Latest Michigan news, sports, business and entertainment at 9:20 p.m. EDT

TAX CUT

Legislature again OKs tax cuts; Whitmer floats $500 rebate

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Both Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the Republican-led Legislature are proposing new plans to cut taxes but remain at odds over the scope and immediacy of any relief. The Democratic governor called for a one-time $500 rebate for “working families,” adding to her earlier proposals to gradually repeal a tax on retirement income and fully restore a credit for lower-wage earners. Republican lawmakers quickly passed sweeping legislation Thursday that would permanently reduce the state income tax and include other tax cuts. Whitmer is likely to veto it, contending it is fiscally irresponsible.

CRIME VICTIMS

Michigan expands state’s victims fund, increases payouts

LANSING, Mich (AP) — Changes to Michigan’s crime victim compensation fund to help more applicants get access to funds to pay for medical bills and funeral costs after a crime have been signed into law by Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. Under the law signed Thursday by the Democratic governor, the maximum claimants can get from the fund after a crime increased from $25,000 to $45,000. Reimbursements for funeral expenses increased from $5,000 to $8,000. The Alliance for Safety and Justice says Michigan ranks worst in application rates from crime victims and their survivors applying for state crime victim compensation funds, in large part due to barriers for eligibility in the state law. The changes go into effect in August, 2024.

MARIJUANA SEIZED-DETROIT

More than ton of pot found in semi-trailer in Detroit

DETROIT (AP) — More than a ton of marijuana has been seized from a tractor-trailer truck in southwest Detroit. Customs and Border Protection officials say the pot was detected during an inspection on May 11 by officers at a cargo facility near the Ambassador Bridge connecting Detroit to Canada. About 2,175 pounds of pot was in hidden in boxes documented as containing foam pool toys. The trailer also was seized.

AP-US-BABY-FORMULA-CONGRESS-FDA

FDA head: Baby formula factory could reopen by next week

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Food and Drug Administration’s commissioner says a shuttered baby formula factory could be up and running by next week. FDA Commissioner Robert Califf faced congressional anger Thursday for not answering questions about whether his agency should have intervened earlier at the Michigan plant tied to a national formula shortage. Members of a House subcommittee questioned Califf about why the FDA didn’t step in when there were signs of problems at Abbott Nutrition’s plant last fall before it was closed. The shortage has rattled parents and become a political headwind for President Joe Biden, who’s invoked the Defense Production Act to ease supply. Califf asked lawmakers for new food safety funding.

COLLEGE SHOOTING-INNOCENCE CLAIM

State AG won’t upset conviction in 1986 Port Huron murder

PORT HURON, Mich. (AP) — The attorney general’s office says it found no new evidence to support a claim of innocence by a man who was convicted of committing murder in 1986 in a Port Huron college parking lot. Temujin Kensu’s case was examined by Valerie Newman. She heads the conviction integrity unit in the Wayne County prosecutor’s office and has worked to free people who were wrongly convicted. Kensu, formerly known as Fred Freeman, is serving a life sentence for the fatal shooting of Scott Macklem. Kensu insists he was in the Upper Peninsula when Macklem was killed. Alibi witnesses backed him up at trial, but a pilot suggested Kensu could have committed the murder and then dashed back to Escanaba.

POLICE SHOOTING-MICHIGAN

Prosecutor talking to experts in killing of Patrick Lyoya

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) — A prosecutor says he will only decide whether to charge a white Michigan police officer in last month’s fatal shooting of Patrick Lyoya, a Black man, after he finishes discussing it with experts. Kent County prosecutor Chris Becker acknowledged in a statement Wednesday that the “investigation appears to be moving painstakingly slowly,” six weeks after Grand Rapids Officer Christopher Schurr shot Lyoya in the back of the head during a struggle. However, he says it’s “imperative” that he reviews all the facts and evidence before making a charging decision. Schurr killed Lyoya on April 4 during a physical struggle. Video shows he demanded that Lyoya let go of his police Taser before he shot him.

BC-US-BABY-FORMULA-SHORTAGE-BREASTFEEDING

Moms seeking formula tire of those who say, just breastfeed

Some U.S. moms looking for baby formula that is in short supply are dealing with another layer of stress — people asking why they don’t just breastfeed. Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended for the first six months of life by major medical entities like the World Health Organization. But it doesn’t work for everyone. Health issues, work schedules and life stress can all make breastfeeding difficult or impossible. Even bigger barriers exist for women working low-paying jobs, where there may not be time allowed to pump, and in underserved areas with little support.

FORD-CRASH LAWSUIT

Ford found liable in lawsuit in West Virginia woman’s death

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — A jury in West Virginia has awarded $7 million in a product liability lawsuit against Ford Motor Co. to the family of a woman who died when her Mustang was involved in a fiery crash. The Charleston Gazette-Mail reports a jury made the award this week to the Raleigh County family of Breanna Bumgarner. According to the lawsuit, Bumgarner’s 2014 Ford Mustang was hit by a pickup truck near Spencer in March 2016. The plaintiff’s attorneys argued the Mustang’s brake fluid reservoir was not sufficiently protected from the crash and it led to the fire. Ford spokesman Ian Thibodeau says the company will review its options for appealing.

AP-US-PHILANTHROPY-TWITTER

‘Twitter philanthropy’ reveals chasms in social safety net

Practically every minute of every hour, someone sends a tweet to Bill Pulte, a 33-year-old private-equity investor and heir to the mammoth PulteGroup homebuilding company. And, nearly every day, Pulte responds. He sent $500 for a man who sent a video showing his missing teeth. He gave $125 for a woman to pay for gas so she could make the long drive to her brother’s funeral. It’s all part of what Pulte calls “Twitter philanthropy” – a concept of direct giving in which Pulte and others offer immediate financial support to a tiny percentage of people who reach out over social media. Philanthropy experts say Pulte’s generosity is laudable, but question whether his approach will produce any long-term results.

EXCHANGE STUDENT-UKRAINE

CMU accepts Ukrainian exchange student who is staying in US

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. (AP) — A high school student from Ukraine who won’t return home because of war will stay in Michigan and start college. Mariia Smahliuk accepted an offer from Central Michigan University. The exchange student already is in Mount Pleasant attending the local high school. Smahliuk lives with Liz Busch, a Mt. Pleasant city commissioner, who helped her make contact with CMU. Smahliuk is collecting money for medical supplies and inviting people to visit a Mount Pleasant store, For Art’s Sake, next Tuesday to write letters to Ukrainian soldiers. Members First Credit Union is accepting contributions to support Smahliuk at CMU.