Midwest
Lawmakers demand answers from top Michigan official over suspected pro-Democrat electioneering
EXCLUSIVE: The entire Michigan House GOP delegation — plus a major committee chair — is demanding answers from a top state official regarding the potential use of federal taxpayer dollars for pro-Democratic Party electioneering.
Rep. Roger Williams, R-Texas, led a letter to Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson calling for a probe into whether public funds for a federal agency-linked voter registration push may have been “weaponized” to “aid and abet President Biden’s reelection campaign.”
The demands followed Williams’ May subpoena to the Small Business Administration for records relating to actions in a memo forged between the SBA and Benson’s department.
The memo utilized a 2021 Biden executive order on “promoting access to voting” as its keystone and provided various directives relating to registering voters, according to the letter.
EXCLUSIVE: HOUSE COMMITTEE DEMANDS BIDEN AGENCY REVEAL STAFF TRAVEL HISTORIES AMID ELECTIONEERING CLAIMS
Williams, head of the House Small Business Committee, and the co-signers seek to determine whether there is documentation reflecting allegations the voter registration work done under the memo strategically favors Democrats.
The letter claims 39 of 52 scheduled small business outreach events in Michigan take place in “counties with the highest populations of demographics targeted by the Democratic National Committee.
“Additionally, 100 percent of the visits to Michigan from the SBA Administrator and Deputy Administrator have taken place in counties with the highest populations of DNC target demographics.”
Williams and co-signers, including Rep. Lisa McClain, R-Mich., questioned the proclivity of efforts occurring in places valued by the Biden administration and campaign.
“The United States is built upon the principle of free and fair elections, but the Biden administration seems to not care about upholding our democracy,” McClain said Tuesday.
WATCHDOG GROUP SUES FEDS FOR RECORDS AS LAWMAKER CALLS VOTER REGISTRATION EFFORTS A ‘SLAP IN THE FACE’
“Instead, they’re using the taxpayer-funded SBA to coordinate voter registration with Michigan’s Secretary of State.”
She called that alleged behavior an “abuse of power” that risks future election integrity.
“I will not rest until I get to the bottom of [this],” McClain said.
Williams added that evidence shows the SBA “has the ability to indirectly campaign” for Biden in a must-win state.
“This is a ridiculous — and likely illegal — use of taxpayer resources. I thank my Michigan colleagues for joining me in this effort, and we will not stop until the SBA is completely and totally forthcoming,” Williams said.
The letter cited a covertly recorded April video released by self-described “guerrilla journalist” James O’Keefe, which shows an SBA official claiming Small Business Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman’s travel is at times purposefully targeted to “indirectly campaign” for Biden.
In the video, a Guzman visit to vulnerable Sen. Jon Tester’s, D-Mont., home state is cited. The SBA official in the video notes Tester’s seat is a must-win for a continuing Democratic majority in the upper chamber.
Citing that context, the letter demanded Benson turn over all documents and communications between her department, SBA officials and external contractors relating to Michigan voter registration.
NEW TRUMP VOTER FRAUD SQUADS BEGIN GEARING UP FOR ‘ELECTION INTEGRITY’ FIGHT
It also demanded memo-related expense documentation, sources of the expense payments and the name of the state official designated as Benson’s liaison with the SBA.
Benson was also asked to turn over lists of relevant events in Republican House districts with notations about whether that GOP member as well as the state’s two Democratic senators, Gary Peters and Deborah Stabenow, were invited.
“If either of the two senators were invited but a Republican member of Congress was not, please detail the reasoning behind the lack of invitation,” Williams wrote.
In response to past criticisms of the Michigan Department of State’s (MDOS) work under the memo, spokeswoman Angela Benander said the agency enjoys being part of a “first-in-the-nation effort” with the small business community to “play an active role in our democracy.”
“Allegations that this program is being used to drive large amounts of voter activity in a partisan manner are patently false,” Benander said, adding, unsolicited, that criticisms of the voter registration web portal are unfounded due to its minimal use.
Critics, however, have suggested the attention given by a Biden administration agency to a key swing state in this way continues to draw suspicion.
Previously, Guzman said in a statement heralding the memo that it is meant to promote civic engagement and fulfill a Biden administration promise to protect and strengthen democracy.
“Small businesses are busy working on and in their businesses, and by meeting them where they are — on our website and at our small business outreach events — we can help facilitate voter registration and civic engagement so their voices are heard,” Guzman said.
An SBA representative declined to respond to a question about the veracity of O’Keefe’s video.
Read the full article from Here
Detroit, MI
Metro Detroit church hosts community event to support youth: “We’re here for you”
A Metro Detroit church is giving back to the youth. In an age of heightened peer pressures, such as teen takeovers, leaders tell CBS News Detroit that good old-fashioned fun is the way to bring all ages together.
