Government

Michigan Senate votes to codify red-light camera ban

The use of red-light cameras to issue traffic tickets would be banned in Michigan law under legislation that was approved Tuesday by the Senate and sent to the House for further consideration. Neither the state nor municipalities have the automated cameras that have been deployed elsewhere. In 2007, then-state Attorney General Mike Cox issued an opinion declaring them to be …

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Kalamazoo officer kills man who shot at officers, police say

A Kalamazoo police officer fatally shot a man Sunday when that man fired a handgun toward officers, authorities said. The shooting happened about 10:30 a.m. after officers were called to a neighborhood south of the city’s downtown area about what the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety called “suspected criminal activity.” After officers arrived, the 33-year-old man from Battle Creek, fired …

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Bill would require concealed gun processing in emergencies

Legislation headed to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s desk would require county clerks to keep processing concealed pistol licenses during state-declared or locally declared emergencies. The Republican-sponsored bill, a response to what happened in 2020 after the coronavirus pandemic struck and prompted government shutdowns, was approved Thursday by the House on a largely party-line 58-43 vote The sponsor, Sen. Lana Theis of Brighton, …

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Michigan Legislature starts voting to pause state gas tax

The Republican-led Legislature on Wednesday began voting to lift, for six months, Michigan’s 27.2-cents-a-gallon gasoline and diesel taxes amid pump prices that exceed $4 per gallon. GOP leaders announced the plan a day after Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer urged Congress to suspend the 18.4-cents-a-gallon federal gas tax and 24.4-cent diesel tax. Her office did not embrace temporarily halting state fuel taxes, saying …

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Michigan auto insurers will begin issuing $400 refunds

Michigan drivers with auto insurance will soon start getting previously announced $400 refunds per vehicle. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the state’s top insurance regulator said Monday that a $3 billion transfer of surplus funds from the Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association to car insurers will be completed this week. The companies will have 60 days to issue the refunds — no …

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Update from the Community Health Agency

The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency is reporting that on Feb. 25, the CDC updated guidance for the general population regarding wearing masks indoors, as well as the requirement for facemasks on school buses and vans. These changes come as a result of the drop in COVID-19 cases in the country. Masks are no longer required on buses or vans …

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Three Rivers man sentenced in Hillsdale County

A Three Rivers man, convicted of stealing catalytic converters in Hillsdale County in 2021, was sentenced to prison Monday in Hillsdale County Judicial Circuit Court. Yutthaphoom Khamphaeng, 34, pleaded guilty to receiving and concealing stolen property valued at more than $1,000, following his arrest in December 2021 on a warrant charging him with the crime and possession with intent to …

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Michigan House approves GOP tax cuts; no deal with governor

Republicans who control the Michigan Legislature agreed Tuesday on a plan to cut taxes by $2.5 billion annually, advancing a bill that will be vetoed because there is no deal with Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. The House voted 62-42 to cut the state income tax from 4.25% to 3.9%, lower the age for filers to exempt up to $20,000 individually …

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Upton launches campaign ad, signaling run for reelection

Rep. Fred Upton began airing his first 2022 campaign ad last week, spending more than $200,000 and signaling that the moderate Republican is more likely to seek reelection to a 19th term in Congress. He has not announced whether he will run in the new 4th District in western Michigan. The GOP primary for the Republican-leaning seat that was created …

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Ballot drive seeks to expand voting in battleground Michigan

A Michigan ballot drive that was launched Monday would make it easier to vote, creating more than a week of early voting, letting all voters request an absentee ballot for future elections and requiring prepaid postage on return envelopes. The proposed constitutional amendment also would prohibit legislative or other attempts to “unreasonably” burden the right to vote and would enshrine the duties …

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