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.
While the city of Lansing is facing a projected $12 million budget hole, Lansing Mayor Virgil Bernero sounded optimistic Monday night in his fifth State of the City address. During the speech, Bernero said the city was filled with “fighters” and “survivors.”
The Lansing State Journal reports the Democrat said:
“We are all builders, and together, we are building the future of Lansing – job by job, neighborhood by neighborhood, and child by child.
“Because we have come together to overcome our challenges, the state of our city is good – and getting better.”
In addition to a feel good chorus meant to shore up a city under economic siege by the worst economy in 30 years, which has caused dwindling state and local revenues, Bernero also announced several policy initiatives, including a plan to provide financial assistance to small businesses.
“Tonight, I’m pleased to announce that we will launch a new Small Business Growth Fund that will provide loans of up to $35,000 to small businesses so that they can grow and create jobs,” he said.
In addition to the small business program, Bernero also announced plans to develop a regional park, and a new initiative to address youth violence in the city.
Bernero is expected to announce his plans to run for the Democratic nomination for Governor within weeks. Michigan Messenger has confirmed that he will run, but he continues to play coy with state and local media about his plans. Bernero will definitely face state Rep. Alma Wheeler Smith in the battle for the Democratic nomination for Governor. State House Speaker Andy Dillon has created an exploratory committee, and is also expected to run for the nomination.
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