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Foundation for Individual Rights in Education Finds U-M/EMU Speech Codes “Prohibit Protected Speech”
by Rob Smith
IN A REPORT released on Dec. 10, the Foundation for Individual Right in Education concluded that the University of Michigan and EMU are “red light” institutions when it comes to free speech on the campus. In fact, of the 12…
Annual Retreat Reveals Council Members’ Priorities for Ann Arbor Out of Step With Residents’ Priorities
by P.D. Lesko
At their annual retreat last week, Ann Arbor Council members shared what they want Ann Arbor city government to focus on, and how the members, who are politically divided, can work together to get the job done in the coming…
Michigan State Park Lodges Provide Cozy, Affordable, Holiday Getaways
by Sam Greene
THE HOLIDAYS ARE here, and if you’re ready for an affordable and fun holiday escape, look no further than Michigan state park lodges. These modern accommodations provide all the comforts of home, in a variety of beautiful…
Shawn Batt Aims to Help Ann Arbor Middle School Students Become Top Rate Orators
by Donna Iadipaolo
ONE MAN WANTS to change the face of debate and speech activities in Ann Arbor for middle school students. His name is Shawn Batt, and he is the founder of Michigan Speech Outreach (MSO), which began as a Lansing-based…
Let the Dysfunction Games Begin? Vote to Exclude CPA From Budget Committee, Repetitive Pleas for Concision
The Dec. 1 City Council meeting included members grappling over their own rules, a failed floor motion to put Council’s only CPA on the group’s Budget & Labor Committee and a lengthy debate centered around limiting members’ speaking…
City Suffers Legal Blow: Judge Refuses to Dismiss Footing Disconnect Drain Suit
by P.D. Lesko
ANN ARBOR POLITICAL insiders ask the question: Could Irv Mermelstein be the next Tom Weider? Between 1995 and 2002 Weider, a feisty redhead and hard-nosed attorney, represented a group of substitute teachers against the Ann…
Ann Arbor Independent & ACLU Press Police to Release Public Records About Rosser Shooting
The Ann Arbor Independent filed a Freedom of Information Act request for the incident report filed by AAPD officers after the shooting of Aura Rosser. The ACLU of Michigan has been in contact with the AAPD, as well, urging the release of…
A Day at the Museum—Tagging Along on a Tour of the U-M’s Dinosaur Exhibits
The children are restless and complain, “When does it start? Can we go!” Just when the kiddos are about to gang up on our tour guide, an enthusiastic 20-something U-M student named, Stuart Richardson, directs us up the stairwell to the…
AAPD Chief’s Decision to Keep a Lid on Details About Woman’s Shooting Triggers Questions
AAPD Chief Seto, when asked, declined to release the name of the officer who shot Aura Rosser. Neither would he answer questions about how many officers responded to the call and why two officers have been put on paid administrative leave.…
WCC Student & Trustee-Elect Christina Fleming: “I’m in Shock, Actually.”
CHRISTINA FLEMING says she’s still in shock. It’s almost two weeks after her election to the Washtenaw Community College Board of Trustees. Fleming, a Dexter resident and the mom of an elementary student with autism, shakes her head as she…