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.

Posts Tagged AIDS

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Ryan White HIV/AIDS program hits anniversary amid national funding crisis

By Marcos Restrepo | 08.18.11 | 5:24 pm

The Ryan White program, named after a teenager who died of AIDS, is celebrating 21 years of existence while the AIDS Drug Assistance Program, one of  its most important components, faces an ongoing funding crisis. #

Pugh: Detroit needs to be ‘squeaky wheel’ to tackle HIV ‘crisis’

By Todd A. Heywood | 11.19.09 | 10:29 am

FERNDALE — At a hearing to discuss national HIV/AIDS policy on Wednesday, incoming Detroit City Council President Charles Pugh said that the Motor City, which has recorded infection rates as high as those in hard-hit Uganda, needs more money to combat the “crisis” that is eating away at the city. Pugh pledged to be a “noisy voice” for those who lack political access and are battling the disease.

Pope: Condoms not the way to fight AIDS

By Todd A. Heywood | 03.17.09 | 6:14 pm

Well, isn’t this special… My good friend Pope Benedict XVI announced that condoms are not the way to address the AIDS crisis in Africa. But wait, he didn’t stop there.

Wall Street Journal says ‘cure’ for AIDS stumbled upon

By Todd A. Heywood | 11.07.08 | 5:58 pm

Doctors in Berlin, Germany, are reporting that a 42-year-old American living in that city may have eliminated the virus from his body after a bone marrow transplant.

Gay News You Can Use: dawning of a new day

By Todd A. Heywood | 07.11.08 | 9:33 pm

Helms dies, LGBT community remembers his ruthless actions against them. While the conservative blogs and news outlets were praising former Sen. Jesse Helms of North Carolina, many in the LGBT community remembered the hatred and bigotry he ushered in during his 30-year tenure in the U.S. Senate. The video above was created by AIDS activists [...]

Bush calls for doubling funding for HIV/AIDS in Africa

By Todd A. Heywood | 01.28.08 | 10:22 pm

In tonight’s State of the Union Speech, President George W. Bush called on Congress to approve an additional $30 billion over five years for funding in the fight against HIV/AIDS in Africa. “We can bring healing and hope to many more. So I ask you to maintain the principles that have changed behavior and made [...]

As HIV Spreads, Michigan and U.S. Differ on Testing

By Todd A. Heywood | 12.06.07 | 6:06 am

Last in a four-part series on AIDS in Michigan. An estimated 17,000 Michigan residents know they are infected with HIV, and 900 more will test positive for HIV this year, predicts the Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH). Yet the agency also estimates that less than 40 percent of the population is getting tested for [...]

From cheating to denial, gay men reveal why they avoid HIV testing

By Todd A. Heywood | 12.04.07 | 6:10 pm

Third in a four-part series on AIDS in Michigan. While experts debate over how and if to make HIV testing a routine part of annual physicals in Michigan, those who are at high risk for HIV infection offer many reasons for not getting tested. “I don’t get tested for HIV because I quit having sex [...]

Experts Say Stigma Tops List of Barriers to HIV Testing

By Todd A. Heywood | 12.03.07 | 9:40 am

This is the second story in a four piece series exploring HIV testing and AIDS in Michigan. There are many barriers to people getting tested for HIV, but the human factors — stigma and fear — top the list, health experts say. “There is still a lot of fear and prejudice and discrimination,” said Kaye [...]

Report: Michigan fails to make AIDS tests routine

By Todd A. Heywood | 11.30.07 | 7:01 pm

First of a four-part series on AIDS in Michigan. More than a year after the federal government changed HIV guidelines to recommend testing for everyone ages 13-64 as part of a yearly physical, the Michigan AIDS Fund has released a report card claiming the state has failed at making such testing routine. The Centers for [...]