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.
Congressman Dale Kildee (D-Flint) has announced he will retire from the U.S. Congress in 2012, after serving 18 terms representing Flint.
The 81-year-old Democrat was re-elected in November but says now he will not seek a 19th term in Congress. In an interview with the Flint Journal, Kildee says it was time to try something new.
“I’ve been thinking about it for over a year,” said Kildee. “My wife and I talked about it a lot and she hoped that I not run a term at that time (in 2010). She had a good point that I’ve served now 35 years in Congress and 48 years in public elected life. I have grown children and it’s time I spent some more time with my children and grandchildren.”
In the meantime, Kildee’ retirement announcement has launched three broad areas of news coverage: What the GOP is saying, praise from Democrats, and the evaluation of who will run to replace him in Congress. The Flint Journal features at least 12 pieces on the retirement.
President Barack Obama issued the following statement on Kildee’s retirement:
For more than 30 years, Dale Kildee has never forgotten the people he represents or what drives his work in the United States Congress. As a teacher, state legislator and Congressman, Dale made fighting for the families he represents his top priority and worked to improve education in Michigan and across the nation. We will miss Dale’s voice in Congress. Michelle and I wish him well and join the people of Michigan in thanking him for his many years of service.
Meanwhile, the GOP Chairman in Michigan, Bobby Schostak says Kildee is out because of Obama.
“Given that Democrats have to run on Obama’s miserable record on jobs, national debt, and the economy, it’s no wonder Kildee decided that a graceful exit was preferable to a certain defeat.”
Meanwhile, at least two prominent Democrats’ names are floating as possible replacements. State Sen. John Gleason (D-Flushing) says he is looking at a run as “a viable option,” while Kildee’s nephew Dan Kildee says he too is considering a run. The younger Kildee briefly entered the 2010 Democratic primary for Governor, then withdrew last year.
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