Rachel Louise Just
upnorthlive.com
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Past articles by Rachel:
Michigan underfunding roads by $3.9B per year, new report finds
Decades of lawmakers not putting enough money towards the roads has been a mistake, industry leaders said in a press conference unveiling the study's findings. → Read More
Senator: GOP leader wants to diminish LGBTQ+ community in Pride Month resolution
LANSING, Mich. , (WPBN/WGTU) -- Michigan's state Senate has stalled a symbolic resolution to recognize June 2022 as Pride Month in Michigan. Last week, Sen. Jeremy Moss, D-Southfield, introduced a resolution to formally honor the contributions the community brings to the state. The resolution, SR 149, was roadblocked on Tuesday by Republican Senate Leader Mike Shirkey, who sent the resolution to… → Read More
With campaigns at risk over alleged signature fraud, Michigan gubernatorial field opens up
LANSING, Mich. , (WPBN/WGTU) -- A bombshell report that threatens to cut out five of Michigan's ten Republican candidates for Governor is shaking up Lansing, as new evidence shows tens of thousands of forged signatures could rattle the primary election. → Read More
As tragedy struck in Gaylord, it was phones
OTSEGO COUNTY, Mich. , (WPBN/WGTU) -- As an EF3 tornado moved toward Gaylord, Mich. on Friday afternoon, it was phones - not sirens - alerting residents to the oncoming danger. Otsego County, where Gaylord is located, says it got rid of its traditional alert sirens about 15 years ago. The county now uses an app called "Code Red" to alert residents of dangers like tornados, missing people or… → Read More
Legislative agency predicts Michigander incomes will fall by 4.4% this year amid inflation
Michigan families may need to brace for a tough year ahead, with a new report from the Michigan Senate Fiscal Agency finding residents' incomes will drop by 4. 4% as Michiganders face an overall jump in prices without significant raises in income. The Senate Fiscal Agency, a nonpartisan legislative agency, released their findings this week in its annual economic outlook and budget review. Latest… → Read More
Michigan could face forced power outages this summer, power grid operator says
LANSING, Mich. — There may not be enough power to go around, which could force planned power outages in Michigan, according to the operator of the state's power grid. Temperatures could limit energy resources during the hottest months of the year, experts said. Big heat is on the horizon, with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), predicting a 40-50% chance of most of… → Read More
New Michigan bill would ban social media sites from 'de-platforming' users
LANSING, Mich. , -- A new bill in Michigan's Legislature would question the authority of social media companies to remove users from sites. A committee hearing was set to be held on HB 5973 Wednesday, a day after Elon Musk said he would allow former President Donald Trump to return on Twitter, as the billionaire prepares to buy the social media platform. Trump was removed from Twitter and other… → Read More
Effort to change state term limits hones in on Legislature
A proposal that would reduce the overall amount of time lawmakers could spend in Lansing is gaining momentum in the capital city. The Voters for Transparency and Term Limits coalition wants to expand how long a lawmaker can spend in each chamber. The current limits for lawmakers are six years in the House (up to three two-year terms) and eight in the Senate (up to two four-year terms). → Read More
Prosecutors weigh implications of potential Roe v. Wade reversal
Michigan prosecutors are grappling with a decision on how and whether they would enforce the state's century-old abortion ban should it become effective again as the fate of the landmark Roe v. Wade decision weighs in the court's hands. The prosecutors have signed onto a brief supporting Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's lawsuit that would overturn the ban. “We’re not taking a position on the issue. → Read More
In rare move, Michigan House Democrats file discharge motion to repeal abortion law
As Michigan faces a trigger law that would that would implement a near-total abortion ban if Roe V. Wade is overturned, Michigan House Democrats have made the relatively rare decision to file a discharge motion to move a committee-locked bill until the House floor for a vote. As the U. S. Supreme Court indicated in a draft opinion published by Politico and verified by Chief Justice John Roberts,… → Read More
Michigan State University opens facility to study nuclear science
