Thursday News Summary 08-25-22
Thu, 25 Aug 2022 08:06:27 EDT


(Stories Courtesy of Michigan News Radio)


FOOD ASSISTANCE
Governor Gretchen Whitmer has announced all Michigan families who are eligible for food assistance benefits will continue to receive at least an additional $95 monthly payment in August to help lower the cost of groceries and ensure Michiganders can keep more of their hard-earned money. The additional assistance will help more than 1.3 million Michiganders in more than 700,000 households.? In April 2020, some Michigan residents began receiving additional food assistance under this program. In May 2021, all eligible households began getting extra monthly benefits. Federal approval is necessary every month. Eligible clients who receive food assistance received the additional benefits on their Bridge Card by August 22. These benefits are loaded onto Bridge Cards as a separate payment from the assistance provided earlier in the month.

NEW KELLOGG CEO
Kellogg Company has announced several key appointments to the future leadership team of North America Cereal Co., including Gary Pilnick to serve as Chief Executive Officer. As announced in June 2022, Kellogg Company plans to separate three of its businesses Global Snacking Co., North America Cereal Co., and Plant Co. to enable each business to unlock its full standalone potential. The Company will continue to provide updates on the separation of Kellogg into three independent companies.

COVID DRUG ALLEGATIONS
A Henry Ford Hospital doctor is under fire over allegations that he worked with the White House in 2020 to try to pressure the FDA to approve a controversial COVID treatment. Henry Ford did a study on hydroxychloroquine, concluding that it helped COVID patients. But Dr Anthony Fauci said the study was flawed - since the patients were also given steroids. Documents released by a U.S. Subcommittee on the Coronavirus show that Dr William O'Neill continued to prescribe the drug to patients after the FDA revoked its use over heart concerns. O'Neill wanted to change the position so he could continue to prescribe the drug.

HOSPITAL LOCKDOWN
A hospital in west Michigan was on lockdown for about four hours Wednesday morning after a shooting victim came in for treatment. The Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety said the 25-year old man who was shot went to Bronson Hospital and the protocol is to lock down the facility to control access. The investigation led to the arrest of a woman who was driving a car that had two loaded guns and a taser inside. Police also say the 25-year old who was shot will face charges.

SHERIFF CHARGES
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has announced charges against an Ogemaw
County Sheriffs deputy after he allegedly used excessive force against an autistic adult at an assisted living home. According to the Attorney Generals Office, Ogemaw County Sheriffs Deputy Matthew Viviano allegedly used excessive force against an autistic adult resident of the Premier Care Assisted Living Home in Alger in September 2021. The victim was alleged to have assaulted one of the care takers and was reported to be out of control.
Ogemaw Sheriffs Deputy Michael ODell and MSP troopers responded to the scene. Law enforcement present at the facility described the victim as not able to effectively communicate and showing signs of emotional distress. They reported that his movements did not appear assaultive or threatening.

SCHOOL LOAN FORGIVENESS
President Joe Biden has announced his long-awaited plan to deliver on his campaign promise to provide $10,000 in student debt cancellation for millions of Americans - and up to $10,000 more for those with the greatest financial need. The president announced in a tweet that borrowers who earn less than $125,000 a year, or families earning less than $250,000, would be eligible for the $10,000 loan forgiveness. For recipients of Pell Grants, which are reserved for undergraduates with the most significant financial need, the federal government would cancel up to an additional $10,000 in federal loan debt. President Biden is also extending a pause on federal student loan payments through the end of 2022.

DEBATES DEBATE
Two debates have been set between Michigan's gubernatorial candidates, but only one has said yes. One debate is to be held October 13 in Grand Rapids, the other in Detroit on October 25. The governor has agreed to the debates, but even though the Governor's opponent, Tudor Dixon, says she is looking forward to debating, she insists that the debates must start before voting begins, not after. The Whitmer campaign states decisions were made consistent with past precedent for Michigan gubernatorial elections. The debates, as scheduled, will be televised statewide.

SCHOOL TOUR
Governor Gretchen Whitmer kicked off a back to school tour in Novi Wednesday with students, parents, teachers, and leaders in education. Whitmer's office says this years focus is on getting students back on track, improving mental health support, and ensuring schools are fully staffed as they start the new school year. Earlier this summer, the governor and lawmakers worked out a bipartisan education budget that delivers the highest state per-student investment in Michigan history.

CHERRY CAPITAL AIRPORT
Cherry Capital Airport is seeing higher numbers in its 2022 report, in spite of airlines
cutting flights. Each month, the Northwest Regional Airport Authority compares its annual numbers to the previous year. Although the airline industry is finding it difficult to get back to its pre-COVID numbers with employees, Cherry Capital Airport looks back on track. The authority also discussed adding 400 parking spaces to the long-term lot.

ABORTION
The Michigan Court of Appeals has rejected a request by state lawmakers to appeal an order that suspends a ban on abortion. In May a judge said a 1931 law making it a crime to perform abortions likely violates the state constitution. State House and Senate leaders were seeking to challenge an injunction issued by the Court of Claims judge. At this time, abortions are still legal in Michigan as a result of two rulings by separate judges. Legal experts say a decision about the abortion law will likely end up before the Michigan Supreme Court.

