AP-US-BENTON-HARBOR-WATER
Michigan governor orders urgent response to lead crisis
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has ordered a “whole-of-government” response to elevated levels of lead in Benton Harbor’s water. She’s directing state agencies to ensure residents have safe tap water. Thursday’s directive came about a week after her administration urged people to use only bottled water for cooking and drinking. That came amid criticism of state and local officials’ handling of the response. The Democratic governor also committed to replacing all of the city’s lead pipes in 18 months, accelerating what had been a five-year timeline. For three years, measurements have detected lead levels well above 15 parts per billion, the federal threshold for taking action.
VOTING BILLS-MICHIGAN
Michigan Republicans OK tougher voting rules; gov to veto
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — The Republican-led Michigan Legislature has approved tougher voter ID requirements and a ban against mass mailing of unsolicited absentee ballot applications. Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer will veto them. Thursday’s party-line votes in the House came shortly after several people in the gallery were escorted out for yelling in protest against the action. The legislation would require voters who request an absentee ballot to write their driver’s license number, state ID number or the last four digits of their Social Security number. They currently sign the document, and the signature is checked against what is on file.
MALL DEATH-MICHIGAN
Michigan AG defends charges in man’s death at mall in 2014
DETROIT (AP) — Michigan’s attorney general says new evidence and fresh eyes have led to involuntary manslaughter charges against four security guards in the 2014 death of a Black man. McKenzie Cochran stopped breathing during a struggle with the guards at a suburban Detroit mall. Jessica Cooper, the Oakland County prosecutor at the time, declined to file charges, saying the guards had no intent to harm Cochran. But state prosecutors look another look, starting in 2020. Attorney General Dana Nessel says investigators have evidence that was discovered in the years after Cochran’s death.
XGR-MENSTRUAL PRODUCTS TAX
Michigan lawmakers advance measure to end ‘tampon tax’
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — The elimination of the so-called “tampon tax” in Michigan is gaining traction after multiple introductions over the last five years. The state House advanced legislation with bipartisan support Thursday to eliminate the 6% sales tax on menstrual products as “luxury items.” At least 20 states have either ended the taxation of such products or never had the tax, according to Period Equity, a legal organization that advocates for making menstrual products tax-exempt. Other Midwestern states that don’t tax such items are Illinois, Ohio and Minnesota.
NO HALLOWEEN-SCHOOLS
Hold the candy: Schools drop Halloween, Valentine’s Day
EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — No little ghosts or goblins this year at elementary schools in East Lansing. Valentine’s Day parties are scratched, too. Officials told parents that Halloween and Feb. 14 celebrations are being dropped because of concerns over hurt feelings and uncomfortable families. Assistant Superintendent Glenn Mitcham says some kids cry if their costumes aren’t as exciting as ones worn by their classmates. But Mitcham says Halloween still can be observed by students measuring a pumpkin while learning about circumference. As for Valentine’s Day, some families and students aren’t comfortable with the theme of love.
POLICE SHOOTING-DOG ATTACK
Sheriff sued over fatal shooting of man after dog’s killing
HILLSDALE, Mich. (AP) — A Michigan sheriff’s deputy is accused of using excessive force in the fatal shooting of a man last April. A lawsuit was filed this week in federal court in Lansing. Oscar Herrera was killed outside his home in Hillsdale County’s Reading Township. State police say Herrera confronted Deputy Adam Burlew with a knife after the deputy had killed his dog. Lawyers for Herrera’s Chicago-area family say Herrera was a victim of ‘shoot first and ask questions later.’ The sheriff’s office declined to comment on the lawsuit. There are questions about whether Herrera’s knife was in an open position when he was shot by the deputy.
OCEAN CASINO-PARTIAL SALE
Sale of half Ocean casino to Detroit Ilitch group approved
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) — New Jersey gambling regulators have approved the sale of half of Atlantic City’s Ocean Casino Resort to the Detroit-based Ilitch organization. The New Jersey Casino Control Commission approved the sale Thursday. Ilitch will acquire 50% of the casino for $175 million and share equally in major decisions concerning its operation with the current owners, Luxor Capital Group, a New York hedge fund. Of that investment, $70 million will be used to complete 464 hotel rooms that have remained unfinished since the property opened in 2012. Ilitch owns professional sports teams, a nationwide pizza chain and a casino in Detroit.
MISSING CHILD-1982
Man charged in 1982 disappearance of 9-month-old child
ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — A Chicago man has been charged in Michigan with murder in the disappearance of a 9-month-old girl in 1982. Isiah Williams is accused of taking the child from her mother during a physical altercation when they lived together in Ohio nearly 40 years ago. Olisa Williams has never been found and is presumed dead. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel says investigators believe Williams killed the girl as an “act of control over her mother.” Isiah Williams and Denise Frazier-Daniel were married, although Williams wasn’t Olisa’s biological father. Williams is opposing extradition to Michigan while in jail in Chicago.
AP-US-VIRUS-OUTBREAK
Nursing schools see applications rise, despite COVID burnout
STORRS, Conn. (AP) — Nurses around the U.S. are getting burned out by the COVID-19 crisis and quitting, yet applications to nursing schools are rising, driven by what educators say are young people who see the global emergency as an opportunity and a challenge. Nationally, enrollment in bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral nursing programs increased 5.6% in 2020 from the year before to just over 250,000 students, according to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. The higher enrollment could help ease a nursing shortage that existed even before COVID-19. But the increase, combined with the departure of too many experienced nurses whose job is to help train students, has left many nursing programs without the ability to expand.
EX-PROFESSOR-SEX CHARGES
Ex-music professor expected to plead guilty to sex charges
ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Federal court records show that a former University of Michigan violin professor is expected to plead guilty to charges that he transported female minors across state lines for sex. An Oct. 12 court filing says that Stephen Shipps will plead guilty to two felony counts of “coercion of enticement of a minor female” next month. Shipps was placed on paid leave at Michigan in 2018 after former students in Nebraska and North Carolina accused him of sexual misconduct. Last year he was indicted on charges that he transported a minor girl across state lines for the purposes of sex in 2002 while he was on the faculty at Michigan.
The Associated Press
