Rachel Louise Just
@RLJnews
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Politics for @abc15. Previously politics for @wwmtnews / just about everything for @ABCFOXMT. Indiana born and raised 🌽 Probably hiking.
Phoenix, AZ
Joined June 2018
BREAKING: A judge has ruled in favor of the Navajo Nation, saying NINE precincts in Apache County, AZ will be allowed to stay open two hours past the statewide deadline of 7 PM because of voting issues in those precincts. Very long lines seen here in Chinle (courtesy Jay Joey)
UPDATE: The Navajo Nation has filed a lawsuit against Apache County, requesting an extension of voting hours. Polls close at 7. They're citing incidents like voters being denied rights to vote due to machine issues, lack of printed/provisional ballots, long lines, ID denials, etc
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One of the ways protesters have stopped sprinklers from spraying themselves. They’re now chanting “water is life”
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ASU has now turned on the sprinklers to deter pro-Palestine protesters. Protesters are putting bags and items on top of the sprinklers to stop them from spraying.
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Lewis was on therapy dog duty at MSU today. He gave out a lot of wet kisses. I think he did a great job💚🤍
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BREAKING: Unsubstantiated bomb threats were made to four Navajo Nation voting sites in Navajo County today, believed to be from a foreign entity ("namely, Russia"), according to Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes. Navajo Nation is a longtime Democratic stronghold.
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“Come here girl, let’s cover this shit up.”. Two students have arrived with paint to cover over the message on The Rock that advocates for more guns on MSU’s campus. They don’t know each other - but both had the same idea. They’re getting to know each other as they paint.
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JUST NOW: Michigan House passes, 56-53, HB 4004, the bill that repeals the right to work law for public sector employees. Cheers break out in the balcony from union workers.
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Gun violence survivor and former Arizona Congresswoman Gabby Giffords is in the balcony of the Michigan Senate as lawmakers pass a series of bills that would implement red flag laws, safe gun storage laws, and extended background checks, including for long guns.
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Photos of Rudy Giuliani at his birthday party in Florida tonight. I’m told guests had just finished singing “happy birthday” when agents served him paperwork on AZ fake elector charges. Trump strategists Roger Stone/Steve Bannon were also present.
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Rudy Giuliani was at a top Kari Lake advisor’s house in Palm Beach for his 80th birthday party when he was served his Arizona AG indictment papers, two sources who were there tell me.
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90 minutes before Donald Trump takes the stage at Mullett Arena at Arizona State University and it’s a ghost town outside. We’ve seen just a trickle of people going in over the last 30 minutes. My colleague @dannybavaro says it’s about 70% full inside right now.
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🚨BREAKING: Jury makes unanimous agreement in following counts in Whitmer kidnapping trial:.Harris: NOT GUILTY on all counts (kidnapping conspiracy, weapon of mass destruction, destructive device, rifle possession).Brandon Caserta: NOT GUILTY on conspiracy to commit kidnapping.
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NEW: US Sen. Mark Kelly, who was considered as a potential VP pick for Kamala Harris, will speak at her rally in Phoenix tonight. Other speakers: former US Rep Gabby Gifford, PHX Mayor Kate Gallego, US Reps Ruben Gallego/Greg Stanton, and Mesa Mayor John Giles (a Republican).
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BREAKING: Sen.Winnie Brinks, a Democrat, is unanimously elected to become Michigan’s next Senate Majority Leader, Sen. Jim Ananich says.
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UPDATE: The Navajo Nation has filed a lawsuit against Apache County, requesting an extension of voting hours. Polls close at 7. They're citing incidents like voters being denied rights to vote due to machine issues, lack of printed/provisional ballots, long lines, ID denials, etc
NEW: Navajo Nation is reporting technical issues with voting in Apache County, AZ - they're asking for an extension of voting hours today to allow everyone to vote. They plan to file a formal request by 3 PM. I'll update with more information as I get it.
