❌

Normal view

There are new articles available, click to refresh the page.
Before yesterdayMain stream

Detroit Evening Report: Abandon Biden campaign relaunches as ‘Abandon Harris’

✇WDET 101.9 FM
By: Hernz Laguerre
13 September 2024 at 21:26

The Abandon Harris Campaign launched on Thursday in Dearborn as a continuation of the Abandon Biden Campaign.

Subscribe to the Detroit Evening Report on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

The campaign aims to change the policies of Vice President Kamala Harris regarding Israel’s ongoing military action in Gaza — seeking a permanent ceasefire and an arms embargo.

Michigan Co-chair Farah Khan says the Abandon Harris campaign is looking for actual policies, not just words and inaction.

“We will hold the Harris Biden administration accountable for their role in this atrocity,” Khan said at a press event outside the Henry Ford Centennial Library in Dearborn on Thursday. “Accountability means more than words. It means actions. We must be clear — they have had their chance, and they have failed us.”

Listen: Interview with Farah Khan, co-chair of Abandon Harris for Michigan

The Gaza Health Ministry reports that over 41,000 Palestinian civilians have been killed and more than 95,000 injured during Israel’s military campaign in Gaza since Oct. 7 — the day Hamas-led militants killed 1,200 people in Israel, taking 250 hostages.

Campaign leaders say the Abandon Harris movement is active in at least nine states — including swing states like Michigan. Dr. Hassan Abdel Salam, national co-chair of the campaign, says they are asking voters not to vote for either party’s candidate.

“Our vote is magnanimous,” Salam said. “It’s a moment for democracy to triumph, for us to change the political landscape.”

The campaign plans to endorse a third party candidate soon.

Reporting by Nargis Rahman, WDET

Other headlines for Friday, Sept. 13, 2024:

  • Henry Ford Hospital held a groundbreaking on Thursday for its $2.2 billion Detroit campus expansion, anchored by a new 1.2 million-square-foot hospital facility on the south side of West Grand Boulevard
  • The city of Detroit’s Youth Affairs Team and Detroit ACE are hosting an artist showcase on Friday, Sept. 20, called “Young, Gifted and Woke.”
  • Usher’s Past Present and Future Tour is continuing its run through the Motor City Friday at Little Caesars Arena. On his way there he stopped by the Boys and Girls Club of Detroit to help highlight the lack of access some youth have across the country to quality after-school programs.

Do you have a community story we should tell? Let us know in an email at detroiteveningreport@wdet.org.

Support Detroit Public Radio.

WDET is celebrating 75 years of people powered radio during our 2024 Fall Fundraiser, now through Sept. 24. Become a member and invest in WDET’s next chapter of news, music and conversation.

Donate today »

The post Detroit Evening Report: Abandon Biden campaign relaunches as ‘Abandon Harris’ appeared first on WDET 101.9 FM.

Former aides to Michigan House speaker face trial on embezzlement charges

✇WDET 101.9 FM
By: Rick Pluta
13 September 2024 at 14:13

Two former top state House Republican staffers will go to trial on allegations they embezzled from political funds for their personal use.

Together and separately, Robert and Anne Minard face more than a dozen felony charges, several with maximum sentences of 20 years in prison. They pleaded not guilty to the charges at a preliminary hearing last month.

East Lansing District Court Judge Molly Hennessey Greenwalt denied a defense motion to exclude evidence seized from the couples’ home under a search warrant. The judge held the warrant sufficiently explained what law enforcement was looking for in seized documents. She then determined the state has enough evidence to send the case to trial in the Ingham County Circuit Court.

The charges allege they embezzled from two political funds and a political action committee that was under their control to cover expenses after they had been separately reimbursed for them.

“The Minards engaged in a vast, complex scheme of fraud, and through this deception, stole hundreds of thousands of dollars from nonprofits and political action committees,” Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said in a statement released by her office. “My department is pleased to see this case progress and remains committed to pursuing political operatives who violate the law for their own personal gain.” 

The Minards were top aides to then-House Speaker Lee Chatfield, the Republican leader during the 2019-2020 session. Chatfield also faces corruption-related charges in a separate case.    

Trusted, accurate, up-to-date.

