Local News Archives

Upton Votes No On Impeachment Resolution

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Congressman Fred Upton is among the 194 U.S. House Republicans to have voted no on the impeachment procedure resolution approved by Democrats on Thursday. WSJM News spoke to Upton about the impeachment inquiry into President Trump earlier this week before the resolution language was released, and he told us he wasn’t satisfied with how the process was going.. ...Read Full Story

Whitmer Signs Bill To Treat 17 Year Olds As Juveniles

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From the Associated press — Gretchen Whitmer has signed legislation to raise the age of which offenders are treated as adults in the criminal justice system, from 17 to 18 years old. The move Thursday means Michigan will no longer be among just four states to
consider 17-year-olds as adults. The change will take effect in two years. Supporters of the bills say putting 17-years-olds in the adult system can harm them for life, affecting their ability to get a job and making it more likely they will re-offend. Prosecutors could still try 17-year-olds as adults for violent offenses such as murder. Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist says “raising the age” in Michigan will substantially lower the number of youth being charged as adults across the country, from 76,000 down to 40,000.. ...Read Full Story

Early Morning Arson At Niles Walmart Under Investigation

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An arson inside the Niles Walmart store is under investigation by the Berrien County Sheriff’s Department and the Niles Fire Department. A man and a woman are accused of setting merchandise on fire in the apparel department shortly before 2 a.m. Thursday and then leaving the store in a dark colored sedan. Both suspects are white, and he was wearing a black jacket and blue jeans while she was wearing a University of Michigan jacket.. ...Read Full Story

Inn At Harbor Shores Obtains AAA Four Diamond Status

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The Inn at Harbor Shores has obtained AAA Four Diamond Status. Of more than 27,000 properties inspected by the auto club, just 6.3% receive the elite honor. In a statement, general manager Brady Cohen says the award from AAA marks “a pinnacle moment in our resort’s history.” Among the other Michigan properties with that status are the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island and The Townsend, which is a boutique hotel in the affluent Detroit suburb of Birmingham. As part of the rating ascertainment process, a property must meet certain requirements based on an unannounced inspection. The stringent standards of a Four Diamond hotel is described by AAA as “refined, stylish with upscale physical attributes, extensive amenities and a high degree of hospitality, service, and attention to detail.”. ...Read Full Story

State To Begin Taking Recreational Marijuana Business Applications Friday

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As the state of Michigan begins taking applications for recreational marijuana businesses Robin Schneider, Executive Director of the Michigan Cannabis Industry Association, is very happy to see yet another milestone in the end of marijuana prohibition. As the new marijuana industry gets established in Michigan, though, she says there are still issues and hurdles to overcome.. ...Read Full Story

One Killed In Fiery Crash Near South Haven

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Burned beyond recognition. That presents a challenge for authorities near South Haven in identifying a person killed in a fiery crash Wednesday night in Casco Township. The Allegan County Sheriff’s Office and South Haven Area Emergency Services responded to the report of a burning vehicle near the intersection of Blue Star Highway and 109th Avenue. Police say the driver blew through a stop sign and went off the road on 109th Avenue, hitting a small hill in a wooded area and flipping the vehicle. No one saw the crash, and both the license plate and VIN were destroyed in the fire. The Allegan County Sheriff’s Office says officers are looking for information on a person reported missing last night who was last known to be driving a late 90s or early 2000s Dodge Durango, but they don’t know if the crash victim is the same person.. ...Read Full Story

Upton Receives Champion Of Science Award

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Congressman Fred Upton is a recipient of the 2019 Champion of Science Award from the national Science Coalition. The organization is a non-profit representing more than 50 research universities around the United States. Upton tells WSJM News he got the award for his 21st Century Cures legislation.. ...Read Full Story

Benton Harbor Area Schools Advisory Committee Meets For First Time

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The Benton Harbor Area Schools Community Engagement and Advisory Committee has held its first meeting, mostly to get organized as it prepares to draft a plan for turning the school district around. At Wednesday’s meeting, Deputy State Treasurer Joyce Parker was selected to serve as chair. The committee decided to meet on the first Monday of each month, starting next Monday, usually at Benton Harbor High School at 5 p.m. Parker told WSJM News about the panel’s work.. ...Read Full Story

Mendel Center Receiving Grant For Winter Delights Festival

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The Mendel Center at Lake Michigan College has been awarded a grant of more than $8,100 from the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs. LMC says the Mendel Center will use the grant to support its presentation of the Winter Delights Festival on February 29. The Mendel Center is one of eight Berrien County arts organizations to be awarded funding by the MCACA. The grants must be matched. Mendel Center Director Grace Kelmer says they’re thrilled to get the grant for the Winter Delights Festival. She says the event will be a celebration of the performing, visual, and culinary arts that are important to the region.. ...Read Full Story

