Ferndale Fur Protestor Brings Change in Birmingham (video)

Ferndale Fur Protestor Brings Change in Birmingham (video) (ACLU Press Release, Aug. 31, 2013) The City of Birmingham has adopted a new free speech policy to settle a federal lawsuit brought by the American Civil Liberates Union of Michigan on behalf of an animal rights activist who was arrested while peacefully demonstrating on a public…

Abortion-Related Resolution Riles County Commission

Abortion-Related Resolution Riles County Commission (Crystal A. Proxmire, Aug. 30, 2013) Right to Life Michigan, Mother and Unborn Baby Care, Save the One and Personhood USA were on hand for Thursday’s Oakland County Commission meeting where Republican Commissioners Christine Long and Jim Runstead introduced a “respect life” resolution. Democrat Mattie Hatchet also requested to be…

Treasury Recognizes all Same-Sex Marriages for Tax Purposes

The U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) today ruled that same-sex couples, legally married in jurisdictions that recognize their marriages, will be treated as married for federal tax purposes. The ruling applies regardless of whether the couple lives in a jurisdiction that recognizes same-sex marriage or a jurisdiction that does not recognize same-sex marriage.

Andy Didorosi Honored for Keeping Things Cool for County Animals

Andy Didorosi Honored for Keeping Things Cool for County Animals (Crystal A. Proxmire, Aug. 29, 2013) Andy Didorosi, founder of the Detroit Bus Company, Paper Street Motors and other cool Ferndale-based projects, was honored Thursday at the Oakland County Commission meeting for another cool idea: providing air conditioning to a sweltering animal shelter. Oakland County…

Treasury Recognizes all Same-Sex Marriages for Tax Purposes

Treasury Recognizes all Same-Sex Marriages for Tax Purposes (U.S. Dept. of Treasury Press Release, Aug. 29, 2013) The U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) today ruled that same-sex couples, legally married in jurisdictions that recognize their marriages, will be treated as married for federal tax purposes. The ruling applies regardless…

Medicaid Expansion Passes Senate

Medicaid Expansion Passes Senate (C. Proxmire, Aug. 28, 2013) After a bunch of partisan back-and-forth, made more complex by disagreements within the Republican Party, the state Senate approved expanding Medicaid to cover a larger group of low-income residents. A similar bill passed the House earlier this year, and the next step is for the House…

Officers Train for Response to Active Shooter in School (video)

Dripping in sweat beneath body armor and masks, police from several cities moved deftly in tight formation through Jefferson Middle School in Pontiac, with guns drawn and eyes wide open. Following the sounds of a shotgun blast, they coordinated to clear the hallways and classrooms until they found their gunman hiding in a room with a chalkboard and empty desks. Back and forth gunfire ensured until the shooter, Ferndale Sgt. Dan Simon, fell to the floor.