels in the state. Along with the St. Joseph hotel, Detroit’s Shinola Hotel has been added to the list. The awards were presented today (Wednesday) in Grand Rapids during the Pure Michigan Governors Conference on Tourism. According to the auto club, a Four Diamond hotel is “refined and stylish, providing upscale physical attributes, extensive amenities and a high degree of hospitality, service and attention to detail.”. ...Read Full Story
A Stevensville-area home is being torn down, with the erosion from Lake Michigan to blame. Bruce Smothers spoke to our partners at WSBT-22 as crews demolished his house today on Notre Dame Avenue, and was asked about not being too emotional about it.. ...Read Full Story
Efforts to figure out how to fix the chronic flooding problem on Main Street in Benton Harbor by the Whirlpool Riverview Campus will result in the street being closed Thursday starting at 9 a.m. The Michigan Department of Transportation is going to have the road closed between the Bicentennial Bridge and Riverview Drive for crews to perform surveying and inspection for a project design.. ...Read Full Story
Congressman Fred Upton is backing legislation to require the Army Corps of Engineers gives consideration to recreational harbor maintenance projects when it plans for projects each year. Upton tells WSJM News the Safer Harbors for Our Recreational Economy Act would direct the Army Corps to make sure the economic benefits of recreational boating are considered as it allocates funding.. ...Read Full Story
Benton Harbor City Commissioners have heard about an excessive force complaint regarding a public safety officer. Gwen Swanigan of the anti-police abuse group, the SHARP Foundation, told commissioners at a Tuesday meeting that Public Safety Officer Drew Wagner punched a suspect who had run from him on December 28. Wagner pulled over 27-year-old Michael Thompson at May Street Market at 131 East May when the officer noticed Thompson didn’t have a registered plate. According to the police report, when Thompson ran from Officer Wagner, Wagner fired a taser at him twice and then tackled him. At Tuesday’s meeting, Swanigan said the way Thompson was treated was uncalled for.. ...Read Full Story
From the Associated Press — Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont is expanding his campaign’s operations in Michigan three weeks before the state’s Democratic primary. Sanders, who narrowly won Michigan over Hillary Clinton in 2016, announced Tuesday the hiring of nine additional staff and the opening of five offices. The offices will be opened in Detroit, Grand Rapids, Ann Arbor and
Flint this week. The campaign says Sanders is the only candidate with the energy and enthusiasm to defeat President Donald Trump, who was the first Republican presidential nominee to win Michigan in 28 years.. ...Read Full Story
Coming up this month will be a one-woman show focused on gun violence at the Ghostlight Theater in Benton Harbor. “The Gun Show” is being brought to the area by Interfaith Action of Southwest Michigan, a group representing around 30 churches and faith-based organizations. Co-lead Vicki Schroeder tells WSJM News Interfaith Action recently heard more about the threat to public health posed by gun violence at a meeting with health officials.. ...Read Full Story
The Van Buren District Library will be marking March Madness this year in its own way. It’s going to pit books up against each other in a bracket-style competition, says spokesperson Kay McAdam.. ...Read Full Story
It was wiped off the books for this fiscal year with a line-item veto last fall, but Pure Michigan might be making a comeback. There are reports Governor Whitmer is in talks with legislative leaders for a supplemental budget bill to restore the ad campaign during the current fiscal year, which pleases lawmakers like state Representative Bronna Kahle of Adrian.. ...Read Full Story
A press conference is planned for Wednesday as Ibrahim Parlak gives an update on his efforts to remain in the United States. The Kurdish immigrant owns a restaurant in Berrien County’s Harbert, and has been fighting to remain in the country for nearly 20 years. The U.S. government has been trying to deport Parlak to his native Turkey, but he and his supporters say he would be in danger there. In March of 2018, there was a hearing in an immigration court Detroit with a federal judge ruling that Parlak could be granted relief under the Convention Against Torture Act. However, the Department of Homeland Security appealed, claiming Parlak would be safe in Turkey. Parlak spokesperson Martin Dzuris says it “is way past time for our government to leave this man in peace.” The latest update on Parlak’s plight will be given at his press conference at Cafe Gulistan on Wednesday afternoon.. ...Read Full Story