Niles Man Charged In Cruise Ship Death Of Granddaughter

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A Niles man is facing charges following the cruise ship death of his granddaughter. A judge in Puerto Rico this week ordered the arrest of Salvatore Anello. He’s charged with negligent homicide in the July death of his granddaughter, 18-month-old Chloe Wiegand, of Granger, Indiana. Wiegand died on July 7 when she fell out of an 11th floor window. Anello had raised her up to the open window not realizing it was open. An attorney from the Wiegand family told reporters the criminal case pours “salt on the open wounds of this grieving family.” Anello is due back in court on November 20.. ...Read Full Story

Whitmer, Democrats Introduce Abortion Ban Repeal Bills

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(Lansing, MI – AP) – Governor Gretchen Whitmer is joining Democratic lawmakers to support a repeal of Michigan’s abortion restrictions and regulations. The legislation introduced Tuesday won’t advance in the Republican-led Legislature. But the Democratic governor said it’s important to advocate for the proposed Michigan Reproductive Health Act because residents “value a woman’s right to choose.”. ...Read Full Story

Civil Suit Moving Forward Against Berrien Drain Commissioner, County Commissioner

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Berrien County Judge Dennis Wiley has ruled that a civil suit alleging fraud and civil conspiracy against County Commissioner Teri Sue Freehling, her late husband Patrick’s estate and Drain Commissioner Christopher Quattrin will go to trial. Judge Wiley wrote in his ruling “Plaintiffs allege in their complaint that the Freehlings formulated a plan to obtain hundreds of thousands of dollars of Berrien County funds through fraud, for their own personal use.” Wiley ruled that plaintiffs in the case, Hartzler Excavating and Doug Hartzler, have “sufficiently alleged facts that could justify recovery” in the case. Hartzler is suing Quattrin, Freehling, and the estate of Freehling’s late husband, Patrick, for damages alleging fraud and conspiracy. Hartzler founded his company on the advice of Patrick Freehling, with Wiley ruling Commissioner Freehling had a “clear conflict of interest” when she voted on several drain contracts for which Hartzler was renting equipment from her husband.. ...Read Full Story

Candidates For Benton Harbor Mayor Take Part In Debate

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The two candidates for mayor of Benton Harbor have squared off in a debate. Mayor Marcus Muhammad and City Commissioner Ron Singleton took questions on topics including housing, education, the water system, and how to bring commissioners together Tuesday night at the Benton Harbor Public Library. Singleton, a former teacher, police officer, and acting city manager, said he’s running because he believes people should have a choice and he thinks there should be a new approach.. ...Read Full Story

Opponents Of Proposed Potash Mine In Michigan To Continue The Fight

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Despite a legal setback, opponents of a proposed potash mine in Hersey, Michigan, say they’re not backing down. The group Michigan Citizens for Water Conservation filed a legal challenge to permits issued by the Department of Environmental Quality for potash mining wells in Osceola County. More than a year later, and just days before the scheduled hearing in September, Administrative Law Judge Daniel Pulter said he didn’t have jurisdiction to rule on the matter and cancelled the hearing. MCWC board member Ken Ford, who lives near the site, contends this is just the latest setback in what he calls a long, uphill battle.. ...Read Full Story

Berrien County Trial Court To Celebrate Adoption Month

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A special event is in the works to celebrate Adoption Month in Michigan by the Berrien County Trial Court. On Tuesday, November 19, four families will have their adoptions finalized and the hearings will be open to the public. Michigan Supreme Court Justice Stephen Markman will join Berrien County Family Division Judges Mabel Johnson Mayfield, Brian Berger, and Jennifer Smith for the celebration, which starts with the first hearing at 10 a.m.. ...Read Full Story

Study: Few Michigan Residents Try To Get Convictions Erased

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From the Associated Press — A study has found few Michigan residents are taking advantage of a legal option that allows people to erase their criminal convictions, even though an expungement can open doors to housing, student loans and employment. The Lansing State Journal reports that a University of Michigan law school study estimates just 6.5% of people who meet the requirements end up having their convictions set aside within five years of becoming eligible. Attorneys and law students volunteered their time last week at a free clinic in Lansing to educate more than 100 people on how to clear their records. The University of Detroit Mercy School of Law is using a $20,000 grant from the Michigan State Bar Foundation to host a series of fr. ...Read Full Story

