The Michigan Court of Appeals will consider the sentence Larry Nassar received in one case. A last minute effort to reform Michigan’s auto insurance system develops in the state Legislature. WMU's Michael Flowers is the MAC West men’s basketball player of the week.
(MPRN) The Michigan Court of Appeals will consider if Larry Nassar should be resentenced in one of his cases. Nassar is the former USA Gymnastics and Michigan State University sports doctor. He was given a de-facto life sentence for sexually abusing his patients. Nassar appealed his sentence from Judge Rosemarie Aquilina. His attorneys say she was biased against him during his sentencing. Now the Court of Appeals will weigh in on the matter. The Attorney General’s office – which prosecuted the case – was unable to comment on the appeal at this time.
(Detroit News) A last minute effort is being made to pass legislation to reform Michigan’s no-fault auto insurance system before the state Legislature’s “lame duck” session ends. The Detroit News reports that some Republicans in the state House are attempting to push a proposal that is similar to one backed by Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan in 2017. That would have allowed motorists to choose between different levels of injury protection. The current system requires auto policies cover lifetime benefits for catastrophic injuries sustained in car accidents. Legislation to change the auto insurance system was approved by the Senate earlier this year, but did not pass the House. Lawmakers have three session days this week before the end of the “lame duck” session. Any bills that don’t pass by the end of this year would have to be reintroduced during the new Legislative session next year.
(Kalamazoo Gazette) Kalamazoo Township and the city of Parchment have reached agreement on fire and emergency services for the next six months. The Kalamazoo Gazette reports that the township will provide fire protection and emergency services to Parchment while the city seeks a new fire chief. Parchment City Commissioners approved a $21,000 contract Monday night. The city’s fire chief will retire at the end of the month. Kalamazoo Township has also approved the agreement.
(MPRN) Attorney General Bill Schuette and the incoming state Attorney General Dana Nessel have not directly spoken to each other during the transition process. But a spokesperson for Nessel says that has not affected the transition. A statement from Kelly Rossman-McKinney says Schuette’s staff has been “accessible, cooperative, and helpful.” Rossman-McKinney says Nessel’s goal is to meet with every division and every employee by the time she takes office on January first. Attorney General Bill Schuette says he and Nessel have just exchanged voicemails – not had any conversations. Schuette says he would like to speak with Nessel, but scheduling has prevented it.
(Detroit News) Secretary of State Ruth Johnson has not taken a position on legislation that would remove campaign oversight from the Secretary of State’s office, but she says Michigan needs to depoliticize the system. Johnson could not seek another term as Secretary of State this year due to term limits. The Republican was elected to the state Senate, and will begin serving in January. Democrat Jocelyn Benson was elected Secretary of State last month. The effort to remove campaign oversight from the Secretary of State’s office is seen as a power grab by Republicans in the state Legislature. Johnson tells the Detroit News that she faced substantial pressure from Republicans to make decisions based on “what’s best for the team.” Johnson says she told her staff to “treat everyone the same.” The proposed legislation would create a committee made up of three Republicans and three Democrats. The bill has passed the Senate. Sturgis Republican Aaron Miller, who leads the House Elections and Ethics Committee hasn’t decided yet whether the committee will hear testimony on the bills.
(Gongwer News Service) Two of the three members of the new Mackinac Straits Utility Corridor Authorityhave stepped down before the first meeting. Governor Rick Snyder announced Monday that he is appointing Mike Nystrom to the authority. Nystrom is executive vice president and secretary for the Michigan Infrastructure and Transportation Association. He replaces Mike Zimmer who stepped down Monday. The Gongwer News Service reports that Zimmer resigned from the commission because of a possible legal conflict between his resignation from the Mackinac Bridge Authority and his appointment to the Mackinac Straits Corridor Authority. Another member of the corridor authority resigned last week for what was described as personal reasons.
Western Michigan University guard Michael Flowers has been named the Mid-American Conference West Division’s men’s basketball player of the week. The sophomore scored a career high 31 points in the Broncos 70-62 loss to Michigan Saturday in Ann Arbor. Flowers is averaging 15-point-3 points per game so far this season. Western will play at Dayton Wednesday night.