WDET strives to make our journalism accessible to everyone. As a public media institution, we maintain our journalistic integrity through independent support from readers like you. If you value WDET as your source of news, music and conversation, please make a gift today. Donate today »

The post Former aides to Michigan House speaker face trial on embezzlement charges appeared first on WDET 101.9 FM.

State approves increased capacity at Marathon’s Detroit refinery

✇WDET 101.9 FM
By: Amanda LeClaire
12 September 2024 at 18:48

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) has approved new air permits for Marathon Petroleum’s Detroit refinery after a public comment period earlier this year.

The permit changes will allow Marathon to operate the refinery — located at 1001 South Oakwood — at “full capacity,” and set new pollutant emission caps for the facility. Previously, the refinery was limited to producing an average of 140,000 barrels a day.

Andy Drury, an environmental engineer with EGLE, says the department will require Marathon to continue air quality monitoring through at least 2030.

“One of the bigger things is Marathon has been doing ambient air monitoring at their facility, and they have agreed based on the comments to continue for at least six more years,” Drury said.

Key updates to the permit include the removal of outdated regulatory references, an extension of the air monitoring program, and increasing the height of a refinery stack to 35 feet.

More: Union workers strike at Detroit Marathon refinery

Jeff Tricoff, a relief operator at Marathon’s Detroit refinery and a member of  Teamsters Local 283, was among several residents who expressed concerns about increased capacity at the facility at a public hearing hosted by EGLE in May.

“As workers, we know that operating everything at 100% has to be done effectively and efficiently and done by experienced people,” Tricoff said at the meeting. “Right now we are in a labor dispute with our current contract having expired on Feb. 1, and Marathon is preparing to bring in temporary workers to take our position.”

Just last week, refinery workers represented by the union voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike. The new permits were approved on Sept. 10.

Marathon also operates an asphalt terminal at 301 S. Fort St., and a light products terminal at 12700 Toronto St., both in Southwest Detroit.

WDET’s Jenny Sherman contributed to this report.

Trusted, accurate, up-to-date.

WDET strives to make our journalism accessible to everyone. As a public media institution, we maintain our journalistic integrity through independent support from readers like you. If you value WDET as your source of news, music and conversation, please make a gift today.

Donate today »

The post State approves increased capacity at Marathon’s Detroit refinery appeared first on WDET 101.9 FM.

RFK Jr. files last-ditch effort to get off Michigan ballot

✇WDET 101.9 FM
By: Rick Pluta
12 September 2024 at 15:08

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. filed a last-ditch federal lawsuit Thursday in an effort to get his name off Michigan’s presidential ballot. That’s as local clerks are already finalizing ballots for printing.

Kennedy exhausted his appeals in Michigan courts before turning now to federal courts — even though the state’s legal deadline to get ballots to printers is passed. Angela Benander, a spokesperson for Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, told the Michigan Public Radio Network the filing will not change current plans.

“Clerks are currently in the process of printing ballots to ensure absentee ballots will be delivered to voters by the federal deadlines,” said Benander. She said those deadlines ensure absentee ballots are in the mail to overseas and military voters in time for them to be returned and counted.

The Michigan Supreme Court on Monday held Kennedy’s name would remain on the ballot, which settled the matter in state courts.

Kennedy has had mixed results in having his name stricken from ballots in states where he has already qualified. He suspended his campaign last month and endorsed former President Donald Trump, the Republican nominee.

Michigan Secretary of State said Kennedy waited until it was too late to withdraw as the nominee of the Natural Law Party of Michigan. Kennedy sought and accepted the minor party nomination as a way to get on the Michigan ballot. Withdrawing now would leave the party without a presidential candidate.

But in the lawsuit filed Monday with the U.S. District Court for Michigan’s eastern district, Kennedy argued the state is violating his constitutional freedom of speech and freedom of association rights.

“Keeping Mr. Kennedy off the ballot will also cause no harm to the public,” said Kennedy’s filing. “Conversely, leaving Mr. Kennedy’s name will serve only to mislead voters, upend election and ballot integrity…”

In the filing, Kennedy also complained that he is being held to a different standard than President Joe Biden, who exited the presidential race on July 21 and cleared the way for Vice President Kamala Harris to be nominated.

