Michigan
AG joins coalition opposing GOP effort to halt Clean Water Act rule for states ⋆ Michigan Advance
Michigan has joined a multi-state effort to intervene and fight against an effort from 11 Republican-led states and energy groups to block a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule that allows states to reject federal projects that could violate that state’s water quality standards.
The rule at the center of the lawsuit raised by Republican-led states including Louisiana, Alaska and Mississippi is the Clean Water Act Section 401 Water Quality Certification Improvement Rule. Effective as of November 2023, the rule reinstated a decades-long rule that allowed states to review and “veto” federal projects, barring permits, should the project violate state rules surrounding environmental standards.
The rule had been limited under former President Donald Trump’s administration.
The states and organizations challenging the rule said in a December filing that the limits placed under the Trump administration are, “necessary to ensure that the certifying authority does not inappropriately thwart nationally important projects or critical infrastructure.”
They add that the 2023 version of the rule is “arbitrary and capricious” limiting vital projects and undermines the “holistic” approach the EPA took in 2020 to limit state abuses of the rule.
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and 17 other attorneys general filed a request to be allowed to defend the current rule on Friday.
President Joe Biden’s administration has restored rules and regulations that allow states to protect their natural resources Nessel said in a news release. She previously joined legal opposition to the limits on state’s authority in recent years.
“The Trump administration wrongfully attempted to cut states out of safeguarding our water quality in federal projects, despite a clear responsibility to do so by Congressional directive under the Clean Water Act,” Nessel said in a news release Friday. “Protecting Michigan’s water is a vital interest and duty of the State, and I proudly support the federal government’s efforts to recognize the importance of these crucial states’ rights, and will defend them from these legal challenges alongside my colleagues.”
Michigan joins several other states in the filing: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington and the District of Columbia.
In the filing. the group says the 2023 rule rectifies the shortcomings and limits in the 2020 rule which dilutes the intended purpose of the rule giving the federal government ultimate control on projects that have widespread implications for the state.
“Plaintiffs boldly claim that EPA’s return to an understanding of section 401 certification that governed the Clean Water Act for over 50 years is overly broad or burdensome. …The opposite is true,” the filing said. “Placing the ultimate authority to ensure proposed projects comply with state water quality requirements in the hands of states is the core reason Congress included the section 401 certification requirement in the first place.”
Michigan
Michigan groom sentenced for killing his best friend on his wedding night
FLINT, Mich. (AP) — A man in Michigan who got married and then ran over his best friend that same day, killing him, after an alcohol-fueled argument was sentenced Monday to least 30 years in prison.
“The only thing I can do for the rest of my life is express my apology and remorse. … I will forever be sorry,” James Shirah said in Genesee County court.
Shirah, 24, was driving when his vehicle struck Terry Taylor Jr. in Flint, about an hour’s drive northwest of Detroit, on Aug. 30, 2024. He and Savanah Collier were married earlier that day and the celebration had moved to a house.
Shirah’s attorney had argued that the crash was not intentional. Prosecutors, however, said Shirah had left the scene and had time to reflect before returning and striking Taylor, MLive.com reported.
“Mr. Shirah, I believe that you are not a criminal. You are, however, a killer,” Judge Khary Hanible said.
In April, Shirah pleaded no contest to second-degree murder and other offenses. He will be eligible for parole after 30 years.
“I hope that they throw the book at you,” Taylor’s cousin, Eren Taylor, said before Shirah received his sentence.
Shirah’s wife will be sentenced later in May for being an accessory.
Michigan
SW Michigan show returns as growing destination for vinyl collectors
BENTON HARBOR — Vinyl collectors and music fans are invited to dig through thousands of records and music collectibles at the Southwest Michigan Record Show.
The event is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 16 at Grand Upton Hall inside Lake Michigan College’s Mendel Center in Benton Harbor, according to a press release.
Now in its fourth season, the show features 25 vendors from five states, offering 70 tables filled with vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, record supplies and music memorabilia.
Free admission begins at 10 a.m.
General admission is free starting at 10 a.m., while early entry is available at 8:30 a.m. for $5. Door prize drawings are planned for 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., including $25 shopping certificates and record supplies from BCW Supplies. The first 75 attendees will receive free tote bags.
A food truck will be on site, and cash is preferred for purchases. Some vendors may accept cards, PayPal, Venmo and other payment methods, but there is no ATM on site.
Vendors from across the Midwest and beyond
The show is expected to feature a wide selection of music genres, including classic rock, pop, ’80s, metal, punk, jazz, blues, R&B, country and soundtracks.
“This show is still being discovered, and that’s part of what makes it exciting,” event organizer Jeremy D. Bonfiglio said in the release. “We’ve built a strong group of experienced vendors, so whether you’re just getting into vinyl or digging for something rare, there’s a real opportunity here to find something unexpected.”
Free parking is available near the entrance of Mendel Center, 2755 Napier Ave.
Future dates planned
The Southwest Michigan Record Show is also scheduled to return Sept. 19.
For more information, visit southwestmichiganrecordshow.com or follow the event on Facebook.
This story was created by reporter Cheryl Morey, with the assistance of artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing.
Michigan
Yes, you can play curling in West Michigan
ALGOMA TOWNSHIP, Mich. — The spirit of curling is one of friendship.
While memory of the Winter Olympics may have long melted away in the minds of many Americans, there some whose curiousness for the sport of curling has extended all the way into the springtime.
“Everybody’s having fun,” said Paul Curran, league manager for the Grand Rapids Curling Club. “It’s a really weird sport in that it’s really friendly.”
The club, which plays at the Cedar Rock Sportsplex in Algoma Township, has seen a recent spike in interest in its beginners leagues and learn to curl classes.
“We’re all here to curl and learn,” said beginner Aaron Schwieterman. “Everyone’s making mistakes, but still having a great time learning the sport and trying to mimic what the professionals do at the Olympics.”
“I recommend it to anybody who wants to try something different,” said beginner Margaret Steketee. “If I can do it, anybody can do it.”
For a period of time on the ice, these newcomers to the sport turn into competitors. Then, at the conclusions of their games, they revert to being friends.
“Largely, what you’ll find with curlers is that when they’re done curling, they want to be friendly and hang out,” Curran said. “Which is what our league is doing right now.”
As long as people are interested, Curran says the club will continue to put on beginners leagues and lessons.
“The more people we get out here curling, the better,” he said.
For more information on ways to play and learn how to curl in West Michigan, visit the Grand Rapids Curling Club’s website.
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