SCHOOL SHOOTING-MICHIGAN

Michigan teen charged in Oxford High School shooting

OXFORD TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) — A 15-year-old boy has been charged with murder and terrorism for a shooting that killed four fellow students and injured others at a Michigan high school. Authorities on Wednesday revealed that his parents were summoned just a few hours before the bloodshed. No motive was offered by Oakland County authorities, a day after violence at Oxford High School. But sheriff’s Lt. Tim Willis told a judge that Ethan Crumbley recorded a video the night before the violence in which he discussed killing students. Crumbley is charged as an adult with murder, attempted murder, terrorism causing death and gun crimes. A judge ordered him held without bond and transferred to jail from a juvenile facility.

SCHOOL SHOOTING-MICHIGAN-EXPLAINER-TERRORISM

EXPLAINER: Why was Michigan suspect charged with terrorism?

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan prosecutors are charging a teen with terrorism in a deadly mass shooting at his high school, a novel approach made possible by a law enacted after the 9/11 attacks nearly 20 years ago. The state’s 2002 anti-terrorism law defines a terroristic act as one intended to intimidate or coerce a civilian population or to affect the conduct of a government through intimidation or coercion. Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald says it's not a typical charge, but says those who were shot aren't the only victims and thousands of kids were terrorized. Ethan Crumbley also was charged with first-degree murder and other crimes in the attack at Oxford High School. He has pleaded not guilty.

AP-US-SCHOOL-SHOOTING-MICHIGAN-VICTIMS

Who are the victims of Oxford High School shooting?

The four teenagers killed by a fellow student at Oxford High School in Michigan are being remembered for their commitment to athletics, art and family. Madisyn Baldwin’s grandmother told WDIV-TV that the 17-year-old was a talented artist who loved to draw, read and write. The school's football team said 16-year-old Tate Myre was a talented varsity player and an honor student. The women’s basketball program says 14-year-old Hana St. Julian will be remembered for her kind heart and passion for the game. Justin Shilling died Wednesday morning of his injuries. He was 17.

SCHOOL SHOOTING-MICHIGAN-GUN LEGISLATION

Dems renew push for gun-control bills after Oxford shooting

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Democrats are vowing to push new gun-control legislation and to revive stalled bills in Michigan’s Republican-led Legislature following a mass shooting that left four high school students dead and others with serious injuries. But GOP leaders, who have opposed such measures, aren't committing to policy changes. Sen. Rosemary Bayer, whose district includes Oxford High School, previously introduced legislation aimed at holding accountable adults who don't secure firearms. The teen charged in Tuesday’s slayings used a handgun his father bought. The bill would require adults to keep their firearm locked up if they know it's accessible to minors.

AUTO WORKERS-ELECTION

Auto workers appear to favor direct election of leadership

DETROIT (AP) — Members of the United Auto Workers union appear to be in favor of picking their leaders in direct elections. With 72% of the ballots counted, nearly 63% favor direct elections. About 37% want to keep the current system of delegates selecting the union’s leadership. A federal court-appointed monitor who is conducting the election says on his website that 65,136 ballots were cast in favor of direct elections, while 38,503 wanted delegate voting. The website says the results are unofficial and the full count likely won’t be done until Thursday. Just over 143,000 ballots were received by Monday’s mail-in deadline.

BLUE-JACKETS-GOALIE-DIES

Prosecutor: No charges in goalie Kivlenieks' fireworks death

NOVI, Mich. (AP) — No criminal charges will be filed in the fireworks-related death of Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Matiss Kivlenieks at a Detroit-area home during a July 4 celebration. The Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office said Wednesday the death has officially been ruled accidental, and the case is now closed. The accident occurred Sunday, July 4, at the Novi home of Manny Legace, who was Kivlenieks’ goalie coach with Columbus. The 24-year-old Kivlenieks died of chest trauma from an errant fireworks mortar blast.

PLANE CRASH-SURVIVOR

'Our miracle': Girl goes home after surviving plane crash

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) — An 11-year-old girl who survived a Michigan plane crash that killed her father and three other people has been released from a rehabilitation hospital. Laney Perdue of Gaylord was one of five people in a plane that crashed on Beaver Island off Michigan’s northern Lower Peninsula on Nov. 13. The family believes Laney survived because her father, Mike, shielded her during the crash. Laney was released Wednesday from Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital in Grand Rapids. Her mother, Christie Perdue, says Laney is “our miracle.” Mike Perdue died, along with the pilot and a couple. The crash is being investigated by a federal transportation agency.

OBIT-HARTMANN

Detroit-area election official in 2020 ballot dispute dies

DETROIT (AP) — A Republican election official who caused controversy by initially refusing to certify 2020 Detroit-area results in favor of President Joe Biden has died. Family members say William Hartmann was in a hospital with COVID-19. The Michigan Republican Party says it was informed about Hartmann's death. Hartmann was a member of the Wayne County Board of Canvassers. The low profile panel briefly burst into the national spotlight a year ago when it tied, 2-2, and failed to certify election results. Hartmann and fellow Republican member Monica Palmer changed course that same night after a wave of harsh criticism during the public comment period of the stormy meeting.

AP-US-SCI-US-PLASTIC-WASTE

Science report: US should make less plastic to save oceans

A top independent science panel says the U.S. needs to generate less plastic so less of the material ends up as waste in oceans and other waterways. The National Academy of Sciences in a new report Wednesday says the problem of plastic waste is harming wildlife with the U.S. putting 46 million tons of plastic waste in the oceans each year. The scientists say more recycling isn't enough. They say what's needed are across-the-board changes, starting with less plastic being made. And a big problem is that most of the plastic is not from recycled material.

AP-US-GENERAL-MOTORS-SUPPLY-CHAIN

GM cites improved chip supply in raising financial guidance

DETROIT (AP) — Citing an improved supply of automotive computer chips, General Motors raised its financial guidance on Wednesday and said it expects to return to a normal production rate by the end of next year. Chief Financial Officer Paul Jacobson told investors on a virtual chat with Credit Suisse that the company has seen improvement in the fourth quarter on costs and sales volume as demand for its vehicles remains strong. Nearly all automakers have been hit by a global semiconductor shortage. Jacobson said GM now sees pretax earnings for this year of around $14 billion, up from previous guidance of $11.5 billion to $13 billion. Net income for the year is expected to be around $10 billion, GM said in a regulatory filing.

News from © The Associated Press, 2021