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Proposal would make Michigan State Capitol a ‘gun-free zone’

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Proposal would make Michigan State Capitol a ‘gun-free zone’


If two Michigan lawmakers have their way, there will be fewer locations in the state where people are allowed to carry firearms.

State Sen. Dayna Polehanki, D-Livonia, and state Sen. Rosemary Bayer, D-Beverly Hills, have introduced bills that would expand gun-free zones within the State Capitol complex.

Both have advocated for stricter gun laws in Michigan.

Senate Bills 857 and 858 would make it illegal to carry a firearm in the State Capitol building, the Binsfeld Senate Office Building, and the Anderson House Office Building – with an exception for legislators.

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Ryan Bates, executive director of the group End Gun Violence Michigan, said he believes these proposals are much needed.

“We cannot have a functioning democracy at the barrel of a gun,” said Bates. “So, it’s incredibly important that we protect our legislators and protect our democracy from people who want to do it harm by bringing guns into the places where our laws are made.”

If the gun-free zone bills become law, violators could face up to 90 days in jail, and or be fined.

During the highly publicized Oxford High School shooter trial, Polehanki took to social media to warn parents that if their child discharges a firearm and causes harm to themselves or others, the parent is going to jail.

Longtime firearms instructor and gun-rights advocate Rick Ector said he’s all for responsible gun ownership – but not gun-free zones.

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He argued that having law-abiding citizens carrying firearms in more places would inherently make these areas safer.

“People who have a concealed pistol license, who are primarily the people we’re talking about,” said Ector, “they are statistically more law-abiding than the law enforcement community, and they’ve gone through all the required, statutorily specified training.”

Both bills have been assigned to the Senate Committee on Civil Rights, Judiciary and Public Safety.​



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Michigan Football Gains Another Commitment in Class of 2026

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Michigan Football Gains Another Commitment in Class of 2026


On Tuesday, Michigan added former Cal commit, and 2026 prospect, Ernest Nunley, but he isn’t the only one this week.

On Thursday, the Wolverines added kicker Jacob Baggett to the class. Baggett, from Charlotte (NC) Providence Day School, is ranked as the No. 8 kicker in the 2026 cycle, per Chris Sailer Kicking.

Six Former Michigan Football Players Battling for Super Bowl Spot This Weekend

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“Jacob is a fantastic high school kicking prospect. He is a great looking athlete with a live leg. Jacob does an outstanding job on field goal. He hits a pure ball, gets great height on easily has 55+ yard range. His kickoffs are strong, D1 ready. Jacob drives the ball 65+ yards, with 4.15+ hang time. He is a competitor who thrives under pressure. There is big upside here. Jacob has all the tools to dominate at the next level. Look for him to dominate his senior season picking up additional college offers along the way. He is a pleasure to work with. Excellent prospect.”

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According to MaxPreps, Baggett made 6-of-7 field goals this season with a long of 48 yards. He went 121-131 on extra points.

Kerry Coombs continues to make waves

Sherrone Moore added former Ohio State coach Kerry Coombs to his staff just days before he was fired. Kyle Whittingham kept Coombs on his staff, and he has made waves in recruiting for his special teams unit.

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The Wolverines added a kicker, punter, and two long snappers from the transfer portal. While Michigan did lose both K Micah Drescher and LS Colton Dermer, who were both 2026 pledges, Coombs helped matters by landing Baggett.

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Michigan’s special teams was fantastic under Jim Harbaugh and Jay Harbaugh. But under Moore and former ST coordinator JB Brown, the unit really slipped.

With Coombs leading the show and the quality of players he has brought in, we would expect Michigan’s special teams to look much better across the board in 2026.

— Sign up for the Michigan Daily Digest newsletter for more free coverage fromMichigan Wolverines on SI 



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Metro Detroit man faces drug charge in overdose death

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Metro Detroit man faces drug charge in overdose death



A Warren, Michigan, man is facing a drug charge in connection with the overdose death of a 54-year-old man.

