AP-US-XGR-SCHOOL-SHOOTING-MICHIGAN

Sister of Oxford school shooting victim: Mandate gun storage

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — The big sister of a teen killed in the rampage at Oxford High School is urging Michigan lawmakers to pass legislation mandating safe storage of guns. Reina St. Juliana, a junior at the school, calls it a commonsense way to prevent future shootings. Four students, including Hana St. Juliana, were killed. Reina St. Juliana questions why the Legislature isn't taking up the bills. The 15-year-old charged in the attack illegally had a handgun his father bought days earlier. The legislation would require adults to keep a firearm in a securely locked container if they know it's accessible to minors.

TAX CUTS

Michigan Senate votes to cut income, corporate tax rates

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Republicans who control the Michigan Senate have voted for a $2.5 billion annual tax cut, passing a bill that would reduce income and corporate rates and let taxpayers claim a credit for their children. The step Tuesday comes less than a week after Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer formally proposed less sweeping tax breaks for retirees and lower-wage earners. Citing a multibillion-dollar budget surplus, Republicans say it's time to return money to people hurt by the pandemic and high inflation. Democrats counter that the legislation would help corporations that are enjoying record profits, not frontline workers.

EX-LAWMAKER INVESTIGATION

Police search, seize records from home of Chatfield aides

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — State police have taken materials from the Lansing-area home of a couple who worked as top aides to Lee Chatfield when he was speaker of the Michigan House. Chatfield is under investigation after his sister-in-law accused him of sexually assaulting her for years, including when she was a minor. Her lawyer has also levied broad allegations of financial improprieties against Chatfield but has not provided many details. Police searched a house in Bath Township belonging to Rob and Anne Minard. Rob Minard was chief of staff. Anne Minard was director of external affairs. The Minards couldn't immediately reached for comment.

AP-US-PROFESSOR-VIDEO

Michigan university defends prof's suspension over video

BIG RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) — A Michigan university is defending its decision to suspend a professor over a profanity-filled video. Ferris State University says the unusual welcome message made for Barry Mehler's history students isn’t protected by the First Amendment. Attorneys for Ferris State say some students quit Barry Mehler’s classes because of his remarks. Mehler was suspended with pay in January and told he was being investigated for violation of campus policies. Mehler responded with a lawsuit. A hearing is scheduled for March 7. During a 14-minute video to herald the new term, Mehler frequently used profanities. He says he was performing when he used provocative language and just wanted to "get their juices flowing.”

PRINCIPAL-CHANGING GRADES

School principal out after grade-changing investigation

SPRING LAKE, Mich. (AP) — A high school principal in western Michigan has resigned after a grade-changing investigation. The Grand Haven Tribune reports that Mike Gilchrist was involved in approximately 50 grade changes without teacher consent over an eight-year period at Spring Lake High School. That's according to a summary of a recent school board meeting. Gilchrist apologized, and his resignation was accepted by the Spring Lake school board. Superintendent Dennis Furton says staff were unaware of what was going on. Some grade changes were for hardship reasons, though not a majority. School board member Curt Theune says mistakes were made but Gilchrist still was a strong principal over 21 years.

AP-US-HIGH-TECH-HEADLIGHTS

US approves new headlights that won't blind oncoming drivers

DETROIT (AP) — Anyone who has ever been temporarily blinded by high-beam headlights from an oncoming car will be happy to hear this. U.S. regulators are about to allow new high-tech headlights that can automatically tailor beams so they focus on dark areas of the road and don’t create glare for oncoming drivers. The adaptive headlights are common in Europe. They have LED lamps that can focus beams on darkness such as the driver’s lane and areas along the roadside. They also lower the intensity of the light beams if there’s oncoming traffic. Camera sensors and computers help determine where the light should go. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says a rule allowing the lights will go into effect shortly.

DETROIT SCHOOLS-BUILDINGS

Plan to look at future of school building use in Detroit

DETROIT (AP) — The future of dozens of Detroit school buildings will be examined as part of a 20-year improvement and investment plan by the city’s public school district. A proposed Facility Master Plan was announced Tuesday and includes spending $700 million by 2027 on new schools, revamping existing schools to address overcrowding, upgrading older buildings and demolishing those that can’t be saved. The district says the money would come from $1.3 billion in federal COVID-19 pandemic aid to the Detroit Public Schools Community District. It plans to seek state funding to address long-term facility needs. A final recommendation on spending the $700 million is expected to go before the Detroit Board of Education in June.

CAPITOL RIOT-INVESTIGATION

Jan. 6 panel subpoenas 6 more in fake GOP electors scheme

WASHINGTON (AP) — The House committee investigating the U.S. Capitol insurrection has subpoenaed six more people, including former Trump campaign members and state lawmakers. The panel is further expanding its review into efforts to falsely declare Donald Trump the winner of the 2020 election in several swing states. It is seeking testimony and records from individuals who the panel says had knowledge of or participated in efforts to send false “alternate electors” from seven of the states President Joe Biden rightfully won. Those subpoenaed include Michael Roman and Gary Michael Brown, who served as directors for Trump’s 2020 reelection campaign.

DOCTOR-SEXUAL ASSAULT-MICHIGAN STATE

After 2 losses, Michigan AG won't appeal Nassar-related case

DETROIT (AP) — Prosecutors say they won’t appeal a decision that derailed charges against the former president of Michigan State University. Lou Anna Simon was accused of lying to investigators about sexual assault complaints against Larry Nassar. But two courts have dismissed the case, citing insufficient evidence. Attorney General Dana Nessel expressed confidence about the case but says she won't ask the Michigan Supreme Court to take a look. The charges against Simon centered on a 2018 interview with investigators who wanted to know what officials at the school knew about Nassar. Nassar was already convicted and sentenced by that time. Separately, prosecutors are asking the Michigan Supreme Court to reinstate the conviction of former MSU gymnastics coach Kathie Klages.

SNOWBOARDER-HOMETOWN

Michigan town holds parade for 40-year-old gold medalist

IRON RIVER, Mich. (AP) — A 40-year-old snowboarder who won a gold medal at the Winter Olympics has been honored with a parade in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Nick Baumgartner walked the streets of Iron River with the medal around his neck and his dog at his side Monday. He punched the air with his fist as people screamed for their hometown hero. Baumgartner and partner Lindsey Jacobellis won gold in mixed snowboardcross, an event where snowboarders raced through an obstacle course. An enormous dump truck led the parade with a sign that said, “Welcome Home Nick! Once a Wykon, always a Wykon.” It’s a reference to a three-legged creature that is the mascot at West Iron County High School.

News from © The Associated Press, 2022