MISSING TEEN-LANDFILL

Landfill to be searched for body of Detroit-area teenager

LENOX TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) — Authorities say they’ll search a suburban Detroit landfill for the body of a teenager who was killed earlier this year and likely placed in a Dumpster. Zion Foster, a 17-year-old from Eastpointe, was last seen on Jan. 4. Investigators believe Zion is dead and that her body was put in a Dumpster, whose contents eventually were dumped at a landfill in Lenox Township. The landfill search won’t start until May 31. Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel says police owe it to Zion's family to find the body and determine what happened to her. Zion’s cousin is in prison for lying to police during the investigation. He is a suspect in her disappearance.

ELECTION 2022-MICHIGAN GOVERNOR

Republican candidates, minus Craig, to meet for 1st debate

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Many Republicans running for Michigan governor, minus one big-name candidate, will meet in their first debate. Eight of 10 candidates will participate in Thursday night's event organized and moderated by the Livingston County Republican Party and MIRS, a Lansing-based news outlet. One of the leading contenders, former Detroit Police Chief James Craig, will be absent due to a prior speaking commitment, according to his campaign. MIRS says Craig committed to the debate before pulling out. Another debate is planned for June 2 on Mackinac Island. The winner of the August primary will advance to challenge Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

SUBMERGED TRUCK-BODY

Dead person found in truck submerged in St. Clair River

PORT HURON, Mich. (AP) — Police say a dead male has been found inside a pickup truck submerged in the St. Clair River in Port Huron. The Port Huron Police Department says a U.S. Customs and Border Protection aircraft noticed the vehicle in the river about 10:30 a.m. Thursday. Investigators say the vehicle might have entered the river several days ago. The identity of the dead person hasn't been released.

UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN-PRESIDENT

U-M gets apology from ex-president, gives him job, cash

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — A former president at the University of Michigan who was fired over a relationship with a subordinate has apologized to the school’s governing board. It's part of a settlement between the university and Mark Schlissel. The deal guarantees him a faculty job, retiree health insurance and other benefits, according to The Detroit News. But it first starts with a one-year leave and $463,000. The Board of Regents fired Schlissel in January, saying his interactions with a female employee were “inconsistent with promoting the dignity and reputation of the University of Michigan.” Schlissel acknowledged “poor judgment” in an April letter to the board. He says the relationship was consensual and never physical.

STATE POLICE-DEATH BENEFIT

Voluntary program aiding families of deceased troopers ends

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — The state of Michigan has ended a voluntary program that provided cash payments to families of deceased troopers. An official says participation has declined due to the availability of life insurance and changes in retirement benefits. The program began in 1936 and worked this way: Troopers, active or retired, would pay $2 to $5 after an officer’s death. WOOD-TV says families would get $10,000 to $17,000 depending on the health of the fund. Amanda Baker, a state police budget official, says the department had no authority from the Legislature to administer the program and couldn’t find an outside group to take charge. Anyone with a balance in the fund because of advance payments is getting a refund.

FLINT OFFICER'S DEATH-CHARGES

Boy, 16, charged in February crash that killed Flint officer

FLINT, Mich. (AP) — A 16-year-old boy has been charged in a February crash that killed a Flint police captain after the youth allegedly lost control of an SUV while speeding as he tried to pass other vehicles. A petition filed by Genesee County's prosecutor requests the Montrose teen be designated as an adult for trial on felony counts of manslaughter with a motor vehicle and reckless driving causing death. The charges stem from a Feb. 4 crash that killed Flint Police Capt. Collin Birnie while he was on duty. Authorities said the teen's SUV struck the officer's vehicle as the youth was speeding and trying to pass vehicles in poor road conditions.

AP-US-HYUNDAI-GEORGIA

Sources: Hyundai to set $7B US plant during Biden Asia visit

ATLANTA (AP) — A U.S. official familiar with the project says South Korean automaker Hyundai Motor Group is expected to announce its plans next week to build a massive electric vehicle plant near Savannah, Georgia. Hyundai is finalizing the anticipated announcement as Joe Biden is set to travel to South Korea next week for the first Asia visit of his presidency. Georgia sources say Hyundai will invest more than $7 billion and hire as many as 8,500 employees. The sources spoke anonymously, citing a lack of authorization to comment. The announcement would come days before Georgia's primary election with incumbent Republican Gov. Brian Kemp trying to fend off a challenge from ex-U.S. Sen. David Perdue.

BIDEN-BABY FORMULA SHORTAGE

Parents swap, sell baby formula as Biden focuses on shortage

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is stepping up his administration’s response to a nationwide baby formula shortage that has forced frenzied parents into online groups to swap and sell to each other to keep their babies fed. The White House says Biden spoke Thursday with executives from manufacturers Reckitt and Gerber about how they could increase production and how his administration could help. And he talked with leaders from Walmart and Target about how to restock shelves. The shortage stems from supply chain disruptions and a safety recall. Retailers are limiting what customers can buy, and doctors are urging parents to contact food banks, physicians' offices as well as warning against watered-down formula or making DIY recipes.

TEEN KILLED

Teen girl found shot to death in car in Detroit alley

DETROIT (AP) — Police say a teenager was found shot to death inside a car in a Detroit alley. Police Commander Michael McGinnis says the teen is a female, maybe 16 years old and about 150 pounds. Residents in the area reported hearing gunshots Tuesday night. Police in Berkley said the victim might be a teen who has been missing for three weeks.

AVIAN FLU-MICHIGAN BIRD SHOWS

Amid avian flu, Michigan bans bird shows at fairs, exhibits

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan officials have temporarily banned all poultry and waterfowl exhibitions amid the avian flu outbreak that’s spreading quickly across the U.S. and has prompted farms to euthanize millions of birds. Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development State Veterinarian Dr. Nora Wineland and Director Gary McDowell announced the ban Tuesday. They said it would last until Michigan goes 30 days without a case of the avian flu. In 2015, avian flu prompted a similar ban on Michigan poultry shows. Data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture shows the highly pathogenic avian influenza has infected more than 37 million birds in 34 states this year.

News from © The Associated Press, 2022