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Southwest Michigan Today: Monday July 29, 2019

Detroit - file photo from Wikimedia Commons
Wikimedia Commons

Governor Whitmer says she will veto legislation that would ban flying pride flags over state buildings. Democratic Presidential candidates prepare to debate in Detroit. Kalamazoo beats Battle Creek in their final meeting of the Northwoods League baseball season.

(MPRN) Governor Gretchen Whitmer says she’s ready to veto a bill that would ban flying the gay pride flag or any other non-governmental flag at state buildings. The Democratic governor issued the veto threat regarding a bill sponsored by Republican state Representative Lynn Affendoulis. It would allow only official US and Michigan flags to be flown outside state offices. Affendoulis is seeking the Republican nomination for Congress in the district that includes Battle Creek and Grand Rapids. One of her GOP primary opponents says her bill would also ban flying flags that honor veterans and former prisoners of war. The third district’s current representative Justin Amash recently left the Republican Party to become an independent.

(WDET) Democratic presidential hopefuls are gathering in Detroit for this week’s second candidate debate. Just like the first debate…the Detroit edition features 20 candidates split into two groups spread across consecutive evenings. The first evening features two of the leaders of the party’s progressive wing, Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren. The second evening features a re-match between Joe Biden and Kamala Harris…who sparred over racial issues in the first debate.

(Interlochen Public Radio) Members of the group “No Detention Centers in Michigan” were in Traverse City over the weekend. They protested a new prison that will hold immigrants convicted of crimes in northern Michigan. According to the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol the most common reason for incarceration is re-entry into the country after being deported. Members of “No Detention Centers in Michigan plan to spread awareness about the prison encourage organizations to divest from the company… and persuade potential employees not to work there. The prison’s owner GEO group did not respond to requests for comment.

In baseball, Kalamazoo beat Battle Creek 8-3 Sunday in the final meeting between the two teams during the Northwoods League season. The Growlers won eight of their 12 games with the Bombers. Both teams are off Monday, Kalamazoo will play at Traverse City tomorrow while Battle Creek will begin a two game series at Rockford.

Image from Wikimedia Commons