WATZ Today's Country

Friday News Summary 11-04-22
Fri, 04 Nov 2022 07:29:37 EDT

(Stories Courtesy of Michigan News Radio)

GOV POLL
A new poll in the race for governor has been released just days for the midterm
elections. The survey of 600 likely voters by EPIC-MRA shows an eleven-point lead for
Governor Gretchen Whitmer over challenger Tudor Dixon. 54 percent of likely voters
polled overall say they would vote for Whitmer compared to 43 percent for Dixon and
three percent for a third-party candidate.
Whitmer holds the lead even as voters have pessimistic views of the state's economy
and inflation. EPIC-MRA says when asked directly what would most influence their
voting choice, 43-percent say abortion compared to 28-percent for inflation.

MI SUPREME
New rules at the polls will stay in place for next week's election, after a ruling by the
State Supreme Court. Republicans challenged the rules put in place by Secretary of
State Jocelyn Benson, particularly one that bars poll watchers and challengers from
having any electronic device like a phone, laptop or smartwatches before the polls
close at 8pm. Supreme Court Justice Richard Bernstein said there are some legal
issues to be decided, but not enough time before the election.

MATERNAL DEATHS
Governor Gretchen Whitmer responded to a new report of maternal deaths in Michigan.
According to the Governor's office, a new report shows that Michigan will have the third
highest number of maternal deaths in the U-S if abortion is banned in the state. The
report says that deaths will increase by 25-PERCENT... with an even higher
percentage for Black women. Governor Whitmer calls the report *horrifying* and
doubled down on her pro-choice stance.

STREET JUSTICE
Six alleged vigilantes have been indicted for the kidnapping and beating of a man they
wrongly thought was involved in a carjacking. Federal prosecutors say that 21-year-old
Cortez Blake - who was the victim in the carjacking - is one of the Detroit men
charged. The men are accused of attacking the victim in retaliation for the carjacking.
US Attorney Dawn Ison says the case is "stunning" and that the charges show street
justice will NOT be tolerated. If convicted, the men face up to life in prison and a $250-
thousand fine.

MISSING WALLABY
Have you seen the Wallaby...? The Monroe County Sheriff is asking for tips on the
whereabouts of the wallaby that escaped from an exotic animal facility. The wallaby
has been running free in Bedford Township. Officials say there is no need to fear the
marsupial that looks like a kangaroo - only smaller. The animal will stay away from
people and pets. Anyone who spots the wallaby is asked to call the Monroe County
Sheriff Central Dispatch.

MOST NEIGHBORLY
It turns out people in Grand Rapids are downright neighborly. That's according to a new
study that ranks the West Michigan city as having the fourth most neighborly people in
the country. Neighbor.com surveyed Americans about things like how often they hang
out with their neighbors and support local businesses. The top three neighborly cities
are Madison, Wisconsin, Provo, Utah and Oxnard, California.

DTE CLEAN ENERGY
DTE continues to invest into a clean energy plan. A 20-year Clean Vision plan was
released Thursday outlining a transformation on how DTE will generate electricity with
a modern grid. The plan increases investments in solar and wind energy, while getting
rid of coal plants. The company plans to end the use of coal by 2035.. by retiring the
Monroe and Belle River power plants -- which currently account for 40-PERCENT of
the energy. According to officials, the Monroe plant is one of the largest coal plants in
the country -- expected to close by 2028.. earlier than the original 2040 date.

FALL BACK
It's time to fall back into an extra hour of sleep this Sunday...but before the time
change, the Michigan Department of Transportation wants to remind drivers to focus on
safe driving as the winter nears.
According to MDOT, the most dangerous time of the day for pedestrians is the first
hour of darkness following the time change... where they are more at risk of serious
injury from a crash.
Over 6-thousand pedestrians died in the U-S in 2020. MODT urges drivers to slow
down during winter months and be extra aware of pedestrians.

