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Karamo ejected from convention as divisions persist in Michigan Republican Party

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Karamo ejected from convention as divisions persist in Michigan Republican Party


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FLINT — Michigan Republicans activists are united behind former President Donald Trump, but other strong divisions persist, a Saturday state party convention in Flint made clear.

The party selected its two candidates for the Michigan Supreme Court early Saturday evening, but voting and counting was continuing for university boards and the State Board of Education.

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The former party chair, Kristina Karamo, who was ousted by party dissidents in January after less than a year in office, showed up at the Dort Financial Center and was soon escorted out of the building by security and local police. “Corruption,” Karamo said as she exited.

Former ambassador and congressman Pete Hoekstra, who was elected to replace Karamo two weeks after the vote to remove her and who has since worked to improve the party’s shaky finances, was greeted with scattered but loud boos when he took the stage to address the convention.

The convention, attended by about 4,000 delegates, alternates, and guests, elected candidates for the Michigan Supreme Court, university boards, and the State Board of Education. The convention’s work was delayed by laborious hand counting — and in some cases recounting — of ballots, and a lengthy dispute over delegate credentials that stems from rival groups claiming to be the legitimate leaders of the Kalamazoo County Republican Party. A similar party leadership dispute exists in Saginaw County, where County Clerk Vanessa Guerra, a Democrat, said recently she has recognized both groups and allowed each to name election challenges and poll watchers for the August primary.

Hoekstra, a former west Michigan congressman who served as U.S. ambassador to the Netherlands under Trump, said Saturday he’s not troubled by the ongoing discord.

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“You’re always going to have an element of dissent,” Hoekstra said. “I can tell you that group’s a whole lot smaller than it was five months ago.”

Hoekstra said as long as the party is united behind Trump and former congressman Mike Rogers, who is seeking the open U.S. Senate seat in Michigan — “and they are,” he said — then, “they don’t have to like me.”

Karamo was not elected as a delegate to the convention but was granted an “all access pass” in error, Hoekstra said, before she walked onto the convention floor and was surrounded by a group of supporters. Officials offered Karamo a guest pass that would have allowed her to watch from seats surrounding the floor, but she declined, he said. That’s why she was escorted out, as was one other unidentified person, Hoekstra said.

Karamo said she was there to support a candidate and was not causing any disruption.

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More: Donald Trump to visit Michigan again on Thursday. This time, it’s Potterville

The convention began making news Friday night when controversial Kalamazoo County attorney Matthew DePerno, who was defeated for state attorney general in 2022 and awaits trial on felony charges related to alleged tampering with election machines, withdrew from consideration for a Michigan Supreme Court nomination and threw his support to Branch County Circuit Judge Patrick O’Grady.

Michigan Supreme Court justices are elected on the nonpartisan portion of the ballot, but they are nominated by the two major political parties. Republican nominees would have to win both seats to reverse the 4-3 edge that Democratic nominees now hold on the court.

That is seen as a tough challenge, since the Democratic nominee, Justice Kyra Harris Bolden, will have the advantage of an incumbency designation for the partial term, and since both Democratic nominees have raised far more money for their campaigns than any of the Republican contenders.

For the full eight-year term on the state’s highest court, filling the seat being vacated by Justice David Viviano, state Rep. Andrew Fink defeated Michigan Court of Appeals Judge Mark Boonstra, despite Boonstra’s endorsement from Trump. Viviano, a Republican nominee, announced in March he would not seek another term. The Democratic nominee for the seat is attorney Kimberly Thomas.

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Bolden and Thomas have raised $1.1 million and just over $826,000 respectively, and each has cash on hand that is more than five times what all the Republican nominees have raised — combined. Only Fink had reached six figures in fund-raising when pre-convention reports were filed, with just over $100,000 raised.

Fink, a Hillsdale Republican, is completing his second two-year term in the state House, where he serves as minority vice-chair of the House Judiciary Committee. The former U.S. Marine has a 2010 law degree from U-M.

After DePerno’s withdrawal, there were two contenders for a partial, four-year term on the court. There, Branch County Circuit Judge Patrick O’Grady defeated Alexandria Taylor, a Detroit attorney.

O’Grady was elected to the 15th Circuit Court in 2008 and has served there as chief judge several times. The former member of the U.S. Army Reserve has a 1999 law degree from Thomas Cooley Law School.

DePerno, who was the unsuccessful GOP candidate for attorney general in 2022, gained prominence by seizing on a clerical error in Antrim County that scrambled the county’s unofficial 2020 presidential results and using it to make false claims about manipulation of election results by Dominion Voting Systems machines. He is awaiting trial on multiple felony counts related to an alleged conspiracy to breach voting machines. DePerno has law degrees from University of Detroit Mercy School of Law and New York University School of Law.

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Contact Paul Egan: 517-372-8660 or pegan@freepress.com. Follow him on X, @paulegan4.