The Michigan Crossroads Council is responding to the Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing by the national organization of the Boy Scouts of America. In a YouTube video, the state’s scouting organization says the national decision does not impact local units.. ...Read Full Story
The Michigan 2020 Census “Be Counted” Campaign has kicked off its statewide town hall tour with a stop in Oakland County. At a Pontiac church, Attorney General Dana Nessel says participation is safe and easy.. ...Read Full Story
St. Joseph Public Schools will be moving their central administration office after this school year. The school board has approved the purchase of a United Federal Credit Union building at 2580 South Cleveland Avenue, and Superintendent Dr. Thomas Bruce expects to close on the deal on July 1. The move is due to the growth of the St. Joseph-Lincoln Senior Center, which currently rents space in a former elementary school to the district for the admin offices. The senior center will soon need the entire building for its programs, and the school district has been looking for a new office building for the past seven months. United offered the building to the school district for 76% of fair market value, agreeing to a $630,000 sales price. Current office furniture and technology will be included in the sale. WSJM News has reached out to the superintendent’s office for more information.. ...Read Full Story
From the Associated Press — General Motors says it’s pulling out of Australia, New Zealand and Thailand as part of a strategy to exit markets that don’t produce adequate returns on investments, dismaying officials concerned over job losses. Australia’s minister for Industry, Science and Technology said Monday that it was “disappointing” that the company only advised the government about the
decision just before it’s announcement Sunday that it would wind down sales, engineering and design operations for its historic Holden brand in Australia and New Zealand in 2021. GM also plans to sell its Rayong factory in Thailand to China’s Great Wall Motors and withdraw the Chevrolet brand from Thailand by the end of this year. CEO Mary Barra says the company wants to focus on markets where it can drive strong returns.. ...Read Full Story
From the Associated Press — A Michigan man sentenced to up to 60 years in prison in 1996 for a marijuana dealing conviction is hoping to cut his remaining time behind bars. WNEM-TV reports that 68-year-old Michael Thompson has served nearly 25 years of his sentence and won’t have a chance for parole until he’s in his late 80s. Thompson was denied clemency by then-Governor Rick Snyder two years ago, but now a movement called “Free Michael Thompson” has gained traction. There is a website dedicated to sending emails and letters as well as making calls to Governor Gretchen Whitmer. And a prosecutor says he’s willing to see what can be done.. ...Read Full Story
A town hall will be held this month to explore what everyone needs to know about voting since the passage of Proposal 3 by Michigan voters in 2018. The League of Women Voters of Berrien and Cass Counties is inviting everyone to “Making Democracy Work” on February 27 at the Berrien RESA Administrative Conference Center in Oronoko Township. League President Anita Rutlin tells WSJM News voters have questions now that Proposal 3 is in effect.. ...Read Full Story
Coming up in March and April will be the Krasl Art Center’s annual Elementary, Middle, and High School Art Exhibitions at the Box Factory for the Arts. Krasl’s Emily McKenna tells WSJM News the center works with Berrien RESA to find student art submissions from throughout Berrien and Cass counties to show off.. ...Read Full Story
The Avenue Family Network is opening up a brand new Cora Lamping Center to help survivors of domestic and sexual violence in the area. Executive director Joe Goepfrich joined WSJM’s Jonny Reinhardt on “Got Something To Say” to talk about the open house on Tuesday from 3 to 6 p.m. at the center’s new location at 777 Riverview Drive in Benton Harbor.. ...Read Full Story
Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson is calling on employers to give workers a paid holiday on Election Day starting this fall. Wayne State University has recently declared November 3 a university holiday, and Benson is encouraging private companies to follow that example.. ...Read Full Story
A 35-year-old Gobles man is in the Van Buren County Jail after being arrested for an outstanding warrant when a sheriff’s deputy spotted him and another person walking around a store that was closed. The deputy knew the man was on probation, and found he had a warrant for his arrest. When the deputy tried to make the arrest late last night, the man took off running, resulting in the deputy sending K-9 Kuno to chase him down. The suspect was not hurt during the arrest, and the sheriff’s office is seeking additional charges for resisting and obstructing during the arrest.. ...Read Full Story
