AP-US-2020-CENSUS-DETROIT

Report: 2020 census may have missed thousands in Detroit

Researchers hired by the city say the Census Bureau undercounted more than 8% of the occupied homes in 10 Detroit neighborhoods during the 2020 census. They said Thursday that if that oversight rate is applied citywide, it could mean that tens of thousands of Motor City residents were missed. Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan says Detroit will file a lawsuit over the census results if they aren’t changed during an appeals process. The 2020 census showed Detroit with 639,000 residents, while estimates from 2019 put the city’s population at 670,000 residents. University of Michigan researcher Jeffrey Morenoff says such a big drop is implausible. The statistical agency says it's working on a response to the city’s allegations.

SEVERE WEATHER-MICHIGAN

Wild winds cut power, rip school roof; dozens of cows dead

SAND LAKE, Mich. (AP) — Fierce winds have knocked out power for more than 150,000 customers in Michigan. A school in Muskegon County lost its roof, and dozens of cows died at a dairy farm Thursday. Tim Butler was emotional as he described how his workers survived after a power pole landed on the milking barn in Newaygo County. Butler says “it's a miracle” that his workers escaped. Wind gusts exceeded 60 mph in western and northern Michigan. The roof at Edgewood Elementary School was shredded, though no students were present at the time. Consumers Energy is reporting power outages across its western and northern service territory. High schools in the Upper Peninsula canceled some basketball games as rain turned to blowing snow.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-DETROIT SCHOOLS

Detroit Public Schools requiring staff vaccines by Feb. 18

DETROIT (AP) — All teachers and staff members in the Detroit Public Schools Community District must be fully vaccinated by Feb. 18. The district’s school board approved the new mandate Thursday. District officials say the new mandate will affect a small percentage of staff who haven’t been vaccinated. Staff members can get medical and religious exemptions, but they must regularly test and wear a face covering. During a Dec. 14 meeting when the school board first considered the new policy, Superintendent Nikolai Vitti said 150 positive cases in unvaccinated people forced 483 students and 99 staff members to quarantine this school year.

SCHOOLS-VIOLENCE THREATS

Schools step up security in response to threats on TikTok

Educators have announced plans to increase security in response to TikTok posts warning of shooting and bomb threats at schools around the country Friday as officials assured parents the viral posts were not considered credible. The posts circulating online warned that multiple schools would receive shooting and bomb threats. The threats had many educators on edge, as they circulated in the aftermath of a deadly school shooting in Michigan, which has been followed by copycat threats to schools around the country. TikTok said it was working with law enforcement to investigate. The posts follow a disturbing trend that has had students acting out in response to social media challenges.

AP-US-HAZARDOUS-PIPELINES

US requires higher safety standards for more pipelines

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) — A new federal regulation requires higher safety standards for pipelines carrying oil and other hazardous liquids through sensitive areas. The U.S. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration issued the rule Thursday. It designates the Great Lakes region, marine coastal waters and beaches as “high consequence" zones that spills could severely damage. Operators must include those areas in programs that monitor pipeline integrity. The agency estimates that 2,905 additional miles (4,675 kilometers) of hazardous liquid pipelines will be covered, primarily along the Gulf of Mexico.

AP-US-NATIONAL-POPULAR-VOTE-MICHIGAN

Michigan group delays bid to elect national popular winner

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — A group has dropped plans to circulate petitions for a 2022 ballot drive to award Michigan’s electoral votes to the presidential candidate who wins the national popular vote if enough other states join the pact. Organizers will instead target the 2024 ballot. The initiative, which was launched in September, has drawn criticism from Republican lawmakers and the state GOP. The movement would be successful when member states account for at least 270 electoral votes — the minimum threshold to secure the presidency. The number now stands at 195. Twice this century, the loser of the popular vote has become president.

ELECTION 2020-MICHIGAN GOVERNOR

Pro-Whitmer group launches ads to tout $400 insurance refund

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — A Democratic group allied with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is launching ads over the bowl season to tout pending $400-per-vehicle insurance refunds for Michigan drivers. The foray is Democrats’ first onto TV in the governor’s race, 11 months before she's up for reelection in what could be a tough midterm climate. Whitmer, who signed a law to lower auto insurance rates, is featured in the ad backed by an affiliate of the Democratic Governors Association. Whitmer says people can agree to root for Utah to beat Ohio State and that they deserve a break after “years of overpaying for auto insurance.”

AP-CB-HAITI-US-HOSTAGES

All from US missionary group freed in Haiti, police say

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — The remaining members of a U.S.-based missionary group who were kidnapped two months ago have been freed. That's according to the group and to Haitian police. The spokesman for Haiti’s National Police confirmed to The Associated Press on Thursday that the remaining hostages had been released, but did not immediately provide additional details. Ohio-based Christian Aid Ministries issued a statement saying that the 12 remaining hostages "are FREE!” The missionaries were kidnapped by the 400 Mawozo gang on Oct. 16. There are five children in the group of 16 U.S. citizens and one Canadian, including an 8-month-old. Their Haitian driver also was abducted.

PILOTLESS PLANE-BONES FOUND

Bones ID'ed as those of U of M student whose plane crashed

SAGINAW, Mich. (AP) — Authorities say human bones found in central Michigan are those of a pilot who apparently leapt from his plane in mid-flight. The Saginaw County Sheriff’s Office confirmed Thursday that the bones discovered Sept. 9, 2018, in Chapin Township have been positively identified as those of 27-year-old Xin Rong. Rong was a University of Michigan doctoral student who disappeared while flying a rented Cessna in March 2017. The plane had left Ann Arbor and was bound for northern Michigan. The plane apparently ran out of fuel and crashed in a wooded area near Marathon, Ontario, north of the Upper Peninsula.

STATE EMPLOYEES-PAY

State workers will get 5% raise; Juneteenth is paid holiday

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Employees who work for the state government will get 5% raises next October under new labor contracts. The Michigan Civil Service Commission approved the three-year collective bargaining agreements this week. Nonunionized workers will also receive the 5% pay increase. In October 2023, unionized employees will see a 2% raise. The state and unions will negotiate 2024 wages later. The panel also OK’d making Juneteenth a paid holiday and allowing eight hours of paid leave for workers to attend a funeral of a parent, spouse, sibling or child.

News from © The Associated Press, 2021