Republican lawmakers propose shortening the time for getting a legal abortion in Michigan. The latest report on West Michigan’s economy shows a return to slow growth. Pedestrian traffic gets a closer look this week in Kalamazoo.
(MPRN) Some Republican lawmakers in Lansing want to shorten the time period when a pregnant woman can get an abortion. A bill in the Senate would make it a felony to perform abortions after 20 weeks of the probable conception. Many healthcare professionals use a different timeline for determining the “age” of a fetus. They start counting from the time of the woman’s last menstrual period. Using that metric, the bill would actually ban abortions at around 22 weeks. There is an exception for a medical emergency. Opponents say the exception is too vague. And they say the legislation would impede a doctor’s ability to do what’s best for their patient.
The latest survey for the National Association of Purchasing Managers finds that West Michigan’s economy returned to a pattern of slow growth in February. Grand Valley State University Economist Brian Long says after a slow start to 2019, his survey of business leaders conducted during the last two weeks of February found slow growth, consistent with much of the last 10 years. Long says confidence among business leaders rebounded in February, although he says some are concerned about the tariff dispute with China and a possible decline in auto sales.
More citations for pedestrian related infractions are expected this week in Kalamazoo. It’s one of three cities in Michigan where federal grants, administered by the state, have been awarded for overtime to enforce laws related to foot traffic. The Office of Highway Safety Planning says Kalamazoo was chosen along with Detroit and Warren because the cities had a high number of pedestrian related accidents between 2013 and 2017. Officers will be on the lookout for violations by drivers and pedestrians through Saturday.
(Interlochen Public Radio) A Michigan non-profit has filed an amicus brief in a lawsuit against a Wisconsin diversion of Great Lakes water. For Love of Water, or "FLOW", submitted the brief in support of a case brought by several Wisconsin non-profits. The case challenges a 7-million-gallon-per-day diversion of Lake Michigan water to a city that straddles the edge of the Great Lakes basin. The Great Lakes compact allows diversions to “straddling communities”, but most of the water would go to a plant owned by electronics corporation Foxconn. The lawsuit argues that diversions under the compact must be for public use.
(MPRN) Bills that failed in past sessions are once again on the agenda in the state Legislature. For the past several sessions, lawmakers have tried to end the state’s observance of daylight-saving time. Other issues that have come up before but could never get to the governor’s desk include exempting feminine hygiene products and contact lenses from taxes.
In softball, Western Michigan beat UMass Sunday 6-5 in Clearwater, Florida. The Broncos have seven wins and 11 losses so far this season. Western is scheduled to play at Michigan State on Thursday.
Western Michigan’s men’s and women’s basketball teams begin the Mid-American Conference tournament with road games Monday night. The Bronco men’s team will play at Central Michigan, the women’s team at Northern Illinois. Winners of Monday night’s games advance to the quarterfinals of the men’s and women’ MAC basketball tournaments in Cleveland.