Browsing Category
Michigan Government
Alize Asberry Payne Slept (Ate and Ubered) Here: County DEI Dir. Charged $115K to County Credit Card
by P.D. Lesko
County records revealed that between 2022-2023, Alize Asberry Payne charged $115,000 to the credit card given to her by Washtenaw County. Along with trips, workshops, conferences, and a $3,700 payment to the Detroit…
Gov. Whitmer Wants to Cut Funding for Public Transit. Ann Arbor State Reps. Jason Morgan and Carrie Rheingans Caucus For Funding Hike
by Jon King
A bipartisan legislative panel met for the first time Wednesday in Lansing with a focus on improving Michigan’s transit infrastructure.
Let by state Reps. Jason Morgan (D-Ann Arbor) and Mike McFall (D-Hazel Park), the…
County Sheriff Spends Mental Health and Public Safety Millage Money on New Boat, New Furnishings, Graphic Design, and Bogus Therapy Program
by P.D. Lesko
This article was made possible by The Ann Arbor Independent FOIA Fund.
At a recent "informational meeting" with officials from western Washtenaw County, the Washtenaw County Sheriff Jerry Clayton, The Sheriff's…
In May 2023, Michigan Court of Appeals Found That Local Trial Court Judge Showed Bias, Abuse of Discretion and Ignorance of Court Rules
by P.D. Lesko
On May 11, 2023, the Michigan Court of Appeals published an opinion in which a three-judge panel found Washtenaw County Trial Court Judge Tracy E. Van den Bergh's rulings in a divorce case repeatedly showed bias and abuse…
U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell Weighs in on the War in Gaza
by Rep. Debbie Dingell
On Nov. 30, Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-06) released a statement addressing the increase in hate crimes in the U.S., and calling for the continued release of all hostages. Mrs. Dingell is calling for a…
Gov. Whitmer Signs Bill Into Law Banning Domestic Abusers From Owning Guns
by Anna Nichols
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed legislation aimed to keep guns out of abusers’ hands in Kalamazoo, 24 years after the tragic death of Maggie Wardle, 19, at the hands of an ex-boyfriend. The legislation was co-sponsored by…
Ann Arbor Sen. Jeff Irwin’s Bill Repeals Decades Old Engler-Era Ban on Lawsuits Against Drug Manufacturers
A bill repealing a Michigan law preventing state lawsuits against drug manufacturers passed the state House of Representatives on Wednesday.
Senate Bill 410, sponsored by Sen. Jeff Irwin (D-Ann Arbor), passed 79-30 in an…
Postcard Paid for With Mental Health Millage Money Claims “Dramatic” Increases in Services
by P.D. Lesko
"This mental health system finally broke me...abandoned by whomever was supposed to be helping me every step of the way. Drs Madjar and Bright seemed to care but every other person or 'team' let me drop through the cracks;…
Violent Crime and Growing Homelessness Are Destroying Ypsilanti and Its Small Businesses
9/20/23: This story was edited to remove a mention of the Ypsilanti Public Library.
by Monica Ross-Williams
“I’m 83-years-old, have lived in Ypsilanti all my life and I’m afraid to visit downtown Ypsilanti,” an Ypsilanti community…
Rep. Carrie Rheingans Introduces House Bill 4947 That Will Allow Rent Control in Michigan
Correction: Rheingans was running against Jenn Cornell in the Ward 5 primary election, not Erica Briggs. Rheingans was opposed in the Democratic primary election for the House seat.
by P.D. Lesko
Ann Arbor, MI Rep. Carrie Rheingans…