Wednesday News Summary 02-01-23Wed, 01 Feb 2023 12:11:01 EST
(Stories Courtesy of Michigan News Radio)
MICHIGAN ECONOMY
Growing Michigan's economy. That was one of the topics at the Detroit Economic Club.
Business Leaders for Michigan CEO Jeff Donofrio says economic growth in Michigan
has stalled, but is improving. He says among the challenges Michigan faces -- is
improving education in the state, and making Michigan more "business ready" for
investment.
TAX CUT
Leaders in Lansing haven't determined yet if they'll work to avoid an automatic
reduction in the income tax rate. The 2015 law signed by Governor Rick Snyder would
see the tax rate drop from 4.25 percent to 4.05 percent if the state has a big enough
surplus. However, Governor Gretchen Whitmer and top Democrats may shift some of
the surplus from the general fund to a different account to avoid the automatic trigger.
UPDATE IN ANN ARBOR TEEN DEATH
Ann Arbor police are out with a new statement -- after a missing teenage girl was found
dead on the campus of Pioneer High School on Monday. They say they know there
are -quote-"a lot of unanswered questions, as well as a lot of misinformation about the
death of Adriana Davidson being shared on social media." They go on to say a cause
of death is pending autopsy results. Ann Arbor PD says they will be transparent as the
investigation unfolds -- and that they are not currently looking for anyone who may
have been involved in her death. After reviewing security video from the school, they
believe Adriana was alone when she died. The family first reported the 15-year-old
missing on Saturday. The sheriffs office found her body on Monday.
NEW ELECTION LAWS
In front of the Michigan Committee of Elections, Attorney General Dana Nessel was
part of a presentation that gave an update on upcoming election changes. The
deadline to have them in place is March of 2024. Some of the changes include: access
to drop boxes and in-person early voting, and how to fund the changes. Secretary of
State Jocelyn Benson was also in front of the Committee.
RESTAURANT STABBING-W MI
Police in west Michigan's Wyoming, in the Grand Rapids Metro area, are investigating
after a 34-year-old man was stabbed several times at Brann's Steakhouse and Grille
last night. Police say two people were fighting inside the restaurant when one man
stabbed the other. The victim is in critical condition. Police say a 54-year-old man was
held for questioning.
78 DOGS SEIZED-W MI
78 dogs have been seized from a home in west Michigan's Norton Shores, near
Muskegon. A woman has been charged with animal neglect after police say the dogs
were living in unfit conditions. The dogs were taken to area shelters to be evaluated
and placed temporarily. Many of the dogs need medical treatment.
MI PRIMARY
As leaders in Michigan look to give the state a bigger voice in national politics, the state
house voted to move Michigan's presidential primary to the fourth week of February.
The move was approved by the state senate last week. State Senator Jeremy Moss
says they're serious about putting Michigan at the forefront of presidential politics
because then that puts us at the forefront of setting a national agenda.
House Republicans fought the move , saying it could cost the state party nearly all of its
delegates next year after the Republican National Committee set an early primary
calendar that does not include Michigan.
THREE MEN MISSING-DETROIT
Police say three aspiring rappers who met in prison have been missing for 10 days
after a Detroit gig suddenly was canceled because of an equipment problem.
Commander Michael McGinnis says their disappearance is "very alarming." The men,
who live in Michigan, were identified as Armani Kelly, Montoya Givens and Dante
Wicker. They were scheduled to perform at Lounge 31 in Detroit on Jan. 21, but the
appearance was canceled. Kelly's fiancee said phone calls, text messages and social
media contacts have not been answered since that night.
Police are checking license plate readers and security video to try to solve the mystery.
HUNTINGTON PLACE-DETROIT
A new hotel will be moving into downtown Detroit. The 600-to-800 room hotel will be
part of an expansion planned for Huntington Place, which is also set for renovation.
The Detroit Regional Convention Facility Authority says Sterling Group, headquartered
in Detroit, is the project's developer. Tourism officials say with a number of major
events -- such as the 2027 NCAA Mens Basketball Final Four coming to the city -- the
new hotel is sorely needed. They're hoping to break ground in the spring.
HIGHLAND PARK OFFICER INJURED IN CRASH
A Highland Park police officer is hospitalized following a crash in the Metro Detroit
community . The officer's vehicle was T-boned by another driver while responding to a
call. It happened last (Tuesday) night. There's no word on the officer's condition. The
driver of the other vehicle refused medical attention.
FATAL CRASH -SOUTHERN MI
One person was killed and two injured in a head-on crash in mid southern Michigan's
Baltimore Township, south of Hastings last night. The Barry County Sheriff's Office
says it happened on M-37 when a northbound Volkswagen Jetta hit a southbound
Buick Enclave. A 59-year-old woman driving the Jetta was killed. Two people in the
other car were taken to the hospital. Alcohol is believed to be a factor.
ESCANABA FOR WEAVERS
The Escanaba community has pulled together to support a family after the mother and
father, Tara and Jerry Weaver, were killed in a crash last Friday on their way to their
son's basketball game. W-L-U-C reports Drifter's Family Restaurant will donate all
proceeds to the family from two until 8 tonight. A GoFundMe has been set up for the
Weaver family. The Weavers are survived by three children , two still in high school.
BLACK HISTORY MONTH-WHITMER-GILCHRIST
Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Lieutenent Governor Garlin Gilchrist have recognized
Black History Month with a proclamation honoring the contributions of Black Americans
to the progress of both Michigan and the United States.
Governor Whitmer says quote-"From civil rights activist Sojourner Truth to Motown
legend Aretha Franklin to our own Lieutenant Govenor, Michigan is stronger because
of the bravery and vision of Black Americans. During Black History Month, we are
reminded that its up to all of us to live up to values of equality, justice, and unity that
have served as the bedrock for American progress."
MAN ARRESTED FOR SHOOTING AT COUPLE-N MI
A northern Michigan man is behind bars after allegedly assaulting a couple and then
shooting at them after he'd been drinking. The Osceola County Sheriff's Department
says the man from Rose Lake Township, north of Big Rapids, barricaded himself in a
home , but when deputies went in , he took off. A drone team tracked him and he was
arrested. The couple went to the hospital for their injuries.
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