Detroit Evening Report: Redistricting public hearings in Detroit; Four Tops singer sues hospital + more
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Protesters attend a meeting of the Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission on Oct. 21, 2021, in Lansing, Mich.
On the latest episode of the Detroit Evening Report, we cover the redistricting commission’s public hearings in Detroit, a Motown legend sues a Macomb County hospital, UAW president Shawn Fain could possibly be under federal investigation and more.
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Detroit hosting public hearings on Michigan Senate redistricting
Michigan’s redistricting commission is holding public hearings in Detroit this week. They are supposed to provide a chance for residents to give their feedback on 12 proposals for Michigan’s next state Senate district boundaries. Commission executive director Edward Woods III notes many of the Senate districts around metro Detroit could change under the proposed maps.
“We really want to hear from anyone that is impacted by that so that they can share the best map that they feel represents their community of interest, and if there’s some tweaks that need to be made, they can bring those suggestions as well,” Woods III said.
The re-mapping is taking place because a federal court found six metro Detroit Senate districts in the current map to have unconstitutional racial gerrymanders. The commission has until June 27, 2024 to submit a new map to the court for consideration.
The next sessions are:
- Wednesday, June 12, at King High School, 3200 East Lafayette
- Thursday, June 13, at Renaissance High School, 6565 W Outer Dr
Both hearings start at 10 a.m.
Reporting by Colin Jackson for Michigan Public Radio Network.
Four Tops lead singer suing Ascension Hospital for $75,000 over mistreatment
The lead singer of the Motown group the Four Tops is suing a Macomb County hospital alleging staff there initially refused to treat him when he was suffering chest pains last year.
Singer Alexander Morris says the staff at Ascension Macomb-Oakland Hospital in Warren did not believe he was a member of the legendary group. Instead, he alleges they called him a racial slur, put him in a kind of straight-jacket, and ordered him to undergo a psychological examination.
Morris says he even offered to show a nurse a video of him performing at the Grammy Awards. He says he was eventually released after being restrained for nearly two hours.
The hospital offered Morris a $25 Meijer gift card to make up for the alleged treatment he received.
Morris is suing Ascension Macomb-Oakland for more than $75,000.
Representatives for the hospital say they do not condone discrimination but will not comment on pending litigation.
Reporting by Quinn Klinefelter for WDET News.
Court documents filed accuse UAW of blocking federal investigation attempts on union president Shawn Fain
Published reports say the federal monitor watching the United Auto Workers is investigating union president Shawn Fain. The Detroit News and the Detroit Free Press report Neil Barofsky filed court documents accusing the UAW of blocking attempts to get information about allegations that Fain retaliated against two other union leaders.
Barofsky says the allegations are just that, but if true, they could violate the consent decree that prevented the government from taking over the union in 2020. The agreement came after more than a dozen UAW and Fiat Chrysler executives went to prison for corruption.
Fain sent a response to the newspapers, saying he encourages Barofsky to investigate, and that he’s focused on growing union membership.
Reporting by Pat Batcheller for WDET News.
Detroit at Work hosting community resource fair for residents
Detroit at Work is hosting a Community Resource Fair on Wednesday at the Durfee Innovation Society. Programs will offers services ranging from assistance with baby supplies and childcare, to expungement and home ownership resources. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at 2470 Collingwood.
Planet Ant offering creative writing classes
The Planet Ant Training Center in Hamtramck is registering students for its summer classes. Introductions to play writing, TV comedy writing, short film, improv and sketch comedy are being offered. Classes start the week of June 24. More information can be found at planetant.com/training.
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