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The Michigan Messenger going forward

By Staff Report | 11.16.11

I am writing today to announce the closure of the Michigan Messenger. After four years of operation in Michigan, the board of the American Independent News Network, has decided to shift publication of its news into a single site, The American Independent at Americanindependent.com. This is part of a shift in strategy, towards new forms [...]

Colorado-based abstinence program provided false and misleading information to Michigan students

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By Todd A. Heywood | 11.16.11

An abstinence-only presentation provided to numerous school districts in Calhoun and Eaton Counties in October of this year provided false and misleading information to students about HIV, experts allege.

Class action lawsuit filed against MERS over unpaid taxes

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By Todd A. Heywood | 11.15.11

Two county registers of deeds filed a class action lawsuit Monday on behalf of Michigan’s 83 counties alleging that the Mortgage Electronic Registration Services owes millions of dollars in property title transfer taxes.

Schuette fights important mercury regulations

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By Eartha Jane Melzer | 11.14.11

Despite evidence of the impact of mercury on children and public health, Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette last month joined with 24 other state attorneys general in filing a lawsuit to scuttle new EPA regulations that would reduce mercury emissions from power plants.

Pothole contest illustrates worsening condition of Michigan’s roads

By Kevin Shopshire | 04.10.08 | 8:56 pm

LANSING — If you think potholes are worse than ever, you’re right. It’s the worst pothole season in history, according to one advocate for more spending on roads.

And the worst potholes in the state are in the streets of Walker, Waterford, Saginaw and Jackson. That’s the word from the Michigan Infrastructure and Transportation Association.

MITA is a coalition working to secure more funding for Michigan’s roads and bridges. It sponsored a month-long contest with the Michigan Transportation Team to identify the worst rim-bending potholes in Michigan. Judges chose the “winners” Monday from 70 photos submitted. The people submitting the winning photos each received a $318 “service center scholarship,” the average cost to a Michigan motorist of crumbling and congested roads

“This was an extremely difficult decision because of the sheer number of potholes submitted that would do serious damage to your car,” said Mike Nystrom, vice president of government and public relations for the MITA and co-chair of the MTT. “With Michigan having the worst pothole season in history, there were so many craters to choose from.”

The pothole winners were:
O’Brien Road, Walker; South Jackson Street, Jackson; Irwin Drive, Waterford; and Veterans Memorial Parkway, Saginaw.

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Photo: Irwin Drive in WaterfordBecause there were so many entries, the MTT also gave honorable mention to a number of potholes across the state: Dean Lake Road, Grand Rapids Township; Stadium and West Michigan Drive, Kalamazoo; Lafayette and Division Street, Grand Rapids; Ford Road, Canton; and John R, Detroit.

According to the Drive Michigan Campaign, Michigan has an annual funding shortfall of $700 million for its state transportation system and a shortfall of more than $2 billion for local roads. Drive Michigan wants to increase the state’ gasoline tax 3 cents a year for three years – a 9-cent gas tax phased in over three years – and a slight increase in vehicle registration fees.

MTT is a broad-based, bipartisan partnership of business, labor, local government, associations and citizens with the goal of improving Michigan’s transportation infrastructure. The Drive Michigan campaign is committed to “promoting the development and maintenance of a safe, convenient and efficient transportation network.”

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