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.

Local Politics

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Occupy Detroit prepares office space, hotel, warehouse

By Eartha Jane Melzer | 11.14.11 | 2:33 pm

Members of Occupy Detroit have worked with local businesses to secure a multi-story office building, a store front for sign-making, a warehouse, and a renovated 50-unit hotel that will serve as housing for protesters.

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Scott resigns in wake of recall

By Todd A. Heywood | 11.09.11 | 1:51 pm

Recalled Republican Rep. Paul Scott (R-Grand Blanc) has announced that he is stepping down as representative immediately and will no longer participate in votes even though he is not officially out of the Michigan House.

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Kalamazoo approves marijuana measure

By Todd A. Heywood | 11.09.11 | 12:20 pm

Voters in Kalamazoo approved a controversial amendment to the city’s charter which makes possession of a small amount of pot for those 21 years of age older a “lowest possible law enforcement priority.”

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Occupy Grand Rapids to protest privatization of veterans’ care

By Eartha Jane Melzer | 11.09.11 | 12:16 pm

Members of Occupy Grand Rapids are planning to spend Friday protesting state plans to privatize careworker positions at the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans.

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Detroit approves charter overhaul

By Eartha Jane Melzer | 11.09.11 | 10:12 am

Voters in Detroit have approved a set of city charter revisions aimed at protecting against the cronyism and corruption that have long plagued that city.

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Voters recall Rep. Paul Scott

By Todd A. Heywood | 11.09.11 | 12:27 am

Rep. Paul Scott (R-Grand Blanc), the embattled Republican chair of the House Education Committee, has been recalled by the voters in his Genesee County district.

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Traverse City voters approve non-discrimination ordinance

By Todd A. Heywood | 11.08.11 | 11:51 pm

Voters in Traverse City voted Tuesday to approve a non-discrimination ordinance that includes sexual orientation and gender identity as protected categories.

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Flint likely to get Emergency Manager

By Ed Brayton | 11.08.11 | 10:47 pm

A review board voted unanimously to recommend that Gov. Snyder appoint an Emergency Manager for the city of Flint and the Treasury Department says the governor agrees with that recommendation.

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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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Family Research Council rolls into Holland

By Todd A. Heywood | 11.07.11 | 2:43 pm

As national attention has become focused on the struggle by Holland residents to pass a non-discrimination ordinance, the anti-gay Family Research Council’s political arm rolled its “Values Voter’s Bus” into west Michigan Monday.