But there is a critical distinction. Biden was in the race and the presumptive nominee prior to stepping aside. But he was never formally nominated and, thus, never accepted the nomination.

Harris was waiting in the wings when Biden withdrew his name from consideration following a disastrous debate performance against Trump. She was formally nominated by the Democratic National Convention on August 6th, which placed her on Michigan’s ballot.

The state will now have an opportunity to respond to Kennedy’s lawsuit and motion to remove his name. But the court does not have to accept the case or take any other action.

Trusted, accurate, up-to-date.

WDET strives to make our journalism accessible to everyone. As a public media institution, we maintain our journalistic integrity through independent support from readers like you. If you value WDET as your source of news, music and conversation, please make a gift today.

Donate today »

The post RFK Jr. files last-ditch effort to get off Michigan ballot appeared first on WDET 101.9 FM.

‘This is not a bill’: How to decipher explanations of benefits and pay for your medical care

✇The Oakland Press
By: Tribune News Service
11 September 2024 at 21:39

Christopher Snowbeck | (TNS) The Minnesota Star Tribune

Bobbie Putman-Bailey knows how to solve problems when it comes to medical bills and health insurance.

In one instance, upon the surprise realization her specialist doctor had gone out of network for her health plan, the 42-year-old Maple Grove, Minnesota, resident convinced the insurer to overturn coverage denials that could have cost her hundreds of dollars. The key, Putman-Bailey said, was to write an appeal that was long on details, while also agreeing to eventually switch to an in-network doctor — just not immediately, since she was beginning a new treatment at the time.

In another case, she wrangled with a specialty pharmacy to prevent billing for a shipment of the wrong medication to her house. It helped, Putman-Bailey said, that she was prompt in calling to report the problem and already had talked with the pharmacy several times about ambiguities with its online ordering system.

For consumers, the first step in all such disputes is to stay on top of billing documents, Putman-Bailey advised, and ask questions as soon as possible. She recognizes, of course, this can be easier said than done.

“It sucks because you are sick, and you’re chronically ill, and there are days when … you don’t have the energy to get up and look at things,” said Putman-Bailey, who has Crohn’s disease. “But if you wait until things show up in your mailbox, it’s almost too late.”

Getting sick in the U.S. health care system can trigger an avalanche of confusing paperwork. Here’s what you need to know about how to read a medical bill — plus those documents proclaiming “This Is Not a Bill” from health insurers — to help prevent the illness from spreading to your bank account.

Bills vs. EOBs

Two types of documents typically arrive in a patient’s mailbox and/or online portal after receiving health care services: One is a medical bill from a doctor’s office or health system, the second is an“explanation of benefits” form from your health insurer.

The insurance document, called an EOB, often arrives first. It reflects the health plan’s evaluation of the service received, including the amount of insurance coverage for the service, according to the Minnesota Council of Health Plans, a trade group for nonprofit health insurers in the state.

EOBs typically list the provider’s charge for a service. They also show the negotiated price the insurance company and provider agreed to consider full payment. And then, the form shows how the negotiated cost will split between the insurer and the patient.

Insurers typically describe this split as “cost-sharing,” which factors in deductibles and co-insurance that are key for patients to understand when shopping for a health plan.

“If there is a remaining bill, the doctor’s office directly sends you a bill for the remaining amount,” said Lucas Nesse, chief executive of the Minnesota Council of Health Plans, via email. “If the amount on the bill you receive from your doctor’s office does not match the amount on your EOB, the first step is to call your clinic to see if they have updated their bill to reflect payment from your insurance.”

Patients often notice on EOBs the contrast between the health care provider’s charge and the negotiated payment rate because the discounts can be very large.

“You can see them allow only 10% of the charge sometimes,” said Bill Foley, an insurance advocate and volunteer leader with Cancer Legal Care, a nonprofit group in Oakdale. “The spread can be tremendous.”

Once the bill comes from the doctor’s office or health system, patients should compare the amount due with the EOB to make sure they agree on the patient’s financial responsibility. When they don’t match, patients should call the health care provider and/or health insurer.

“Typically, your medical bill should not be more than what your explanation of benefits says you owe,” said Julia Dreier, the deputy commissioner of insurance at the Minnesota Department of Commerce.