Lapeer Community Schools Superintendent Matthew Wandrie will be the next superintendent of Berrien RESA. The RESA Board of Education picked Wandrie for the job this past week following its interviews with the final two superintendent candidates. The other candidate had been RESA Assistant Superintendent Eric Hoppstock. Prior to serving as Lapeer’s superintendent, Wandrie was the human resources director at Dearborn Public Schools. He’s also been a high school teacher, a coach, an assistant principal, an athletic director, and a principal. Contract negotiations now begin with Wandrie. RESA says he’s due to start on July 1, the same day current RESA Superintendent Kevin Ivers will retire. Wandrie currently lives in Oakland County’s Oxford.. ...Read Full Story
With Michigan’s presidential primary on March 10, efforts are being made to promote civic engagement at Southwestern Michigan College. SMC political science professor Mary Young-Marcks tells WSJM News SMC Votes is a campaign designed to inform students and inspire them to action. She and other SMC staff started the campaign after attending some ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge events.. ...Read Full Story
The Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education is taking applications from those interested in filling a vacancy. That’s after former Trustee Patricia Rush resigned late last month. Board President Joseph Taylor tells WSJM News he’s hoping to find someone who is diligent and dedicated.. ...Read Full Story
Market Van Buren is looking at ways local officials can work together to help address some key needs of Van Buren County. Market Van Buren Director Zachary Morris tells WSJM News that’s why the group held its annual Local Unit of Government Summit this month. The guest speakers included former state budget director Al Pscholka, staff from the offices of state Senator Aric Nesbitt and state Representative Beth Griffin, and a representative of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.. ...Read Full Story
A Detroit woman is in critical condition after a chase with police that ended in a crash on Saturday morning. The Van Buren County Sheriff’s Department says a report came in around 8:45 that police in Berrien County were chasing a vehicle that was headed toward Van Buren County. The suspect’s vehicle was a gray 2019 Chrysler 300, and was first seen speeding eastbound on I-94 near mile marker 17. Baroda Lake Township police had tried to stop the vehicle when it sped off. However, Berrien County Sheriff’s deputies caught sight of it a short time later. The vehicle entered Van Buren County on County Road 362 and then turned north on to County Road 687 in Hartford Township. That’s where the driver lost control and his vehicle hit an aluminum utility pole. The driver, a 24-year-old man from Detroit, suffered some broken ribs, while his 22-year-old female passenger suffered critical injuries and was airlifted to a hospital. The driver was released into police custody after being treated at Spectrum Health Lakeland hospital in St. Joseph. Police say the driver faces several charges, including fleeing and eluding and driving on a suspended license.. ...Read Full Story
There has been plenty of interest in Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel’s new Robocall Crackdown Team. Nessel’s office says since the outfit was created in November, more than 1,700 people have signed up for it. During that time, more than 1,800 robocall complaints have been submitted. Attorney General spokesperson Ryan Jarvi tells WSJM News the team is providing the state with specific information about the calls members have been receiving.. ...Read Full Story
The Berrien County Sheriff’s Department has been able to help a Galien woman avoid losing her home as a result of possible title fraud. Deputy Kelly Laesch tells WSJM News the situation involving Joy came to her attention thanks to Berrien County Treasurer Bret Witkowski. Witkowski had spoken to Joy at a show cause hearing this year as she was in danger of foreclosure due to unpaid property taxes. Laesch says Joy had been in a land contract with the 91-year-old owner of the property in question when Joy met the contract’s terms and paid the place off in 2016.. ...Read Full Story
Filing tax returns can be tricky, and community organizations across the state are working to ensure Michigan taxpayers don’t lose out on the refunds they may be due. Ross Yednock with the Community Economic Development Association of Michigan encourages anyone seeking assistance with their income tax returns to ensure their preparer is qualified. He explains that in Michigan, like many other states, there are no requirements or regulations for paid tax preparers.. ...Read Full Story
