A coalition of education groups made up of history educators joined together in opposition of two state bills that they say “misconstrue Critical Race Theory (CRT).
Three Rivers Mayor Tom Lowry and Commissioners Torrey Brown and Pat Dane were sworn in this week during the commission’s organizational meeting on Monday, November 8.
Hundreds of Michigan cities and townships are at risk of losing all or a few of their polling places if a provision within the controversial, Republican-led “Secure MI Vote” petition was enacted, according to a new report from Progress Michigan. One provision would limit clerks from utilizing nonprofit properties (churches, places of worship, etc.) that were previously donated as polling spaces unless clerks bought them out. Churches and places of worship accounted for 20% of Michigan polling places in the 2020 election.
Parker James writes, “No amount of lead exposure is safe, especially for children. In addition to lead in the water, lead paint in older housing stock and even lead in the ground from paint and gasoline remnants also pose danger. The damaging effects of lead exposure are well documented, and lead contamination in water plays a significant role in overall lead poisonings. Lead poisoning causes harm to brain development and can result in a range of mental and physical health conditions. For these reasons, addressing lead has been and remains a priority for advocates of children and families, including the Michigan League for Public Policy and our Kids Count in Michigan Project.”
WSV’s Dan Robinson writes about innovation, sacrifice, and spirituality in the face of climate change. “We have the needed resources to mitigate climate change, if those of us with more than we need have the political will – and spiritual will – to share some of it, to live more simply, so that others may have the innovation they need to simply live.”
The voicemail came after U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) called the 13 Republican House members who voted for the infrastructure bill “traitors” and “American job and energy killers” in a tweet. In another tweet, Greene posted the phone numbers of the 13 Republicans who voted in favor of the legislation.
Doug rejoins Alek and the podcast this week to interview Podcaster Dan Moyle (I’m Not In An Abusive Relationship, My America, Antiracism in Action). Doug, Alek, and Dan discuss domestic violence and ways victims AND abusers can get help, his experience as a Domestic and Sexual Abuse Services board member, becoming an antiracist, asking “dumb white guy questions” en route to becoming an ally, and having productive political conversations with those who may have opposing views from yours.
A 51-year-old man is dead following a fatal crash along US-131 Monday afternoon in Park Township.
In a late-night vote last week, the Michigan House of Representatives approved a bill that essentially nullifies local ordinances on short-term rentals — which have become increasingly popular with the growth of companies like Airbnb and VRBO — in the name of protecting private property rights.
WSV’s Charles Thomas writes about importance of beauty, as well as the risk and reward of sharing one’s creative efforts with the world. “Why do they take the risk? Why put yourself in a position to have something you worked on for hundreds of hours become the subject of ridicule? Why risk openness and honesty when we live in a culture that has a strong tendency to mock almost everything? I’m sure there is no single answer to those questions, but I think an important reason that we take those risks is because deep down, all of us want to be a part of something beautiful. In fact, I think that a drive to merge with the beautiful is essential to who we are as human beings.”
Students at Glen Oaks Community College will travel to Italy for the 2022 Study Abroad tour, and those in the community who may be interested in joining along are welcome. During the 12-day excursion, the group will visit Venice, Florence, Pompeii, Sorrento, Assisi and Rome.
The Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission (MICRC) Friday approved nine proposed maps — three each for the state House, state Senate and congressional districts — but have opened the door for potentially introducing new maps proposed by individual commissioners down the road. The question now is if that’s allowed by the Michigan Constitution, and if it is, would those maps be held to the 45-day comment period standard?
The Glen Oaks Community College Foundation is accepting scholarship applications from new and returning Glen Oaks students for the 2022-23 academic year.
Watershed Voice’s Nancy Boyd writes, “Let me always partake of the silence of the trees that surround me in this earthly life. Allow them to teach me what chaos never will, to show me how powerful silence can be for the inward life. The seasons of my life will not come around again, they come only once, and each have their lessons to be received.”
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer Thursday signed into law the first bill in a package eliminating the tax on menstrual products.
The Three Rivers City Commission approved three special exception use permits for three additional marijuana dispensaries during its regular meeting on Monday, November 1. The city previously granted two SEU permits to two other dispensaries located on either side of US-131.
Glen Oaks Community College plans to celebrate two campus projects in an event called “Transformation X2,” on Thursday, November 11 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
The unofficial results are in, and according to St. Joseph County Clerk Lindsay Oswald, Torrey Brown has defeated fellow write-in candidate Lucas Allen by a “wide” margin in the race for Three Rivers at-large city commissioner.