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 [...]
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.
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.
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.
In the shadow of Michigan’s Capitol, about 70 people were gathered at a local club to celebrate what many called an historic event — the end of a long, hard-fought Democratic primary that pitted the first woman and the first African American to stand within grasp of the presumptive nomination of either of the country’s major parties.
While Hillary Rodham Clinton, the former first lady and senator from New York, did not concede to Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, Obama achieved the magic number of 2,118 pledged delegates to clinch the nomination battle for himself.
Watching on TV as Obama spoke to supporters in Minnesota, Michael Blake, interim political director of Michigan for the Obama campaign, broke down and cried. Moments before, he told Michigan Messenger in an exclusive interview how overwhelming the night was.
“Tonight’s not about strategy. It’s about history,” Blake said. “I can’t even put it into words (what I am feeling). My elementary school is P.S. 79 in Brooklyn. Kids like me aren’t supposed to make it this far. We’re some of those statistics that people don’t believe in. It’s beyond words what I’m seeing right now. I am proud of our country. I am proud of us as Americans.”
Continued -Mark Gaffney, president of the Michigan AFL-CIO, was pleased with the win.
“This is the start of everybody being with one candidate,” Gaffney said. “I know our members have been waiting for this. I have to believe the Clinton supporters have to be happy the struggle is over too.”
The Michigan AFL-CIO represents over 1 million Michigan families in labor issues, including retirees and families of union members.
State Rep. Mary Valentine (D-Norton Shores) said she was behind Obama, although she ventured no guess on the future of Clinton. She said she would support the Democratic ticket.
Gaffney, however, said he didn’t see a need for Clinton to be on the ticket as vice presidential candidate — as some media outlets were reporting the New York senator was maneuvering to place herself as election returns came in from South Dakota and Montana.
“I’m not sure it’s necessary,” said Gaffney. “Hillary Clinton has a great future as one of the leaders of our country. Personally, I would like to see her become the senate majority leader. She will have a lot of influence to push her agenda from the Senate.”
Blake said he had no comment when asked what role Clinton might play in the upcoming campaign.
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