Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced arrests from two investigations into alleged criminal rings operating in the metro-Detroit area. Three Chilean nationals -Jeremy Martinez, 19, Ignacio Ruiz-Saldias, 29, and Tamara Ruiz-Saldias, 36, allegedly targeted expensive homes in Oakland, Wayne, and Kent Counties. They each face eight counts of second-degree home invasion, a 15-year felony, and one count of conducting a criminal enterprise. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com...
Dec 14, 2023•3 min•Ep. 162
A farmer who co-owns Soil Friends Hard Cider Co. is suing Comstock Township alleging constitutional and civil rights violations after local officials shut down a new barn “instrumental” to its business. The local government shut down the 22-acre farm during peak season for selling Christmas trees, pumpkins, squash and hard cider “with no warning and no chance for correction,” co-owner Ben Martin told The Center Square in a phone interview. The 12-count complaint filed in the United States Wester...
Dec 08, 2023•4 min•Ep. 161
After the Michigan Public Service Commission approved the permit for Enbridge Energy to move the Line 5 oil pipeline into an underground tunnel, Republicans welcomed the decision. The MPSC found “there is a public need for Line 5 products and a public need for the replacement project to protect the resources of the Great Lakes.” Enbridge’s Line 5, a 645-mile oil pipeline, runs 4.5 miles across the lakebed of the Straits of Mackinac that connect Lake Michigan and Lake Huron. Support this podcast:...
Dec 07, 2023•4 min•Ep. 160
After 11 weeks on strike, the United Auto Workers announced a tentative agreement with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network. The agreement includes the reduction of the wage progression from 22 years to five, significant general wage increases, a $6,500 ratification bonus for Blue Cross Blue Shield workers, a $5,000 ratification bonus for Blue Care Network workers, and inflation protection bonuses of $1,000 each year of the contract. Negotiators secured stronger contractual l...
Dec 01, 2023•3 min•Ep. 159
Michigan state Rep. Steve Carra, R-Three Rivers, says he will introduce a bill next year aiming to prohibit legislators from signing non-disclosure agreements. The plan follows a Detroit News report revealing that nearly one in five Michigan lawmakers have signed “secrecy pacts” gagging them from sharing their knowledge of taxpayer-funded projects. Carra encourages economic expansion but says the government picking winners and losers behind closed doors isn’t the right solution. Support this pod...
Nov 30, 2023•4 min•Ep. 158
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed bills into law that ban those convicted of domestic violence from buying, owning or transporting firearms for eight years after sentencing. House Bill 4945 updates the sentencing guidelines to prohibit those convicted of domestic violence from buying or owning a gun or ammunition for eight years. Senate Bill 471 prohibits the possession or use of firearms and ammunition by persons convicted of a misdemeanor involving domestic violence. Senate Bill 528 defines additio...
Nov 23, 2023•3 min•Ep. 157
Ford Motor Co. will slash 800 jobs from its planned electric vehicle plant in Marshall subsidized by more than $1.7 billion of taxpayer money. Ford said it is "re-timing and resizing" the BlueOval Battery Park Michigan in Marshall.” The news brought bipartisan criticism from Michigan lawmakers. Ford originally announced the plant as worth $3.5B and estimated it would employ 2,500 workers. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/michigan-in-focus/support...
Nov 22, 2023•3 min•Ep. 156
Michigan announced that three companies will receive $178,000 in total funding through the Michigan Mobility Funding Platform to deploy mobility projects. The projects aim to deliver life-saving medications, maximize environmentally-conscious travel experiences, and create more walkable, bikeable and accessible streets. The funding will flow to three companies – $90,000 to Bedestrian in Dearborn, $8,000 to Keweenaw Mountain Lodge in Copper Harbor and $80,000 to Numina in Corktown, Detroit. Suppo...
Nov 18, 2023•3 min•Ep. 155
Michigan House Republicans introduced House Concurrent Resolution 9 aiming for lawmakers to adjourn in late December. The resolution notes, according to session schedule, that House lawmakers are to meet until Dec. 21 and the Senate is scheduled to meet until at least Dec. 14. The plan follows as the Democratic majority in the House and Senate plan to stop legislative business and break for the year on Nov. 14 instead of adjourning in late December. The early adjournment is because last week, th...
Nov 17, 2023•3 min•Ep. 154
As Michigan aims for 100% clean energy by 2040, a new plan aims to ensure that child slaves aren’t mining the rare earth minerals and assembling the solar panels. Michigan House Republicans proposed a package aiming to stop taxpayer money from funding projects using child or forced labor for solar panels and electric vehicle battery parts. Phil Green, R-Millington, and others sponsored House Bills 5322, 5323, 5324, and 5325 and House Resolution 168. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spoti...
