Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gretchen Whitmer is introducing her running mate. Branch County officials warn of possible flooding due to structural problems with a dam on the Coldwater River. A hearing in Traverse City Monday will focus on pipeline safety in the Great Lakes.
(Detroit Free Press) Democratic candidate for Governor Gretchen Whitmer is scheduled to announce her running mate Monday. The Detroit Free Press reports that Garlin Gilchrist II will be the Democratic nominee for Lieutenant Governor. He is former Director of Innovation and Emerging Technology for the city of Detroit. Gilchrist has also worked as a political organizer and software engineer. Last week Republican gubernatorial candidate Bill Schuette announced that former state lawmaker Lisa Posthumous-Lyons will be his running mate. Both Republicans and Democrats will formally nominate candidates for Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State and Michigan Supreme Court during state party conventions this weekend.
Officials in Branch County are warning of possible significant flooding. The Blackhawk Dam along the Coldwater River is described as being in a “stage of failure.” A Flash Flood Watch is in effect for that area. Residents along the Coldwater River, South Lake and North Lake, including the Pilot Knob area, are advised to prepare for possible flooding. Branch County Emergency Management says repairs have been made to the dam, reducing the risk of flooding. But further repairs will be necessary.
(WDET) The Great Lakes Commission will distribute about $900,000 to seven organizations in Great Lakes states which will be used to stop runoff pollution. Excess leakage of nutrients contributes to harmful algal blooms and dead zones in lakes. The Allegan Conservation District is the only group in Michigan to receive a grant. The Fulton Soil and Water Conservation District… outside of Toledo… was also awarded funding.
(WDET) A Southwest Michigan restaurant owner’s future is again on hold after the federal government appealed an immigration judge’s ruling preventing him from being deported. In 2004 U.S. officials said Kurdish native Ibrahim Parlak had lied about serving time in a Turkish prison, had been part of a terrorist organization, and should be deported from his home in the Michigan resort town of Harbert. Parlak says he thought he was supposed to note whether he’d been imprisoned in the U.S. not Turkey. The group he’s tied to was only identified as a terrorist organization many years after Parlak moved to Michigan. Weeks ago an immigration judge ruled that Parlak could be tortured or killed if deported to Turkey and granted him the right to stay in the U.S. Now Homeland Security officials are appealing that ruling arguing in a court filing that the judge did not examine the evidence thoroughly enough. The appeal process could take six months to a year.
(WCMU) Saying there is no question that the Enbridge pipeline in the straits of Mackinac is - quote - “a threat to the Great Lakes” U.S. Senator Gary Peters, will lead a meeting in Traverse City Monday to discuss the importance of pipeline safety in Michigan. Peters says the 60 year old Line 5 poses a threat that need to be addressed before “a worst case scenario” situation. Peters says the purpose of the hearing is to identify alternatives to pipelines as well as discuss the possible closure of Line 5.
In women’s soccer, Western Michigan lost to Michigan Sunday 2-0 in Ann Arbor. The Broncos have split their first two matches of the season, and will host Purdue Fort Wayne on Thursday.