Starting Oct. 1, a new state law goes into effect that lets patients request a review from their health care provider to check the accuracy of medical codes used in their billing. The law prohibits providers from making further collection efforts during this process, which culminates in a notice sent to patients within 30 days of the review’s completion.

“A medical provider will always … provide notice about whether the coding was accurate,” said Joe Schindler, vice president of finance policy and analytics at the Minnesota Hospital Association.

Comparing EOBs and medical bills can be difficult when health care providers practice “global billing” and roll all charges into one final bill, said Eric Ellsworth, director for health data strategy at Consumers’ Checkbook Health. Schindler of the Hospital Association noted patients can always ask for a more detailed bill from their health care provider.

Denials and codes

Consumer advocates say patients, in many ways, are better off relying on their online portals for billing documents rather than paper statements that arrive in the mail. That’s because a health insurer’s decision on whether to pay or deny a claim can change as more information becomes available.

Foley recommends, in fact, patients compare the bill they receive in the mail to the online version to see if that one is more current.

When there’s a balance due, the key question is: Why?

“Is it because insurance hasn’t adjudicated your claim yet?” Foley asked. “Is it because you have a legitimate out-of-pocket expense? Is it due to a denial?”

There are several types of denials, Ellsworth said. Some services just aren’t a covered benefit, he added, pointing to in-vitro fertilization as an example in a number of health plans. Sometimes there’s a limitation patients might not have appreciated, such as when an insurer will pay for cataract surgery but not some multifocal lenses.

Insurers might deny a claim because the health plan deems the service not medically necessary. Some denials result in financial responsibility for patients, Ellsworth said, while others create a financial risk for the health care provider.

The Minnesota Council of Health Plans said insurers list on the EOB a “reason code” to explain the reason for a claim’s denial. Reasons can vary from services being out of network to the lack of prior authorization from a health plan.

It’s not clear exactly how often denials happen across all types of insurance, but consumer advocates say appeals are few and far between. They worry the process of filing appeals is just too confusing and/or difficult for patients to navigate.

To appeal a denied claim, patients must navigate the language of medical coding, which is how health care providers and health insurers communicate about the services provided. Many medical bills and EOBs don’t actually include these codes, so patients must contact either their provider or health plan to understand. Patients can then use the codes and descriptions to determine whether their insurer processed their claims correctly according to their plan’s benefits.

“If there’s a balance due that you’re questioning, then it’s really important to know those codes,” Foley said. “We’ve set up this system where all of these claims are handled by computers now instead of people. So, the codes are really key. That’s the magic.”

When facing big bills for out-of-network care, patients should explore whether the federal No Surprises Act provides any help. And advocates say rather than trying to navigate all this alone, patients should seek help from a friend, family member or even government agencies.

“If someone’s stuck, I would encourage people to call us,” said Dreier of the Commerce Department.

‘I’m not trying to duck the bill’

The Minnesota Attorney General’s Office has online tips for handling medical bills and pointers for ensuring your portion is accurate. The state Commerce Department has online information about denials and appeals. Ellsworth of Consumers’ Checkbook said people in “self-insured” health plans that large employers typically run — especially those operating in multiple states — can seek help from the Employee Benefit Services Administration (EBSA) at the U.S. Department of Labor.

Some advocates refer to a book called “Never Pay the First Bill” when talking about how consumers should think about questionable medical bills. Patients often want to pay promptly, Foley said, either because they received good care or from fear of being sent to collections and suffering credit score dings.

Those are good instincts, Foley said, yet there are times when he advises consumers to let everything play out a bit before making a payment.

“The key is: Just keep the provider in the loop. Let them know that you are aware that they’ve sent you a balance-due statement but that you’re still working through the details of it,” he said. “Make sure you are staying in contact with your provider and telling them: ‘Hey, I’m not trying to duck the bill.’ That’s really an important thing.”

Putman-Bailey, the patient from Maple Grove, said to be suspicious if any medical paperwork is delayed since that can be a sign of trouble.

The Minnesota Medical Association said providers must submit claims to insurance companies within six months of the date of service, although most are quicker. Insurers generally pay claims within 30 days of receipt, the Medical Association said, and EOBs are available when claims process.