BODY FOUND NEAR SOUTH HAVEN
A body was found in a field near South Haven and an autopsy will be performed today
to determine how the man died. The Van Buren County Sheriff's Office says the body
was found in a field in Geneva Township by a man who was looking for a place to
hunt. The sheriff's office says the death of the 33-year-old Kalamazoo man is
suspicious in nature. Anyone with information should call the sheriff's office, Crime
Stoppers or Silent Observer.

FAKE CATHOLIC NEWS-W MI
Some fake news is being spread in west Michigan in the form of a newspaper called
the Michigan Catholic Tribune. While it appears to be real, the paper has a lot of
political opinions including things about banning books and lists politicians and their
views on abortion and other issues.
A spokeswoman for the Diocese of Grand Rapids says it looks like it's a publication
from the diocese , but she says it is not and has no connection to the church.

SOUTH LYON HIGH THREATS
Officials with South Lyon Community Schools say they're stepping up surveillance of
school bathrooms after a bomb threat at South Lyon High School on Thursday
prompted an evacuation of the building.
It was the fifth threat found written in a bathroom stall within the district in the last
month, according to South Lyon Superintendent Steve Archibald
Students returned to class Thursday afternoon after investigators deemed the threat
was not credible.

HALLOWEEN B & E-MECOSTA COUNTY
A man in Morton Township, southeast of Big Rapids, came home from taking his
daughter Trick or Treating to find that his two safety lock boxes, two handguns, and
about $10-thousand dollars worth of jewelry had been stolen from his home. The
Mecosta County Sheriff's Office says neighbors say a blue or black Ford F-150 was
seen driving around the block several times and one said the driver had face tattoos.

PROP 3 RALLY-GRAND RAPIDS
A rally will be held to support Proposition 3 to support reproductive rights in Michigan in
Grand Rapids on Saturday.
Several self-identified conservative voices join Alexis McGill
Johnson, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, to declare
their support for Proposal 3, the measure to protect abortion rights in Michigan.
Opponents of the measure say it is too extreme.

MIKE PENCE-W MI
Former Vice President Mike Pence will be campaigning for republican congressional
candidates in Michigan today. Pence will campaign for Congressman Bill Huizenga in
Portage this afternoon. He faces democrat Joseph Alfonso, a newcomer to politics.
Pence will also campaign for Tom Barrett in Charlotte. Barrett is running against
incumbent Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin.

ASSAULT SENTENCE -U-P
One of six people accused of assaulting a man in the Upper Peninsula's Norway
Township last April has been sentenced. W-L-U-C report Regan Passamani has been
sentenced to 50 days in jail and one year of probation. The 18-year-old pleaded no
contest . She messaged the victim , Trentin McWilliams, the night of the attack. The
victim's mother, Sandra Danielson, asked what she was thinking when she watched
Trentin laying on the ground being stomped on and kicked with steel-toed boots by her
friends.
Passamani said she is very remorseful and regrets her involvement in the incident.

BROTHERS SENTENCED GUN STORE ROBBERY- W MI
Two Grand Rapids brothers, 33-year-old Joseph Woods and 28-year-old Johon Woods
have each been sentenced to 84 months in prison for stealing 53 firearms from a gun
store in Kent County. U.S. District Judge Jane Beckering also ordered a 3-year period
of supervised release once each gets out of prison. They broke into Al and Bob's
Sports in February and 32 of the firearms that they sold have not been located.
U.S. Attorney Mark Totten says his office is focused on disrupting the escalating gun
violence that is plaguing our communities.

RESTAURANT WEEK -GRAND RAPIDS
Restaurant Week kicks off in Grand Rapids today. Experience Grand Rapids
spokeswoman Jaylyn McCloy says more than 40 restaurants are taking part.
McCloy says to take part, sign up for a digital pass at restaurantweekgr-dot-com. She
says restaurants are offering two course meals ...some less than $25 dollars, some
over $25 dollars.