St. Joseph Commission Approves License Agreements For Shoreline Protection

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Nine property owners along the shore of Lake Michigan will be allowed to put up armor stone to try to protet their homes from erosion from the high level of Lake Michigan. The St. Joseph City Commission has approved license agreements to be available to those landowners, with city officials saying the temporary plans are in line with previous shoreline studies dating back to 2012. City attorney Laurie Schmidt said this is meant as a stop gap solution.. ...Read Full Story

World War II Navajo Code Talker To Speak In Buchanan, Dowagiac

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A World War II Navajo code talker will be coming to southwest Michigan next month. The Buchanan American Legion Veterans Day Committee, the University of Notre Dame, the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi, and Southwestern Michigan College have all partnered to host Peter MacDonald, Sr. He enlisted in the U.S. Marines at 15 and served from 1944 to 1946 alongside other Navajo Marines for the top secret Navajo Code School. After the war, he became an engineer. Navajo Code Talkers were credited with saving hundreds of thousands of lives to shorten the war in the Pacific, and MacDonald received the Congressional Silver Medal for his service. He was also given a Special Commendation by President Richard Nixon and was featured in TIME magazine as one of 200 “Rising Leaders of America” in 1974. He is currently the president of the Navajo Code Talkers Museum and Veteran Center in Arizona. MacDonald will be speaking in Buchanan, Dowagiac, and South Bend from November 11 to the 14. You can see the schedule below.. ...Read Full Story

South Haven Voters To Decide Marijuana Issue

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Set to appear on the ballot next week in the city of South Haven is a question about banning recreational marijuana businesses. Municipalities across Michigan have to decide if they want to allow businesses that sell pot for non-medical uses since voters approved recreational marijuana last year. South Haven Assistant City Manager Kate Hozier spoke with WSJM News about the issue.. ...Read Full Story

Former MSU President To Stand Trial

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From the Associated Press — Former Michigan State University President Lou Anna Simon has been ordered to stand trial on charges she lied about her knowledge of allegations against now-imprisoned ex-sports doctor Larry Nassar. Eaton County District Judge Julie Reincke ruled Monday. Authorities say Simon knew in 2014 that Nassar had been accused of molesting a patient at a campus clinic. But Simon told police she knew only that a complaint had been filed against a sports doctor. The ruling came after it was disclosed that Michigan State trustee Nancy Schlichting resigned Saturday over the governing board’s decision to drop a promised independent investigation into the handling of complaints against Nassar. Schlichting, who was appointed less than a year ago, says she could no longer serve after the board wouldn’t proceed with the review.. ...Read Full Story

St. Joseph Commission Candidates United On Marijuana Opt-Out Decision

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Not only is the St. Joseph City Commission united on the decision to have the city opt out of allowing recreational marijuana businesses right now, so are the three challengers for seats on the commission in next week’s election. News/Talk 94.9 WSJM held a candidate forum Friday morning, and that was among the topics. Former city communications director Susan Solon, running for office for the first time, says the commission is doing it right by putting in a delay.. ...Read Full Story

MDOT Holding Meeting On US-12 Road Diet In New Buffalo Next Week

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Changes for US-12 are in the works in the New Buffalo area. The Michigan Department of Transportation will hold an open house next Wednesday, November 6 at New Buffalo High School to discuss the road diet for the highway from the Indiana state line to Mayhew Street, and then from Wilson Street to Red Arrow Highway. MDOT’s Nick Schirripa says it’ll be done in 2021 as part of a resurfacing project.. ...Read Full Story

Police: Don’t Fall For Utility Scams

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The South Haven Police Department is warning residents about utility scams. It says many businesses in South Haven have been affected by scam attempts. A caller will pretend to represent a utility company and say electric or water service will be shut off if immediate payment on a bill is not made. Some would-be victims have reported the caller claimed to represent the South Haven Electric Department. Police remind everyone to never give out personal information like banking numbers over the phone. If you’re in doubt, hang up on such a call and contact your utility yourself. Legitimate companies don’t demand a specific payment method like gift cards or wiring money. Also remember these scammers will spoof their phone numbers to make it look like they’re calling from a different number than the one they’re really using.. ...Read Full Story

New SMC President To Start In January

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The next president of Southwestern Michigan College is busy preparing to take on the new role starting in January. Dr. Joseph Odenwald was selected by the SMC Board of Trustees this week to replace Dr. David Mathews when Mathews retires. Odenwald is the the current SMC vice president of student services. He’s from Louisiana and started working for SMC in 2017. He tells WSJM News he’s loved the area.. ...Read Full Story