An investment by the State of Michigan and the federal government 13 years in the making is officially a reality on Michigan State University's campus, as the $730 million Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB) opens with the goal of studying and exploring all forms of nuclear matter. After competing against other states and fighting through years of political red tape, university officials say… → Read More
Stabenow gives Michigan farmers first say in federal bill to update agricultural policies
Key federal legislation setting the tone for farming and food practices across the country is being updated, and Michigan was the first state to get a say in it. The U. S. Farm Bill, first introduced in 1933, is updated and revised roughly every five years with the aim of keeping prices fair, ensuring America is never short on food, and protecting the nation's natural resources. The current bill… → Read More
Michigan Senator's response to controversial email goes viral
LANSING, Mich. , (WPBN/WGTU) – “I want every child in this state to feel seen, heard, and supported,” said State Senator Mallory McMorrow (D-Royal Oak). “Not marginalized and targeted because they are not straight, white, and Christian. We cannot let hateful people tell you otherwise to scapegoat and deflect from the fact that they are not doing anything to fix the real issues that impact… → Read More
After seven years, Michigan Senate expected to vote on bill to stop repeat child abuse
After seven years in limbo, Michigan's Senate is expected to vote Wednesday on a bill that would allow the state to keep track of people who neglected and abused children. Wyatt Rewoldt was only a few months old when he ended up in the hospital with a massive brain bleed, a fractured scull, fractured ribs, and torn gums. → Read More
Legislation would make energy companies to pay for outages
GRAND TRAVERSE COUNTY, Mich. , (WPBN/WGTU) -- As storms cloud Michigan’s lower peninsula for the next 24 hours, some residents are living in fear they’ll lose power to their home. New legislation introduced in Lansing would demand energy companies pay consumers back for any time they have to go without power. With great power comes great responsibility and there’s only a few Michigan companies… → Read More
Michigan Bishops call for gun safety legislation in Lansing
GRAND TRAVERSE COUNTY, Mich. , (WPBN/WGTU) -- For the first time, all of Michigan’s episcopal bishops are joining together to ask Michigan’s decision makers to prevent gun violence. Bishops and supporters met with lawmakers in Lansing and urged them to advance legislation to put basic gun safety laws into effect. They’re asking for safe storage requirements for guns and for red flag laws to be… → Read More
Safety and logistics worries ahead of Trump rally in Michigan
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP, Mich. — Just three days before former President Donald Trump prepares to hold a rally in Michigan, some officials in the small, Macomb County township he'll visit are voicing safety concerns over logistical challenges. Trump will be in Michigan to stump for Republicans Kristina Karamo and Matthew DePerno. Karamo is running for Michigan Secretary of State. DePerno is a… → Read More
One year after January 6, what's being done to protect Michigan's Capitol?
The Michigan Capitol Building is one of the state's most stunning structures, nearly every inch covered with intricate artwork and and historic details, and during session days, home to some of the largest political names in the state. One thing we've learned over the last few years, though, is that beautiful buildings with important people in them are not inherently safe. → Read More
Whitmer: Conversations with Oxford victim families 'will stay with me 'til my last day'
In her first one-on-one interview since the tragic shooting in Oxford, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said her first response after being made aware of the seriousness of the situation was to be in the community and "understand what was happening. " The shooting at Oxford High School left four students dead and 15-year-old Ethan Crumbley was arrested for the shooting. He has been charged as an adult with… → Read More
State canvassers approve ballot drive to make Michigan a National Popular Vote state
The Michigan Board of State Canvassers on Monday unanimously approved a petition that could change the way Michigan's electoral votes are used. The Yes on National Popular Vote petition, if successful, would make Michigan the latest state to sign on to the National Popular Vote (NPV) Interstate Compact, an agreement between states that whoever wins the popular vote nationwide gets the states'… → Read More