The legal battle between the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the Michigan Duck Rescue and Sanctuary has come to an end. with all charges dismissed against the couple who run the operation.
Matthew and Teresa Lyson, founders of the Salem Township sanctuary, had faced six criminal charges each after state officials accused them of keeping and caring for waterfowl without proper permits. This week, the Washtenaw County Prosecutor’s Office dismissed the cases in their entirety, following months of public scrutiny and growing political pressure.
“This is great news,” Lyson told Keeping It Real. “All charges against me and Teresa are 100 percent gone. It’s a done deal, and we get to start new.”
Background of the Case
The Michigan Duck Rescue and Sanctuary has operated for nearly two decades, caring for injured or abandoned ducks, geese, and other waterfowl — many of which suffer from “angel wing,” a deformity often caused by people feeding them improper food. The Lysons say their work was motivated by compassion and necessity, helping birds that had been hit by cars, tangled in fishing line, or left unable to fly.
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The DNR claimed the Lysons were rehabbing wild birds without a license and ordered that some of the birds on the property be euthanized. The Lysons maintained that no crime was committed and that their only intent was to provide care for animals with no other options.
“We always contended that we did absolutely nothing criminally wrong from the onset,” Lyson said in a written update following the dismissal. “All of our actions were in good faith in assisting people who came across injured waterfowl with nowhere else to go.”
Legal and Legislative Support
Lyson credited a network of animal advocates and attorneys who stepped up to help. His first call was to animal law attorney Bee Friedlander, who connected him with attorney Celeste Dunn and Kelley LaBonty of Detroit Animal Welfare Group. They, in turn, found young Denver-based attorney Steffen Seitz, who took the case pro bono.
Former federal prosecutor Rick Convertino and former Washtenaw County prosecutor Lenore Ferber later joined as additional counsel, also volunteering their time.
Lyson said the case gained major traction after Keeping It Real first reported on it, which helped draw attention from lawmakers including Rep. Ken Borton and Rep. Angela Rigas. Both legislators have been investigating alleged overreach by the DNR and are pushing for reforms to how the agency handles wildlife rehabilitation.
“They were instrumental,” Lyson said. “Representative Borton told me he’d make calls to every key player, and he did. He and Rep. Rigas have been working hard to expose DNR malfeasance and push for accountability.”
Media and Public Response
The story quickly spread across Michigan media outlets, including WXYZ-TV, WWJ Radio, and the Detroit Free Press. National attention grew after musician and activist Ted Nugent shared the story online.
Since that coverage, a groundswell of support has followed. Thousands of residents have shared the Lysons’ story on social media, signed petitions, and contacted lawmakers demanding changes to state rehabilitation rules.
“The support was absolutely overwhelming and heartwarming,” Lyson said. “Every post, every share made a difference.”
What Comes Next
Despite the victory, Lyson said the work is not over. He plans to continue working with legislators to reform wildlife policies and to improve communication and cooperation with the DNR.
“Our new mission is nowhere near complete,” he said. “We will be working with the Michigan Legislature at every turn to enshrine these needed policies into law and to find common ground with the DNR. Changing decades of mismanagement won’t be easy, but it’s possible.”
Lyson said the goal now is to ensure no one else has to endure what he and his wife went through. “This isn’t just about us,” he said. “It’s about compassion, common sense, and protecting Michigan’s wildlife.”
Grocery stores urging people to stop using pennies.
ALPENA, Mich. — A new rule banning applause and other displays of emotion at Alpena Public Schools board meetings has sparked pushback from community members who say the policy infringes on their free speech rights.
The board recently adopted a policy prohibiting clapping, cheering, booing, or any demonstrations from audience members during meetings. Board President Eric Lawson said the restriction is meant to prevent disruptions and maintain order.
“We’re doing our best to show respect to you all and make sure you have adequate time for your comments,” Lawson said during a recent meeting. “Please show the board a little respect as well.”
Not everyone in attendance agreed. Several residents voiced frustration, including one woman who argued that clapping constitutes symbolic speech protected under the First Amendment.
“Clapping is a universal symbolic action that typically expresses approval,” she said. “Up until one week ago, clapping was a regular occurrence at these ...
Tensions flare at the Grand Ledge, Michigan school board meeting as parents clash over whether a teacher should be fired for a social media post about Charlie Kirk. Some demanded his removal, while others defended his right to speak out.
BREAKING: The Supreme Court will decide whether President Trump's birthright citizenship order violates the Constitution.