Nov 16, 2023•3 min•Ep. 153
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed bipartisan legislation to support the victims of crime by expanding access to support services for domestic and sexual violence survivors and adding privacy protections. Whitmer said the bills will "protect people's privacy and safety while ensuring swift prosecutions for those who commit these crimes.” Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/michigan-in-focus/support...
Nov 10, 2023•3 min•Ep. 152
At 2 p.m. Wednesday, all new faces will be sworn into the Green Township Board after voters recalled five board members for supporting the Gotion electric vehicle battery plant that’s acted as a flashpoint to locals. The $2.4 billion EV plant has divided locals. Some welcomed the estimated 2,350 jobs created over 10 years in a county fighting population and job loss, while others questioned the $715 million taxpayer funding to Gotion Inc., a North American company in California that is a subsidi...
Nov 09, 2023•4 min•Ep. 151
While the United Auto Worker union auto strike might soon end, Detroit's casino strikes are ongoing. The three casinos remain open but 3,700 members from five unions have been on strike since Oct. 17 seeking better pay and benefits affecting MGM Grand Detroit, MotorCity Casino and Hollywood Casino at Greektown. In 2020, workers agreed to a three-year contract extension with minimal wage increases to help the industry reeling from the COVID-19 pandemic. Striking members say they need raises to co...
Nov 03, 2023•4 min•Ep. 150
The United Auto Workers Union and General Motors have reached a tentative agreement to end the auto strike, a report says, marking the possible end of a 45-day historic strike against the Big Three Automakers. Bloomberg News first reported the deal. The UAW hasn’t publicly released contract details yet. The deal follows days after the UAW and Stellantis reached a tentative deal after six weeks of the Stand Up Strike, a strategy in which the union strikes select factories against the Big Three - ...
Nov 02, 2023•3 min•Ep. 149
The Michigan Court of Claims ruled Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson’s office must either rescind or revise a May 2022 Manual for election poll challengers. The 15-page ruling analyzed four restrictions on poll challengers, including the credential form requirement, the requirement that communication only is with the “Challenger Liaison”, the prohibition on recording “impermissible challenges,” and the prohibition on electronic devices in the Absent Voter Counting Board. The court found the rule...
Oct 28, 2023•3 min•Ep. 148
A new bill aims to help Michigan students with dyslexia learn to read and write. Rep. Kathy Schmaltz, R-Jackson, introduced the plan. House Bill 5135 aims to ensure all Michigan school districts have at least one teacher trained in the Orton-Gillingham method, a well-established and effective approach to teaching students with dyslexia that breaks reading and spelling down into smaller skills involving letters and sounds, according to supporters. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify....
Oct 27, 2023•2 min•Ep. 147
On the 41st day on strike, the United Auto Workers Union reached a tentative deal with Ford Motor Co. About 20,000 Ford workers at the Kentucky Truck Plant, Chicago Assembly Plant and Fort Wayne Assembly Plant will return to work while the agreement goes through the ratification process, with the UAW National Ford Council convening in Detroit to review the agreement. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/michigan-in-focus/support...
Oct 26, 2023•4 min•Ep. 146
A Farmington Hills man was sentenced to 128 days in jail and two years probation for organized retail fraud by Judge Cheryl Matthews in the 6th Circuit Court in Oakland. In September, Brian Roussey, 31, pled guilty to three counts for operating a theft and resale scheme of KitchenAid brand stand mixers from metro Detroit Target stores. He was ordered to pay $20,108 in restitution to Target. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/michigan-in-focus/support...
Oct 21, 2023•2 min•Ep. 145
The Michigan Supreme Court heard arguments Wednesday about whether the government can use drones to surveil private property without a warrant and use that evidence in court for zoning disputes. For two years, Long Lake Township zoning officials flew a drone over Todd and Heather Maxon’s property in northern Michigan near Traverse City, taking photographs and videos as part of a zoning dispute that he was running an illegal junkyard. The Institute for Justice, a public interest law firm, is defe...
Oct 20, 2023•3 min•Ep. 144
About 3,700 casino workers in Detroit walked out on strike at noon Tuesday after failing to reach a new contract. The strike affects operations at the MGM Grand Detroit, MotorCity Casino and Hollywood Casino at Greektown and workers including dealers, cleaning staff, food and beverage workers, valets, engineers, and more. Workers represented by the Detroit Casino Council are seeking higher pay and better benefits. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/michigan-in-focus/su...
