Governor Whitmer and a Kalamazoo area lawmaker are at odds over a bill to legalize online gambling. Police investigate the vandalizing of state Republican Party headquarters. Should ceremonial balloon releases be banned in Michigan?
(MPRN) Governor Gretchen Whitmer is pushing back against legislation to allow online casino gambling in Michigan. Whitmer is worried that if people are playing online casino games – they won’t play state Lottery games. And money from the state Lottery goes toward the School Aid Fund for K-through-12 schools. Oshtemo Township Republican Representative Brandt Iden is a bill sponsor. He says people are gaming online already. Iden says legalization would make sure those people are protected – and it would bring in more money for the state for roads and schools.
(Detroit News) Lansing police are investigating the vandalizing of Michigan Republican party headquarters in the state capitol over the weekend. The Detroit News reports that the anti-ICE graffiti, which included profanity, was spray painted on the building early Saturday morning. Michigan GOP officials believe the graffiti may have been targeted at state party chairwoman Laura Cox who served as an agent for Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
(WGVU) A University of Michigan Graduate student is calling on Michigan lawmakers to ban the ceremonial release of balloons. This comes after a Chicago based environmental group reported thousands of old balloons are polluting the Great Lakes. U-M graduate student Lara O’Brien is asking volunteers to report where, when and what types of balloons they discover on beaches or on the lakes. So far, five states, California, Connecticut, Florida, Tennessee and Virginia have all banned balloon releases, with at least eight other state legislatures considering the idea. Michigan is not one of them.
In baseball, Battle Creek has lost three in a row after falling to Kokomo Sunday 6-3. The Bombers host Rockford for a double header Tuesday at C.O. Brown Stadium.
Kalamazoo fell behind 4-0 in the first inning and lost at Traverse City Sunday 6-3. The Growlers play at Kenosha Tuesday.