Operation Care continues this Labor Day weekend
    09/03/2010 - 08:25

    Law enforcement officers in 30 Michigan Counties will be patrolling the roads starting tonight at 6pm looking for unbelted and drunk drivers as part of the nationwide Operation Care Traffic Safety Initiative during the Labor Day holiday weekend. Last year there were 15 fatal traffic crashes that resulted in 16 deaths during this period. Of those who died three were not wearing seat belts and alcohol was a known factor in four of the crashes. Captain Monica Yesh, of the Michigan state police, says the idea isn't to ticket people or throw them in jail, but to change behavior.

    Illegal workers arrested
    09/03/2010 - 08:25

    Concerns that a subcontractor working on the Kalamazoo river oil cleanup in Calhoun County used illegal labor seem to have been justified. Authorities in Texas raided a pair of buses Wednesday after they got a tip that the men inside were illegal immigrants. 42 employees of Hallmark Industrial were caught while others escaped as officers closed in. The Texas Company was hired by pipeline owner Enbridge to handle cleanup efforts but was fired after an investigation found it was busing in undocumented employees to work up to 14 hour days in unsafe and unhealthy conditions.

    Emmons picked for 33rd State Senate seat
    09/03/2010 - 08:25

    Mid-Michigan Republican Party leaders have picked former state representative Judy Emmons as the party's candidate for 33rd district state senate race. Emmons will fill the slot left vacant by state representative Brian Calley, who won in the august primary, but last week was chosen to be GOP gubernatorial candidate Rick Snyder’s running mate.

    Bernero takes on Wall Street
    09/03/2010 - 08:24

    The democratic candidate for Governor continued his assault on Wall Street Thursday by repeating his plan to yank State Government investment dollars out of Wall Street banks and place them in a State owned bank.

    Big Mac run
    09/03/2010 - 08:24

    A select number of runners around the state are getting ready to lace up their sneakers for a special run across the Mackinac Bridge. A group of 400 runners recently received notification that they were chosen in an online lottery to run across the five-mile span that connects Michigan’s two peninsulas on Labor Day.
    Since 1958, people have traditionally walked across the Mackinac Bridge on Labor Day. However, Governor Jennifer Granholm added the running element to the festivities early on during her tenure in office.

    Labor Day travel
    09/03/2010 - 08:23

    An estimated 1.2 million Michigan motorists are expected to take to the highways during the upcoming Labor Day Holiday weekend. According to a survey by AAA Michigan, that's on par with last year's number even though nationally, Labor Day travel is anticipated to be up nearly 10% from a year ago. 98% of Labor Day travelers will go by car, truck or van while air travel will account for only 4%. To help make holiday travel easier, the Michigan Department of Transportation is lifting traffic restrictions on 122 of 173 road and bridge construction projects statewide.

    Teen falls from balcony during frat party on WMU campus
    09/02/2010 - 09:31

    Western Michigan University has placed a cease-and-desist order on a fraternity following a large party during which an 18-year-old Ionia County woman was critically injured in a fall from a second-story balcony. The order means the Sigma Pi Fraternity is not allowed to act as a social group any longer and also have to take down their letters from the front of the house while an investigation continues. Kalamazoo Police were in the area early Wednesday morning breaking up some parties near the WMU campus when they found the Portland woman laying on the ground outside of the fraternity house.

    GOP Convention problems
    09/02/2010 - 09:27

    Republican Gubernatorial candidate Rick Snyder concedes there were some logistical issues at the state GOP Convention in East Lansing last weekend. Hundreds of delegates stood in line for several hours, under the boiling sun to get into the convention hall and once inside, the Tea Party contingency disrupted the proceedings when they tried to install their own candidate for Lieutenant Governor.

    Lake drownings up
    09/02/2010 - 09:26

    Drownings in Lake Michigan are up to their highest level in eight years, according to the U.S. Coast Guard. The "Detroit News" reports there have been 68 drowning deaths in Lake Michigan so far this year. That compares with 39 last year. Coast Guard officials attributed the increased numbers to the unusually hot weather and warm temperature of the water.

    Possible state government shutdown if budget not finalized by end of month
    09/01/2010 - 16:03

    With only 22 days left until the end of the budget year, speculation that the Michigan budget is 90-95% done is just that, speculation. State Representative Darwin Booher of the 102nd District says that the budget is 99% done, but has been that way since June with only a few line items standing in the way of it being completely finalized.