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.
Gov.-elect Rick Snyder on Wednesday announced he was appointing Lt. Col. Kriste Etue as the new leader of the Michigan State Police. Etue is the first woman to head the agency, and she currently serves as deputy director of the MSP and oversees the $550 million budget.
During a Wednesday press conference featuring Etue and Snyder, the incoming leader was asked if she would continue the department’s history of advocating for Matt’s Safe School Law, legislation mandating school districts create policies to deal with bullying, she responded without hesitation.
“I do think it’s important that we look at bullying in our schools and universities.” Etue said. “I will be a strong supporter of addressing bullying in the state.”
That announcement was hailed by anti-bullying legislation advocates.
“Equality Michigan is very happy to hear that Lt. Col. Etue supports Michigan’s anti-bullying efforts. She joins a powerful and diverse coalition of organizations and individuals that recognize that bullying in our schools must be addressed immediately,” said Emily Dievendorf, policy director of Equality Michigan. “We intend to support a stronger version of the bill at the start of the new year and appreciate that the Michigan State Police will be right there with us.”
Matt’s Law is named after Matt Epling, an East Lansing teenager who committed suicide after being bullied. His father, Kevin has been a leader in addressing bullying in the state, and pushing for passage of legislation named after his son.
“I am very happy that our Governor’s selection to lead our State Police, know’s of ‘Matt’s Law’ and that she will be an advocate,” said Kevin Epling, co-director of Bully Police U.S.A. “I personally have worked with several officers at MSP on the issue of school bullying over the years, and they have been a great resource to collaborate with. Police officers across the state play a vital role in anti-bullying in every community.”
The legislation has struggled for years to move in the Republican dominated Senate, even as the nation focused on a rash of high profile youth suicides which were tied to bullying incidents.
Senate leaders declared the legislation dead on election night expressing concern that the legislation would not cover all students.
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