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AP-US-RACIAL-INJUSTICE-NOOSES

Feds: Michigan man left nooses, notes mocking BLM movement

SAGINAW, Mich. (AP) — A retired Michigan optometrist faces federal charges for allegedly leaving nooses and notes mocking the Black Lives Matter movement inside a couple’s truck and near or inside stores as well as placing threatening phone calls. Federal prosecutors announced Wednesday that 61-year-old Kenneth David Pilon, of Saginaw, is charged with six counts of interfering with federally protected activities — a misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in prison and fines. Threatening calls were made to Starbucks stores in Michigan. An FBI special agent writes in an affidavit that the charges allege that Pilon “intimidated and attempted to intimidate citizens from participating lawfully in speech and peaceful assembly.” The Associated Press left a message Thursday for Pilon’s lawyer requesting comment.

TEACHER KILLED

Man sentenced to 33 years in prison for killing wife

KENTWOOD, Mich. (AP) — A man who strangled his pregnant wife has been sentenced to at least 33 years in prison. Amber Guichelaar was a well-liked teacher in Kentwood, near Grand Rapids. She was killed at her home November 2020. Richard Guichelaar pleaded guilty to second-degree murder. He told the judge that he’s been unable to find words to express his “sorrow, remorse and regret” for what happened. Guichelaar says his wife was a “wonderful human being.” He will be eligible for parole consideration after 33 years in custody.

DOG ATTACK-DETROIT SCHOOL

2 girls attacked by dogs at Detroit elementary school

DETROIT (AP) — Authorities say two girls are hospitalized in stable condition after being attacked by two dogs during recess at a Detroit elementary school. The attack happened around 1 p.m. at Bates Academy on the city’s west side. Spokeswoman Chrystal Wilson of the Detroit Public Schools Community District says both dogs were pit bulls. District Superintendent Nikolai Vitti says animal control officers captured one of the dogs and were searching for the other one Thursday afternoon. The ages of the students were not released, but the school serves students in kindergarten through eighth grade.

US ATTORNEY

Gov. Whitmer lawyer becomes US attorney in Grand Rapids

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s chief lawyer has been approved as U.S. attorney based in Grand Rapids. Mark Totten’s nomination was approved by the Senate on Wednesday, five months after he was picked by President Joe Biden. The Western District covers more than half of Michigan’s counties, from the Upper Peninsula to the Indiana border. It’s not known what role Totten will have in decisions about further prosecuting two people in a plot to kidnap Whitmer. A jury acquitted Daniel Harris and Brandon Caserta but couldn’t reach a unanimous verdict for Adam Fox and Barry Croft Jr. Andrew Birge, who was U.S. attorney when the trial ended on April 8, suggested that Fox and Croft would face a second trial.

POLICE SHOOTING-MICHIGAN

Police union backs officer in Patrick Lyoya killing

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) — The union representing police officers in a Michigan city is defending the officer who shot Patrick Lyoya in the back of the head. The Grand Rapids Police Officers Association says Lyoya’s death is “tragic.” But it also says officers have a “legal right to protect themselves and community” in a volatile situation.Meanwhile, a Grand Rapids City Commission meeting abruptly ended Tuesday night as residents used profanities and expressed anger over Lyoya’s killing. Police Chief Eric Winstrom watched from the rear of the room. Lyoya was killed by Officer Christopher Schurr at the end of a brief foot chase and physical struggle, following a traffic stop in Grand Rapids on April 4.

AP-US-ELECTION-2022-MICHIGAN-GOVERNOR

Dems challenge 3 Michigan GOP governor candidates’ petitions

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — The Michigan Democratic Party is challenging three top Republican gubernatorial candidates’ nominating petitions, alleging forged signatures and other issues that could keep them from qualifying for the GOP primary. Complaints were lodged over petitions submitted by ex-Detroit Police Chief James Craig, businessman Perry Johnson and conservative former TV host Tudor Dixon. A super PAC tied to Dixon filed a separate challenge against Craig, who is among 10 Republicans running. Craig’s campaign says it has “total confidence” in its signatures. Johnson campaign consultant John Yob says Democrats are “scared” of Johnson’s momentum. Dixon issued a statement calling it a “desperate, bogus challenge.”

WRONGFUL CONVICTION

Innocent Detroit man free after 15 years in prison

DETROIT (AP) — A Detroit man in prison for 15 years for kidnapping and sexual assault has been cleared of the crimes. Authorities discovered a lot of problems with two cases against Terance Calhoun — especially the fact that DNA results pointed to a different perpetrator. Those results turned up a few months after Calhoun was sentenced in 2007 but were never shared with him. A judge granted a request to erase Calhoun’s convictions and release him from prison. Valerie Newman of the Wayne County prosecutor’s office says “many things” were missed over the years. The 35-year-old Calhoun declined to speak during the court hearing. But he wore a big smile when lawyers Tabitha Harris and Michael Mittlestat congratulated him.

EARNS-FORD

Ford loses $3.1 billion, hit by investment and chip shortage

DALLAS (AP) — Ford has reported a $3.1 billion loss for the first quarter, in large part because of a drop in the value of its investment in an electric-vehicle startup. The automaker also said Wednesday that its revenue fell 5% from a year ago as a shortage of chips limited the supply of vehicles. Ford says the chip shortage is especially affecting the number of pickups and SUVs that it can sell in North America. Without the lower value for Ford’s investment in electric-vehicle startup Rivian, the company says it made $2.3 billion in pretax profit and is on track to meet its full-year goal for pretax profit.

GENERAL MOTORS-RESULTS

GM’s $2.94B 1Q profit tops Street views, but revenue misses

LOS ANGELES (AP) — General Motors’ net income declined in the first quarter, as the automaker sold fewer cars and trucks worldwide, though higher prices helped boost revenue, especially in North America. The Detroit company’s adjusted earnings topped Wall Street estimates, though its revenue fell short of analysts’ forecasts. GM reported net income of $2.94 billion, or $1.35 per share, versus a profit of $3.02 billion, or $2.03 per share, in the same quarter last year. Revenue jumped nearly 11% to $35.98 billion, below the $36.89 billion analysts projected.