WATZ Today's Country

Friday News Summary 08-26-22
Fri, 26 Aug 2022 08:35:09 EDT

(Stories Courtesy of Michigan News Radio)

ABORTION BALLOT
The ballot initiative that would put abortion protections in Michigan's constitution has gotten the green light from the state Bureau of Elections. This -- just ahead of next week's meeting of the Board of State Canvassers, which will decide if the issue will be put on the ballot and in front of voters to decide in November. Opponents of the ballot proposal say there was an issue with the spacing of the words in the language of the initiative, but the Bureau of Elections says "Michigan Election Law is silent on the amount of space that must be between letters and words in a petition."

NO FAULT
The Michigan appeals court has issued a major ruling on the 2019 auto insurance reform law. The court says changes in the law can't be applied retro-actively to people who were severely injured before the law took effect. It's a victory for people who are still recovering. For decades, people injured in crashes were entitled to payment for "all reasonable charges" related to care and rehabilitation. But, the new law sets a fee schedule and a cap on reimbursements not covered by Medicare.

BOIL WATER REPAIR PIPE
A ten-foot piece of pipeline needed to repair a major water line near Port Huron arrived on Thursday, but the remaining pipeline isn't expected until the weekend. The Great Lakes Water Authority said the pipe now on site is 16-feet long. A 32-feet pipe is also needed to complete repairs on the distribution line that ruptured nearly two weeks ago. It's unclear how long it will take workers to install the new pipe. The water line break forced a boil water advisory for nearly one million customers when it first happened August 13th.

RAPPER CHARGED
A rapper in Flint has been charged for hiring a man to murder a woman from Sterling Heights for 10-THOUSAND-dollars. 31-year-old Clifton Terry III, who's Rapper name is Cliff Mac, hired 25-year-old Andre Sims to do the job. All caught on the woman's security cameras, Sims parked across the street from the woman's home for several hours until she came outside, and fired at least 7 shots at her. Shortly after, Terry picked Sims up from the apartment complex, and paid Sims $2,500 for the failed hit. Despite being shot multiple times, she did survive. Terry faces a maximum of twenty years in prison for the murder-to-hire plot, while Sims was sentenced to life in prison following his murder conviction in Kent County for the shooting death of a 65-year-old woman.

DPD DOUBLE TIME
Calling it an effort to take-on gun violence... Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan has authorized double-time in the police department. Duggan's office says the department has deployed nearly 300 additional officers on weekends throughout the remainder of the summer. They'll focus on parks, block parties, festivals, sporting events and more.

OK2SAY
Kids are getting ready to head back to school -- some have already started -- and the Michigan State Police are encouraging students to download the OK-2-SAY app. A confidential way for students to report tips on harmful actions directed at classmates, staff or school buildings. The app can be used to report things heard on social media, harassment and even anxiety and depression.

MISSING WOMAN
Michigan State Police have posted an endangered missing advisory for a mid-Michigan woman who may be in the Detroit area. Police say 20-year old Mary-Jeanne Herzog left the Bridgeport area-near Frankenmuth more than two weeks ago. She was believed to be in Metro Detroit last week, but hasn't been seen since. Herzog is white, stands five-feet five-inches tall and weighs 170 pounds. Anyone who may have seen her should call 911 or Bridgeport Township police.

ABORTION BALLOT
The Michigan Bureau of Elections has recommended approval of a ballot initiative that would amend the state constitution to make abortions legal. The Bureau of Election determined that nearly 600-thousand of the campaign's petition signatures that were turned in last month were valid. Opponents have challenged the petition language saying several words ran together making the proposal difficult to read. A final determination on whether the proposed amendment makes the November ballot is expected to come during a state Board of Canvassers meeting next Wednesday.

UNION CHIPOTLE
Workers at a Chipotle Restaurant in Lansing have voted to unionize -- becoming the first Chipotle location in the country to do so. Employees, voting 11 to 3 in support of joining the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (I-B-T). A Chipotle spokesman says the company respects its employees rights under the National Labor Relations Act. Workers at a Chipotle in Maine, the first to seek unionization -- but efforts halted when the location closed.

BEST WORKPLACES
Where's the best place to work in Michigan? A new survey by Forbes ranking employee satisfaction says tops on the list is the University of Michigan, headquartered in Ann Arbor, with nearly 30 thousand employees. Coming at number two is Blue Cross-Blue Shield of Michigan, which has just over 81 hundred workers. Number three on the list is auto supplier Flex-N-Gate, followed by JP Morgan Chase at number four, and the U.S. Department of Defense was ranked number 5.

DOGGIE DOUGHNUTS
You can celebrate National Dog Day with "Doggie Doughnuts" from Krispy Kreme. The limited-time baked treats for dogs of all ages and sizes will be available today, Friday Aug. 26th, at participating shops while supplies last. The new dog-friendly invention consists of nutty-based baked dog biscuits made with all-natural ingredients and inspired by classic Krispy Kreme doughnut flavors.

APPEALS INSURANCE LAW
A major ruling from the State Court of Appeals affecting people who suffered long term injuries in car crashes. The court says changes in auto insurance law can't be applied retroactively to people who were severely injured before summer 2019. It's a victory for people who are still recovering and their care providers. The new law had drastic consequences for people needing long-term care for crashes before June 11, 2019, and the providers of those services.

EMU MOVE IN
Faculty members at Eastern Michigan University are staging an informational picket today -- WHILE the students are moving in. The picket is about stalled negotiations for a new contract, which covers over 5- HUNDRED faculty members. The current contract is set to expire at midnight on August 31st -- two days after classes are scheduled to begin. Organizers say the administration has not responded to proposals and there has been no progress in negotiations. Receiving a new contract settlement by August 31st is said to be highly unlikely.

ABORTION RULING
The Michigan Bureau of Elections has recommended approval of a ballot initiative that would amend the state constitution to make abortions legal. The Bureau of Election determined that nearly 600-thousand of the campaign's petition signatures that were turned in last month were valid. Opponents have challenged the petition language saying several words ran together making the proposal difficult to read. A final determination on whether the proposed amendment makes the November ballot ... is expected to come during a state Board of Canvassers meeting next Wednesday.

UNITED WAY
The United Way for Southeastern Michigan is launching its community volunteer and giving campaign .. as it works to provide essential support and services to families across metro Detroit. It's a big goal this year -- United Way, looking to raise 40 MILLION dollars in donations .. and log 40-THOUSAND hours of volunteer time. The campaign runs through October 2023.

GOP CONVENTION
Republicans will gather in Lansing this weekend for their convention -- and delegates will nominate candidates who will be on the November ballot. While gubernatorial candidate Tudor Dixon has selected former State Representative Shane Hernandez as her running mate -- former candidate Ralph Rebandt from Oakland County will also run for the Lieutenant Governor seat. Nominations for Attorney General, Secretary of State, Supreme Court and University boards will also be finalized this weekend. The election is November 8th.