As for phone calls, Putman-Bailey said she’s learned the importance of recording the date of the conversation, the name of the customer service representative and the agent’s phone number, if possible. Another tip: When insurers assert a service is not medically necessary, Putman-Bailey asks to talk with the physician who made that decision.

The process can feel adversarial and is often emotional, Putman-Bailey said, but she always tries to stress how it’s not personal.

“I usually am saying to the person on the phone: ‘This is not about you,’” she said, “‘this is about the system.’”

©2024 The Minnesota Star Tribune. Visit at startribune.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

For consumers, the first step in all such disputes is to stay on top of billing documents, Putman-Bailey advised, and ask questions as soon as possible. She recognizes, of course, this can be easier said than done. (Vinnstock/Dreamstime/TNS)

The Metro: Outlier Media’s new SMS service aims to address information gaps in Detroit

✇WDET 101.9 FM
By: John Filbrandt
11 September 2024 at 21:33

Outlier Media has a new and improved text service aiming to help residents get answers to essential questions. 

Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Outlier Media Sarah Alvarez joined The Metro on Wednesday to discuss how the TXT Outlier service is helping address information gaps about housing, utilities, and other critical community issues. 

Subscribe to The Metro on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

Alvarez says while traditional news outlets across various mediums provide an essential service to the community, “radio segments and news articles are not always the most useful way to get information to people.”

“…and they’re certainly not personalized enough for people who are in some kind of information crisis,” she said. “So what would it look like, I thought, for a news service to really try to fill information and accountability gaps, and what would it take to do that well?”

The service — first launched in 2016 — allows residents to text Outlier keywords for additional information on related topics; or to talk directly with a reporter about a specific issue they might be facing.

Detroiters can take advantage of the service by texting “Detroit” to 67485. For more information, visit outliermedia.org/txt-outlier.

Use the audio player above to hear the full interview with Sarah Alvarez, Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Outlier Media, at the 25:23 mark.

More headlines from The Metro on Sept. 11, 2024: 

    • About a week ago, Gen Z Democratic Congressman Maxwell Frost toured Detroit and the state of Michigan to stump for Vice President Kamala Harris. During that time, Producer Sam Corey spoke with the Florida representative about the biggest concerns facing young people, and what will turn them out to vote in November.
    • Pollution from trucks and factories — coupled with poverty — led the city to be named the third-worst place to live for people with asthma in a new report from the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. Allergy expert and native Detroiter Dr. Garen Wolff joined the show to talk about the report’s findings and what Detroiters can do to improve their air quality.
    • The Funky Ferndale Art Fair is taking place Sept. 20-22. Director of the fair Mark Loeb joined the show to talk about what makes it unique.

    Listen to The Metro weekdays from 11 a.m. to noon ET on 101.9 FM and streaming on-demand.

    Trusted, accurate, up-to-date.

    WDET strives to make our journalism accessible to everyone. As a public media institution, we maintain our journalistic integrity through independent support from readers like you. If you value WDET as your source of news, music and conversation, please make a gift today. Donate today »

    The post The Metro: Outlier Media’s new SMS service aims to address information gaps in Detroit appeared first on WDET 101.9 FM.

    Act now: Two key student debt relief programs expire Sept. 30

    ✇The Oakland Press
    By: NerdWallet
    11 September 2024 at 20:47

    By Eliza Haverstock | NerdWallet

    If you’ve been skipping your federal student loan bills, or you have defaulted loans, your time is running out to get back on track without harsh consequences. Two key pandemic-era relief programs are set to expire on Sept. 30: the student loan on-ramp and the Fresh Start program.

    Millions of borrowers are benefitting from the on-ramp or Fresh Start — and some may not know it. To check, log into your studentaid.gov account and review your monthly payment history and loan repayment statuses. If you have missed or late payments, you’re on the on-ramp. If you have a loan listed as in default, you’re benefiting from the Fresh Start program.

    In either case, you need to act by Sept. 30. Here’s how.

    Student loan on-ramp: Make a plan to deal with your bills

    The student loan on-ramp began Oct. 1, 2023, and lasts until Sept. 30, 2024. It’s intended as a safety net for the “most vulnerable borrowers,” the White House said last summer.