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Michigan immigration advocates react after Supreme Court ruling on Temporary Protected Status

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Michigan immigration advocates react after Supreme Court ruling on Temporary Protected Status


Twenty-four thousand immigrants in Michigan have Temporary Protected Status (TPS), but a recent Supreme Court decision could put their protection in jeopardy.  

TPS is a humanitarian protection granted to U.S. immigrants fleeing dangerous situations in their home countries, often from natural disasters or political instability. The status allows immigrants from the designated countries to live and work in the U.S.  

The Supreme Court overturned those for 356,000 Haitians and Syrians in a recent decision. While the court’s decision directly impacted Haitian and Syrian immigrants, it also established that the Secretary of Homeland Security has the authority to determine TPS status without judicial review or input from the courts.

That means that the Secretary of Homeland Security can eliminate TPS for any immigrant group that is currently in the U.S. under protection. That puts 1.3 million immigrants in the U.S. at risk of deportation. In Florida, 113,000 healthcare workers with TPS are at risk of deportation. The Haitian population in Philadelphia is also expressing concerns about what comes next for them.  

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“The Supreme Court turned its back on our moral and legal commitments to people seeking safety,” said Christine Sauvé, manager of Policy and Communication at the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center. “The decision eliminates legal protections for people fleeing danger and allows the Trump Administration to really advance its mass deportation agenda.”

Left without the ability to live or work in the U.S., these Haitian and Syrian immigrants with TPS now face deportation. But going back home could still be incredibly dangerous.

“It’s not really an option to go back to their home country,” said Melanie Goldberg, immigration attorney with the Institute of Metro Detroit. “In the case of Haiti, they don’t even have an airport in Port-au-Prince that’s operational. Yet they say it’s safe for these citizens to go back.”

In Michigan, immigrants with TPS have contributed $349 million to the state’s economy, a sign that they are deeply embedded in the community, according to Sauvé.  

“Many TPS holders have been in our communities for a very long time,” Sauvé said. “They’ve really spent decades building their lives here in Michigan. We welcomed them here, only to see that completely ripped away with the stroke of a pen.”

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The Michigan Immigrant Rights Center encourages Haitian and Syrian immigrants with TPS, as well as any immigrants in the U.S. with a TPS designation, to seek out a qualified legal service provider and review the “Know Your Rights” Materials on the MIRC’s website



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Sherrone Moore’s former assistant sues University of Michigan over alleged FOIA violations

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Sherrone Moore’s former assistant sues University of Michigan over alleged FOIA violations


A former University of Michigan assistant whose relationship with ex-coach Sherrone Moore was under investigation is accusing university officials of refusing to provide records related to the probe.

Paige Shiver filed the lawsuit on Wednesday in Washtenaw Circuit Court, claiming that U of M “arbitrarily and capriciously” violated the Michigan Freedom of Information Act by repeatedly denying her requests. Shiver and her legal team are seeking a court order requiring the university to disclose the records.

The lawsuit also alleges that throughout Shiver’s four-year employment with U of M, she was “discriminated against and subjected to a hostile work environment on the basis of her sex, in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and Michigan law including Elliot-Larsen Civil Rights Act.”

“The lawsuit filed today demands transparency and accountability from the University of Michigan, President Grasso and the Board of Regents,” said Shiver’s attorney, Andrew M. Stroth. 

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On Wednesday, CBS News Detroit reached out to U of M, which says it has no comment.

The investigation led to Moore’s firing in December 2025. At the time, it was determined that he was in an inappropriate relationship with a staffer, who was later identified as Shiver. 

Moore was arrested hours later after authorities said he went to Shiver’s home and threatened to harm himself. He was charged with third-degree felony home invasion, as well as misdemeanor counts of stalking and of breaking and entering. Moore was sentenced to 18 months’ probation after pleading no contest to the two misdemeanor charges.

According to the lawsuit, Shiver filed a FOIA request in February 2026 for audio, video and transcripts of interviews of herself, her father, Jeff Shiver, and Moore. The lawsuit alleges that the university denied her request, citing the ongoing investigation.

The lawsuit alleges that Shiver submitted a similar request months later, in June, but was told by the university that it was “overly broad and vague” and “does not describe a ‘public record sufficiently to enable the public body to find the public record.’”

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The lawsuit claims that requests were submitted in March and May, respectively, for all emails sent to the law firm Jenner & Block (UMconcerns@jenner.com) and for recordings of Shiver’s meetings by the university through Jenner & Block. However, those requests were denied because the university cited that it had no responsive records, according to the lawsuit.

The law firm was hired by U of M to investigate Moore and Shiver’s relationship. The university later expanded the investigation to include the athletic department.

The lawsuit also claims that Shiver requested copies of emails between Moore and athletic director Warde Manuel that contained the words “affair,” “discipline,” “pregnancy,” “baby” and “abortion.” The university denied the request, citing the communication between U of M employees as “exempt information,” according to the lawsuit.

However, Shiver’s legal team argued that the university has not shown evidence that the emails are exempt.