BARRY COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS
Barry County Central Dispatch and Emergency Management will soon receive state funding to build an additional emergency communications tower. The $3 million project is included in the new state budget for the fiscal year that begins October 1. Barry Countys 800-megahertz public safety radio system was implemented in the early 2000s. Because the number of users has increased substantially over the last 21 years, the system is now overloaded, putting it at risk. Additional tower sites will increase the systems capacity, improve coverage, and support the sharing of additional information and data to better meet the needs of police, firefighters, emergency medical responders and the Barry County families they serve.

DEER IN STORE
Jackson County Sheriff's deputies turned wranglers when a deer got into a Dollar General Store in Jackson. A shopper captured the scene at the store on Prospect Street as the deer trotted down the aisles - skittering away from deputies and the Jackson County Animal Control. Eventually, they were able to usher the deer from the building. Apparently the deer couldn't resist trying to pick up a few things - because some are only a buck.

HUTCH RETIRES
It's the end of an era at Michigan, as longtime softball head coach Carol Hutchins has officially announced her retirement today after 38 years in that role. The 65-year old Hutchins won 1,707 games during her tenure with the Wolverines, which is the most victories for a head coach in NCAA softball history. Assistant coach Bonnie Tholl - who's been with the Michigan program for 29 years - has been named as the new head coach.

Scientists from Michigan Technological University report the gray wolf population on Isle Royal in the Upper Peninsula is now twenty-eight after falling to just two a few years ago. M-T-U scientist Sarah Hoy says at least five litters of pups have been born since replacement wolves came to the island from the mainland. Health problems stemming from in-breeding leading to a steady-die off of the canines over the years. The moose numbers are headed in the opposite direction, the report showing a twenty- eight percent decline in the past couple years, but at more than 1300, which is above the long term average.

The new school year starts today in the Oxford School District with several new securities features in place. Students will have to use clear backpacks while school administrators have new technology to monitor online activity on school-provided accounts. New new policies and procedures were put into place after four students were killed and seven others were injured during a shooting at Oxford High School. The suspect is in jail awaiting trial.

Tests show a mysterious illness that has killed dozens of dogs in northern Michigan is canine parvovirus. The Michigan Agriculture Department and Michigan State University Veterinary lab announced the results of testing yesterday. The young dogs that died were not vaccinated. The state Veterinarian says there is a highly effective vaccine available to help protect dogs from the virus.

The TWO men convicted this week of plotting to kidnap Gov. Gretchen Whitmer will be sentenced December 12th. Adam Fox and Barry Croft, of Delaware face up to life in prison after a jury Tuesday found them guilty of a conspiracy to kidnap the governor because they were upset over her COVID-19 policies in 2020. Defense attorneys are expected to appeal the verdicts. Meantime, the U.S. Attorneys Office in west Michigan has filed a request to reduce Ty Garbins sentence because of his testimony in the re- trial. Garbin pleaded guilty to a conspiracy charge last year and was sentenced to just over six years in prison. The feds say Garbin faces a risk from inmates who support Croft and Fox.

Authorities in Kalamazoo says it's not your typical suspect. Well, its not even a suspect at all. Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety officers were on patrol Tuesday night when a sergeant spotted an alligator crossing the street. Video posted on Facebook shows the officers surrounding the gator near a tree, and one officer finally talks the others into letting her pick it up. Officials have not said where the alligator came from or whether it was somebodys pet.

The student facing trial in the Oxford High School shooting is due to appear before a judge this morning. Today is the day for a monthly check in with the Oakland County judge overseeing the case along with prosecutors and defense attorneys for Ethan Crumbley. He's facing murder and terrorism charges related to the deaths of four classmates. Seven others were wounded.

An Oakland County man is facing the possibility of up to 20 years in prison after he allegedly called in several bomb threats to his own home. Authorities say the Holly man tried to pin the blame on someone he had problems with in his neighborhood. State Police troopers had to evacuate the neighborhood during one of the phony calls. Police say Robert Nelson Junior eventually confessed. He was arraigned this week on charges of making a false threat of terrorism and is due back in court in September. Nelson is free on $10-thousand bond.

The High School Football season begins today across the state. While many teams will play at their home fields there are six games scheduled over the next two days at Michigan Stadium. Games this afternoon pit Dewitt against Haslett, Clarkston plays Davison and Brighton plays Dearborn Fordson. Port Huron, Lapeer and Ann Arbor Pioneer are among the teams playing tomorrow.

State and federal environmental agencies are dealing with another chemical spill in Metro Detroit. The U.S. The Environmental Protection Agency and Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy are working to clean up red-dye diesel that leaked from an underground storage tank near the closed Riverside Osteopathic Hospital in Trenton. The fuel went into a storm drain system that leads into the Detroit River. Crews have been working to remove the diesel from the water and clean-up the area. This is the third chemical release into local waterways in the past month. The other leaks were in Wixom and Wayne.

More beagle puppies saved from a life of testing are making their way to Michigan. The Humane Society of Huron Valley in Ann Arbor will soon put them up for adoption after the dogs were rescued from a research facility in Virginia where they were being bread and sold for animal testing. Some of the beagles are male and less than a year old. The Humane Society says they are unsocialized and will need a lot of patience. The beagles should be ready for adoption by tomorrow.


   

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