Michigan transportation officials are working to explain why Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s issuing of $3.5 billion in bonds to pay for road projects is a sensible option. On a recent episode of the MDOT podcast, Talking Transportation, MDOT finance director Patrick McCarthy said the projects being paid for with the bonds will last much longer than it will take to pay off the debt.. ...Read Full Story
From the Associated Press — An American woman wanted in the 2002 death of her husband has been arrested in Rome after a multinational search. Rome police say they arrested Beverly McCallum after she checked in at a hotel. Italian hotels must register
guests in an online system linked to a police database. Police say that database flagged an Interpolarrest warrant. U.S. authorities had been seeking to extradite McCallum from Pakistan, where she was believed to be living. Robert Caraballo was beaten and suffocated in 2002. His body was dumped and burned in a blueberry patch in Grand Haven Township. His remains weren’t identified for more than a decade. Murder charges were filed last year.. ...Read Full Story
Congressman Fred Upton is pushing legislation to help ensure the Army Corps of Engineers gives consideration to recreational harbor maintenance projects when it conducts cost-benefit analysis procedures each year. Upton says the Safer Harbors for Our Recreational Economy Act, or SHORE ACT, would direct the Army Corps to make sure the economic benefits of recreational boating are considered as part of the project authorization process. He says the United States outdoor recreation economy generates $778 billion in economic growth each year. However, due to rising water levels in the Great Lakes, recreational boating is under threat. Upton says the SHORE Act is “needed to prioritize recreational infrastructure projects that serve an important role in the economy here in southwest Michigan and across the region.” He notes recreational harbors in New Buffalo, South Haven, and Saugatuck stand to benefit if the Army Corps puts more emphasis on protecting recreational boating. The SHORE Act was introduced by Representatives John Katko of New York and Anthony Brindisi of New York. It was originally co-sponsored by Upton.. ...Read Full Story
With tax time here, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is reminding those who are filling out their returns they’ll have a chance to make donations to helpful causes. Spokesperson Bob Wheaton tells WSJM News the Voluntary Contribution Schedule Form 4642 contains checkoff boxes for programs including the Fostering Futures Scholarship Fund.. ...Read Full Story
An Indianapolis-area man is in the Cass County Jail, accused of an October murder inside a bar in Indianapolis. Curtis Baker was arrested in Edwardsburg at a gas station this week. Indianapolis Metropolitan Police say Baker shot and killed 37-year-old Al Hayes Jr. on October 3. IMPD says Hayes was defending a woman who was being pushed by a man inside Connor’s Pub in the Broad Ripple neighborhood of Indy. The victim was a single father of four. Baker is being held on a homicide charge.. ...Read Full Story
It’s a free fishing weekend in Michigan. That means you don’t have to buy a license Saturday, Sunday, or Monday.. ...Read Full Story
Michigan State University president Samuel Stanley is working to reassure minorities on campus.. ...Read Full Story
From the Associated Press — Michigan officials ordered a private contractor to halt work on a multimillion-dollar state police database because it isn’t working. The contractor, Information Builders, was told to stop by February 10 due to the “inoperable data hub.” The letter was obtained by the Detroit Free Press. Separately, the attorney general’s office disputed a $2.6 million bill from
Information Builders. There was no immediate comment from the company. The $12.2 million contract covers a database with criminal records, traffic crashes and other incidents.. ...Read Full Story
From the Associated Press — Michigan Senate Republicans have blocked Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s appointee to a commission that regulates hunting and fishing. Democrats say Thursday’s mostly party-line vote rejecting Anna Mitterling of
Mason to the Natural Resources Commission was done because the GOP opposes a different nominee to the commission who supports gun control. It marks the first time in nearly a decade that a governor’s nominee was rejected by the Senate. Whitmer named Mitterling, a Lansing Community College adjunct biology professor, to the commission in December. Whitmer says the vote was “sexist” and “partisan.” Republicans say Mitterling did not do well in interviews.. ...Read Full Story
