WATZ Today's Country

Friday News Summary 11-11-22
Thu, 17 Nov 2022 10:42:19 EST

(Stories Courtesy of Michigan News Radio)

MI GOP BLAMES DIXON
A memo from the Michigan Republican Party blames gubernatorial candidate Tudor
Dixon for Tuesday's election losses. Chief of Staff Paul Cordes writes Dixon failed to
keep the Governor's race close enough for other Republicans and cost the party in
close House and Senate races. The memo says there were more ads on transgender
sports than inflation and gas prices that could have swayed independent voters.
Cordes also says middle of the road voters didn't like "what Dixon was selling." For her
part, Dixon said Republican Party leadership fought against her every step of the way
and put the entire ticket at risk. Dixon said the party needs fresh leadership.

LEGISLATIVE LEADERS
History made at the State Capitol Thursday. Democrats, who will control the state
Senate in the new year, have elected Grand Rapids Senator Winnie Brinks as the next
Senate Majority Leader. She'll be the first woman to hold the position. Meantime,
House Democrats have selected Detroit Representative Joe Tate as House Speaker.
He will be the first African American to be House Speaker.

VETERANS DAY
This is Veterans Day, a day we honor military veterans -- living and dead -- with
ceremonies, parades and other observances across the state and country. Michigan
U.S. Senator Gary Peters, who is a former Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy
Reserve and a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said in a video
message generations of Michiganders and Americans have answered the call to serve
our country and Veterans Day is an opportunity to recognize this remarkable patriotism
and selflessness. Peters also said veterans represent the very best of our nation, and
our military is the strongest in the history of the world because of their efforts and their
dedication.

BICYCLIST HIT AND KILLED TRIAL
A west Michigan woman, accused of driving into five bicyclists and killing two, has been
ordered to stand trial in Ionia County on second-degree murder and other charges. A
judge decided Thursday there was enough evidence to send Mandy Benn to trial.
Investigators claim Benn was intoxicated by a number of drugs when she ran into the
bicyclists who were riding in a Make A Wish charity event. Benn was trying to pass a
truck when she hit the bicyclists.

WOMAN SHOT BY POLICE
A woman is dead after she was shot during a struggle with Detroit police at a home on
the city's west side. Police Chief James White says preliminary information indicated a
woman, believed to be the suspect's mother, called police Thursday evening and
reported the woman had hit her son and the caller at a home. The woman talking with
police said she may have to shoot her daughter who was having a mental health crisis.
The Special Response Team was brought to the scene and negotiated with the suspect
for about 45 minutes. At some point police saw a gun inside the home and when the
suspect opened the door there was a struggle and the woman was shot and killed. The
investigation is ongoing.

GM RECALL
General Motors is recalling nearly 340-thousand SUVs because their daytime running
lights may not shut off when the regular headlights are on. The National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration says having both lights on at the same time could cause
glare, increasing the risk of a crash. The recall covers 2021 Chevrolet Tahoes and
Suburbans, as well as GMC Yukons and Cadillac Escalades. Owners will be notified
about the recall by mail starting next month.

RSV -CS MOTT CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL
CS Mott Children's Hospital is now postponing some elective procedures as the
hospital is inundated with cases of RSV. Hospital CEO Luanne Thomas Ewald says
they've treated 259 RSV cases in children - numbers they have never seen before.
Ewald says it's "incredibly concerning" as flu season hasn't hit yet. The numbers are
nearly 50-percent higher than last year - when there was still mask wearing and social
distancing. She says there may be several hours wait now for children showing up to
the ER. They're working with other hospitals to try and place patients. The vast
majority of children who get RSV are able to rest and recover at home.

DRIVE-BY , CAR INTO HOUSE-GRAND RAPIDS
We're learning more about a police chase of a stolen car and the car crashed into a
home in Grand Rapids early Thursday morning. The Kent County Sheriff's Office says
it began Wednesday night as a drive-by shooting when several bullets hit a house in
Gaines Township. They say three vehicles were involved and up to 50 shots were
fired. Around 3 Thursday morning, deputies found two of the vehicles , but hit a Grand
Rapids Police cruiser trying to get away. One vehicle led police on a chase and
crashed into a house. Eight juveniles were arrested from both vehicles.

SHELBY TWP. OFFICER FUNERAL
The funeral for the Shelby Township Police officer who passed away suddenly is today.
51-year-old Sergeant Daniel Kammerzell was found unresponsive in his patrol car last
Saturday while on duty. Sergeant Kammerzell was a Marine Corps veteran. He was
with the Shelby Township Police Department for the last 18 years.

FOOD & TRUST-MSU STUDY
Most Americans don't trust what scientists say about the food they eat. That's
according to results from a new Michigan State University Food Literacy and
Engagement Poll. In the survey of just over 2-thousand people in October - only 43
percent said they trust academic scientists when it comes to food safety. Women were
the least likely to trust the information. Officials say it may be related to pandemic and
misinformation circulated online. 80-percent of those surveyed said they think locally
produced food is more healthy, but it's not always true.

KIRK COUSINS GOLF COURSE-SAUGATUCK
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins and his wife have bought a golf course in
West Michigan. In a letter to the community, Kirk and Julie Cousins announced that
they have bought the Clearbrook Golf Course in Saugatuck. The couple built a home
in the area in 2018. Cousins says the original owners will continue to run the golf
course's restaurant.