MSU interim president John Engler resigns. Kalamazoo County joins a lawsuit against opioid makers. WMU women’s basketball loses at home. The K-Wings win a record setting game at Fort Wayne.
(MPRN) John Engler’s time as interim president of Michigan State University has come to an end. MSU trustees voted Thursday morning to accept Engler's resignation and appoint Executive Vice President for Administrative Services Satish Udpa as interim president. This comes on the heels of recent statements made by the former Michigan governor. The Detroit News reported that Engler said some survivors of Larry Nassar may be “enjoying” their moments in the “spotlight.” Nassar is the former MSU sports doctor who sexually assaulted his patients for decades. Engler’s resignation letter (published by the Detroit Free Press) was effective at 9am on Wednesday, January 23rd. Trustees voted Thursday morning to accept his resignation immediately.
(WKAR) Michigan’s Medical Marihuana Licensing Board passed a temporary resolution yesterday to address product shortages. The measure will allow businesses operating under temporary licenses to continue selling through March 31st. And, sellers who have full licenses to buy from caregivers in order to meet market demands. This is one of several stopgap measures employed by the board since the law was amended in 2016. Now, seventy two sellers who were forced to shut down at the end of the last extension for temporary operators, can reopen.
(Kalamazoo Gazette) Kalamazoo County is joining a class-action lawsuit against companies that make opioid drugs. The Kalamazoo Gazette says county commissioners approved the move Tuesday. It declares the opioid abuse epidemic a “public health crisis” in the county. The lawsuit seeks damages from drug companies. Local governments say they need the money to offset the costs of dealing with the surge in abuse of painkilling drugs.
In women’s basketball, Western Michigan lost to Toledo Wednesday night 80-57. Deja Wimbey led the Broncos with 14 points. Senior Jasmyn Walker scored 13 to surpass 1,000 points during her career, including two seasons with Valparaiso. The Broncos host Buffalo Saturday afternoon.
In hockey, Kalamazoo and Fort Wayne set an ECHL record for goals scored in a game as the K-Wings beat the Comets Wednesday night 10-8. Kalamazoo rallied from a 6-3 deficit late in the second period for the win. The K-Wings host Cincinnati Friday and Toledo Saturday night at the Wings Event Center.