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Biden aides to meet with Arab, Muslim leaders in Michigan on Gaza

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Biden aides to meet with Arab, Muslim leaders in Michigan on Gaza


Senior US officials will visit the 2024 election battleground state of Michigan on Thursday to meet with Arab-American and Muslim leaders critical of President Joe Biden for not calling for a permanent ceasefire in Israel’s attacks on Gaza.

The officials include US Agency for International Development Administrator Samantha Power, Steve Benjamin, White House public engagement director; and his deputy, Jamie Citron, a White House official said.

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Other officials include Tom Perez, who heads the White House office of intergovernmental affairs; his deputy, Dan Koh; Jon Finer, principal deputy national security adviser; and Mazen Basrawi, director for partnerships and global engagement at the National Security Council, the official said.

The meetings come weeks after community leaders in southeastern Michigan refused to meet with Biden campaign officials, saying they would only engage with policymakers on ending Israel’s attacks on Gaza and getting aid to Palestinians.

On Tuesday, over 30 elected officials across Michigan said they would vote “uncommitted” in Michigan’s Democratic primary on Feb. 27 to protest Biden’s response to the war in Gaza, and others have said they will not vote for Biden in November.

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Demonstrators take part in an Emergency Rally: Stand with Palestinians Under Siege in Gaza at Harvard University on October 14, 2023. (credit: BRIAN SNYDER/REUTERS)

Attempts at ongoing engagement

Administration officials say the meetings are part of their ongoing engagement with community leaders and elected officials since the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks on southern Israel. They have said a broad ceasefire now would benefit Hamas but have called for more limited halts in fighting to allow for the release of hostages taken by Hamas and the distribution of aid to Gaza residents.

Ahmad Chebbani, founder and chairman of the American Arab Chamber of Commerce, said community leaders remained skeptical. “They should have engaged with us months ago. I think this thing is irreversible. You can’t really cover up 30,000 people dead,” he said.

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Israel began its offensive after terrorists from Hamas-ruled Gaza killed 1,200 people and took 253 hostages on Oct. 7. Gaza’s health ministry says at least 27,585 Palestinians have been confirmed killed, with thousands more feared buried under rubble. There has been only one truce so far, lasting just a week at the end of November.

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Spring Sports Stars: Who is Michigan’s top junior in girls tennis?

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Spring Sports Stars: Who is Michigan’s top junior in girls tennis?


It’s time to highlight some of the best of the best in girls tennis from across Michigan. MLive has compiled a list of some of the top junior girls tennis players from across the state, but we’re giving the readers the chance to crown the state’s top standout.

Readers will have until 9 a.m. on Monday, May 26, to cast their votes and the winner will be announced the following day.

Check out the candidates below and cast your vote below.

JUNIOR GIRLS TENNIS STARS

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Daniella Ajao, North Farmington

Leslie Bahk, Rochester Hills Stoney Creek

Helen Benjamin, Detroit Country Day

Samantha Bieber, Chelsea

Hailey Burd, Otsego

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Sophie Burns, Rockford girls

Adelie Chen, Portage Central

Ana Cheng, Mattawan

Chloe Cox, Forest Hills Central

Sophia DiPilla, Northville

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Alison Doka, Rochester Hills Stoney Creek

Savannah Edwards, Swartz Creek

Addy Fales, Allegan

Alexis Gabriel, Utica Eisenhower

Ginger Golombisky, Owosso

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Jiaqi Huang, Ann Arbor Huron

Julia Ivezaj, Wixom St. Catherine

Nainika Jasti, Troy

Jada Josifovski, Birmingham Seaholm

Emma Keeping, Imlay City

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Elizabeth Kennamer, Clio

Keira Kirkland, Farmington Hills Mercy

Lauren Klawon, Bay City Central

Ellisen LaFay, Powers Catholic

Ashlee Michelson, Fenton

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Harriet Ogilvie, Forest Hills Northern

Danica Rakic-Dennis, Ann Arbor Greenhills

Libby Reese, Lumen Christi Becca Brushaber Parma Western

Gabby Sadowski, Utica Eisenhower

Avery Taylor, Durand

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Lucy Taylor, Chelsea

Caroline Torok, Bloomfield Hills Marian

Kenna Trost, Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard

Ally Tunnicliff, Flushing

Brynlee Williams, Dexter

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Lolyana Yapchai, Powers Catholic

Lauren Ye, Ann Arbor Greenhills

Audrey Yu, Ann Arbor Pioneer



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Michigan college student Connor Lotterman killed at house party in ‘intentional’ shooting

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Michigan college student Connor Lotterman killed at house party in ‘intentional’ shooting


A Michigan college student was killed when multiple gunshots were fired through the floor at a house party in an “intentional” shooting, according to reports.

