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.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan sent a letter Thursday to officials of the Napoleon Community Schools demanding they allow a five-year-old with cerebral palsy to bring her mobility assistance dog with her to school.
The Jackson Citizen Patriot reports:
The district has not allowed Wonder, a medically prescribed, certified service dog, to attend school with Ehlena Fry based on the recommendation of an 11-member team who handles her individualized special-education plan.
“The IEP team determined there wasn’t the need for the additional support of the dog in the classroom because of the level of support that the student already gets,” said [Richard] Rendell [director of special education services in Napoleon], referring to Ehlena’s full-time aide, funded by the district.
But ACLU Michigan’s Legal Director Michael Steinberg sees it differently:
“To force a 5-year-old girl with cerebral palsy to choose between her independence and her education is not only illegal, it is heartless,” said Michael J. Steinberg, ACLU of Michigan legal director. “For 20 years, the Americans with Disabilities Act has ensured that individuals with disabilities are guaranteed the same rights and access as everyone else, a value that seems to be lost on the Napoleon school district.”
At least one official from the school district told the Citizen Patriot that if the ACLU can prove its case, the district will be more than willing to reconsider the official recommendation from the special education team.
Do you know where to vote on Election Day? Do you know what to bring with you? Get comprehensive voter information for your state here.
Sign up for our email newsletter