WATZ Today's Country

Tuesday News Summary 02-14-23
Tue, 14 Feb 2023 12:27:44 EST

(Stories Courtesy of Michigan News Radio)

MSU SHOOTING SUSPECT DEAD
The man suspected of killing three people -- and injuring five others at Michigan State
University night has died. Police say the man apparently shot himself off campus. The
shootings were first reported at Berkey Hall and then nearby at the MSU Union.
Hundreds of officers from mid-Michigan responded to the scene.

SENATE VOTE ON TAX PLAN
Efforts to send Inflation Relief Checks to Michigan taxpayers may get a boost today.
The Michigan Senate is expected to vote on the Governor's spending plan that would
also repeal the state Retirement Tax and increase the Earned Income Tax Credit. At
least six Republicans need to support the bills in order for them to go into effect
immediately. Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks says many parts of the proposal
are from Republican ideas so they should support the legislation.

FORD BATTERY PLANT
Ford officially announced a new battery plant near Marshall Michigan. Production at
the BlueOval Battery Park Michigan is expected to begin in 2026, initially bringing an
estimated 25-hundred new jobs. Ford officials say the plant will be the countrys first
automaker-backed lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery plant. CEO Jim Farley called
Michigan the hands-down favorite to land the new plant.

ELECTIONS
Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson says there should be a number of
changes made to protect voting rights and people who work elections. Benson has
worked with a group called New Deal Forum in Washington D.C. to outline 40
recommendations ahead of the Presidential election next year. Among the ideas is to
increase penalties for threats against election workers, increase transparency by
publicly testing voting machines, enact reforms to allow election officials to count
ballots more quickly, and increase access to voting through no-excuse absentee
voting. The recommendations were made after nine months of meetings between
elected officials and other election experts.

FUGITIVES FOUND
Hundreds of fugitives have been taken off the streets as a part of Operation North Star.
The U.S. Marshals Service says agents have arrested more than 830 violent criminals,
sex offenders and gang members over the past month. One suspect, identified as
Richard Nichols, was arrested in Albion by members of the Detroit Fugitive
Apprehension Team. Nichols was wanted by the Michigan State Police for assault with
intent to murder. Along with the arrests, investigators also seized 181 guns and more
than a quarter-million dollars in cash.

UofM WINTER BREAK
University of Michigan students may have a longer winter break in the future. The
Board of Regents will decide Thursday if they want to extend the break around
Christmas and New Year by another week. If approved, students would start their new
semester January tenth. Administrators pushing the idea say it will help with students'
and professors' mental wellness. If the semester starts a week later, final exams would
take place the first week of May.

2-11 DAY
February 14th is also 2-1-1 Day. They're reminding everyone in Michigan of this free
service that offers access to essential health and human resources... including food,
housing, and paying bills. They call it "Falling in Love with Michigan 2-1-1" Last year
alone, they had more than a half a million calls, which averages about 14-hudnred calls
a day. It's a free service that's also available on-line at M-I-2-1-1-dot-org.

NORTHERN MICH MAN THREATENS PRESIDENT
A man from Northern Michigan pleading guilty today to threatening to kill President Joe
Biden by bombing the White House. 49-year-old Timothy Findlay of Prescott is
accused of issuing the threat April 28th of last year -- the same day the President
asked Congress for $33-billion-dollars to support Ukraine. Findlay faces up to five
years in federal prison when he is sentenced by U.S. District Judge Thomas Ludington.

REACTION TO MSU SHOOTING
Reaction is pouring in on the shootings at Michigan State. Three were killed and five
injured. The gunman took his own life. Governor Gretchen Whitmer, a Michigan
State grad, says this is a uniquely American problem. In a statement , says says too
many of us scan rooms for exits when we enter them. Whitmer says we will mourn the
loss of beautiful souls and pray for those fighting for their lives in the hospital.
State Attorney General Dana Nessel says As a parent, there is no greater fear than
having your child tell you there is an active shooter at their school. She says she
experienced this terror along with thousands of other MSU families last night. She says
while her Spartan sons are safe, she is mourning the devastating loss and senseless
violence.
Former Michigan State basketball star Magic Johnson says he and his wife were
devastated to hear the news and are praying for the victims, their families, students,
faculty, employees and the administration.