Connor Lotterman, a 19-year-old engineering student at Grand Valley State University, was struck in the head by a recklessly shot bullet fired from an upstairs bedroom during the May 9 party, WOOD-TV reported.

The tragic scene unfolded just after 11 p.m. in Tallmadge Township, MI, 6 miles east of the school’s campus.

Grand Valley State University student Connor Lotterman died after being shot during a house party in Tallmadge Township, Michigan on May 9, 2025. Langeland-Sterenberg Yntema Funeral Homes

Officials say a 20-year-old suspected gunman unloaded several rounds from his own gun into the floorboards as 10-20 people were partying inside.

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“The shooting was quite intentional,” Ottowa County Sheriff’s Office Capt. Jake Sparks told the outlet. “Multiple rounds were fired. It wasn’t like as if it were a one-shot accidental discharge. This was numerous rounds discharged. Although the result of the shooting led to an accidental death, this shooting was intentional.”

Lotterman was rushed to a local hospital in critical condition but died on May 10, three days shy of his 20th birthday.

The coroner’s officer ruled Lotterman’s death an accident, with alcohol suspected of playing a role.

“Encourage people to be smart, firearms and alcohol don’t mix that’s for sure,” Sparks said. “I think this situation could’ve been avoided without those things mixing.”

The tragic scene unfolded just after 11 p.m. in Tallmadge Township, MI, 6 miles east of the school’s campus. WOOD-TV
Lotterman was rushed to a local hospital in critical condition but died on May 10, three days shy of his 20th birthday. Langeland-Sterenberg Yntema Funeral Homes

The suspected gunman has not been publicly identified as police and prosecutors are considering criminal charges in the fatal shooting.

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Lotterman was the youngest of five and is survived by his parents, siblings, grandparents and nieces and nephews, according to an online obituary.

His sister mourned her younger brother in a touching birthday message posted to social media.

“Thank you for being the best little brother a girl could ask for,” Marielle Lotterman wrote in the tribute. “I am so thankful to God for the 20 amazing years you had on this earth.”

Officials say a 20-year-old suspected gunman unloaded several rounds from his own gun into the floorboards on the second floor as 10-20 people were partying inside. WOOD-TV

Lotterman was completing his second year at GVSU when he was killed.

“The Grand Valley community is saddened by Connor’s tragic death,” Dean of Students Aaron Haight said in a statement obtained by WOOD-TV. “On behalf of President Mantella, the Laker community extends our deepest sympathies to his family and friends.”

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Talking with Meredith from “The Office” who spent all weekend in Michigan

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Talking with Meredith from “The Office” who spent all weekend in Michigan


NOVI, MI – You know her as the sometimes wild and not always sober employee at Dunder Mifflin Paper Company.

We caught up with “The Office” star, Kate Flannery, who played Meredith on the hit comedy series from 2005 – 2013.

Flannery is one of around three dozen celebrity guests at Motor City Comic Con. The event’s final day this weekend is today and both Flannery and Leslie David Baker (Stanley) will be there today, as well.

Flannery told us about some of her favorite episodes.

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“I have about 17, she joked, as you can see in our video interview. ”The one I’ll talk about now is “Rockin’ Christmas.” I just loved when Meredith thinks Michael Scott is taking her to get a cocktail, but instead, he’s dragging her to rehab. It’s kind of fantastic.”

And this isn’t Flannery’s first time in Michigan.

“I did a movie in Troy and Royal Oak called ”Dial a Prayer” with William H. Macy. I also did a stage show in 1993. We played in Pontiac. I went to Sign of the Beef Carver. I did that many times. Not once. Oh, and I played the Fox Theatre, too.”

Flannery says she enjoys returning to Michigan when she can. She says she’s thrown out a first pitch at a minor league baseball game in Midland, among other things.

“I love the vibe. I love the Michiganders. I did spend one St. Patrick’s Day here. It was very memorable.”

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Flannery says she is somewhat like her character on the show, minus being an alcoholic.

“We had the best writers on TV. I did not write Meredith. Occasionally I get to improvise a little bit. My dad did own a bar in Philadelphia. If you invite me to a party, I will probably show up. I’m not completely like Meredith. I don’t drink as much as I would like to.”



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