    The program is automatic for all borrowers who miss payments during this time — there is no enrollment process. During the on-ramp, you can’t fall into delinquency or default. Missed payments won’t be reported to credit bureaus.

    Roughly 3 million borrowers have taken advantage of the on-ramp and were at least 30 days late on their loans as of June 30, according to Federal Student Aid office data.

    If you’ve been skipping payments, make a plan for October. Otherwise, you could face harsh and costly consequences. Once a payment is 270 days late, you will enter student loan default. Debt collectors can garnish your wages and charge hefty fees.

    Here are steps to take before the on-ramp expires:

    • Check your student loan accounts. Log into studentaid.gov, see how much you owe and update your contact and billing info. Your servicer can answer questions.
    • Choose a repayment plan. If you don’t select a repayment plan, you’re automatically enrolled in the standard 10-year repayment plan. For more affordable payments, consider an income-driven repayment (IDR) plan.
    • Consider a deferment or forbearance. If you won’t be able to afford payments for the foreseeable future, consider a student loan deferment or forbearance to pause payments for up to three years.

    If you want to change repayment plans, note that only two IDR plans are currently available: SAVE and Income-Based Repayment (IBR).

    » MORE: How the SAVE lawsuits are impacting IDR enrollment

    Fresh Start program: Sign up ASAP to lock in defaulted loan relief

    If your federal student loans were in default before the pandemic, take advantage of the Fresh Start program. About 7.5 million borrowers with defaulted loans are eligible.

    You must enroll in the program by Sept. 30 to get out of default and lock in benefits, including:

    • Loans returned to “current” status on credit reports, and negative default marks removed.
    • Access to federal student aid and other government loans, like mortgages.
    • Access to flexible repayment plans and potential loan forgiveness.
    • Access to short-term relief, like deferment or forbearance.
    • Suspension of involuntary debt collection efforts.

    If you miss the Sept. 30 deadline and let your loans stay in default, you could face harsh consequences. Debt collectors might garnish your paychecks and tax refunds. You may face steep collections fees. Your credit score could plummet, making it difficult to qualify for future loans, mortgages or even apartment rentals.

    You can avoid that headache — and get back on track with an affordable repayment plan — by signing up for the Fresh Start program. Here’s how:

    • Submit a Fresh Start request. Fresh Start enrollment is free and can take less than 10 minutes. You can do it online on myeddebt.ed.gov, over the phone by calling 1-800-621-3115 or by sending a letter postmarked by Sept. 30.
    • Watch for servicer communication. After you sign up for Fresh Start, the government will transfer your payments from the Default Resolution Group to a federal student loan servicer. Your new servicer will contact you once your loans transfer over.
    • Choose a repayment plan after getting out of default. You’ll be automatically placed into the standard 10-year repayment plan, but about 80% of Fresh Start borrowers sign up for an IDR plan, according to the Education Department. Half of Fresh Start borrowers have $0 monthly payments under an IDR plan.

    You can apply for an IDR plan within a week or so of your loan transfer.

    Eliza Haverstock writes for NerdWallet. Email: ehaverstock@nerdwallet.com. Twitter: @elizahaverstock.

    The article Act Now: Two Key Student Debt Relief Programs Expire Sept. 30 originally appeared on NerdWallet.

    If you have defaulted student loans or you’ve been skipping payments, you need to act by Sept. 30, 2024 — before the on-ramp and Fresh Start programs expire. (Getty Images)

    Do this right now if your Social Security number was snared by hackers

    ✇The Oakland Press
    By: Roxana Popescu
    11 September 2024 at 20:18

    In 2020, there were 1,108 data compromises. By 2023, the number of compromises reached 3,205, according to the Identity Theft Resource Center.

    The most recent high-profile breach: An estimated 2.9 billion Social Security records, or 272 million unique Social Security numbers, were stolen from a Florida company in April.

    The numbers have been available for months. What does that mean for consumers?

    “When someone assumes your identity with your Social Security number, they could apply for credit cards or a loan; they could open cellphone or other accounts in your name or use the information in other ways,” said Luke Ervin, a San Diego-based financial adviser with UBS Financial Services Inc.

