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 Same-sex Marriage

Federal judge overturns California’s Prop 8

By Ed Brayton | 08.04.10 | 11:40 pm

A federal district judge issued a ruling that struck down California’s Prop 8, a ballot referendum that outlawed same-sex marriage in that state. Judge Vaughan Walker, a Reagan appointee, ruled that there was no rational basis for denying gay and lesbian couples the right to marry and that the law violated both the due process [...]

Lesbian custody battle comes to Michigan

By Ed Brayton | 03.08.10 | 11:51 am

In a very interesting case that mirrors many aspects of similar situations around the country, the non-biological mother in a lesbian relationship that included children has filed for custody and visitation rights to the children delivered by her former partner. The Detroit Free Press reports:

Byrnes to run for state Senate

By Todd A. Heywood | 12.11.09 | 11:16 am

In an announcement that is surely no surprise to political observers in Michigan, State Rep. Pam Byrnes, the speaker pro-tem of the House, will announce on Sunday Dec. 13 she will seek a seat in the state Senate. According to AnnArbor.com, Byrnes has this to say in a press release:

Byrnes calls for repeal of Michigan’s same-sex marriage ban

By Todd A. Heywood | 11.04.09 | 4:07 pm

Following up on a June surprise, Michigan House Speaker Pro Tem Pam Byrnes on Wednesday announced she had introduced legislation to roll back a 2004 constitutional amendment which bans same-sex marriage in the state.

Byrnes same-sex marriage initiative surprises Mich. Democrats

By Todd A. Heywood | 06.13.09 | 1:06 am

LANSING — Concerned with the party’s electoral fortunes in 2010, many Michigan Democrats were caught off guard on Friday when State Rep. Pam Byrnes announced she would introduce legislation aimed at reversing the state’s constitutional ban on same-sex marriage OK’d by voters in 2004.

Family group says activists’ call for repeal of marriage amendment by 2012 ‘delusional’

By Todd A. Heywood | 05.27.09 | 4:51 pm

The American Family Association of Michigan, headed by Gary Glenn, has responded to a call by leaders of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights movement to repeal the 2004 marriage amendment by 2012 “delusional.” In an action alert sent out by the group, Glenn writes:

Conyers says he has votes to repeal Defense of Marriage Act

By Todd A. Heywood | 05.19.09 | 10:39 am

DETROIT — U.S. Rep. John Conyers, a Detroit Democrat, said Saturday in an interview with Michigan Messenger that the votes are in place in the House Judiciary Committee, which he chairs, to repeal the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). Gay rights advocates have been working to get the law repealed as more states pass [...]

Why Huntsman matters for GOP

By Ed Brayton | 04.29.09 | 3:46 pm

A new CBS News poll contains data that shows why the controversy over the appearance of Jon Huntsman in Kent County matters — and why the GOP ought to be careful how it treats moderates like him. His appearance was canceled because he favors civil unions for gays and lesbians, something that is anathema to [...]

Conservative speaker meets protests at CMU

By Todd A. Heywood | 04.08.09 | 10:55 am

Gary Glenn, president of the American Family Association of Michigan, was met by about 200 protesters Tuesday night when he arrived at the campus of Central Michigan University to speak about traditional marriage. Glenn spoke to the Conservative Students organization, which was formerly the Young Americans for Freedom chapter at CMU. He was there to [...]

Mich. Log Cabin Republicans find hope in Vt.’s legislature overturning governor’s veto of same-sex marriage bill

By Todd A. Heywood | 04.07.09 | 12:30 pm

Log Cabin Republicans in Michigan are hailing moves by the Vermont state House and Senate overturning Republican Gov. Jim Douglas’ veto of same-sex marriage legislation approved by Green Mountain State lawmakers. The law, which goes into effect Sept. 1, would make Vermont the fourth state in the country to allow gay marriage. “I would hope [...]