POLICE SHOOTING-MICHIGAN

Prosecutor talking to experts in killing of Patrick Lyoya

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) — A prosecutor says he will only decide whether to charge a white Michigan police officer in last month’s fatal shooting of Patrick Lyoya, a Black man, after he finishes discussing it with experts. Kent County prosecutor Chris Becker acknowledged in a statement Wednesday that the “investigation appears to be moving painstakingly slowly,” six weeks after Grand Rapids Officer Christopher Schurr shot Lyoya in the back of the head during a struggle. However, he says it's “imperative” that he reviews all the facts and evidence before making a charging decision. Schurr killed Lyoya on April 4 during a physical struggle. Video shows he demanded that Lyoya let go of his police Taser before he shot him.

AP-US-BABY-FORMULA-SHORTAGE-BREASTFEEDING

Moms seeking formula tire of those who say, just breastfeed

Some U.S. moms looking for baby formula that is in short supply are dealing with another layer of stress — people asking why they don't just breastfeed. Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended for the first six months of life by major medical entities like the World Health Organization. But it doesn’t work for everyone. Health issues, work schedules and life stress can all make breastfeeding difficult or impossible. Even bigger barriers exist for women working low-paying jobs, where there may not be time allowed to pump, and in underserved areas with little support.

EXCHANGE STUDENT-UKRAINE

CMU accepts Ukrainian exchange student who is staying in US

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. (AP) — A high school student from Ukraine who won’t return home because of war will stay in Michigan and start college. Mariia Smahliuk accepted an offer from Central Michigan University. The exchange student already is in Mount Pleasant attending the local high school. Smahliuk lives with Liz Busch, a Mt. Pleasant city commissioner, who helped her make contact with CMU. Smahliuk is collecting money for medical supplies and inviting people to visit a Mount Pleasant store, For Art’s Sake, next Tuesday to write letters to Ukrainian soldiers. Members First Credit Union is accepting contributions to support Smahliuk at CMU.

AP-US-ABORTION-MICHIGAN

Judge suspends Michigan's dormant 1931 abortion ban

DETROIT (AP) — A judge has suspended Michigan’s dormant ban on abortion, saying it likely violates the state constitution. The law makes it a crime to assist in an abortion. It has been on the books since 1931. But it has had no practical effect since the U.S. Supreme Court legalized abortion in 1973. The Supreme Court could overturn that decision by summer, leaving abortion issues to each state. Judge Elizabeth Gleicher granted a preliminary injunction sought by Planned Parenthood of Michigan. The judge says there's “no doubt” that a right to “bodily integrity” in Michigan includes a right to end a pregnancy.

WHITE SUPREMACISTS-MICHIGAN

White supremacist group member is 4th convicted in Michigan

CARO, Mich. (AP) — A young Michigan man accused of being in a white supremacist group has pleaded no contest to conspiracy and other crimes. Those acts included assessing whether vacant state properties could be used for paramilitary training. Four members of a group called The Base have been convicted in Tuscola or Washtenaw counties since charges were filed in 2020. The Base is a group that has pushed a fringe philosophy advocating mass violence to hasten society’s collapse. Tristan Webb pleaded no contest Monday to gang membership, conspiracy to train for civil disorder and a gun charge. Investigators said he and two others entered vacant Corrections Department properties in Caro to assess whether they could be used as “hate camps.”

MICHIGAN WILDFIRE

DNR: Northern Michigan wildfire is now 98 percent contained

ONAWAY, Mich. (AP) — State officials say a wildfire in a heavily forested area of northern Michigan is now 98% contained and all road closures in the area have been lifted. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources said Tuesday that a stretch of the Black River that was previously closed has also reopened. But the agency said people venturing into the wildfire area in Montmorency and Cheboygan counties “are urged to be cautious.” Last weekend, the fire prompted the evacuation of 13 people from a hunting and fishing camp near the town of Onaway. The 2,500-acre fire began May 11 with a lightning strike.

AP-KILLER POLLUTION

Global pollution kills 9 million people a year, study finds

A new study says pollution of all types is killing 9 million people a year. About three quarters of that is air pollution. Tuesday’s study says overall pollution deaths haven’t changed much from 2015 to 2019. But that’s because household old-fashioned pollution from primitive stoves and waste-filled water pollution is down. Air pollution deaths from cars, trucks and industry is up 55% from 2000. Scientists say pollution deaths are increasing especially in poorer nations. While pollution deaths are dropping in the United States, dirty air, water, lead and pollution at work still kills 140,000 Americans a year, more than in any other industrialized nation.

AP-US-MED-BABY-FORMULA-FACTORY-EXPLAINER

EXPLAINER: What we know about shuttered baby formula plant

WASHINGTON (AP) — Many questions remain about the shuttered Abbott baby formula plant at the center of a nationwide shortage. Although U.S. officials have a deal with Abbott to restart production, it’s not yet clear how soon the site will be up and running. Even bigger questions remain unanswered, including what caused the contamination. The Food and Drug Administration also faces scrutiny over whether it could have alleviated the current shortage by stepping in sooner. The FDA hasn’t released a final ruling on the problems at the plant or an accounting of the steps it took ahead of the shutdown.

News from © The Associated Press, 2022