1/28/2026

LANSING - Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer is pushing to expand outreach to young adults who want to buy homes, as rising rents and high mortgage rates keep many in their 20s and 30s out of the market. State leaders say the new awareness campaign will highlight down payment assistance and interest rate relief programs aimed at first-time buyers. Whitmer has directed the Michigan State Housing Development Authority to boost outreach to residents ages 18 to 35, saying many young people are unaware they may qualify for financial help from the state.

1/27/2026

DOUGLAS COUNTY - The Superior teen facing several felonies, including attempted first-degree intentional homicide charges, pleaded not guilty yesterday morning in Douglas County Court.  14-year-old Carsen Petersen is facing multiple felony charges for an incident that happened in May of last year in the town of Superior where police say they were called to the then 13-year-olds home for a report of the teen being uncontrollable and starting a fire.  Police say Peterson had shot at them with a rifle when they arrived.  No officers were struck and managed to take Peterson into custody without returning fire.  Peterson’s next court hearing is scheduled for May 18th for a status check by the judge.  The teen has been charged as an adult. 

1/27/2026

LANSING - With broad bipartisan support, the Michigan House has overwhelmingly approved a bill that would ban cell phone use during classroom instruction.

The proposal includes some exceptions, but lawmakers say they would be very infrequent. The bill would also allow school districts to adopt stricter policies if they choose. State Senator Dayna Polehanki of Livonia sponsored the Senate version of the legislation and helped craft the emergency provisions.

                    0:15  "There is a very important carve-out for emergency situations, that I made sure was in there. There are also exceptions for things like medical devices, district-issued laptops, some lessons."

The measure, introduced in the House by Republican Representative Mark Tisdel of Rochester Hills, passed by a wide margin after the Senate approved the package on a 34-to-1 vote. If signed into law, it would prohibit smartphone use during instructional time for all K-12 public school students, starting in the 2026 and 27 school year.