WATZ Today's Country

Monday News Summary 02-20-23
Mon, 20 Feb 2023 12:16:08 EST

(Stories Courtesy of Michigan News Radio)

MSU STUDENTS RETURN
Michigan State University students and faculty are set to resume classes today, just
one week after the mass shootings on the campus that left three students dead and
five others hospitalized. The East Lansing Police Department will be providing
additional support to the University and have a greater presence on campus.

MICH / MSU BASKETBALL TRIBUTE
A moving moment at Crisler Center as the University of Michigan honors Michigan
State University ahead of their basketball game Saturday night. During the pre-game,
the arena was bathed in green during a moment of silence... and the Wolverine pep
band performed Michigan State's alma mater, "MSU Shadows." Earlier, Michigan fans
cheered as the M-S-U team took to the court. Michigan players also wore warm ups
saying, "Michigan basketball stands with M-S-U." Green light-up wristbands were also
on every seat for the game. The Wolverines took an 84-72 win -- it was the first game
for the Spartan men since a shooting on the campus that killed 3 students and
wounded 5 others.

GUNS AT POLLING PLACES
A ban of firearms at polling places is in the works. Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson
says she's working on a Voting Rights Act for Michigan in conjunction with state
lawmakers. Part of it would ban firearms at polling places, as well as prohibit voter
suppression, expand the number of jurisdictions that must translate election-related
information into languages other than English, enhance and clarify protections for
voters with disabilities or others who need assistance to participate in elections -- and
prohibit intimidation, coercion, and deceptive practices in elections. Benson says it
would ban firearms within 100 feet of polling places and other election venues.

MICH REPUBLICANS PICK PARTY LEADER
The Michigan Republican Party electing its new chair at Saturday's Spring convention.
Kristina Karamo -- who lost her race for Secretary of State during the 2022 election --
has been selected to lead the Michigan G-O-P through the 2024 elections. After
sweeping losses in the state in the 2022 midterms, the state's Republican Party has
been torn by infighting and millions in debt. Karamo is tasked with helping win back
control of the legislature and flipping one of the nation's most competitive Senate seats,
while attempting to help a presidential candidate win the battleground state. The
convention was held this weekend in Lansing.

2 DETROIT COPS DEAD
An investigation is underway after two Detroit police officers were found dead Sunday.
Livonia police were called to a condominium complex to conduct a welfare check. The
officers were found shot to death. There was also an unharmed baby inside the home.
Detroit Police Chief James White says early indications point to a murder-suicide, but
Livonia Police are continuing to investigate. White called it a tragic and sad day.

TEENS ARRESTED IN BATTLE CREEK MURDER
Two teenage boys are in custody in connection with the death of 17-year-old Jack
Snyder in Battle Creek. Police say a 14-year-old was arrested and a 13-year-old boy
turned himself in to police. Battle Creek Police say they found a gun they believe was
used in Snyder's death last week. He was found next to his car early Friday morning.
Emergency personnel tried to save him, but he died at the scene. The two teens were
reportedly seen in Snyder's car before gunshots were heard.

SEVEN YEAR OLD SHOT-DETROIT
An investigation is open after a young boy was shot.
Detroit Police officials say a 7-year-old boy was shot Saturday before midnight. Police
believe someone outside the home fired shots INSIDE the home.. hitting the boy. He
was taken to the hospital and is currently in stable condition.

NESSEL -ABORTION PILL ACCESS
Michigan's Attorney General, Dana Nessel, has joined a pair of coalitions to defend
access to the abortion pill.
Michigan is one of nearly two dozen states to join lawsuits aimed at ensuring access to
"the abortion pill," following legal challenges brought by anti-abortion groups.
Nessel, announcing Sunday that she's joined two coalitions supporting the move to
ensure and expand access.
One of those is focused on defending Food and Drug Administration regulatory
mif-a-PRIS-tone , which has been approved by the
FDA for twenty years.

ESCANABA ELKS LODGE FIRE
There was a fire at the Elks Lodge in Escanaba over the weekend and the fire was put
out quickly. W-L-U-C reports no one was injured. The cause of the fire is believed to
be an issue with the ice machine.

U-M FEVER POLL
Are you giving your kids medicine when they have a fever? A new C.S. Mott Children's
Hospital National Poll on Children's Health says one in three parents may do so too
quickly. Poll co-director Susan Woolford says all medications can have side effects.
Woolford says often parents worry about their child having a fever and want to do all
they can to reduce their temperature. However, she says they may not be aware that in
general the main reason to treat a fever is just to keep their child comfortable.

MSU THERAPY DOGS
As students return to class at Michigan State today after a mass shooting a week ago,
a pack of therapy dogs is headed to Michigan State today to help the students . The
dogs are courtesy of Brighton Area Schools ... and the Bloomfield Township, Livonia
and Northville Township police departments. The dogs will be at the MSU main library
from 10 a.m. until 3:00 this afternoon.

GAS PRICES
Gas prices in Michigan are down slightly from last week. According to Triple-A, drivers
in Michigan are now paying an average of $3.27 per gallon for regular unleaded. That's
four cents less than last week.
The highest gas prices are in Metro Detroit at $3.35 a gallon ... and in Ann Arbor and
Marquette at $3.32 a gallon. The lowest price is in Grand Rapids at $3.09 a gallon.

PERSON EJECTED FROM CAR IN CRASH-DETROIT
Police reminding drivers to drive safe on Michigan roads after someone was ejected
from a car Sunday morning.
Michigan State Police troopers responded to a roll over crash on the Lodge in Detroit
just before noon. Officials say the driver was reported to be driving recklessly before
losing control and overturning.The driver was wearing a seatbelt, but two passengers
were not. One passenger in her 20s was ejected. All three were injured.

UNIVERSITY RESEARCH DOLLARS
Many Michigan universities are spending millions on research, but the University of
Michigan spent one-point-64 Billion in 2021 to rand third in the country in research and
development spending. The National Center of Science and Engineering Statistics
says Michigan State spend $710 million to rank in the top 50. Other Michigan
universities making the list-Wayne State, Michigan Tech, Western Michigan University,
Central Michigan University, Oakland University, U-M Dearborn, Eastern , Grand Valley
and Detroit Mercy.

DETROIT YOUTH CHOIR-AGT
The Detroit Youth Choir returns to the national stage tonight to compete in Americas
Got Talent All Stars finals.
D-Y-C advanced to the finals after becoming the first choir in A-G-T history to receive a
second golden buzzer. The youth choir will compete against 10 other finalists hoping
to be named the best of the best. But no matter the outcome, on March 19th, the choir
will headline it's first ever concert at Orchestra Hall.