The Michigan Secretary of State’s Mobile Branch Office will return to Van Buren County later this month when it visits Lawrence. The mobile office offers most of the services available at a regular branch office. In addition to registering to vote, visitors can renew or replace their license plate, renew their driver’s license or state ID, change their address, and sign up on the Michigan Organ Donor Registry, among other things. The Mobile Branch Office will be parked outside of the Van Buren District Library’s Lawrence branch on 212 North Paw Paw Street on Monday, February 24 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Those who stop by the mobile office can also learn about REAL IDs and how to sign up for one. Starting October 1 of this year, you will need a REAL ID to fly within the United States and enter certain federal facilities, military bases, and nuclear power plants.. ...Read Full Story
Congressman Fred Upton is hailing news of a federal grant for Western Michigan University. He tells WSJM News he sent a letter to the Department of Energy in November in support of a Western project called “Enabling Advanced Electrode Architecture through Printing Technique.” It’s an effort of WMU to develop a manufacturing process to produce fast charging batteries with high energy and longer life cycles. Upton says the university has been approved for nearly $9.6 million.. ...Read Full Story
The Benton Harbor Tiger Marching Band has received a grant from the school district’s food service provider. At Tuesday’s meeting of the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education, Sudexo representative Peju Makinde announced the grant was for Benton Harbor High School’s participation in the Healthy High School Challenge.. ...Read Full Story
After several weeks of hearing public comments on both sides of the issue, the Berrien County Board of Commissioners has opted not to approve a resolution declaring Berrien a Second Amendment Sanctuary County. At a Thursday meeting, the board heard plenty about the proposed resolution.. ...Read Full Story
Berrien County is in need of a new corporate counsel. James McGovern is leaving the job effective March 15 after five years as the county’s lawyer. In a statement, McGovern says he has a duty as an attorney to “advocate for my client’s interests while upholding the duty to honor my profession’s code of ethics; additionally, and most important, I have a duty to protect and uphold the public trust.” He goes on to say when circumstances arise creating conflicts between “any and all of those duties, it is not an option to sacrifice one for the benefit of another.” McGovern says that’s the reason for his resignation, though exact details on what the conflict or conflicts are is not clear as yet.. ...Read Full Story
If you’re on parole, it’s probably a good idea to keep your home free from illegal drugs. Two men in Cass County have learned that the hard way, as the Cass County Drug Enforcement Team arrested them in Dowagiac and Lagrange Township on Wednesday after finding meth in their homes during parole checks. There was enough meth found at the Dowagiac home in the 200 block of King Street to result in charges of possession with intent to distribute and maintaining a drug house against a 37-year-old man. In the Lagrange Township arrest, a 46-yer-old man is facing a charge for possession of meth. Their names have not been released, and both are in the Cass County Jail waiting to be arraigned.. ...Read Full Story
Main Street is closed once again in Benton Harbor at Riverview Drive, right in front of Whirlpool’s Riverview campus due to flooding. The Michigan Department of Transportation’s Nick Schirripa says the problem is still the high water level of Lake Michigan and the St. Joseph River, as the water is currently higher than the road. He says that stretch of the I-94 Business Loop and Main Street will likely be closed for a few days this time around.. ...Read Full Story
President Trump has signed legislation intended to keep a dangerous class of opioids off the streets. Congressman Fred Upton tells WSJM News the House and Senate acted in recent weeks to re-approve a ban on fentanyl analogues. Upton says fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that’s 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine.. ...Read Full Story
The Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education is taking applications from those interested in filling a vacancy. That’s after former Trustee Patricia Rush resigned late last month. Board President Joseph Taylor tells WSJM News he’s hoping to find someone who is diligent and dedicated.. ...Read Full Story
From the Associated Press — All 203 of Michigan’s alcohol breath testing devices are back in service amid a fraud investigation of the company that supplies the equipment. The Michigan State Police a criminal investigation last month into contract employees with Intoximeters Inc. and suspended its contract after evidence suggested the company falsified records and misrepresented the devices’
accuracy.The Detroit Free Press reports that state police had announced all Datamaster DMT devices had been sidelined until the agency could verify that each was properly calibrated. Nearly 40 devices were back online a few days later.. ...Read Full Story