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New Senate Majority Leader @WinnieBrinks on becoming the first woman to hold the role in Michigan: "It's been hundreds of years that men have been in charge, and it's high time that women are having a seat at the table. And in Michigan, we have lots of seats at the table."
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BREAKING: Rep. Joe Tate, D-Detroit, has been chosen as the Michigan House’s next Speaker, becoming the first Black Rep. to take on the role and the first Democratic Speaker in a decade.
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My work reporting on Michigan's second mass shooting in 15 months was interrupted by hearing someone is dead from a shooting at my home mall, and while I was making sure my family was safe from that shooting, I found out about another mass shooting where six people died.
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For the first time ever, the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island is displaying the pride flag* for Pride Month. *specifically, the “Progress Pride” flag, which acknowledges the diversity within the LGBTQ+ community
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BREAKING: Michigan Board of Canvassers votes it will not allow 5 of 10 Republican candidates for governor- James Craig, Perry Johnson, Michael Markey, Michael Brown, Donna Brandenburg - on the primary ballot after they did not reach the signature threshold required by the state.
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New Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks tells reporters Democrats now have “40 years of pent up legislative priorities.” She says repealing Right to Work is on the table.
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“I cannot tell them honestly that I am unphased. I now scan crowds for threats. I think carefully about the last thing I say to people when we part.”. Gov Gretchen Whitmer’s impact statement from today’s sentencing for three men connected to a plot to kidnap her over COVID rules:
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This is also a question I had. I was told by someone familiar with ASU groundskeeping that sprinklers are only used during early morning and late evening, not while students are generally on campus. Since it was 9:30 AM, presumably sprinklers were turned on by the university.
@RLJnews @LillianDonahue Did ASU intentionally turn the sprinklers on or was it due to the pre-existing sprinkler schedule? If you could provide that context - it would be important!.
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BREAKING: After weeks of evading members of the Arizona AG’s office, Rudy Giuliani has been served his indictment in charges related to the Arizona fake electors scheme.
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VIDEO: NBA star @JHarden13 FaceTimes with John Hao, a survivor of the Michigan State University shooting. Harden also gifted Hao a pair of game-worn sneakers and other items. Hao has been improving was recently moved out of critical condition. 🎥 James Harden’s management
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Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signs background check and safe storage legislation
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George Lopez, at an event for the Harris Walz campaign, imitates Donald Trump’s dance moves
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Michigan is now the seventh state to guarantee free breakfast and lunch for students, news that comes as a relief for some educators who say they've had to personally step up to find snacks for food-insecure kids struggling to learn while hungry.
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BREAKING: Abortion will continue to remain legal in Michigan for now, an Oakland Co. Circuit Court judge has ruled. Judge Jacob Cunningham noted in his ruling that the state's abortion ban was crafted almost exclusively by male lawmakers in 1931.
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I’ve found it: the best Halloween home decoration in Michigan
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BREAKING: Multiple bipartisan sources confirm to me that Michigan Rep. Matt Maddock, the Trump-endorsed candidate for House Speaker, was removed from the House Republican Caucus today.
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Huge sit down at the Michigan Capitol right now as Michigan State students demand action from lawmakers. Hundreds of students are here on the first day that classes return, many more than the last sit down last week.
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NEW TODAY: Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signs legislation to ban discrimination against a person who has had an abortion for any reason.
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Newly-selected Michigan Supreme Court Justice Kyra Harris Bolden with her three-month-old daughter Emerson
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To those we lost.To those healing.Brian.Arielle.Alexandria
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Sitting side by side, drawing out their plan for what they want to paint on the rock, which is now a blank slate.
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Scoop: A “camp-in” protest in support of Palestine is being set up now at Arizona State University. Students and advocacy groups have a series of demands for the university, including official condemnation of the “Zionist genocide of Palestinians” and ASU President’s resignation
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Coworker of shot Orlando journalists: "Please, say a prayer tonight for our coworker who is in critical condition. And while you're at it, please say a prayer for every victim of gun violence in this country.". @CelesteSpringer you have so much strength.