    Meghan Land, the executive director of Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, a national privacy nonprofit, said it’s best to assume your data will eventually end up in the wrong hands.

    “Data breaches are unfortunately incredibly common,” Land said. “Even if you weren’t a victim in this one, information about you has likely been compromised in another breach. It can only help you to take proactive steps because this isn’t the first breach to compromise SSNs and it won’t be the last.”

    The San Diego Union-Tribune asked people working in personal finance and online privacy, as well as representatives of the Internal Revenue Service and the Social Security Administration, how to prevent becoming a victim of fraud if your Social Security number is compromised. Here is their advice.

    Check if your Social Security number is out there

    There are at least two websites where you can see if your Social Security number was stolen in April’s massive breach. The following two sites do not require you to share your complete SSN. One is npdbreach.com, jointly created by a company named Atlas Privacy and a data rights organization called the Data Dividend Project. It asks for your name, ZIP code, and then either a phone number associated with you or your SSN. A tool from cybersecurity company npd.pentester.com asks for your name, state and birth year. In case of a breach, the site displays results of compromised information that can include street addresses, ZIP codes, phone numbers, birth date and a redacted SSN.

    This leads to an important caveat about this second website: Anyone who inputs someone’s full name, state and birth year has a chance at pulling up that person’s addresses, birth day and month, associated phone numbers and/or a partial Social Security number.

    Ann Clifton, a press officer with the Social Security Administration, also recommends monitoring your Social Security account.

    “A person can check their my Social Security account regularly to see if there is any suspicious activity,” she said. “If a person has not yet applied for benefits, they should not see information about payment amounts on their my Social Security account and will be able to access their Social Security Statement to receive estimates of their future benefits.”

    Immediately do the following if your SSN was stolen

    Alert financial institutions. “Any time your data is compromised, the first thing to do is alert your financial services providers,” said Ammar Abuyousef, the U.S. Bank branch banking market leader for San Diego. “Whether it’s for a credit card or a checking and savings account, you can freeze your accounts before any bad actors are able to access or drain them.”

    Get credit reports. “You should obtain a copy of your credit report from the three major credit bureaus (TransUnion, Equifax and Experian) to review for errors or possible fraudulent accounts and freeze your credit file — both steps are free,” said Land, with Privacy Rights Clearinghouse.

    Free credit reports are available at annualcreditreport.com.

    Alert authorities. “You can also consider filing a police report so that you have the information on file if you should encounter problems in the future,” said UBS’s Ervin.

    Clifton, with the SSA, added that it’s good to ask for a copy of that report as proof. “It’s also a good idea to contact the Federal Trade Commission at www.idtheft.gov, or call 1-877-IDTHEFT (1-877-438-4338); TTY 1-866-653-4261,” she said.

    Clifton also recommended informing the fraud unit at any one of the three consumer reporting companies. “The company you call is required to contact the other two,” she said. Here are their phone numbers: Equifax: 1 (800) 525-6285, Trans Union: 1 (800) 680-7289, Experian: 1 (888) 397-3742.

    Fraud alert or credit freeze?

    “A credit freeze is more effective than a fraud alert when it comes to preventing criminals from opening new accounts with your information,” Ervin said. “When a credit file is frozen, a creditor can’t access your report to evaluate you for a new account — meaning neither you nor a criminal can open a new credit account without unfreezing the file.

    “By contrast, a fraud alert requires a business to verify your identity before opening a credit account under your name. Depending on how the business verifies your identity, a criminal with access to enough information about you might still be able to open an account,” he added.

    Land, with Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, said doing both is another option. “You don’t have to choose between the two and both are free,” she said. However, she added, one might be more convenient, depending on circumstances.

    “For instance,” Land said, “you must contact each of the three credit bureaus … to place a freeze, but a freeze will remain in place until you lift it. If you plan to open new credit accounts you must lift a freeze and then replace it each time you open a new account. To place a fraud alert, you only need to contact one credit bureau and it will alert the other two. You will not need to lift the alert to obtain new credit accounts, but you will need to renew the fraud alert on a regular basis (this can vary depending on the type of alert you use).”

    Federal tax implications of a stolen SSN

    For federal tax purposes, Raphael Tulino, a San Diego-based spokesman for the Internal Revenue Service, recommended reading the agency’s Taxpayer guide to identity theft. It’s less than 400 words and has links, resources and tips.