The Berrien County Sheriff’s Department has been able to help a Galien woman avoid losing her home as a result of possible title fraud. Deputy Kelly Laesch tells WSJM News the situation involving Joy came to her attention thanks to Berrien County Treasurer Bret Witkowski. Witkowski had spoken to Joy at a show cause hearing this year as she was in danger of foreclosure due to unpaid property taxes. Laesch says Joy had been in a land contract with the 91-year-old owner of the property in question when Joy met the contract’s terms and paid the place off in 2016.. ...Read Full Story
With Michigan’s presidential primary on March 10, efforts are being made to promote civic engagement at Southwestern Michigan College. SMC political science professor Mary Young-Marcks tells WSJM News SMC Votes is a campaign designed to inform students and inspire them to action. She and other SMC staff started the campaign after attending some ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge events.. ...Read Full Story
Congressman Fred Upton is glad President Trump has changed his mind about funding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. The president’s budget proposal for 2021 includes full funding for the program, at $320 million. In previous years, the Trump administration attempted to slash the program, which Upton tells WSJM News provides for water quality testing and helps to fight invasive species.. ...Read Full Story
Police in Allegan County are looking for a man and a woman who have been accused of throwing dogs out of their moving vehicle last week. The Allegan County Sheriff’s Department says deputies were called out to the 400 block of 124th Avenue in Wayland Township this week on the animal abuse complaint from last Thursday. They were told a Silver Honda Odyssey van had been seen driving along 124th with the people inside tossing six Chihuahuas out the window. Five of the dogs died at the scene, while one survived. That dog has been named Lucky Lu Lu. The suspects seen tossing the dogs are described as a thin white woman in her 20s or 30s with blonde hair, and a thin white male in his 20s or 30s with dark, longer hair. Both are reported as missing teeth. Anyone with information on the identities of the suspects is asked to contact the Allegan County Sheriff’s Department.. ...Read Full Story
Repairs need to be made to the Howard Family Trail Bridge in the city of St. Joseph. The bridge goes over the CSX railroad tracks, and Parks and Grounds deputy director Greg Grothous told city commissioners this week a biennial inspection found corrosion and rust caused by city staff putting salt on the bridge years ago.. ...Read Full Story
There’s a new telephone scam targeting Michigan residents. Attorney General Dana Nessel is joining forces with Michigan Department of Health and Human Services director Robert Gordon and Michigan State Police to get the word out about this one, in which callers pretend to be state health employees. They’re spoofing the DHHS phone numbers in Kalamazoo County to make the call look like it’s coming from an official, and they trying to get personal information that could be used to steal identities. Nessel says if you get a call like that, don’t give out any information and hang up immediately. She adds the next step is to report the call to police or her office.. ...Read Full Story
From the Associated Press — Michigan lawmakers have advanced bills to ensure wrongfully convicted prisoners can sue for compensation after some exonerees’ cases were dismissed due to a conflict over how long they had to file a claim. A 2016 law awards innocent inmates $50,000 for each year spent in a state prison. It gave those who had been exonerated before the act’s effective date 18 months to sue. Several former prisoners, however, saw their claims tossed after the state Court of Claims – where such lawsuits must be brought – ruled that a separate law with a six-month window took precedence.. ...Read Full Story
There has been plenty of interest in Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel’s new Robocall Crackdown Team. Nessel’s office says since the outfit was created in November, more than 1,700 people have signed up for it. During that time, more than 1,800 robocall complaints have been submitted. Attorney General spokesperson Ryan Jarvi tells WSJM News the team is providing the state with specific information about the calls members have been receiving.. ...Read Full Story
The Mackinac Center for Public Policy has released its 2019 Michigan Context and Performance Report Card. It ranks elementary and middle schools around the state based on their test scores while factoring in what percentage of a school’s students are receiving free lunches. Mackinac Center Education Policy Director Ben DeGrow tells WSJM News the goal is to grade the schools on a curve so more affluent schools don’t automatically fare better.. ...Read Full Story