“It’s been a vision of mine and my late husband forever,” said Divine Restoration Ministries Pastor Dr. Tenisia Evans.
Divine Restoration Ministries hosted a Legacy in Action Day on Saturday in the gym of Eastpointe High School in Eastpointe, Michigan. The church says its focus is showing up for communities, especially the future generation.
“So many things going on in the world right now and the youth has been the center of our focus,” said Evans.
Evans says with the help of other church leaders and businesses, including AT&T, they were able to secure food, games and experiences for kids of all ages.
And when it comes to creating an event kids would actually like, Detroit teen Martrail Mullen says they were spot on.
“Kids, we like to move around and still have cardio, and while still having fun at my age, most churches don’t do that,” said Mullen.
Mullen says he has been invited to teen takeovers in the past. While he says he’s never gone to one, he wishes kids would use their time more wisely.
“Kids my age, they are doing a lot of things,” said Mullen.
That’s why Evans says now is the time they open their arms to anyone in need of support.
“We’re here. We’re here for you and we want to pour back and let you know that if you need anything, come to us and we will be here as a resource,” said Evans.
Milwaukee, WI
Carin León, Summerfest’s first regional Mexican music act, draws new visitors to Milwaukee
MILWAUKEE – Summerfest wrapped up its first weekend Saturday with headliner Carin León, who organizers said is the first regional Mexican music artist to hit the stage.
Out-of-town draw
What they’re saying:
The performer drew visitors to the festival from Chicago to Michigan.
FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX LOCAL Mobile app for iOS or Android
“I love the experience, it’s really cool,” Gigi Acosta, who traveled from Chicago, said. “We love it, it’s so much fun here.”
Folks flocked into Henry Maier Festival Park to take part in the fun.
“He puts on a great show,” said Karina Rodriguez, who came from Chicago with her family.
“Five hours, to me, is really nothing to come see him,” said Tracey Solis, who along with Filberto Solís, traveled from Michigan.
Tourism in Milwaukee
Big picture view:
It is an impact Summerfest leaders said will have a greater impact on the city.
“We drive over $160 million in tourism to this economy,” Jerrod Woods, senior director of marketing for Summerfest, said. “Carin is another huge aspect of that to help bring all the tourism to the city.”
Woods said León’s performance is an example of the diverse number of artists they want to keep bringing to the festival.
“The amount of people and outpour that you receive, like, ‘thank you for bringing such an incredible artist,’ like Carin León, who represents the Latin community not only here in Milwaukee but around the region,” Woods said.
It’s what brought new visitors, like the Rodriguez family, to Milwaukee.
SIGN UP TODAY: Get daily headlines, breaking news emails from FOX6 News
“We brought my mom because she’s a super fan,” said Karina Rodriguez. “She loves him, and this is our first time at Summerfest.”
Acosta even made a poster hoping to get her favorite artist’s attention.
“I love you Carin León,” she said as she blew a kiss.
What’s next:
Organizers said Saturday’s show is another example of giving people what they want. They told FOX6 News that they are already planning for 2027.
The Source: Information in this story is from FOX6 News interviews with Gigi Acosta, Tracey Solis, Filberto Solís, Karina Rodriguez, Georgina Rodriguez, Casey Rodriguez, and Jerrod Woods.
Minneapolis, MN
Child seriously injured after being struck by car while playing in alley
A child was seriously injured after a car hit them in an alley in Minneapolis on Saturday morning.
Minneapolis police say a child was playing in an alley near 29th Avenue North and Lyndale Avenue North around 11:30 a.m. when a car hit them. The child was brought to the hospital with potentially-life-threatening injuries, police added.
The child’s age was not released by law enforcement.
The driver of the car stayed at the scene and is cooperating with law enforcement, Minneapolis police said.
There have been no arrests at this time.
-
News15 minutes agoNewsom declares State of Emergency for Boyle Heights warehouse fire
-
Los Angeles, Ca2 hours agoKids, teens can enjoy free lunch at over 90 parks across Los Angeles
-
Detroit, MI2 hours agoMetro Detroit church hosts community event to support youth: “We’re here for you”
-
San Francisco, CA2 hours agoSan Francisco celebrates Black freedom at weekend Juneteenth parade: ‘We’re all people’
-
Dallas, TX2 hours agoRedesign debate intensifies as Dallas convention center faces costly delays
-
Miami, FL2 hours ago‘An insane memory’: New World Cup super hero plays in Miami but not with Messi
-
Boston, MA2 hours agoFAA investigates close call between two aircraft at intersecting runways at Boston Logan International Airport | CNN
-
Denver, CO2 hours agoProposed September 2026 Service Changes