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The Michigan Messenger going forward

By Staff Report | 11.16.11

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 [...]

Colorado-based abstinence program provided false and misleading information to Michigan students

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By Todd A. Heywood | 11.16.11

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.

Class action lawsuit filed against MERS over unpaid taxes

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By Todd A. Heywood | 11.15.11

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.

Schuette fights important mercury regulations

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By Eartha Jane Melzer | 11.14.11

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.

Media roundup: coverage of Sovereign Deed

By Staff Report | 02.01.08 | 12:37 pm

In the wake of our coverage of Sovereign Deed, we wondered whether traditional media would sit up and pay attention to this story. Would they look deeper into the underlying issues and into the people involved? Would their work encourage greater accountability and reporting transparency for constituents? Here’s what the media has reported so far; what do you think?

  • AP:  Michigan town split over disaster firm
    “The proposal is stirring debate in Emmet County, about 270 miles north of Detroit. Skeptics wonder whether “disaster capitalism” represents a step toward a society where ability to pay will determine who gets help during emergencies.”
  • Jack Lessenbury’s commentary on MPR
    Jack says, “Sovereign Deed’s entire premise is this: In the event of a disaster, some lives are worth more than others, so we are here to save the truly deserving: The rich. This is a company founded on the principle of billionaires first, poor women and children last. It wants people to think that our government is incompetent to save us, and that they need to buy protection. What I worry about is that if we encourage businesses like Sovereign Deed, their advertising slogan will become a self-fulfilling prophecy. If well-off people buy their own services, that will give Congress every incentive to reduce disaster funding for the rest of us.”
  • County’s Secrecy Agreement with Firm Draws Fire 
    “Company’s business plan, founder’s past also raise questions,” reports Glenn Puit of Great Lakes Bulletin News Service via Michigan Land Use Institute.
  • Is Survival Only for The Rich?
    Anne Stanton at Northern Express asks this question in regards to Sovereign Deed’s business model.
  • Photo source: Pellston Airport

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