FORD CUTS IN EUROPE
Ford says it will cut 38-hundred jobs in Europe over the next three years in an effort to
streamline its operations as it contends with economic headwinds and increasing
competition on electric cars. The automaker said today that more than half of the jobs
will be cut in Germany, while other jobs will be lost in the U.K. elsewhere throughout
Europe. Ford says its strategy to offer an all-electric fleet in Europe by 2035 is
unchanged and that production of its first European-built electric car is due to start later
this year.

OPIOD SETTLEMENT MONEY
Local governments will begin receiving the first opioid payments this week, stemming
from Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessels 81-MILLION dollar settlement with
multiple manufacturers and distributors last year. The money is to be used for the
prevention of opioid use -- and for those struggling with addiction. In total, Michigan will
receive nearly 800-MILLION dollars over the next 18-YEARS.

MISSING GIRL UPDATE-DETROIT
A 3-year-old girl reported missing and endangered by Michigan State Police over the
weekend has been found safe.
ZaNiyah Jones was believed to be with her biological father after he failed to surrender
her to Child Protective Services. Police said the 54-year-old Wardell Jones ignored a
court order instructing him to turn the child over to CPS. MSP now says the girl "is safe
and sound."
They are not saying where she was found or whether the father expected to face any
charges.

GRAND RAPIDS POLICE RECRUITING
Grand Rapids Police are hosting an open house today for those interested in joining
the force. Grand Rapids Police has 10 openings for its sponsored recruit program,
which pays for enrollment in Grand Valley State Universitys police academy in August.
Sponsored recruits also earn wages and benefits during the academy. The application
period for sponsored candidates is open and runs through February 24. The open
house is from 4-6 pm at the Garfield Park Community Gym.

NO LAWMAKER MEETINGS
The shootings at Michigan State University have forced the state legislature to cancel
its hearings and other activities today. Many in the legislature, like many of us, are
awaiting more information about the shootings that left three people dead and five
others wounded. The Senate was expected to vote on the Governor's Inflation Relief
Checks plan today, but that will be re-scheduled.

MSU PARENT
A feeling of helplessness. That's what Michigan State parent Ed Cardenas (Card-enus) says he felt when he heard about the shootings at MSU last night. His son Jake is
a sophomore and was at an off campus gym at the time and they called him. He and
his wife told their son to shelter in place and they also checked on a nephew there.
Both are okay and are coming home today.

NEW FORD GROUP
The Public Works Commissioner in Macomb County is adding another prominent role
to her resume. Candice Miller is the newest appointee to the Air Force advisory panel
and will serve as a member of the "Air and Space Forces Civic Leaders Program". The
longtime advocate of Selfridge Air National Guard Base and the Michigan National
Guard will be able to provide ideas and feedback, while advising various Government
officials and senior leaders how missions can best be accomplished and about public
attitude toward the department of the "Air Force". The former Congresswoman will
officially join the program in March during a meeting in Washington D.C. and will serve
a four-year term.

FOOD TRUCK COURT
Could more food trucks be coming to Grand Rapids. The owner of a pair of food truck
courts in northern Michigan is proposing a similar concept at a vacant grocery store on
the west side of Grand Rapids. Crains Detroit reports the owner of Back Lot food truck
courts in Petoskey and Charlevoix , David Meikle, will go before the Grand Rapids City
Planning Commission next week to seek special land use approval. The proposal also
calls for a restaurant and bar.

MAN THREATENS UTILITY WORKERS-OSCODA COUNTY
In northeast Michigan, state police say a homeowner was arrested after pulling a
handgun on workers installing a fiber optic cable on his property. This happened in
Oscoda County's Big Creek Toiwnship when utility workers were running the cable
across a residential driveway. The man came outside and demanded they leave and
displayed a handgun. State police arrested 49-year-old Michael Thomas, who's been
arraigned on a felonious assault charge.