According to the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office, Aron Edwards Jr., 50, was arraigned on Jan. 16 on one count of delivery of a controlled substance causing death. Edwards received a $50,000 cash/surety bond and must wear a GPS tether if released. He is due back in court on Jan. 27.

Aron Edwards Jr., 50, of Warren, is charged with one count of delivery of a controlled substance causing death in connection with the overdose death of 54-year-old Roger Benthal.

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Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office


Prosecutors say that on Sept. 2, 2025, Clinton Township police responded to a home on Williamson Street and found two people unconscious and suffering from an apparent overdose. Prosecutors say that a woman was resuscitated, but the second person, 54-year-old Roger Benthal, was pronounced dead.

A toxicology report found Carfentanil in Benthal’s bloodstream, according to prosecutors. An investigation led to Edwards.

“Many people do not realize the serious and often fatal risks they take when using drugs obtained off the streets. Lives can be lost in an instant. Drugs will not be tolerated in Macomb County, and my office will continue working aggressively to protect the safety and well-being of our residents,” said Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido in a news release.

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Edwards is due back in court on Jan. 27.  



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Michigan House votes to put limits on cases Attorney General can intervene in

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Michigan House votes to put limits on cases Attorney General can intervene in


Michigan’s Attorneys General could be restricted in the cases they’re allowed to take up if bills voted on by the State House today become law.

Right now, the Attorney General can sue on behalf of the State of Michigan and intervene in local cases. The package of three bills, passed in the house on a party line vote, would change that.

They would prevent the Attorney General from deciding to intervene in civil or criminal proceedings in which Michigan may be impacted.

Instead, it would be up to the Governor or Legislature to decide whether to intervene.

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The Attorney General would further be barred from unilaterally filing lawsuits in the name of Michigan or choosing Ingham County as a venue for cases involving incidents outside of the county.

State House Republicans criticized how this power has been used, and said the legislation is about fairness.

“It just doesn’t make sense under individual rights that the attorney general has this singular trump card, if you will, that just allows you to determine where your venue is going to be at,” Rep. Jay Deboyer (R-Clay) said. “Additionally, the idea that the attorney general, on their own, can go outside of the state of Michigan, can intervene, can take up cases, boy, that’s a really broad view, I would say.”

During her two terms, Attorney General Dana Nessel, a Democrat, has joined several lawsuits, including against both Trump administrations and other entities.

House Speaker Rep. Matt Hall (R-Richland Township) blasted her efforts.

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“(Nessel) spends a lot of time going after her political opponents, but very little time winning cases,” Hall said. “We need to just rein in this out of control Attorney General, we need to rein her in, and we want her to focus on the important things like consumer protection.”

Democrats assert the bills will hamstring Attorneys General and hurt the office’s ability to enforce laws.

One Democratic lawmaker also defended Nessel ahead of the vote on the bills.

“(Nessel) has done more for the state of Michigan, for the people of Michigan in recent history, especially with the federal lawsuits that she has joined or started, and she has done so well in helping us make sure that kids with special needs get the funding that they need for disaster relief,” Rep. Kelly Breen (D-Novi) said. “Who wants to turn that down? Who doesn’t want an advocate that will do everything in their power for the people of Michigan.”

Nessel’s office responded to the bills and Hall’s comments in a statement.

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“The bill package in question does not actually do what its sponsors purport, and would not take effect until the next attorney general takes office,” Nessel’s office said. “They are simply a distraction and will not deter this office from its work.”

Officials said they share the Speaker’s concerns for better consumer protections.

“We are now hopeful he will request movement on SB 134 to strengthen Michigan’s Consumer Protection Act, which this Department has championed for years, and has been sitting in House Judiciary since June of last year,” Nessel’s office said.

This is the second time in recent history that the legislature has tried to change how the Attorney General pursues cases.

The last time, the measures were vetoed by Gov. Rick Snyder, a Republican.

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These bills are likely to meet a similar fate in the State Senate, which is controlled by the Democrats.



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