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Yesterday, a Michigan county:.-Abruptly fired its administrator & hired Trump-picked former Congressional candidate.-Cut diversity dept.-Changed county motto from "where you belong" to "where freedom rings" (said first motto was Marxist).-Hired health officer who opposes masking.
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Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer responds to Mel Tucker investigation: “As a survivor, I’m shocked. As a Spartan, I’m disappointed. As Governor, I want answers. We deserve to know when the university knew about these allegations and why they made the decisions they did."
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NEWS: Gov. Gretchen Whitmer will announce tomorrow the launch of a $20 million national marketing campaign intended to boost Michigan's stagnant population and attract/keep talent. @MEDC leaders say it will be the largest state talent attraction campaign/effort in America.
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BREAKING: Michigan State University's Board of Trustees bans all firearms on campus (*excl. law enforcement) by a vote of 5-2. Previously, guns were banned for students/staff/faculty but an interpretation of a university ordinance allowed visitors to have concealed firearms.
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The Michigan Senate passes the first of multiple bills to repeal ‘right to work’ laws in the state, more than a decade after the then-Republican-led legislature passed them. Union workers in the balcony (and outside the chamber) break out in cheers.
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PENCE IN BOZEMAN: @VP did not consult with local health officials for today’s rally, breaking a local emergency health rule requiring events with 50+ people to work with the health department. The rally Pence spoke at had ~700 attendees. Social distancing/masks were not enforced.
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JUST IN: The University of Michigan’s Board of Regents have voted to fire President Mark Schlissel after they say he may have had an inappropriate relationship with a university employee spanning years. Former @UMich President Mary Sue Coleman to take over as interim President.
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Parkland survivor @davidhogg111 is in Lansing with MI Board of Education VP Pamela Pugh this morning to advocate for basic gun access legislation in the wake of the shooting at MSU. Students wearing Oxford and MSU shirts standing here in support of the message.
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Sorry, paused posting as we were going live to give an update on @abc15 . Arizona State’s pro-Palestine protest has grown and they’ve begun putting up the tents ASU PD had torn down earlier today. Police are still here but are mostly not interacting with protesters.
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It has yet to be explained to me why there is a “Michigan Welcome Center” in Clare, which is located like 3 hours from the closest state border and not near any major airports.
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Just now: Arizona State pro-Palestine protester tries to yank Israeli flag off counter-protester's shoulders. He grabs her arms before eventually letting her go. "This is not free speech, this is physically attacking students and nobody's doing anything about it," he says.
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-Changed in-house counsel to a legal group that has sued over vaccine mandates and fought LGBTQ+ anti-discrimination policies. Now, Attorney General Dana Nessel says her office will be conducting an investigation into the GOP-supermajority board's actions:.
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Trump indicates in interview with @abc15 that he may fire Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell as interest rates remain high. "I know a lot about firing people. And I know a lot about him, to be honest with you. I'm not sure that he's able to do it, politically."
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Obama re: Paul Pelosi: "If our rhetoric about each other gets that mean, when we don't just disagree with people but we start demonizing them, making crazy allegations against them, that creates a dangerous climate. If elected officials don't do more. people can get hurt.".
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Just spoke with three MSU freshmen girls who witnessed the horror of Michigan’s last school shooting - at Oxford - while they were students in Rochester Hills. “I don’t feel safe anymore at MSU… and now we have to spend the next three years here,” one said.
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NOW: Vice President Kamala Harris has arrived in Tucson, AZ for an event promoting reproductive rights in the wake of the 1864 abortion ban ruling this week. U.S. Senate candidate @RubenGallego opens up the event by calling for abortion rights to be codified federally.
