AP-US-MICHIGAN-GOVERNOR-KIDNAPPING-PLOT-THREATS

Whitmer plot underlines growing abuse of women officials

Four men are going to trial for an alleged plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. The allegations reflect an increasing level of anger and violence in U.S. politics that disproportionately targets female elected officials, particularly women of color. Researchers say that while criticism of public officials is healthy in a democracy, women are dramatically more likely than their male counterparts to face threats and violence. The hostility ranges from death threats to armed people gathered outside homes, or attacks on social media that include gendered or racial slurs and insults about intelligence or appearance. This could push women to leave public office or deter them from running, potentially reversing the progress made in diversifying the country’s representation.

FLINT MAYOR

Karen Weaver, Flint mayor during water crisis, to run again

FLINT, Mich. (AP) — The former mayor of Flint is running for her old job. Karen Weaver says she will run in the Aug. 2 primary election. The two top finishers will advance to the Nov. 8 election. Weaver was elected in 2015, just weeks after the state finally acknowledged that Flint’s water was contaminated with lead. But she was defeated four years later by Sheldon Neeley. Neeley defeated Weaver by 205 votes. He says he’s running for reelection. While in office, Weaver had key roles in Flint’s recovery from lead-tainted water. While out of office, she criticized a $626 million settlement mostly between the state and residents as not being large enough.

PIZZA-FATAL

Confused man hit by car, killed, after walking to get pizza

ORION TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) — Authorities say a 71-year-old man who walked to pick up a pizza was struck by a car and killed Friday night in Oakland County. Ernie Fortson may have been very confused. Investigators say he was gone for hours and was found 10 miles from his home in Pontiac. Fortson still had the pizza when first responders arrived at a road in Orion Township. He was wearing dark clothes. The incident remains under investigation.

VFW-MEMBERS WANTED

VFW post in northern Michigan needs more members

ONAWAY, Mich. (AP) — A Veterans of Foreign Wars post in northern Michigan is in danger of closing because of a lack of active members. The VFW in Onaway has only five members out of 70 who are regularly involved at Post 5857. Commander Robert Skinner says the district could take control of the post if eight board seats aren’t filled. Skinner says strict rules are a factor. Veterans must have served in a foreign country during war to join the VFW. Skinner says a “little more flexibility” would help. Onaway is about 60 miles southeast of the Mackinac Bridge.

VOTER SIGNATURES-RULES

Benson rejects GOP changes to signature-verification rules

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson has rejected Republican-requested changes to rules that will guide election clerks on how to match the signatures of people applying for and submitting absentee ballots. Benson, a Democrat, accepted one recommended revision Friday but rejected eight, saying the regulations are “based on facts, data and longstanding nonpartisan standard election administration practices.” She says she’ll remove language instructing election officials to presume a signature is genuine and valid. Benson began the rule-making process after a judge invalidated signature-verification standards she gave clerks before the 2020 election. The judge said should have gone through the rule-making process.

POLICE SHOOTING-JACKSON

Man shot by police after fleeing them, 45-minute standoff

JACKSON, Mich. (AP) — An armed man who fled officers in southern Michigan before they caught up with him was shot by police early Saturday after a 45-minute standoff. Police say the 33-year-old Cement City man was taken to a Jackson-area hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening. The incident began with a domestic violence complaint at a Meijer store. Police say the man fled the store before officers arrived. Officers later spotted his vehicle and pursued it until it broke down around 3 a.m. Officers from several agencies set up a perimeter and found the man armed with a handgun. The standoff ensued.

WATER INFRASTRUCTURE-TASK FORCE

Task force looking at water infrastructure in SE Michigan

DETROIT (AP) — A group of government, business and nonprofit organizations is looking at water infrastructure in southeastern Michigan. The current condition and actions needed for sustainable water infrastructure systems is the focus of the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments Water Infrastructure Task Force. The Council of Governments says the task force also will address flooding issues, project funding, equity, affordability and other topics. It’s first meeting was held Thursday and the group’s work will be an addendum to the 2018 Water Resources Plan for Southeast Michigan. The existing plan includes a component on water infrastructure, specifically drinking water, wastewater and storm water regional policies with supporting actions.

MISSING WOMAN-SEARCH

Skeletal remains in Battle Creek identified as missing woman

BATTLE CREEK, Mich. (AP) — Skeletal remains found in a wooded area in southern Michigan have been identified as belonging to a woman who went missing nearly two years ago. Authorities say Friday that medical records and evidence of old injuries and medical procedures were used to positively identify the victim as Amber Griffin. Battle Creek police said Thursday that the top part of her remains were found buried about 3 feet deep. Griffin of Bedford Township was last seen in June 2020. She was 27. Griffin’s boyfriend, Derek Horton, was arrested days after her disappearance. On the second day of his trial Wednesday, Horton accepted a tentative plea agreement to lead police to the location of Griffin’s remains.

MICHIGAN GOVERNOR-KIDNAPPING PLOT-THREATS-GLANCE

Threats, vitriol aimed at women in positions of power

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer was one of the more high-profile targets of political violence when prosecutors say a group of men who were angry about pandemic restrictions plotted to kidnap her. But the case didn’t surprise many women lawmakers or people who track such attacks. They say online and in-person abuse is a daily occurrence for female public officials and candidates and happens at a far greater rate than it does men. It has seemed to intensify in recent years. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, who has Taiwanese heritage, has faced “relentless threats of violence and hateful attacks.” A man left a voicemail for Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds saying she should be “hung for treason,” and a man was arrested after stalking Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot while armed with a loaded gun.

CONSTRUCTION SITE DEATH

Worker dies after trusses fall on him at construction site

ALLENDALE TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) — A 56-year-old worker has died after a stack of wooden trusses fell on him at a home construction site in western Michigan. Ottawa County sheriff’s deputies say they believe the man was unloading the stack of trusses from a delivery truck when they fell on him about 1:25 p.m. Friday in Allendale Township west of Grand Rapids. The man was pronounced dead at the scene. His name hasn’t been released. Sheriff’s deputies alerted investigators with the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration. They say an investigation into the accident is continuing.