“This public university paid Jenner & Block $12 million to investigate the Sherrone Moore scandal and the abuse, Title IX and Title VII violations within the athletic department and Schembechler Hall, yet now refuses to release the investigation’s findings. It was important for our client to file this initial FOIA lawsuit to ensure the truth and facts come out,” Stroth said.

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Shiver appeared on ABC News’ “Good Morning America” in April to discuss her relationship with Moore. In the interview, she said she became pregnant by Moore and sought an abortion after medical complications were discovered about the pregnancy.


Note: The video above previously aired on April 14, 2026.



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‘Big Brother’ season 28 to premiere this week. One guest from Michigan

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‘Big Brother’ season 28 to premiere this week. One guest from Michigan


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Doors will to the “Big Brother” house will open soon, as season 28 premieres this week — and the cast list includes one guest from northern Michigan.

At 8 p.m. on Thursday, July 9, “Big Brother” season 28 will premiere on CBS to introduce the new guests in a 90-minute episode.

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“This season’s cast includes an MMA fighter, rocket scientist, game show host, daughter of an ’80s pop star, and a DRAG RACE All Star, among others,” CBS said in a July 7 announcement. “This new group of Houseguests is stepping into a summer where nothing is as it seems, where every twist rewrites the rules, and where time becomes the ultimate twist.”

There is one Michigan guest, Rome Seymour, 28, who works as a professional pickleball coach from Traverse City.

“I would describe myself as bashful, extroverted and extremely excitable. To be on ‘Big Brother’ is a dream. I’ve never felt anything as exiting as this before,” Seymour said in the “Big Brother” July 7 live cast announcement video.

Seymour said he will use his inner nerdiness to befriend and protect guests who are perhaps similar.

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“I see myself as hero, but I think a lot of people in the house are going to see me as a villain just because I’m so competitive that I want to win,” Seymour said.

After the 14 guests were revealed by CBS, the cast was said to be joined by long-time “Survivor” contestant Rick Devens, according to a July 7 Entertainment Weekly article.

Here’s more on the cast and how to tune in this week:

What is ‘Big Brother’ about? What is the theme for season 28?

“Big Brother,” is a reality TV show that follows a group of people living in a large house surrounded by 112 cameras and 113 microphones as an unfiltered 24-hour live feed to capture every interaction, strategic move and challenge.

A guest will be voted off each week, and the last remaining guest will win the grand prize of $750,000, according to CBS.

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The theme for season 28 is called, “Time Trip,” according to Sneak Peak from Paramount+.

Is anyone from Michigan on ‘Big Brother’ season 28?

Yes. There is one guest from Michigan on season 28 of “Big Brother:” Rome Seymour, 28, is a professional pickleball coach from Traverse City, located in the northwest Lower Peninsula.

Full ‘Big Brother’ season 28 cast list

Here is the full guest list for “Big Brother” season 28:

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  • Rick Devens, 42: TV journalist and long-time “Survivor” contestant from Blacksburg, Virginia.
  • Jason De Puy, 35: Drag Queen and “RuPaul’s Drag Race” alum from San Francisco, California.
  • Ashley Trail, 24: Bartender from Alton, Illinois.
  • Barrett Pfeiffer, 27: Jumbotron Engineer from Benton, Arkansas.
  • Chuk Anyanwu, 27: Supply Chain Analyst from Dallas, Texas.
  • Drew Campbell, 22: Surgical Dental Assistant from Temecula, California.
  • Haley Thogmartin, 29: Telemedicine Executive from Neosho, Missouri.
  • Rome Seymour, 28: Pickleball Coach from Traverse City, Michigan.
  • Kamuela “Kamu” Kirk, 32: MMA Fighter from Phoenix, Arizona.
  • LaTrice Verrett, 57: Boutique Salesperson from Kankakee, Illinois.
  • Lyric Medeiros, 25: Attorney from Honolulu, Hawaii.
  • Mallory Aurichio, 24: Rocket Scientist from Township of Washington, New Jersey.
  • Melody Morris, 24: Corporate Game Show Host from Thornton, Colorado.
  • Taylor Brown, 27: Elementary School Counselor from Deerfield Beach, Florida.
  • Yash Patel, 24: Financial Analyst from Monroe Township, New Jersey.

What time does ‘Big Brother’ season 28 premiere?

The 90-minute “Big Brother” season 28 premiere is set to air at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, July 9.

“Big Brother: Unlocked,” will air at 8 p.m. ET on Friday, July 10, and a 90-minute episode will air at 8 p.m. ET on Sunday, July 12.

Where can I stream the ‘Big Brother’ premiere this week?

“Big Brother” Season 28 will air on CBS and will be available on Paramount+ Premium, priced at $13.99 per month.

Paramount+ Essential subscribers will be able to catch the episode the day after it airs.

Following the season premiere this week, the series will air Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET, followed by hour-long shows on Thursdays, featuring live evictions, and Sundays at 8 p.m. ET.

USA TODAY contributed.

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Contact Sarah Moore @ smoore@lsj.com



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