A series of public hearings in May and June will allow self-identified “communities of interest” to make their case for inclusion in the redrawing of district maps for federal and state elections.
Elections & Politics
Big money, lack of transparency, raise concerns over ballot petition drives
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PETITION COSTS: What’s a statewide ballot petition campaign cost? Millions. We look at the two underway now, Unlock Michigan to limit governors’ emergency powers and Fair and Equal Michigan to expand anti-dsicrimination protection for LGBTQ individuals. The Michigan Campaign Finance Network bemoans the high price tag and the fact that donors’ names to petition campaigns don’t need to be publicly disclosed. By Eric Freedman. FOR ALL POINTS.
Elections & Politics
Ranks of lawyers in Legislature sparse
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LAWYER LEGISLATORS: Where have all the lawyers gone? Not to the Legislature, which has a scarcity of attorneys in its ranks, although they dominate the House Judiciary Committee. This year is the first time in Michigan history when the Senate has none. The 13 in the House include representatives from Hillsdale, Grand Rapids, Metro Detroit and Lansing. By Eric Freedman. FOR GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS, HILLSDALE, LANSING CITY PULSE, DETROIT AND ALL POINTS.
Elections & Politics
Legislature working to reduce insulin costs
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DIABETES: Pending legislation would allow pharmacists to refill expired insulin prescriptions on an emergency basis and lower co-pays for insulin. A sponsor from Lum and the American Diabetes Association explain. Other sponsors include lawmakers from Marquette, Gaylord, Novi, Midland, St. Clair Shores, Brighton and Battle Creek. By Chloe Trofatter. FOR GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS, MARQUETTE, IONIA, DETROIT, MONTMORENCY, PETOSKEY, HARBOR SPRINGS, FOWLERVILLE, COPR! AND ALL POINTS.
Commentary
Danger in forgetting crucial role played by news media
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JOURNALISM & DEMOCRACY COMMENTARY: After four years of bitter verbal abuse, baseless attacks and threats from the highest officials, it is reassuring to hear a ringing recognition of the critical role the news media play in our country. Attorney Gen. Nessel tells CNS correspondents,”There’s no job out there, no career, that could be more important. Sadly and dangerously, some Americans have forgotten or deliberately ignored that lesson rooted in the First Amendment and taught in high school civics and history classes. For news and editorial pages. By Eric Freedman. FOR ALL POINTS.
Capital News Service
Women’s History Month highlights challenges ahead
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WOMEN’S HERSTORY: With Women’s History Month wrapping up, the focus now shifts to looking ahead for ways to remove barriers to women’s success. Those challenges include discrimination and unequal pay. U.S. Rep. Lawrence of Southfield, the Detroit city clerk, a Detroit school board and the president of the National Black Public Relations Society, from Detroit, discuss. By Jakkar Aimery. FOR DETROIT, LANSING CITY PULSE, XXX AND ALL POINTS.
Capital News Service
‘We now have a seat at the table:’ Michigan tribes embrace new Interior secretary
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INTERIOR SECRETARY: What do Michigan’s tribes want from the new secretary of the Interior, the country’s 1st Native American Cabinet member? We hear from Northern Michigan University’s Center for Native American Studies, Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians and the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians. The state is home to 12 of the 574 federally recognized tribes, including the Bay Mills Indian Community, the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, Match-e-be-nash-she-wish Band of Potawatomi Indians of Michigan (Gun Lake), Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians and the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians. By Shelden Krause. FOR BAY MILLS, SAULT STE. MARIE, MARQUETTE, TRAVERSE CITY, LEELANAU, HOLLAND, STURGIS, THREE RIVERS, PETOSKEY, MANISTEE, LUDINGTON, HARBOR SPRINGS, XXX AND ALL POINTS.
Capital News Service
Civil rights of prisoners gaining attention
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PRISON DISCRIMINATION: The state Civil Rights Department says it will increase its rsoruces devoted to handling inmate discrimination complaints at a time when the Biden administration is pushing nationally for racial equity. There’s also concern about the disparate impact of COVID-19 on inmates. We hear from the director of the Department of Civil Rights, the Detroit chapter of the NAACP, the Corrections Department and a Central Michigan University sociologist. By Jakkar Aimery. FOR DETROIT, MARQUETTE, IONIA, GREENVILLE, COLDWATER, BAY MILLS, LANSING CITY PULSE AND ALL POINTS.
Business & Economy
Latest stimulus package offers ‘huge win’ for small towns
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SMALL TOWN STIMULUS: How will some of Michigan’s least-populated cities and villages spend the money they receive from the newly passed federal stimulus package? Not surprisingly, Detroit is getting the most of any municipality in the state, but we look at how much small municipalities should expect, including Blissfield, Cheboygan, St. Ignace, Harrisville, Manistee Township and Harbor Springs. By Sheldon Krause. FOR CHEBOYGAN, ST. IGNACE, BLISSFIELD, HARBOR SPRINGS, PETOSKEY, ALCONA, MANISTEE, LUDINGTON AND ALL POINTS.
Business & Economy
Michigan food industries enthused about Biden ‘Buy American’ order
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BUY AMERICAN: President Biden’s “Buy American” executive order could benefit Michigan food processors, industry experts say. We talk to the West Michigan Food Processing Association, Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Farm Bureau, Right Place and Michigan Vegetable Council. or business, agriculture and news sections. By Kirsten Rintelmann. FOR GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS, CORP! MICHIGAN FARM BUREAU, GREENVILLE, IONIA, BLISSFIELD, MONROE, COLDWATER, HILLSDALE, LUDINGTON, OCEANA, BENZIE, BIG RAPIDS, LEELANAU, CADILLAC, MANISTEE, TRAVERSE CITY, THREE RIVERS, HOLLAND, STURGIS, CHEBOYGAN, ALCONA, MONTMORENCY, LAKE COUNTY, HERALD REVIEW AND ALL POINTS.
Elections & Politics
Hispanic, Latino communities in Michigan are underrepresented in the Legislature, experts say
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HISPANIC & LATINO LEGISLATORS: Hispanics and Latinos make up 6% of Michigan’s population but only 3% of state legislators. They’re from Detroit, Taylor, Brownstown Township, and Redford Township. We talk to a lawmaker from Taylor, MSU’s Julian Samora Research Institute and the state Hispanic Latino Commission. By Sophia Lada. FOR DETROIT, HOLLAND, LANSING CITY PULSE AND ALL POINTS.