Kellogg Arena and more places in Battle Creek are open for people to get out of the heat. Michigan’s Secretary of State seeks members for the new redistricting commission. The Growlers and Bombers both lose their first games after the Northwoods League All-Star break.
Michigan State Police are urging residents throughout the state to prepare for excessive heat through Saturday. That includes checking on family members and neighbors who could be vulnerable to the heat, such as the elderly. People should drink plenty of water while avoiding alcohol or caffeine, which can cause dehydration. An excessive heat warning is in effect for most of Southwest Michigan until 8:00 Saturday night. Kellogg Arena and Second Missionary Baptist Church in Battle Creek will be open until 6:00 Friday night for people to get out of the heat. The Share Center will be open from noon until 8:00 Friday evening.
(MPRN) Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson says her plans to recruit people to be part of Michigan’s new redistricting commission will work a lot like efforts to boost voter turnout. Benson is working on plans to enact the amendment adopted by voters last November. It creates a new commission that’s supposed to draw legislative and congressional district lines independent of the influence of political parties. Benson, a Democrat, says she’d like to see more people who are not normally interested in politics – or voting – to apply to be on the commission. She says that means recruiting from places where voter turnout is low. Benson says she’s also asked the Legislature’s Republican and Democratic leaders to provide funding to recruit people from all walks of life to apply to serve on the commission.
(Michigan Radio) Michigan’s marijuana regulators want to promote local pot business ownership in 19 communities that have historically been impacted the most by past marijuana prohibition. The Marijuana Regulatory Agency’s “social equity program” will assist people living in Detroit, Flint and other targeted cities with their business applications and reduced fees. Agency director Andrew Brisbo says the agency would like to see 50 percent of the marijuana businesses in targeted communities be part of the social equity program.
In baseball, Battle Creek fell behind 9-0 in the first inning and went on to a 13-3 loss to Rockford Thursday night. The Bombers and the Rivets will play again Friday night at C.O. Brown Stadium in Battle Creek.
Kalamazoo took a four run lead into the bottom of the ninth inning, at Kokomo, but the Jackrabbits rallied Thursday night for an 11-10 win over the Growlers. Kalamazoo plays at Kokomo again Friday night.