The Michigan Messenger

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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.

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Class action lawsuit filed against MERS over unpaid taxes

By Todd A. Heywood | 11.15.11 | 11:05 am

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.

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Supercommittee members face pressure over energy subsidies

By Eartha Jane Melzer | 11.09.11 | 8:32 am

The Congressional deficit reduction “supercommittee” that has been charged with finding $1.5 trillion in budget savings by Thanksgiving could save billions by eliminating tax breaks and subsidies for oil and gas companies, which advocacy groups from across the ideological spectrum support, but energy companies are battling to keep their good deals.

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Treasury Dept. OK with firing of Pontiac city clerk

By Eartha Jane Melzer | 11.08.11 | 9:48 am

Pontiac Emergency Manager Lou Schimmel’s recent decision to fire the city clerk led the ACLU to warn that today’s election has been jeopardized. The Treasury Dept., which is responsible for overseeing Emergency Mananger, however, says that it is not worried about the election.

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Unemployment extension seen as likely to pass

By Ed Brayton | 11.08.11 | 7:03 am

The conventional wisdom in Washington seems to be that another year-long extension of federal unemployment benefits is likely to be approved in Congress despite strong Republican opposition in the House.

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Lansing city council race contentious battle between chamber, labor

By Todd A. Heywood | 11.07.11 | 8:54 am

In one of the more contentious Lansing City Council battles in recent memory, the familiar battles between business and labor are playing out — but with the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce supporting candidates that seem to reject their key policy positions.

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Under state control, Pontiac’s water goes to troubled company

By Eartha Jane Melzer | 11.04.11 | 10:39 am

The company with the contract to operate Pontiac’s water system has a record of service problems in other cities and is facing felony charges, but it’s unclear whether these issues were taken into account before closing the deal because the contract was issued by an Emergency Manager who is not accountable to local residents.

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Appeals court greenlights welfare cuts

By Ed Brayton | 11.04.11 | 7:30 am

The Michigan Court of Appeals has overturned a ruling from the Genesee County Circuit Court that had put a hold on implementing legislation that would remove thousands of families from the public assistant rolls. The lawsuit continues, but the state government can continue to remove people while the trial is pending.

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Supreme Court asks for more info on Emergency Manager law case

By Eartha Jane Melzer | 11.03.11 | 3:30 pm

The Michigan Supreme Court has asked Gov. Rick Snyder to supply more information about why he thinks the high court should rule directly on a legal challenge brought against the Emergency Manager law in Ingham Circuit Court.

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Bing says Detroit may need Emergency Manager

By Eartha Jane Melzer | 11.03.11 | 10:55 am

Detroit Mayor Dave Bing said Wednesday that the city may run out of cash by February and he may be interested in serving as Emergency Manager if the governor decides to appoint one.

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Unemployment benefits extension bill to be introduced

By Ed Brayton | 11.03.11 | 7:49 am

Democratic legislators in the U.S. House of Representatives are expected to introduce a bill today to extend federal unemployment benefits for another year.