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AP-US-PROFESSOR-VIDEO

Suspended professor threatens to sue if he’s not reinstated

DETROIT (AP) — A Michigan professor who was suspended after making a provocative video for his students is threatening to file a lawsuit if Ferris State University doesn’t lift the sanction. An attorney for Barry Mehler warned the school in a letter Tuesday. Matthew Hoffer says the history teacher is protected by the First Amendment and a contract between Ferris State and its faculty. Mehler’s 14-minute video at the start of a new term was peppered with profanities and unusual remarks about grades, plagiarism and classroom attendance during the COVID-19 pandemic. Ferris State President David Eisler says he was “shocked and appalled.” Mehler has been placed on leave.

UNIVERSITY-OF-MICHIGAN-DOCTOR-ASSAULT

Accusers: New U of Michigan leader must change abuse culture

Two men who say they were sexually assaulted by a former sports doctor at the University of Michigan are hoping that a change in leadership with the weekend firing of President Mark Schlissel will allow the school be more accountable toward abuse victims. Keith Moree and Robert Stone told reporters Tuesday that the Ann Arbor school is ripe for a culture change as its board conducts a search to permanently replace Schlissel who was removed due to an alleged “inappropriate relationship with a university employee.” They say Schlissel’s abrupt firing and the revelations and litigation over decades of sexual abuse by Dr. Robert Anderson have tarnished Michigan’s reputation.

ELECTION 2020-FAKE ELECTORS

Nessel expands on why feds should probe fake GOP electors

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is expanding on why she believes it’s better for federal authorities to investigate 16 Republicans who falsely claimed they were Michigan’s presidential electors. GOP officials in seven states submitted Electoral College certificates despite Democrat Joe Biden defeating then-President Donald Trump in their states. Nessel says that from a jurisdictional standpoint, the Justice Department can determine if there was a multistate conspiracy. Nessel, a Democrat, cites potential difficulties interviewing people outside Michigan or using subpoena powers to bring them to the state. She also says she attended the state’s Electoral College ceremony, making her a witness.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-MICHIGAN HOUSE

Michigan House cancels voting for week due to COVID-19 cases

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — The Michigan House of Representatives has canceled voting for the week because lawmakers and staff have COVID-19, are close contacts or are awaiting test results. The chamber typically holds session on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. House Speaker Jason Wentworth isn’t specifying how many legislators may have the coronavirus. Some House committees are still meeting this week. Wentworth, a Republican, the House will “act with caution and make sure everyone is able to do the right thing and follow the most updated recommendations.” The Michigan Senate voted on bills Tuesday and plans to be in session Wednesday and Thursday.

GRAND VALLEY-FREE TUITION

GVSU extends free tuition to students from low-income homes

ALLENDALE, Mich. (AP) — Grand Valley State University is expanding its free tuition to all low-income families in Michigan. The program, called the Grand Valley Pledge, will no longer be limited only to students from six counties. New students from families with income under $50,000 can qualify. About 400 students who qualified were enrolled during the fall term. GVSU President Philomena Mantella says she doesn’t want finances to be a barrier for students. The University of Michigan has a similar program for in-state students from families that make $65,000 or less.

CRASH-THREE DEAD

‘Unimaginable’: Father, twin kids die in crash in Bay County

PINCONNING TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) — A father and his twin 6-year-old children were killed when their pickup truck slammed into the rear of a commercial truck in Bay County. The crash occurred Monday in Pinconning Township, north of Bay City. The truck was carrying a large steel bin commonly used to drop off trash or items that can be recycled. Sheriff Troy Cunningham says, “It’s unimaginable for the family.” The dead were identified as 41-year-old Jeffrey McKeon, Jaxson McKeon and Adeline McKeon. They lived in Pinconning. The driver of the Republic Services truck was not injured.

HOUSE EXPLOSION

Man, dog killed in house explosion in Harbor Springs

HARBOR SPRING, Mich. (AP) — An explosion in northern Michigan has killed a man and a dog and destroyed a house. The explosion occurred Tuesday in Harbor Springs in Emmet County. The man was 73 years old and from suburban Detroit, according to upnorthlive.com. Harbor Springs Fire Chief John Cupps Jr. called it a “very tragic event.” He thanked area fire crews for their help “in harsh weather conditions and circumstances.”

FORD-ADT VENTURE

Ford, ADT form venture to make vehicle security products

DETROIT (AP) — Ford and security company ADT have formed a joint venture that will help businesses protect vehicles and expensive equipment they carry from theft. The first product from the venture called Canopy is a system that uses cameras, radar, global positioning and artificial intelligence to spot a potential thief and notify ADT, which will monitor the feeds and notify the customer or authorities if needed. The system will be offered as accessory on Ford and other top-selling vehicles starting next year. The company expects to integrate it in factory vehicles and offer it to other manufacturers over time. Ford is putting up about $60 million to start the venture during the next three years, with $40 million coming from ADT.

FATAL FIRE

2 dead, 5 injured, 1 missing in Michigan house fire

PONTIAC, Mich. (AP) — Authorities say two men died and five people were injured early Monday in a fire at a multi-family dwelling in Pontiac. Eleven adults were in the home when the fire was reported around 2:44 a.m. Oakland County Sheriff’s Department officials say some people jumped to safety from the second story of the home. They included a 36-year-old man who said he instructed his stepson — a 19-year-old with autism who was staying with his stepfather — to follow him out the window. The stepson refused to jump and wasn’t seen exiting the home, authorities said. They said he has not been accounted for. A fire investigator is still working to determine the cause of the blaze.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-MICHIGAN

Some Michigan counties pause jury trials amid COVID surge

GRAND HAVEN, Mich. (AP) — Jury trials have been paused in some western Michigan counties due to a surge in coronavirus cases. Court officials said Monday that the Kent County 17th Circuit Court based in Grand Rapids has adjourned jury trials until March 7. Ottawa County Probate Court and the 20th Judicial Circuit Court, based in Grand Haven, will not summon the public to courthouses to serve as jurors. The courts expect to resume trials Feb. 1. Michigan health officials said last week that the state’s record-high COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations could peak in late January or early February, and they urged the public to take steps to help control the spread.