Two Rivers Coalition Meeting Coming Up

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The eleventh annual Two Rivers Coalition annual meeting will be next month in Lawrence. Two Rivers Coalition President Kevin Haight tells WSJM News the group works to protect the Black River and Paw Paw River watersheds. Its annual meeting will include updates on key programs throughout the past year.. ...Read Full Story

Road Commission Asks Residents To Check Mailboxes Ahead Of Winter

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As the winter approaches, the Van Buren County Road Commission is asking homeowners to secure their mailboxes. It says you can prepare your mailbox for winter by tightening screws and ensuring the post and box are secure enough to endure large amounts of thrown snow. The road department’s policy states the agency will only replace mailboxes or posts if it is determined its own equipment made direct contact with the mailbox, and not when the box is knocked over by snow or slush that is thrown by the plow. Therefore, it’s urging everyone to shake their mailbox this October to avoid a bigger headache later on.. ...Read Full Story

Commission Launches Road Repair App

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The Van Buren County Road Commission has launched a new app to allow residents to report non-emergency road problems. With SeeClickFix, people will be able to take a photo of a road issue, like a pothole, give its location, add a description, and click “submit” to send requests directly to the commission. Van Buren County Road Commission Interim Managing Director Greg Brucks says the service will “serve to increase civic engagement by involving citizens in community dialogue, and also improve the efficiency in which service requests are addressed.” SeeClickFix is now available on the Apple App Store and Google Play. You can learn more about the Facebook page of the Van Buren County Road Commission.. ...Read Full Story

Non-Profits Spreading Word About Next U.S. Census

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The Berrien Community Foundation is working to get the word out about the importance of taking part in the next U.S. Census. President Lisa Cripps-Downey tells WSJM News count day will be April 1 of next year. She says critical state and federal funding for communities is calculated based off population numbers obtained through the census.. ...Read Full Story

Cass County Prosecutor Announces New Attorneys

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Cass County Prosecutor Victor Fitz has announced the hiring of three new attorneys for his office. Devante McCullom became part of the staff in April, and has been advocating for crime victims and handling trials. Ryan Funk is now working as an assistant prosecutor, handling many meth cases. The third person joining the prosecuting attorney’s office is Brent Rocheleau, who is working as an intern after graduating from the University of Michigan this year. Prosecutor Fitz says the three are hard workers who “have their nose to the grindstone.” He adds he looks forward to the trio contributing to the safety of the public in Cass County.. ...Read Full Story

MDOT Mourns Loss Of Benton Township Supervisor, MDOT Employee

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The death this week of Benton Township Supervisor Kevin White in a freak accident along the side of I-94 serves as a reminder of the dangers faced by road workers. White was the first MDOT employee to be killed in a work zone since 2008, but his death came less than a month after an employee of an MDOT contractor was killed along I-96 near Portland. MDOT spokesperson Jeff Cranson tells WSJM News drivers should take a moment to think about those workers.. ...Read Full Story

New Park Open In Hagar Township

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Three years of work have paid off in Hagar Township as the brand new Riverside Kayak Park is open to the public. Hagar Township Supervisor Izzy DiMaggio tells WSJM News the park is on Coloma Road about a quarter mile east of exit 4 from I-196. The park takes up about seven acres of 112 acres owned by the township. DiMaggio says it’s in two levels. The top has a pavilion, picnic tables, grills, and toilets. He says the lower level is the centerpiece of the park.. ...Read Full Story

Commissioners Discuss Importance Of Census

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With the U.S. Census coming up next year, Berrrien County officials are thinking about how they can help ensure as many county residents as possible are counted. At this week’s Berrien County Board of Commissioners meeting, Commissioner Michael Majarek said most of the census will be done online next year, which creates a problem in a county where many residents don’t have access. He said perhaps the county could help them.. ...Read Full Story

Ibrahim Parlak Protests Removal Of U.S. Troops From Syria

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A Berrien County restaurateur and Kurdish immigrant who has faced deportation to Turkey for years has been publicly criticizing President Donald Trump’s decision to pull U.S. soldiers out of Kurdish-controlled northeastern Syria. The South Bend Tribune reports Ibrahim Parlak, who runs Cafe Gulistan in Harbert, led a vigil at his restaurant, protested at the Turkish consulate, and appeared on news outlets decrying the American troop withdrawal. Parlak, who has fought deportation for 15 years, says he’s “not going anywhere.”. ...Read Full Story

