Michigan
Michigan lawmakers consider cameras in school zones to catch speeders
LANSING, Mich. (WILX/WNEM/WLUC) – Lawmakers are considering proposed legislation that aims to pump the brakes on people speeding through school zones.
Members of the House Local Government and Municipal Finance Committee Wednesday moved HB 4921 and HB 5726 to the floor for a vote. The bills would amend the Michigan Vehicle Code to allow for speed detection systems in school zones.
Bill sponsor, Rep. John Fitzgerald (D), Wyoming, said despite posted signs and, in some cases, even radar detectors alerting people of their speed, some people still drive too fast through school zones. Some reports show around 100 schoolchildren are injured every year in school zones. A study conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration from 2010-2019 shows in that span, an average of 20 people are killed every year in school zones. Something Rep. Fitzgerald is hoping his legislation will change.
“These kids are walking to school, riding their bikes, maybe riding their skateboards to school. But we also have a number of major roadways and busy streets that these children are contesting with on their way to school, and we want to make sure motorists are operating their vehicle in a safe manner in school zones,” Rep. Fitzgerald said.
Committee members discussed the proposal Wednesday, which would allow local governments to install Point-to-Point cameras to capture a driver’s average speed in school zones. Following a 30-day public awareness campaign, drivers who are 10 miles per hour over the speed limit will receive a fine in the mail of up to $150.
“This is not going to fit every community, but if a community decides this is the right fit for them, I really think this is an opportunity for local governments to have local control over an issue that [would help] in any community whether it be rural, urban or suburban,” Rep. Fitzgerald explained.
One lawmaker, Rep. Brad Paquette (R), Niles, voted against the bill, saying the focus should be on what’s happening inside schools. While other concerns raised during testimony included how the bill could impact local libraries and courts. Revenue generated from speed detection systems would instead go towards funding the system itself. East Lansing resident Charlie Mack, who lives in a school zone, said he doesn’t like the proposed law. He believes police, not cameras, are the answer to speeders.
“It’s a little too big, brother,” Mack said. “I think the [radar detectors] help but definitely takes just one or two police cars out there, and everyone gets the message,” Mack said.
Rep. Fitzgerald pointed out that speed detection systems would free up law enforcement for other issues.
If the law does pass, Michigan would join 20 other states and territories that use speed detection systems. Local governments that use speed cameras will have to post signs in school zones letting drivers know a speed detection system is in use.
The bill now heads to the full House of Representatives for a vote where more changes could be made.
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Kyle Whittingham’s staff at Michigan is nearly complete. Position coaches have been hired and now the Wolverines are working on their analysts and assistants to help the position coaches. And Michigan fans heard some positive news on Sunday.
Not only did the Wolverines hire a new safeties coach, with a ton of history as a defensive coordinator, but Michigan will retain long-time coach Fred Jackson, according to MGoBlue where he is listed as an analyst.
Michigan transfer portal tracker: Every player coming in and out of the program in 2026
Jackson was Michigan’s running backs coach from 1992-2014 before he left to coach high school football. But in 2022, he was welcomed back to Ann Arbor under Jim Harbaugh and helped coach the position. He assisted Tony Alford, who was also retained to coach running backs, for the past two seasons at Michigan.
With the tutelage from both Jackson and Alford, Michigan’s run game was fantastic this season. Despite injuries to both Justice Haynes and Jordan Marshall, Michigan had one of the top rushing attacks in the Big Ten.
The Wolverines averaged over 210 yards per game on the ground. Haynes had six games of over 100 yards on the ground, Marshall had four, and former walk-on Bryson Kuzdzal rushed for 100 yards once this season when both Haynes and Marshall missed.
More on Jackson and his history in Ann Arbor
He has coached five All-Big Ten running backs at Michigan, led by three-time all-conference first team honoree Tyrone Wheatley (1992-94) and two-time performer Mike Hart (2004, 2006). Anthony Thomas (2000) and Chris Perry (2003) were All-Big Ten first team selections and Tshimanga Biakabutuka earned second-team honors in 1995. Thomas and Hart received distinction as Big Ten Freshman of the Year award winners.
Jackson’s running backs have led the league in rushing four times during his tenure and surpassed the 1,000-yard barrier 12 times, including Fitzgerald Toussaint in 2011. Perry (2003) and Hart (2004) became the first teammates to lead the league in rushing in back-to-back seasons since 1982-83, pacing the Big Ten in both overall and conference play.
He also coached two seasons in Ann Arbor as the Wolverines’ offensive coordinator.
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Michigan State football is identifying targets across the board to being in for visits as the transfer portal window moves along. The latest visit to go public comes from a wide receiver at the FCS level.
Evan James, a Furman transfer, will be taking a visit to East Lansing starting on Jan. 5. A 5-foot-11, 170 pound receiver from Apopka, Florida, James had a breakout season for the Paladins. In 2025 he caught 65 passes for 796 yards and seven touchdowns. He also had seven carries for 72 yards and a touchdown, doing all of this as a true freshman, earning FCS Freshman All-American honors.
After doing this all as a freshman, he will bring three years of eligibility with him to the next school of his choosing. Aside from Michigan State, it is rumored that Boston College and Cincinnati will also be in contention.
Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Cory Linsner on X @Rex_Linzy
Even before high winds have kicked in from a strong incoming storm system, more than 50,000 homes and businesses were without power across Michigan.
The bulk of these outages are in Mid-Michigan. Clare County had the largest outage tally, with more than 16,000. Mecosta County had more than 7, 500 without power, and Isabella County had more than 6,000 out.
A couple counties in the very western Upper Peninsula were also reporting outages.
These outage numbers are expected to increase by early Monday, as high winds come in as part of this storm system. Sustained winds of 25 to 35 mph are expected, but wind gusts could top 60 mph in some areas.
The issue with the Mid-Michigan outages is rooted in Friday’s ice accumulation. Utility officials said there has been about a half-inch of ice accumulation on trees and power lines in that area through the weekend. Temperatures this weekend did not get warm enough to melt the ice, as they did in other areas. Heavy rain on Sunday froze again quickly, causing a heavier ice load and more outages.
Consumers Energy has said they have crews mobilized to work on outages as they arise with this storm.
To see the latest update on this storm coverage, follow our headlines on the MLive Weather page.
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