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Michigan court overturns man’s conviction in plot to kidnap Gov. Whitmer

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Michigan court overturns man’s conviction in plot to kidnap Gov. Whitmer


The Michigan Court of Appeals on Tuesday overturned a conviction against a man in connection with the 2020 plot to kidnap Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

Joseph Morrison was found guilty and sentenced in 2022 after prosecutors argued that he provided material support for a terroristic act as a member of the Wolverine Watchmen. Morrison, as well as Pete Musico and Paul Bellar, were accused of holding gun drills in Jackson County with Adam Fox, who played a key role in the plot. 

Fox and co-leader Barry Croft Jr. were convicted and sentenced to 16 years in prison.

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On Tuesday, the court reversed Morrison’s conviction in a 3-0 ruling, stating that kidnapping is not an underlying violent felony that supports a conviction under the state’s terrorism law.

Michigan Attorney Dana Nessel called the ruling “completely and irredeemably nonsensical, outrageous and irresponsible” and vowed to appeal the decision.

“This wasn’t an abstract or peaceful kidnapping case. The evidence presented at trial explicitly proved a considered and coordinated plan among these men to kidnap and brutally murder the Governor, killing as many members of law enforcement and residents of the community as necessary along the way. Kidnapping is violent and it is a felony,” Nessel said.

The Democratic governor was never physically harmed. Undercover FBI agents and informants were inside Fox’s group for months, and the scheme was broken up with 14 arrests in October 2020.      

The overall investigation produced mixed results for state and federal prosecutors. Five of the 14 men were acquitted at trial. In September 2023, a jury acquitted three men, twin brothers William and Michael Null, and Eric Molitor. The men were found not guilty of providing support for a terrorist act and a weapon charge. They were the last of 14 men to face charges in state or federal court. Nine were convicted and now five have been cleared.

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Thousands without power in mid-Michigan

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Thousands without power in mid-Michigan


ROSCOMMON, Mich. (WNEM) – Power outages are starting to pop up around mid-Michigan as severe thunderstorms roll through the area.

Consumers Energy is reporting these outages:

  • Roscommon County: 1,305 customers affected
  • Ogemaw County: 5,989 customers affected
  • Iosco County: 840 customers affected
  • Clare County: 390 customers affected
  • Gladwin County: 1,187 customers affected
  • Arenac County: 732 customers affected
  • Bay County: 222 customers affected

So far, DTE Energy is reporting 94 outages in Huron County.

Click here for the Consumers Outage map and here for DTE.

Stay with TV5 for more updates.

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Copyright 2026 WNEM. All rights reserved.



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Whitmer says she will pull Michigan National Guard from D.C. if troops used in Trump’s Safe and Beautiful Mission

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Michigan court overturns man’s conviction in plot to kidnap Gov. Whitmer


Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer says that the Michigan National Guard soldiers heading to Washington, D.C., will only support the America 250 Mission and threatens to pull them if they participate in patrols under President Trump’s Safe and Beautiful Mission.

In a letter to Maj. Gen. Paul Rogers on Monday, Whitmer urges Rogers to “take all necessary measures” to ensure that soldiers only provide public safety and security during events celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States.

“If the National Guard is unable or unwilling to ensure the Michigan National Guard is only supporting the America 250 Mission, appropriately defined – and is unable or unwilling to communicate consistent with that fact – then I will end Michigan’s support for the America 250 mission,” Whitmer wrote to Rogers. 

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The Safe and Beautiful Mission was created under the Trump administration to deploy the National Guard to D.C. in August 2025 as part of a push to crack down on crime in the nation’s capital, despite data showing that crime had declined in recent years. 

At the time, local police data showed that violent crime in the area had been declining after a spike in 2023. However, Mr. Trump criticized that data, calling them “phony numbers.”

The deployments drew criticism from officials who opposed the federal government sending the National Guard to multiple cities. In one case, Illinois and Chicago sued the Trump administration to block the deployment of troops. That suit has since been dismissed, with a judge declaring the administration’s orders to no longer be operational.

“Several governors have deployed their National Guard soldiers to support this [Safe and Beautiful] mission. As you know, I have not deployed – and will not deploy – the Michigan National Guard to support the D.C. Safe and Beautiful Mission,” Whitmer said.

CBS News Detroit reached out to the Joint Task Force for comment on Monday and has not heard back.

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Michigan mayor’s 7-year-old nephew found dead in Menands, New York, authorities say

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Michigan mayor’s 7-year-old nephew found dead in Menands, New York, authorities say


The nephew of Hamtramck Mayor Adam Alhabri was found dead in Menands, New York, according to authorities.

The Menands Police Department said on Tuesday that the circumstances surrounding 7-year-old Harbe Nagi’s death are under investigation. 

Police say Albany County 911 received a missing child report on Sunday in a Menands neighborhood. Police say the child, who was autistic and nonverbal, had visited the neighborhood before but did not reside there. 

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CBS affiliate WGRB in Albany reported that the child went missing from a graduation party and was found in a neighbor’s pool, about two houses from where he went missing.

“The Menands Police Department extends its condolences to Harbe’s family, friends, and all those affected by this tragic loss,” police said.  

Following news of the child’s death, Alharbi posted on social media: “We are devastated to share that he has been found deceased. Thank you to everyone who helped in the search.”  Alharbi, who was first elected the mayor of Hamtramck in 2025, initially offered a $10,000 reward for the child’s return. 



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