Oct 19, 2023•3 min•Ep. 143
Despite receiving federal COVID funds, Michigan's financial condition worsened in 2022. A new report found every Michigander must pay $12,100 to bail the state out of debt. Financial watchdog Truth in Accounting released its 14th annual Financial State of the States report, which provides a comprehensive analysis of the fiscal health of all 50 states based on the latest available data. The report found Michigan ranked 38 out of 50 for finances because it has $47.4 billion but $88 billion worth o...
Oct 14, 2023•4 min•Ep. 142
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Economic Development Corp. unveiled “You Can in Michigan” — a new talent attraction marketing campaign launching nationally. The campaign follows reports of population loss and an estimated more than 270,000 more people will leave the state by 2050. Michigan has lost more than 40,000 residents since 2020. The $20 million campaign showcases Michigan via new television commercials, radio spots, print placements, social channels and themichiganlife.org, a new ...
Oct 13, 2023•3 min•Ep. 141
A federal judge has found the owner of the Edenville Dam responsible for widespread flooding in May 2020, that together with heavy rain, forced the evacuation of more than 10,000 people from 3,500 homes in mid-Michigan. U.S. District Court Judge Paul Maloney granted Attorney General Dana Nessel a summary judgment against Boyce Hydro. Nessel had filed the motion on behalf of the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy and the Department of Natural Resources. Support this podcast: https...
Oct 12, 2023•3 min•Ep. 140
Michigan House Republicans want an investigation into potential conflicts of interests for House Appropriations Committee Chair Angela Witwer, who was instrumental in forming the state’s record $82 billion budget. On Sept. 5, a Detroit News report disclosed Witwer’s business connections involving a company she co-founded in 2007, Lansing-based public relations firm Edge Partnerships. Witwer was mentioned as an owner of the firm in a social media post in 2021. Company clientele include the Michig...
Oct 07, 2023•4 min•Ep. 139
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel moved to dismiss an August lawsuit arguing the state's income tax drop from 4.25% to 4.05% should be permanent. The Mackinac Center for Public Policy sued State Treasurer Rachael Eubanks over an interpretation of a 2015 law requiring the individual income tax rate to decrease automatically if year-over-year state general fund revenues increase at a greater rate than inflation. The group represents the Associated Builders and Contractors of Michigan, National...
Oct 06, 2023•2 min•Ep. 138
Eleven Michigan Republican lawmakers filed a federal lawsuit challenging election changes voters approved in 2018 and 2022. Filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan, the plaintiffs say election officials violated state legislators’ rights because the U.S. Constitution and the Michigan Constitution require state legislatures to regulate the times, places, and manner of federal elections. The lawsuit says Proposal 2 of 2022 and Proposal 3 of 2018, constitutional amendm...
Oct 05, 2023•4 min•Ep. 137
A day after Ford Motor Co. said it would pause construction on its $3.5 billion Marshall electric vehicle battery plant subsidized by $1.7 billion, the state of Michigan allocated the site another $65 million. The Michigan Strategic Fund approved a $65 million Strategic Site Readiness Program Grant to the Marshall Area Economic Development Alliance for land acquisition, site studies and water and wastewater upgrades. On top of that, lawmakers approved $750 million for site readiness. Support thi...
Sep 30, 2023•4 min•Ep. 136
A group called on the Democrat-dominated Michigan Legislature to boost electric vehicle incentives so the state can reach 2 million registered statewide by 2030. Illinois leads the Midwest race to register EVs with nearly 80,000 EVs, while Minnesota has 41,417 and Michigan has 34,380. For Michigan to reach its EV goal, it must register 280,803 EVs each year until mid-2030, which would require registering 23,400 EVs every month for seven years. The Clean Cars 2030 coalition called for Michigan to...
Sep 29, 2023•3 min•Ep. 135
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Office of The Inspector General will receive $749,987 to reduce food stamp fraud. The grant funds innovative concepts and best practices over the next three years to detect, investigate and prevent the misuse of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program program Benefits, which security experts say is a “national problem.” The award will support program integrity efforts including computer forensic examiner software and hardware to assist in cy...
Sep 28, 2023•3 min•Ep. 134
More than $553 million in funding to underinvested pensions will flow to 120 Michigan communities. The Protect MI Pension grant program, a $750 million appropriation included in the fiscal year 2022-23 budget, allows local municipal units with pension plans funded below 60% as of December 2021 to receive state funds. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/michigan-in-focus/support...
Sep 23, 2023•4 min•Ep. 133
