Elections & Politics

Uncovering Information During the Israel-Palestine Conflict

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Since the Israel-Palestine conflict resurged again on Oct. 7, students, professors and residents in Michigan have been pressured to choose one of two sides. The Palestine supporters in Greater Lansing include those originally from Palestine, who have family currently or formally there or for other reasons. 

Since the attacks, MSU’s Students United for Palestinian Rights (SUPR) have held multiple protests, rallies and discussions to gain support for people who are pro-Palestine, or those who want to have a better understanding of the conflict. Initially, they held a “Justice for Palestine” protest at the Michigan Capitol, where over 400 people gathered to support Palestine in its ongoing conflict with Israel. SUPR’s message was to “stop the genocide” and to “tell Biden and all elected officials to a ceasefire.”

Many attendees were wearing or waving the Palestine flag, throwing a fist in the air or holding signs.

Campus News
Michigan Community College Association President Brandy Johnson

Community college trustees want right to vote remotely

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OPEN MEETINGS:The state’s 28 community colleges want the Legislature to make it easier for their elected trustees to vote remotely at board meetings, but pending Open Meetings Act legislation by a UP senator wouldn’t accomplish that. We talk to the senator, from Vulcan, the Michigan Community College Association, a Glen Oaks Community College trustee in St. Joseph County and the Michigan Coalition for Open Government. By Liz Nass. FOR THREE RIVERS, STURGIS, LANSING CITY PULSE, MARQUETTE, IRON MOUNTAIN, SAULT STE. MARIE, ST. IGNACE AND ALL POINTS.

CNS Budget

Grant aimed at improving health care for LGBTQ+ patients

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LGBTQ+ HEALTH: $10 million in new state aid will help local organizations improve health services for LGBTQ+ residents of Michigan. We learn more from a Benton Harbor advocacy group and Transgender Michigan. Lawmakers from Livonia and Southfield championed the grant program. By Brandy Muz. FOR DETROIT, THREE RIVERS, HOLLAND, STURGIS, LANSING CITY PULSE AND ALL POINTS.

Elections & Politics
Rep. Tom Kunse of Clare is the top Republican on the House Ethics and Oversight Committee

House Ethics panel rarely met this year 

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ETHICS COMMITTEE: The House Ethics and Oversight Committee hasn’t met in months. The Democratic chair says the committee is still doing its work, but Republicans feel frustrated. We talk to lawmakers from Dearborn, Clare, Novi and Rochester Hills and to Common Cause. By Liz Nass. FOR CLARE, DETROIT, LANSING CITY PULSE AND ALL POINTS.

Business & Economy

Marriage licenses may double in price

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MARRIAGE LICENSES: Some lawmakers want to more than double the fee for marriage licenses, generating more money for county governments and Friend of the Court offices. Sponsors include legislators from Muskegon, Eastpointe, Allen Park Grand Rapids and Mt. Clemens. By Kelsey Lester. FOR DETROIT, EKTV AND ALL POINTS.

Diversity Issues
Department of Civil Rights Executive Director John Johnson Jr.

Housing bias targeted by state departments

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HOUSING BIAS: Though the 55-year-old Fair Housing Act prohibits bias in housing based on race and other factors, some areas still suffer from discrimination, according to the Michigan Department of Civil Rights. The state will make a renewed effort to fight the discrimination. The head of the Civil Rights Department and an official from the Michigan Association of Counties discuss. By Stephanie Rauhe. FOR DETROIT, WKTV, GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS AND ALL POINTS.

Elections & Politics
This map shows opioid dispensing rates in 2020. Otsego County and Emmet County were the two highest dispensing areas.

Bill would prohibit local governments from suing over opioids

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OPIOID LIABILITY: A Keego Harbor senator has proposed prohibiting local governments from suing drug manufacturers and pharmacies that have settled opioid epidemic-related claims with the state and federal governments. Her bill, passed by the Senate, is awaiting House action. A Charlevoix County commissioner says local officials should have the right to file their own lawsuits. By Kelsey Lester. FOR DETROIT, CHEBOYGAN, PETOSKEY AND ALL POINTS.

Elections & Politics

Governor Whitmer Enacts Legislation Protecting Minors’ Right to Consent in Marriage

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In a historic move, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed a bill, HB 4302, aimed at safeguarding the well-being of minors in Michigan by raising the minimum age of consent for marriage to 18. This action not only represents a continuation of Whitmer’s previous initiatives signed into law in early 2023, but also positions Michigan as a progressive leader, making it the tenth state in the United States to officially eliminate child marriage. Before the bill, the legal age to get married in Michigan was 16 with parental consent. The bill was first introduced on March 16, 2023, and passed on Sep. 26. 

The other nine states that have a ban on underage marriage with no exceptions are Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Rhode Island, New York, Massachusetts, Vermont and Connecticut. 

“I am committed to keeping Michiganders – especially young women – safe and healthy, and today’s bipartisan bill fully implements Michigan’s ban on child marriage,” Whitmer said in a press release.

Elections & Politics

Costs of early voting concern county clerks

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EARLY VOTING INCENTIVES: A $30 million infusion of state funds to implement early voting and absentee ballot rights will help county and municipal clerks, but they say it’s not enough to cover all their added expenses. We talk to clerks in Clare, Ottawa and Macomb counties and an East Lansing lawmaker. By Liz Nass. FOR CLARE, HOLLAND, DETROIT, LANSING CITY PULSE AND ALL POINTS.