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$2B a Year In Food Stamp Trafficking Fraud in U.S.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Foundation for Government Accountability just released a report that says $2 billion a year is lost in food stamp trafficking fraud nationwide.
Trafficking is defined as exchanging cash for food stamp benefits at a discount.
In 2013, authorities in Michigan disrupted a ring of food stamp trafficking that total millions of dollars in transactions in a single year. It involved “runners” who got Bridge cards and sold the benefits at a discount to various Detroit businesses.
In Michigan, Bridge cards must not be used to purchase lottery tickets, alcohol, or tobacco, or for gambling, or illegal activities. There are designated fast food restaurants around Michigan that take Bridge cards. Click here to read more.
USDA to Halt Federal Funding to States Not Sharing SNAP Data
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced that the U.S Department of Agriculture would halt federal funding to states that refuse to share their data on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to root out fraud.
During a cabinet meeting of the Trump administration, Rollins highlighted the accomplishments of the USDA and spoke about the fraud the agency had discovered within SNAP. Rollins also shared that in February, states were asked to “turn over their data to the federal government to let the USDA partner with them to root out” fraud, and that only 29 states had shared their data. Click here to read more.
Conservative professor slams 0 grade for Oklahoma student’s biblical essay as punitive: ‘very inappropriate’
A conservative professor in the University of Wisconsin system weighed in on the recent controversy surrounding Samantha Fulnecky, a University of Oklahoma student who received a zero out of 25 on an essay assignment after invoking the Bible.
“To give a zero on an assignment like this, especially the way that the assignment was worded, I think really, unless there’s something I’m missing ... I feel like it has to be punitive,” said UW-River Falls professor Trevor Tomesh.
Tomesh, who made it clear that he speaks for himself, and not on behalf of his university or the University of Wisconsin system, said that in his classroom, to give a student a zero requires outright cheating on behalf of the student, or simply not turning in the assignment. Click here to read more.
Lawmaker Seeks to Prevent Colleges From Discriminating Against Homeschoolers
Rep. Mark Harris, R-N.C., has introduced a bill to ensure homeschoolers aren’t discriminated against in college admissions.
“No student should ever face discrimination or disadvantage during the college admissions process simply because they were homeschooled,” Harris said. “Yet, many universities still treat homeschoolers as second-class applicants by requiring excessive documentation and additional testing.”
The Higher Education Act currently defines an “institution of higher education” as one that admits students with a high school diploma or its recognized equivalent. However, the law refers to homeschoolers as “Students Who Are Not High School Graduates.” Click here to read more.
Private companies have raised millions to block the sun. What could go wrong?
For as little as $1, you can dim the sun — just a tiny bit — to save the world from climate change.
At least, that’s the promise sold by a California start-up called Make Sunsets. Your dollar will pay for founder Luke Iseman to drive a Winnebago RV into the hills half an hour outside Saratoga, California, to release a balloon loaded with sulfur dioxide, an air pollutant normally spewed by volcanic eruptions. He and his 1,000 paying customers hope the balloon will burst in the stratosphere, releasing particles that will block sunlight and cool the planet.
Iseman’s sun-blocking activities — which aren’t officially approved by any government on Earth, but aren’t illegal under California law — are an example of a controversial tactic called “solar geoengineering.” It has been the subject of many science fiction stories and conspirach theories and at least one U.S spy report warning that it could spark real-world wars. Click here to read more.
WEXFORD COUNTY, Mich. — The biological mother and stepfather of Rebecca Park were arraigned Tuesday on a series of felony charges tied to Park’s death, which investigators say occurred while she was near full-term pregnancy.
Cortney Bartholomew, 40, and her husband, Brad Bartholomew, 47 each face eight counts, including first-degree premeditated murder, felony murder, torture, assault of a pregnant individual, conspiracy, unlawful imprisonment and removing a body without the medical examiner’s permission. Both were ordered held without bond.
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Their initial court appearance was scheduled for Monday in 84th District Court but was postponed. Prosecutors cited the seriousness of the charges and concerns the couple may flee if released.
RELATED LINK: Fiancé of Missing Pregnant Wexford County Woman and Her Sister Are In Custody After Body Found in Manistee National Forest
Authorities launched a search for Park on Nov. 21 after she was reported missing. Four days later, investigators discovered her body in a remote section of the Manistee National Forest in Wexford County. An autopsy later confirmed the remains were Park’s. The baby she was reportedly carrying was not found with her.
The Michigan State Police and the Wexford County Sheriff’s Office continue to investigate the circumstances of Park’s death. The cause of death has not yet been released, and the search for the infant is ongoing.