State Christmas Tree Going Up Saturday

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It’s about to start looking a lot more festive in Michigan’s capital city. The state Christmas tree, a 61 foot blue spruce from Iron Mountain, will be set up in Lansing at the state Capitol on Saturday. State Department of Technology, Management, and Budget spokeswoman Christyn Herman says the tree will be decorated before the holidays.. ...Read Full Story

Founder’s Brewery Temporarily Shuts Down In Detroit Amid Backlash

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Founders Brewery is closing it’s Detroit location temporarily starting today following allegations of racial discrimination. Michigan’s largest brewery has been steadily losing business after a deposition was made public this week in a racial discrimination lawsuit filed by a fired employee. Founders president Dave Engbers says the location will remain closed until Tuesday.. ...Read Full Story

National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day Tomorrow

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The next National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day is tomorrow. Police agencies around Michigan are teaming up with the federal Drug Enforcement Agency to encourage people to clean out the medicine cabinet and get potentially dangerous and unneeded medications out of homes so they can be destroyed by the DEA. No questions will be asked of anyone dropping off those medicines. All 30 Michigan State Police posts will take part, and the take-back will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. tomorrow. National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day is held twice a year, in April and October. During the April 2019 effort, state police posts collected more than 1,100 pounds of prescription drugs. Police say everyone can do their part to combat the opioid crisis by dropping off those medications on take-back day. It’s free and anonymous.. ...Read Full Story

Policy League Applauds Whitmer Overtime Announcement

The Michigan League for Public Policy is applauding an announcement by the administration of Governor Gretchen Whitmer this week that it’s seeking to increase the threshold for overtime eligibility in Michigan. League policy analyst Peter Ruark tells WSJM News the current threshold for overtime is $35,500 per year, meaning if you make less than that, you qualify. The Whitmer administration announced Thursday it’s seeking to increase that to somewhere between $51,000 and $61,000.. ...Read Full Story

LaSata Waiting On Budget Progress

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State Senator Kim LaSata can only be optimistic that Michigan lawmakers will be able to work out budget issues with Governor Gretchen Whitmer. The Legislature approved a state budget on time, but the governor used line item veto powers to strip funding for a variety of programs, calling the budget a mess. Senator LaSata tells WSJM News her office has been hearing a lot from those affected by the vetoes.. ...Read Full Story

County Parks Millage Under Review

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The Berrien County Board of Commissioners continues to review whether the county parks millage should be increased to meet expected demands. The matter was discussed at a Thursday meeting. Berrien County Parks Director Brian Bailey tells WSJM News the parks plan includes several improvements that will be needed at county parks in the coming years.. ...Read Full Story

Michigan Senate Votes To Delay Cage-Free Ban For Hens

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From the Associated Press — A divided Michigan Senate has voted to delay a requirement that farm animals confined in small cages and stalls be given more room. Legislation approved 21-17 Thursday would push back standards that are scheduled to take effect his month for egg-laying hens and pregnant pigs. Farmers would not have to comply until October 2025 for hens and next April for pigs under the bill that will go to the House for consideration next. The Republican-backed measure is part of an update to the Animal Industry Act that has bipartisan support otherwise. Starting in October 2025, businesses would be prohibited from selling shelled
eggs that are the product of hens confined in enclosures that are not considered to be cage-free housing.. ...Read Full Story

Whitmer Moves To Expand Overtime Eligibility

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From the Associated Press — Governor Gretchen Whitmer is moving to make more Michigan workers eligible for overtime pay. The Democrat announced Thursday that her administration will establish rules to change the salary threshold under which employers must pay overtime to their workers. Whitmer did not say what the threshold would be. The Trump administration is making overtime pay available to 1.3 million additional workers, though the proposal replaces a more generous one advanced by former President Barack Obama. Whitmer says Trump’s plan “leaves 200,000 Michigan workers behind.” She says boosting paychecks in good for families, businesses and the economy. It could take up to year to finalize a Michigan overtime rule.. ...Read Full Story

School Offers Free Tuition To Detroit High School Graduates

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From the Associated Press — Wayne State University has launched a scholarship promising free tuition to full-time, first-year students starting next fall who have graduated from a Detroit high school. The Detroit university on Wednesday announced the Heart of Detroit Tuition Pledge, which is designed to fill the gap after financial aid to cover tuition and fees. There are no restrictions on family income. To be eligible, students must live in the city and have graduated from any Detroit high school. University officials say the program expands on one launched in 2017 that’s enabled roughly 2,300 students statewide to enroll with no cost for tuition and
fees. Many schools, including University of Michigan, offer free tuition to students whose families fall below a certain income threshold.. ...Read Full Story