LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) — Some Democrats are nervous after President Biden’s showing at Thursday night’s debate and there’s talk about trying to replace him on the ballot.

Democrats say they wanted to see strength from President Biden, but Biden appeared to struggle with his delivery, appearing to have a raspy voice and stumbling over some of his words. After this performance, even members of his own party worry that—at his age—he might not be up to the task of leading the country for another term.

6 News spoke with one of the nation’s top Democrats, Michigan Senator Debbie Stabenow, who attributed his “slow start” to battling a sore throat.

She says that Biden should not be replaced because his policies are what Michigan needs.

“I think that what he was talking about resonates with people in Michigan, lowering prescription drug costs, more jobs, making sure that we’re tackling the climate crisis which is hitting us right over the head in terms of all of this severe weather,” said Stabenow. “It’s very very serious and it’s not gonna get better if we don’t have a clean energy strategy—he gets up every day caring about Michigan and unfortunately, the other guy gets up caring about himself.”

Republicans, however, were critical of Biden’s performance.

Pete Hoekstra, Chairman of the Michigan Republican Party, gave a statement to our media partners WXYZ:

President Biden provided no defense for what’s happening to people every day. Inflation, what’s happening on the border, the disaster that we find ourselves in overseas.

Chairman Hoekstra’s statement to WXYZ, June 28, 2023

Both Michigan and national polls have shown the two candidates closely matched. This is the first of two scheduled debates before the election in November.

The next debate is set to Tuesday, Sept. 10, at 9 p.m., hosted by ABC.

MARQUETTE, Mich. (WLUC) – The Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) is celebrating the tenth anniversary of its placemaking grant.

The Public Spaces, Community Places Grant was used to fund projects like the Marquette Skate Plaza.

Skate Plaza Committee Member Nheena Weyer Ittner said this was one of the first projects that used the program’s funding.

“It was a learning experience for them, huge learning experience for the skate plaza,” Ittner said. “We ended up being successful after a hectic, scary, exhilarating month-long campaign.”

MEDC Senior Community Development Manager Lindsey Clark explained the grant uses crowdfunding to generate public attention and interest in placemaking projects.

“We really focus on gathering that support from the community through crowdfunding for the projects,” Clark said. “Then the MEDC is able to come in and help match that local support to bring the projects to life.”

The grant used to match crowdfunding up to $50,000. Over the years, Clark explained the grant’s cap has been raised to $75,000 to incentivize inclusive projects.

“If your project incorporates that ADA and universal design to the project,” Clark said. “We are really trying to focus on bringing projects that are available for all types of folks to enjoy in the community.”

The Marquette Skate Plaza was crowdfunded with $10,000 and then was matched by the MEDC.

Ittner said grants like this encourage involvement from the community.

“When you have that matching fund kind of dangled in front of you, it just makes people more willing to give,” Ittner said. “Because they know that if we get to a particular goal the MEDC will make their dollar double.”

Marquette is one of the last stops for the MEDC’s Public Spaces, Community Places Grant Tour. Representatives will be heading downstate on Saturday.

Copyright 2024 WLUC. All rights reserved.

Morning 4 is a quick roundup of stories we think you should know about to start your day. So, let’s get to the news.

Body pulled from SE Michigan lake belongs to missing Genesee County man

The body of a missing Genesee County man was found Thursday in a private lake at the edge of Livingston County.

See the story here.

Popular chicken restaurant opens new location in Macomb County

A popular chicken restaurant chain has opened its newest location in Macomb County.

Read more here.

Twin girls hurt after lighting powerful firework in bathroom of Metro Detroit home

Twin 11-year-old girls were injured Thursday after they brought a powerful firework into a bathroom in their River Rouge home and lit it.

See more here.

Biden’s debate performance spurs Democratic panic about his ability to lead party against Trump

Above all, Joe Biden’s allies wanted him to demonstrate strength and energy on the debate stage to help put to rest questions about the 81-year-old Democrat’s physical and mental acuity.

But on the biggest stage in U.S. politics on Thursday night, Biden did not meet their modest expectations.

Read the report here.

Weather: Storms this weekend in Metro Detroit: What to expect