Gary Austin
Blowing Snow Creating Serious Hazards
Blowing snow (like you see pictured here) has been making for poor visibility for many driving across much of the state. White out conditions even forced the closing of a part of U.S. 2 near the Mackinac Bridge last night. Nearby nearly two dozen vehicles were involved in crashes resulting in severe injuries...
Today Details Involving Detroit’s Bankruptcy Plan Released
Today Detroit Emergency Manager Kevyn Orr detailed a proposal that would restructure Detroit's debt. A part of the plan calls for proposed cuts to retiree pensions. This would effect quite a few and as a result has been getting a lot of attention...
Fewer Opt to Make a Marriage Commitment
We'd have to back almost 100 years to find the marriage rate lower in the U.S. than it is right now. A new study has found on average for every 1,000 people there have been just 6.8 marriages each year over the last several years.
The report also found the average age of those getting married has been increasing as well...
Saginaw County Cell Phone Ban Faces Legal Challenge
Inside the Saginaw County Governmental Center cell phones are not allowed in most areas. This new rule has been in place for several months. Officials say this was done in response to concerns over the distractions and commotion they have caused when they start ringing either in an office or in a courtroom during a trial...
Today State Lawmakers OK Ambitious Tax Cut Effort
In Lansing a proposal has been approved by the State House Tax Committee that would cut Michigan's income tax rate from 4.25 percent to 4.05 percent within the next two years. Another proposal that's still under discussion by lawmakers would cut the rate even more: to 3...
‘Winterkill’ Expected Across the State
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources says many fish and other living things in waterways will have a difficult time making it through this brutal winter.
The D.N.R. says this will become evident when snow and ice starts to melt...
Cash Strapped Localities Could Get State Help
County, city and township budgets statewide have really been stretched because of all the snow we've had this winter. As a result quite a bit extra has had to be spent on keeping the roads clear. Things like additional vehicle maintenance and gasoline along with overtime for the many crews working all hours of the day and night...
State Readies to Expand Buy U.S. Only Policy
Michigan law now says state, county and local government offices must fly American flags made in the U.S.. Today lawmakers in the State Senate have approved legislation that says American flags put on veteran's grave sites in Michigan must be made in the U...
Small Plane Makes Emergency Landing on Frozen Lake Huron
This morning a small plane was on its way to Mackinac Island from St. Ignace when it started having trouble with its engine. The pilot--with six others on board--made an emergency landing on Lake Huron not far from the Island. It touched down safely and no one on board was hurt...
Today A New Michigan Minimum Wage Hike Plan Revealed
Organizers with the group "Raise Michigan" have reconsidered and now say raising the state's minimum wage to $9.50 an hour is not enough. They say it should be $10.10 an hour by 2016. Today they handed in their revised request to the Secretary of State's office in hopes of getting the issue on the ballot this fall...