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DAM REPAIRS-SEDIMENT

Michigan sues dam owner over sediment in Kalamazoo River

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — The state of Michigan has sued the owner and operator of a hydroelectric dam, alleging that its mismanaged drawdown of a lake to do repairs created sediment that has choked a 30-mile stretch of the Kalamazoo River, impeded recreational use and threatened public safety. The lawsuit filed Tuesday seeks compensation for damages along with an order to restore the ecosystems of the river and Morrow Lake and clean up sediment deposits that in some places are 12 feet deep. The defendants are Eagle Creek Renewable Energy and its subsidiary STS Hydropower, owner and operator of the dam in Kalamazoo County.

GAY RIGHTS-MICHIGAN

Michigan Supreme Court hears major gay rights case

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — The Michigan Supreme Court is being urged to overturn key decisions and extend the state’s anti-discrimination law to gays and lesbians. People who claim discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation have not been protected by Michigan’s civil rights law because the word “sex” in the law has been interpreted only as a reference to gender. But Attorney General Dana Nessel says it’s time for the Supreme Court to recognize that Michigan’s anti-bias law means much more. In 2019, Rouch World, a park and event center in Sturgis, declined to host a same-sex wedding, saying it conflicted with the owner’s religious beliefs. But lawyers for Rouch World say it’s up to the Legislature, not courts, to expressly state that Michigan law bars discrimination based on sexual orientation.

SCHOOL SHOOTING-MICHIGAN

Boy charged in Michigan school shooting will stay in jail

PONTIAC, Mich. (AP) — A 15-year-old boy accused of killing four students at a Michigan school will remain in an adult jail while awaiting trial. A judge rejected a request to transfer him to a facility for teens. Judge Kwame Rowe says Ethan Crumbley’s “basic needs” are being met at the Oakland County jail, and he’s kept apart from adult inmates. Crumbley is charged with murder and other crimes in a mass shooting at Oxford High School on Nov. 30. His lawyers have said they will pursue an insanity defense. His parents are charged with involuntary manslaughter. Authorities say James and Jennifer Crumbley failed to secure a family gun and ignored signs of their son’s mental distress.

CONDO KILLINGS-TROY

Police: Girl, man dead, woman wounded in Troy condo shooting

TROY, Mich. (AP) — Police say a man suspected of killing his 6-year-old daughter and wounding his wife later fatally shot himself as officers approached his car at a suburban Detroit condominium complex. Troy police say a 39-year-old woman called 911 from her neighbor’s condo Tuesday morning and said her husband had shot her at their home and fled the scene. The Daily Tribune of Royal Oak reports officers entered the couple’s home and found the girl, believed to be the couple’s daughter, shot to death in a bedroom. Police say a 52-year-old man who was the suspected shooter later fatally shot himself as officers approached his car outside the condo’s clubhouse.

AP-US-DR.-SEUSS-INCLUSION

New Dr. Seuss-inspired books to feature diverse creators

Sketches by Dr. Seuss that have never been published will see the light of day in a series of books being written and illustrated by a diverse group of up-and-coming authors and artists. The company that owns the intellectual property rights to Dr. Seuss’ works said Wednesday the books will include original stories inspired by previously unpublished illustrations selected from the author’s archives at the University of California San Diego. The announcement comes one year after the business announced it would stop publishing six titles by Dr. Seuss because they included racist images. The real name of the author from Springfield, Massachusetts, was Theodor Geisel.

TAX CUTS

Michigan House approves GOP tax cuts; no deal with governor

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Republicans who control the Michigan Legislature have agreed on a plan to cut taxes, advancing a bill that will be vetoed because there is no deal with Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. The House voted 62-42 Tuesday to cut the state income tax from 4.25% to 3.9%, lower the age to exempt income from taxation to 62 and create a $500 per-child tax credit. The Senate will concur with House changes soon. Whitmer has proposed a more targeted plan to fully restore an earned income tax credit for lower-income workers and gradually reverse a 2012 law that eliminated pension tax exemptions.

MICHIGAN GOVERNOR-KIDNAPPING PLOT

Judge: No FBI entrapment for 3 in Gov. Whitmer kidnap plot

A judge has ruled that three men charged in a plot to kidnap Democratic Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer before the 2020 election were not entrapped by the FBI. Jackson County Circuit Judge Thomas Wilson said Tuesday that Joseph Morrison, Pete Musico and Paul Bellar will face a tentatively scheduled pretrial examination in August and trial in September. They are accused of providing materials to support terrorist acts, attempting to commit a felony as an associate or member of gang, and gun charges. They are accused of aiding six others who were charged in federal court with conspiring to kidnap Whitmer. Five more people are also charged in state courts.

TERM LIMITS

Ballot drive: Change term limits, require financial reports

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — A bipartisan coalition of business, labor and political leaders has announced a ballot drive to amend Michigan’s legislative term limits, shortening them to 12 years from 14 but letting lawmakers serve the entire time in one chamber. The proposed constitutional amendment also would require state elected officials to publicly disclose personal financial information. Michigan lets legislators serve no more than three two-year House terms and two four-year Senate terms. The initiative’s organizers say it would enable new lawmakers, particularly in the House, to focus on their job instead of looking to run for the Senate or find work outside the Legislature.

AP-FORD-ELECTRIC-AND-COMBUSTION

Ford’s fork in the road: EV, internal combustion are split

Ford will split its electric vehicle and internal combustion operations into two individual businesses to accelerate its adaptation of new technology. The Detroit automaker said Wednesday that its transformation into an EV company is accelerating. Ford plans a major restructuring with two distinct but strategically interdependent auto businesses – Ford Blue focusing on traditional combustion engines and Ford Model e, which will develop electric vehicles. Jim Farley, the chief executive officer of Ford Motor Co., will lead the electric division. Farley said that with so many start-ups entering the EV market, the company’s legacy division was not allowing it to be nimble enough with developing technology.

AP-US-GREAT-LAKES-WINTER-WATER

Scientists take rare look under Great Lakes’ frozen surfaces

STANDISH, Mich. (AP) — Scientists have fanned out across the Great Lakes’ frozen surfaces to learn what happens underwater during winter. U.S. and Canadian teams have visited all five lakes in recent weeks. They’ve drilled into the ice to take samples and gather data. Researchers have long done such field work at other times of year, assuming not much is happening in the lakes during winter. But they recently concluded that there’s more activity than they realized. They say it’s urgent to get more information now, as climate change reduces the Great Lakes’ ice cover. One crew from Central Michigan University focused on Lake Huron’s Saginaw Bay, a favorite of anglers seeking perch and walleye.