Removing One DEI Position In Michigan AG’s Office Saves $218,800
LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan House budget that proposes to cut the attorney general’s funding by more than 30% had one line item worth a review.
The House budget removed the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) officer for the AG’s office and the estimated savings totaled $218,800.
Based on previous state data, about 44% of that $218,800 savings would be the cost of employee benefits, such as insurance and retirement pension and healthcare costs. An estimate would be the annual salary of the DEI employee in the AG’s office was about $123,000.
That DEI salary was far higher than average salaries for other state workers.
By comparison, the average teacher salary in Michigan was $69,068 in 2023-24 and the average state worker made $74,917 that same year. Click here to read more.
Tampa FBI raid results in nine gang members arrested with links to Sinaloa Cartel
TAMPA, Fla. – The FBI carried out a raid in Tampa on Thursday that resulted in the arrest of nine “Hood Boys” street gang members with links to the violent and prominent drug-trafficking Sinaloa Cartel.
“This operation makes clear the FBI’s mission: nine federal arrests, firearms and narcotics seized, and criminal cash taken off the streets,” FBI Director Kash Patel exclusively told Florida’s Voice. “None of this is possible without the strength of our partnerships, from SWAT to local police, working alongside our agents.”
The raid came part of Operation Emerald Stream and the case was originally opened in early-2020.
One gram of crack cocaine, five pistols, 30.5 pounds of marijuana, six “unspecified pills” and nearly $100,000 were among the items seized during the raid.
Thursday’s operation was supported by Lakeland Police Department SWAT on top of federal teams.
The FBI reported that all of the arrested subjects are U.S. citizens.
While nine were arrested, 11 warrants were executed and two of the subjects were not apprehended because they weren’t at their “known locations.” Law enforcement are pushing to locate them. One was reported to be planning to turn himself in. Click here to read more.
Ukrainian refugee killed in random stabbing on North Carolina train
CHARLOTTE, NC - Police in Charlotte, North Carolina, are investigating a random murder that took place on the city’s light rail system last month.
Iryna Zarutska, a 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee who came to the United States following the Russian invasion of her country, was fatally stabbed on her way home from work close to 10 p.m. on Aug. 22.
Surveillance video released by Charlotte Area Transit shows the woman boarding a light rail Lynx car and sitting down in front of a man, identified as 34-year-old Decarlos Brown Jr. After nearly five minutes, the video shows Brown pulling out a folding knife and attacking her.
Police say he stabbed Zarutska three times, including a fatal blow to the neck, before walking the length of the train and exiting. Transit police arrived within minutes, but she was pronounced dead.
Brown, who police say is homeless and has a criminal record, was arrested and charged with murder. Click here to read more.
Proposed bill would give utility companies control of customer thermostats
LAKEWOOD, OH - A lawmaker in Ohio has proposed legislation that would allow utility companies to throttle your energy usage during periods of high demand, essentially giving control of customer thermostats.
State Rep. Roy Klopfenstein (R-Haviland) introduced House Bill 427, which he says will modernize Ohio’s energy regulations and help homeowners and small businesses save money while improving electric grid reliability.
“This legislation is a crucial step in our state’s comprehensive plan to ensure all Ohioans have access to reliable, affordable, and readily available energy,” Klopfenstein said.
“Demand response programs have proven to be a vital tool for our large commercial users, and it’s important that similar programs are made available to residential and small commercial users,” the lawmaker added. “These programs will ease the strain on our energy grid and save money for all Ohioans.” Click here to read more.
Two Teachers at Wisconsin Elementary School Charged with Sex with Children
A Wisconsin elementary school teacher — already behind bars for failing to report sexual misconduct by a fellow teacher — is accused of assaulting a 15-year-old boy while working as his family’s nanny.
Prosecutors on Friday charged Abigail Michelle Faust, 25, with third-degree criminal sexual conduct with the teen that began in December after she sent him provocative photos.
It is the latest explosive revelation of sexual misconduct by staff at the Rivercrest Elementary School, the news rocking parents and residents in Hudson, a town of 15,000 about 30 miles east of Minneapolis.
In May, Faust resigned from her fifth-grade teaching job at the school after prosecutors charged her in St. Croix County Circuit Court with failing to report sexual abuse by a fellow fifth-grade teacher on another child.
She was also charged with kissing a fifth-grade boy last year in her classroom at the end of the school day. Click here to read more.
