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.

Auto Industry

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Romney struggles to define auto bailout position

By Ed Brayton | 11.10.11 | 7:25 am

With the Republican presidential hopefuls participating in a debate about jobs and the economy just a few miles from the city of Detroit, it was inevitable that the candidates would be asked about the federal bailout that saved GM and Chrysler — and Mitt Romney in particular.

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Chrysler gets contract, announces quarterly profit

By Ed Brayton | 10.27.11 | 11:51 am

It’s been a good week for Chrysler. The United Auto Workers ratified the new collective bargaining agreement with nearly 55 percent of the vote and the company also announced a third quarter profit of more than $200 million.

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UAW likely to approve Chrysler contract

By Ed Brayton | 10.25.11 | 2:51 pm

Despite mixed results in the early voting, it appears likely that the United Auto Workers will ratify a new contract with Chrysler in the next few days.

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Autoworkers ratify new pact with Ford

By Ed Brayton | 10.20.11 | 7:24 am

Weeks after United Auto Workers members approved a new deal with General Motors, the union’s Ford workers ratified a new collective bargaining agreement with the only major American automaker not to go through bankruptcy in 2009.

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State senate schedules bridge vote

By Eartha Jane Melzer | 10.07.11 | 2:37 pm

Lawmakers will vote Wednesday on legislation to allow Michigan to proceed with plans to develop the New International Trade Crossing between Detroit and Windsor.

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Ford, UAW reach contract agreement

By Ed Brayton | 10.05.11 | 7:42 am

Ford Motor Company and the United Auto Workers have reached an agreement on a new contract that includes significant signing bonuses and more jobs for autoworkers.

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UAW ratifies new GM contract

By Ed Brayton | 09.29.11 | 7:22 am

The United Auto Workers ratified the first new collective bargaining agreement with General Motors after 2009′s managed bankruptcy kept the automaker alive. The deal is good for four years.

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GM, UAW agree to terms on new contract

By Ed Brayton | 09.19.11 | 7:37 am

With the UAW’s contracts with the Big Three automakers already expired and operating under an extension, it appears that General Motors will be the first to strike a new deal that gives back some of the concessions workers made to help the company survive bankruptcy in 2009.

President Obama greets Detroit residents (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

Obama speaks to union workers in Detroit

By Ed Brayton | 09.06.11 | 7:39 am

President Obama spent Labor Day speaking to several thousand union workers at at General Motors’ headquarters at the Renaissance Center in Detroit, calling for an infrastructure project to create more jobs.

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Obama speaks about bold new national vehicle fuel standards

By Sam Inglot | 07.30.11 | 2:38 am

On Friday, President Barack Obama spoke to a gathering of stakeholders to announce his plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase fuel efficiency standards and reduce dependence on foreign oil.