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Federal judge dismisses lawsuits challenging ELCRA

By Journal Staff LANSING — Federal Court Judge Jane Beckering on Tuesday denied reconsideration of the dismissal of one case and granted dismissal in two other cases challenging the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act’s protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Christian Healthcare Centers, Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish and St. Joseph Parish St. Johns filed lawsuits alleging the ELCRA’s sexual orientation and gender identity protections violate their constitutional religious freedoms. These lawsuits were filed against Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, ...

A right-wing sheriffs group challenges federal law

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) — Against the background hum of the convention center, Dar Leaf settled into a club chair to explain the sacred mission of America’s sheriffs, his bright blue eyes and warm smile belying the intensity of the cause. “The sheriff is supposed to be protecting the ...

Mackinac Island seeks votes

MACKINAC ISLAND — Mackinac Island, is calling on its community of supporters to vote the island as the “Best Place to Visit for Fall” in the USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice travel award. Voting is available at https://www.10best.com/awards/travel/best-place-to-visit-for-fall-2023/. Voting is open until Sept. 4. Winners will be announced on Sept. 15.

Michigan creates Family Impact Teams project

By Journal Staff LANSING — The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services will keep children at risk of neglect safer by making sure their parents are connected to department programs that can meet their basic needs. MDHHS has announced the Family Impact Teams project, which embeds family resource specialists with child protection and foster care staff to so they can support families in applying for benefits such as food assistance and Medicaid and connect them to other economic supports. The first phase of the project begins this month. “Many families that come to the ...

Jury selection begins in final trial over foiled plot to kidnap Gretchen Whitmer

BELLAIRE, Mich. (AP) — Nearly three years after authorities foiled a bizarre plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, the last defendants accused of taking part went on trial Monday. Eric Molitor and brothers William Null and Michael Null were among 14 men, described by prosecutors as anti-government extremists, charged in the scheme weeks before the November 2020 election. They were angered by Whitmer’s COVID-19 policies, which shut down schools and restricted the economy, investigators said in court filings. The plotters were members of paramilitary groups and spoke of ...

GM’s Cruise autonomous vehicle unit agrees to cut fleet in half after 2 crashes in San Francisco

(DETROIT (AP) — General Motors’ Cruise autonomous vehicle unit has agreed to cut its fleet of San Francisco robotaxis in half as authorities investigate two recent crashes in the city. The state Department of Motor Vehicles asked for the reduction after a Cruise vehicle without a human driver collided with an unspecified emergency vehicle on Thursday. “The DMV is investigating recent concerning incidents involving Cruise vehicles in San Francisco,” the DMV said Saturday in a statement to The Associated Press. “Cruise has agreed to a 50% reduction and will have no more than ...