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Kari Lake will not speak to the press after the conclusion of the first and only Senate debate of her campaign. She sent out Wyoming Sen. John Barasso, Charlie Kirk, & advisor Caroline Wren to respond to reporters on her behalf. Her opponent, Ruben Gallego, did take questions.
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BREAKING: Michigan lawmakers have officially passed the state's first Democrat-led budget since Ronald Reagan was in office. The $81.7 billion budget is the largest in state history.
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JUST NOW: The Michigan House passes legislation along party lines to require universal background checks for firearms.
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JUST IN: Rep. Ann Bollin says House/Senate/Whitmer's office have come to an agreement on election rules proposal, including allowing for pre-processing of absentee ballots for the coming midterm election. Michigan clerks have been advocating for pre-processing for awhile now.
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In East Lansing for MSU commencement, Dr. Anthony Fauci clarifies that just because the WHO has declared an end to the COVID-19 emergency, the pandemic is not over - just "the emergency nature of it.". "We need to be prepared" for another potential variant, he adds.
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MI Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson responds to @CraigDMauger's reporting that AG Dana Nessel is looking to hire a special prosecutor to potentially bring criminal charges against Republicans who allegedly tampered with voting machines. Benson: “There must be consequences."
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This is the scene across from the Michigan State University Union. Eerily quiet, no cars on the road, only law enforcement/medical services and a few journalists. Helicopter flying above. Lots of lights, not much movement. People appear to be sheltering in place. Presser at 12AM.
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Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is preparing to sign the most significant gun legislation in MI in decades: a series of bills aimed at preventing gun violence, including more extensive background checks and storage requirements. We’re at MSU, where three students were murdered in February.
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The House just passed HB 4007, which re-enacts prevailing wage. Bill passed along party lines. Cheers and applause from union members in the balcony, many of whom have waited about 12 hours in Lansing for this vote.
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BREAKING: Jury determines Jennifer Crumbley, the mother of the 15-year-old Oxford High shooter, is guilty of all four counts of involuntary manslaughter. This is a groundbreaking case in which the parents of a school shooter are facing charges.
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@GlobalGraeme I’ve never been GIF’d! The internet child in me is screaming. Truly an honor🙏.
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Living in Michigan is having an opinion on the new Meijer shopping carts.
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30 minutes out from the time Trump is expected to speak, here’s the view outside👇🏼
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You can hear cries of relief in the courtroom as Caserta's verdict is read. As for the plot ringleaders Adam Fox and Barry Croft, no verdict is found and the judge has declared mistrials.
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Downtown Lansing gave me two parking tickets today - one after the meter had been expired for exactly four minutes and the other while I was still sitting in the car. The city cannot possibly think this is an effective way to get more people downtown, as it claims it wants to do.
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Exclusive video of Giuliani being served his birthday cake before being served his papers. “They’re not taking this country away from us,” Giuliani tells partygoers.
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BREAKING: Arizona’s abortion ban from 1864, which makes no exceptions for rape/incest, has been repealed. Gov. Hobbs just signed the repeal bill passed thru the legislature with the support of five republicans. The AZ Supreme Court approved enforcement of the ban in April.
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The first in a series of bills called the “Michigan Hate Crimes Act,” which would update Michigan’s hate crime laws to protect LGBTQ+ people and elderly people, passed the House 59-50.
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Moss: "Now we're in the majority, transphobia is never going to be packed into a bill with final passage before this chamber. And as long as I preside over this chamber, transphobia is always going to be ruled out of order. And guess what? You're going to have to cope with that.".
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Gretchen Whitmer is sworn in for her second term as governor of Michigan. She has selected Kyra Harris Bolden, the state’s first Black woman to serve on the Michigan Supreme Court, to administer her oath of office.
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Whitmer on SCOTUS preserving access to mifepristone: “We need to be clear about why this case came before the court in the first place: a fringe, extreme minority that refuses to follow science or respect Americans’ freedoms is judge shopping to impose their agenda on women.".
