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

VIRUS OUTBREAK-SCHOOLS

More than half of Michigan students must wear mask in school

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — At least half of Michigan’s public K-12 students must wear a mask in school, a figure that has grown as local health or education officials order requirements that Gov. Gretchen Whitmer supports but is hesitant to reinstitute statewide. Several counties, including six of the 10 most populated ones, mandate face coverings for students, teachers and staff indoors. Their health officers have pointed to a rapid increase in COVID-19 cases due to the delta variant. Whitmer has faced criticism for leaving the decision to local leaders being confronted with angry parents. She is commending counties and school districts for requiring masks.

TUSKEGEE AIRMEN-MONUMENT

Tuskegee Airmen monument unveiled in Michigan

PORT HURON, Mich. (AP) — A monument dedicated to Tuskegee Airmen who died in Michigan during World War II training was unveiled Saturday near the international Blue Water Bridge. Michigan served as an advanced training ground for many graduates of the Tuskegee University pilot program. Surviving Tuskegee airmen and their descendants attended the event in Port Huron. It was part of a three-day celebration that recognized the accomplishments of America’s first Black military pilots. Fifteen Tuskegee airmen were killed while training in Michigan, including five pilots lost in Lake Huron and one in the St. Clair River. Wreckages from two planes have been found in the river and the lake.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-REPORTER ATTACKED

Reporter punched in face while covering anti-mask event

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) — A newspaper reporter says he was punched in the face while covering an anti-mask event near Traverse City. The Grand Traverse County sheriff’s office is investigating. Record-Eagle reporter Brendan Quealy went to Silver Lake Recreation Area on Thursday to check an event organized by a group called Citizens Liberating Michigan. Heather Cerone introduced herself to the crowd and urged people to block the reporter’s view. Quealy says he was shoved into a fence by a man and punched in the face. The Grand Traverse County prosecutor says the area near the pavilion is open to anyone, even if a group is renting the space.

GUARDIANSHIP-LAWYERS

Guardianship case highlights need for counsel, justices say

DETROIT (AP) — Some justices on the Michigan Supreme Court believe lawyers should be appointed to help people navigate complicated guardianship disputes. The remarks came in an unusual case. A woman spent about five years trying to get two children back after their grandmother went to court in Delta County and was awarded guardianship. The Supreme Court on Friday said an appeals court decision in favor of the mother will stand. She was able to hire an attorney to assist her by 2018, three years after the case began. Justice Megan Cavanagh says the case is “troubling.” She urged the Legislature to consider making court-appointed lawyers available to parents in guardianship cases.

ANIMAL CONTROL-TAX

Oops: Renewal of animal control tax overlooked by county

BEULAH, Mich. (AP) — Money is turning out to be “ruff” business at an animal control agency in northern Michigan. Officials in Benzie County missed a deadline to get a property tax renewal on the fall ballot. It means the animal control department will have a $124,000 budget shortfall over 18 months. The department has two full-time employees and two part-time positions. Some could be cut. Some residents wonder if animal adoptions will be affected if no one is available to meet the public. The tax has been in place for 20 years. The county administrator says borrowing money from another county fund is an option.

MICHIGAN FLOODING

Heavy rain causes more flooding on Detroit-area freeways

SOUTHFIELD, Mich. (AP) — Flash food warnings have been issued in the Detroit area following another burst of heavy rain. Michigan’s Department of Transportation says parts of four freeways were closed early Friday afternoon due to flooding. Both directions of the Lodge Freeway near 10 Mile Road in Southfield were under what appeared to be 1-2 feet of water, prompting some motorists to exit the freeway by going the wrong way up entrance ramps. The National Weather Service says parts of southeastern Michigan could see rainfall rates of more than one inch per hour. A late June storm dumped more than 6 inches of rain on Detroit and three suburban communities. Thousands of basements and dozens of streets flooded.

AP-US-ELECTION-SECURITY-VOTING-SYSTEMS

Experts warn of dangers from breach of voter system software

ATLANTA (AP) — Republican efforts questioning the outcome of the 2020 presidential race have led to voting system breaches that election security experts say pose a heightened risk to future elections. Copies of Dominion Voting Systems software used to manage elections were distributed at an event this month in South Dakota organized by MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell. He’s an ally of former President Donald Trump who’s spread conspiracy theories about last year’s election. The software does everything from designing ballots to configuring voting machines and tallying results. Security expert say the software copies are like blueprints that can expose vulnerabilities in the system.

AP-US-EVICTION-MORATORIUM-ENDS

Eviction ban’s end will allow pandemic lockouts to resume

PHOENIX (AP) — Tenant advocates and court officials were gearing up Friday for what some fear will be a wave of evictions but others predict will be a gradual trickle after a late-night U.S. Supreme Court action that allows the lockouts to resume. The high court’s conservative majority late Thursday blocked the Biden administration from enforcing a temporary ban placed because of the coronavirus pandemic. The action ends protections for about 3.5 million people in the United States who say they face eviction in the next two months.

MISSING BOYS-DAD

Dad of 3 missing boys in Lenawee County skips parole hearing

MORENCI, Mich. (AP) — A Michigan man whose three boys have been missing since 2010 declined to appear at a parole hearing in prison. John Skelton’s decision means he probably won’t be released and must wait a year for another shot at parole. Corrections Department Spokesman Chris Gautz says Skelton didn’t give a reason for skipping the hearing with the parole board. Skelton pleaded no contest to unlawful imprisonment but has not been charged in the disappearance of his boys in Lenawee County. He was sentenced to 10 to 15 years in prison, making him eligible for parole after 10 years. Skelton will be released from prison in 2025 if he’s not granted parole before that time.

MIGRANTS-HOUSING

State civil rights agency watching housing dispute in Alma

ALMA, Mich. (AP) — State civil rights enforcers are keeping an eye on whether a mid-Michigan community grants a zoning change to allow temporary housing for teenagers who cross the southern U.S. border. The Department of Civil Rights has concerns that Alma might “discriminate against individuals based upon race, color and national origin.” Bethany Christian Services wants to use a former nursing home to provide housing for boys. The Alma Planning Commission recommended that a zoning change be rejected. City commissioners could take up the issue on Sept. 14. Alma city’s attorney says planning commissioners couldn’t resolve key issues in the request because of opposition in the community.