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Michigan House votes to put limits on cases Attorney General can intervene in

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Michigan House votes to put limits on cases Attorney General can intervene in


Michigan’s Attorneys General could be restricted in the cases they’re allowed to take up if bills voted on by the State House today become law.

Right now, the Attorney General can sue on behalf of the State of Michigan and intervene in local cases. The package of three bills, passed in the house on a party line vote, would change that.

They would prevent the Attorney General from deciding to intervene in civil or criminal proceedings in which Michigan may be impacted.

Instead, it would be up to the Governor or Legislature to decide whether to intervene.

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The Attorney General would further be barred from unilaterally filing lawsuits in the name of Michigan or choosing Ingham County as a venue for cases involving incidents outside of the county.

State House Republicans criticized how this power has been used, and said the legislation is about fairness.

“It just doesn’t make sense under individual rights that the attorney general has this singular trump card, if you will, that just allows you to determine where your venue is going to be at,” Rep. Jay Deboyer (R-Clay) said. “Additionally, the idea that the attorney general, on their own, can go outside of the state of Michigan, can intervene, can take up cases, boy, that’s a really broad view, I would say.”

During her two terms, Attorney General Dana Nessel, a Democrat, has joined several lawsuits, including against both Trump administrations and other entities.

House Speaker Rep. Matt Hall (R-Richland Township) blasted her efforts.

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“(Nessel) spends a lot of time going after her political opponents, but very little time winning cases,” Hall said. “We need to just rein in this out of control Attorney General, we need to rein her in, and we want her to focus on the important things like consumer protection.”

Democrats assert the bills will hamstring Attorneys General and hurt the office’s ability to enforce laws.

One Democratic lawmaker also defended Nessel ahead of the vote on the bills.

“(Nessel) has done more for the state of Michigan, for the people of Michigan in recent history, especially with the federal lawsuits that she has joined or started, and she has done so well in helping us make sure that kids with special needs get the funding that they need for disaster relief,” Rep. Kelly Breen (D-Novi) said. “Who wants to turn that down? Who doesn’t want an advocate that will do everything in their power for the people of Michigan.”

Nessel’s office responded to the bills and Hall’s comments in a statement.

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“The bill package in question does not actually do what its sponsors purport, and would not take effect until the next attorney general takes office,” Nessel’s office said. “They are simply a distraction and will not deter this office from its work.”

Officials said they share the Speaker’s concerns for better consumer protections.

“We are now hopeful he will request movement on SB 134 to strengthen Michigan’s Consumer Protection Act, which this Department has championed for years, and has been sitting in House Judiciary since June of last year,” Nessel’s office said.

This is the second time in recent history that the legislature has tried to change how the Attorney General pursues cases.

The last time, the measures were vetoed by Gov. Rick Snyder, a Republican.

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These bills are likely to meet a similar fate in the State Senate, which is controlled by the Democrats.



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Michigan groom sentenced for killing his best friend on his wedding night

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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.

James Shirah is sentenced to at least 30 years in prison during a hearing, Monday, May 11, 2026 in Flint, Mich. (Jake May/The Flint Journal via AP)

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.

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“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.

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SW Michigan show returns as growing destination for vinyl collectors

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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.

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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.

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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.



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Yes, you can play curling in West Michigan

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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.

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“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.

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“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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