News

WASHINGTON, D.C. (AP)--   The Republican drive to roll back President Barack Obama's health care law is on a collision course with a national opioid epidemic that's not letting up.

Medicaid cuts resulting from the GOP legislation would hit hard in states deeply affected by the addiction crisis, according to state data and lawmakers in both parties.

LANSING, MI (AP)--   People who trade in their car to buy a new one would see a sales tax cut phased in more quickly under bills that have passed the Michigan Legislature.  

A 2013 law lets the buyers of cars, boats and other recreational vehicles subtract the value of their trade-in from the purchase price of a new vehicle for tax purposes.

The legislation approved 88-19 by the Republican-led House Tuesday night would accelerate the phase-in of the tax break to 2029 — 10 years sooner.

BESSEMER, MI--   Police continue to search for an inmate that escaped from the Gogebic County Jail Monday night. 

Daniel Ferguson, 26, was last seen wearing black and white-striped pants and an orange t-shirt. He was barefoot, headed north on Moore Street in the city of Bessemer. Deputies report there was a possible sighting in the Powderhorn area of Bessemer Tuesday night.

Anyone with information about Ferguson’s whereabouts is asked to call 911.

MARQUETTE, MI--   The co-founder of an events tickets website is making his apologies—and presumably bought a lot of beer—after the Upper Peninsula was left off a map, then insulted.

New York-based TickPick, touted as an alternative to StubHub, included only lower Michigan on an interactive map where users could select events near them. When a U.P. resident pointed it out on the company’s Facebook page, TickPick responded by saying, “We got the important part of Michigan, isn't that good enough?" 

MARQUETTE, MI--    A Marquette man is lodged in the county jail on a charge of larceny from a motor vehicle.

City Police say the arrest stems from a May 25 complaint. Steven Schrum, 52, was accused of taking items from an unattended vehicle and fleeing the scene on a stolen moped.

The Marquette County Prosecutor’s Office has authorized charges of unlawful use of a motor vehicle; breaking and entering a vehicle to steal property between $200 and $1,000; and operating while license suspended, revoked, or denied.

MARQUETTE, MI--   Northern Michigan University ranks 13th in the country for the best bachelor’s degree program in insurance and risk management. 

That’s according to Online Accounting Degree Programs. The ranking was based on NMU’s previous finance major with a concentration in risk management. The College of Business is launching a new insurance and risk management-specific major this fall.

MACKINAC ISLAND, MI (AP)--   A half-acre of land on Mackinac Island is up for sale. 

MLive.com reports Monday that the property consists of three lots in the Hubbard's Annex neighborhood.

The land is not part of Mackinac Island State Park. It was acquired by the state via tax reversion in 1944. It is currently off city and county tax rolls.

The sale is being overseen by the Mackinac Island State Park Commission, an independent entity within the state Department of Natural Resources.

LANSING, MI (AP)--   Gov. Rick Snyder's administration and top lawmakers have finalized a budget agreement that would spend more to address debt in the teacher retirement system and to fix aging infrastructure. 

The new spending targets were signed Monday by state budget director Al Pscholka and chairs of the House and Senate budget committees. The agreement sets the stage for lawmakers to take final votes this week before a summer recess.

MADISON, WI (AP)--   A Democratic union ironworker who twice ran unsuccessfully for the state Legislature says he will challenge Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan for re-election. 

Randy Bryce, of Caledonia, announced his candidacy Monday against Ryan. Bryce goes by @IronStache on Twitter. He is a U.S. Army veteran, community activist and political coordinator for his local ironworkers union.

Bryce lost a Democratic primary for state Assembly in 2012 and the general election for state Senate in 2014.

LANSING, MI (AP)--   Nine companies are seeking inclusion in the federally-run Michigan Health Insurance Marketplace. 

The Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services says Monday that filing information has been received from Blue Care Network of Michigan, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Health Alliance Plan, McLaren Health Plan, Meridian Health Plan of Michigan, Molina Healthcare of Michigan, PHP, Priority Health and Total Health Care USA.

The department is responsible for reviewing all plans and rates to ensure compliance with state and federal laws.