Michigan Public Radio Network

LANSING, MI (MPRN)--   Michigan could soon require certain people to work for their Medicaid benefits.

A bill passed a state Senate panel Wednesday. 

Senate Majority Leader Arlan Meekhof (R-West Olive) said the bill will likely get a full Senate vote next week. But it’s on Thursday’s agenda for a full floor vote.

“I think there’s a lot of merit there,” he said. “Folks that are able-bodied, I think this will help them become more self-sufficient. I think this is a good idea.”

LANSING, MI (MPRN)--   Attorney General Bill Schuette announced Tuesday that he’s filing a lawsuit against a shipping company allegedly responsible for the break of two power lines beneath the Straits of Mackinac.

In a written press release the AG says Escanaba-based VanEnkevort Tug & Barge, Inc. dragged an anchor across the bottom of the straits, causing dents in the Line 5 pipeline and rupturing two power lines owned by American Transmission Company.

Andrea Bitely is a spokesperson for the AG. She says the company could face a $25,000 fine.

LANSING, MI (MPRN)--   Some doctors in Michigan are concerned about unintended consequences to their profession if state lawmakers pass some sexual assault bills they’re considering. 

A state House committee heard testimony on a package of bills Tuesday, as lawmakers continued their response to former MSU sports doctor Larry Nassar’s ability to sexually assault female patients for years.

LANSING, MI (MPRN)--   Lieutenant Governor Brian Calley is the fourth Republican running for governor to file petition signatures to appear on the primary ballot. 

Calley says he wants to succeed Governor Rick Snyder, who cannot run again due to term limits.

Calley says he wants to continue the work started by Snyder over the past seven years. He says Snyder administration policies helped fuel Michigan’s recovery from the Great Recession, resulting in low unemployment and higher wages.

“We need to keep this comeback going,” he says.

ST. LOUIS, MI (MPRN)--   A mid-Michigan prison is on lockdown after several days of fighting among dozens of inmates.

The incident at the St. Louis Correctional Facility is gang-related.

It started with a fight on Thursday, then multiple fights on Sunday during meals and finally a fight in a prison yard on Monday. That’s when prison officials locked the place down.

Rival gangs fought over control of the prison’s pay phones and email system.

LANSING, MI (MPRN)--   The state says now is not the time to rule on whether a candidate for governor is eligible to run.  That could mean the question will wait until after Democratic voters make their choice in the primary. 

The state constitution says a candidate for governor must have been a registered voter in Michigan for at least four years before the election. Democratic hopeful Abdul El-Sayed voted in New York in 2012, and the question is whether that invalidated his Michigan voter registration until he re-registered here in 2016.

MACKINAW CITY, MI (MPRN)--   An electrical cable that leaked hundreds of gallons of mineral oils into the Straits of Mackinac will be inspected – as soon as the weather clears up. 

Unified Command is a team of local, state and federal officials that responded to the spill reported earlier this month. The owner of the cable line, American Transmission Company is also on the team.

The plan is to send a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) under the water to inspect the line.

LANSING, MI (MPRN)--   Governor Rick Snyder rolled out a plan Monday to improve school safety following the Parkland-Florida shootings; however, the plan is silent on issues related to guns. 

It calls for boosting security at hundreds of schools, and expanding an anti-bullying tip line. A task force would also come up with more ways to improve school safety between now and the end of the year, when Governor Snyder steps down.

LANSING, MI (MPRN)--   Former state Senate Democratic leader Gretchen Whitmer filed petition signatures Thursday to get her name on the primary ballot as a candidate for governor. 

Supporters cheered as they handed over to state elections officials boxes containing petitions to put Whitmer’s name on the ballot.

LANSING, MI (MPRN)--   State lawmakers want to hit universities in their pocketbooks if they don’t follow certain sexual assault policies. 

A measure cleared a House committee Thursday as part of the House’s Higher Education committee budget bill. It would cut university funding by 10 percent if a university doesn’t follow certain Title IX and sexual assault policies.

“I do believe that a lot of the schools are already doing most of these things,” said Representative and committee chair Kim LaSata (R-St. Joseph). “But we just want it to be similar across the board.”