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Part 2: “This sentencing, however, will not be enough on its own to protect our constitutional order. The work to repair our fraying bonds will be slow and steady. It may take years. But we owe it to our children…to try.”. The men were sentenced to 7-12 years minimum in prison.
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JUST NOW: Kamala Harris addresses protesters about a ceasefire at Phoenix rally. “I have been clear: we need a ceasefire… I respect your voices but we are now here to talk about this race in 2024.”
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At the MI Capitol this morning for a rally advocating for more laws to reduce gun violence: red flag, safe storage, univ. background checks. Big names here: Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, AG Dana Nessel, and former US Rep. Gabby Giffords, who survived a near-fatal assassination in 2011.
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They have to set this in Lansing. I’ve never seen a place so well-suited for this concept.
The new iteration of “The Office” has been picked up to series at Peacock. According to the official logline, the series will focus on “a dying historic Midwestern newspaper and the publisher trying to revive it with volunteer reporters.”
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It’s 104 in Glendale - and many are still waiting outside to get into the Trump rally. Some people I talked to went home over heat concerns, another woman near me almost passed out in line, I’m told multiple people have gone to the hospital (haven’t been able to get solid #).
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MIGOP co-chair Meshawn Maddock: “Tudor Dixon is a much younger, smarter, and hotter Gretchen Whitmer.”.
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Pro-Palestine protesters are taking back their tents from police. Police are now trying to stop them.
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Another long line sent in to me from Navajo Nation. This is in Fort Defiance, which I’m told has one of the longest lines. 18 minutes until polls close in Apache County, which had its hours extended because of voting issues.
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Whitmer gets a standing ovation when she mentions Reproductive Freedom for All.
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THREAD: It's been a very busy week in Michigan politics. Here's what you may have missed in the madness:.-Historic LGBTQ+ protections pass.-Big Senate race update.-Gun safety bills advance.-Threats to Jewish lawmakers.-Abortion bills see movement. Stories/details below.
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Seems like now would be a good time to have FOIA access to Michigan lawmakers’ emails ‼️.
BREAKING WaPo: Ginni Thomas pressed lawmakers to overturn Joe Biden's 2020 victory not only in Arizona, as previously reported, but also in a second battleground state, Wisconsin, according to emails obtained under state public-records law.
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Michigan State students are holding a sit-in at the Capitol. Students are coming up to speak individually about what they experienced Monday and calling for change. MI Attorney General @dananessel, whose two sons were locked down at MSU, speaking now.
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House Minority Leader Donna Lasinski and likely Democratic House Caucus leader Joe Tate say they are committed to investigating former GOP Speaker Lee Chatfield's alleged improprieties. The House Dem Caucus has been demanding internal investigations into Chatfield for months.
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ICYMI: Michigan has the second-slowest population growth in the US. Now, Whitmer's making a bet the state's progressive transformation - including major changes to LGBTQ+/abortion policies - could bring more people to the state. the MEDC is advertising in red states to do it:
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UPDATE: For the third time today and not even two hours since the last painting, The Rock at MSU has been painted over again. Local artist Anthony Lee tells me MSU told him to cover over the rock before the girls who were here this morning covered the last pro-gun message.
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Breaking: Michigan Court of Claims Judge Elizabeth Gleicher declares the state’s 1931 abortion ban unconstitutional, saying AG Nessel cannot enforce the ban. Gleicher placed a temporary injunction on enforcement in May, but this decision “permanently enjoins” AG from enforcement.
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“You’re decades late. You’re thousands of lives late… Don’t make another person pay for your mistakes with their lives.”. The sister of Hana St. Juliana, who was murdered at Oxford, is speaking in front of a MI Senate committee hearing on bills that would address gun violence.
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Two more pro-Palestine protesters were arrested. Seemingly for trespassing, but ASU PD refused to tell me what specifically they had been arrested for. Police began pushing some protesters in order to arrest others.
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