    One tip: Beware if “You get a letter from the IRS inquiring about a suspicious tax return that you did not file. You can’t e-file your tax return because of a duplicate Social Security number. … You get an IRS notice that an online account has been created in your name.”

    You can also apply for an IP PIN, or Identity Protection Personal Identification Number. This six-digit number adds another layer of protection by preventing someone else from filing a tax return using your Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).

    “If our records show that you were a victim of identity theft, you will automatically be enrolled into the IP PIN program,” the agency says. More on IP PINs at this FAQ.

    If you think you’re a victim of tax-related identity theft — “when someone uses a taxpayer’s stolen Social Security number (SSN) to file a tax return claiming a fraudulent refund,” the agency says — you can submit Form 14039, Identity Theft Affidavit, online. You can also print a Form 14039 PDF and send it to the IRS.

    In most cases, that affidavit isn’t necessary, because the IRS looks for suspicious tax returns. But here’s when it could make sense, according to the agency: You can’t e-file your tax return because of a duplicate tax return filed using your SSN; you are assigned a Employer Identification Number (EIN) without asking for one; you get a notice from a tax preparation software company that an account was made or closed in your name, and you didn’t do this. More red flags are at the IRS’s ID theft affidavit guide.

    Staying safer after a breach

    Once your number is out there, scammers have options. There are many ways they can try to get your money or access credit in your name.

    Clifton, with the SSA, pointed to two links that explain what can go wrong if your private identity data is out there. One is about Social Security scams (blog.ssa.gov/social-security-and-scam-awareness) and one teaches how a stolen Social Security number can be exploited by thieves (ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10064.pdf).

    She added, “If a person receives a suspicious call or email that states there is a problem with their Social Security number or account, they should hang up or not respond to the email. People should then go online to oig.ssa.gov to report the scam to Social Security. For more information, go to www.ssa.gov/fraud,” she said.

    On a similar note, Land said it is important to “keep an eye out for imposter scams where criminals pretend to be someone you know, a government official or agency, a tech support company, your bank, your utility company or another company you are familiar with. Scammers may try to reach you by phone, email, social media, text message — really any way you can imagine.

    “Scams can be convincing and elaborate, so it is helpful to stay up to date on trends and err on the side of caution when it comes to clicking links or providing information,” she said.

    Abuyousef, with U.S. Bank, reminded people to change passwords “for any accounts where you have stored personal financial information.” He added, “This would include any banking or investment accounts. These passwords should also be updated regularly and stored in a secure password manager, with many affordable options available.”

    Erwin, with UBS, shared these password best practices: “Make sure you are using unique passwords for each account that are 15 characters or longer; don’t use distinguishing information (like your birthday or pet’s name); and consider using a password manager versus saving each to your computer. Also set up multi-factor authentication and/or a biometric login on each account on top of the username/password.”

    Two-factor authentication “is one of the easiest proactive steps you can take to protect your accounts,” Land agreed.

    Not a victim? Don’t let your guard down

    If you ran your name through those two portals and it looks like your SSN hasn’t been compromised, can you keep carrying on as before? That is a rhetorical question with a non-rhetorical answer: No.

    “Protecting your identity and financial assets should always be a proactive part of your routine, whether that means daily, weekly or monthly monitoring,” said Abuyousef, with U.S. Bank. “You can do this yourself through your online statements and by ensuring that you protect your data through effective online security measures, such setting up password management tools or multi-factor authentication. It’s also vitally important to teach your children and loved ones to remain vigilant and aware of scam tactics so they can put measures in place to protect themselves.”

    Ervin, with UBS, said it’s essential to plan how you’ll secure and recovery key information, before your data gets stolen.

    “In developing your approach, consider: What is the data that you want to protect? How do you and your family access data? What could be the impact if there was a confidentiality breach? How can you back up data and protect yourselves?” he said.

    Practicing vigilance

    Abuyousef, with US. Bank, recommends ongoing monitoring of savings, credit and retirement accounts. Check statements or log in and review the ledger daily.

    “If you notice anything suspicious, let your provider know so that they can investigate and take action to protect your account, if needed,” he said.

    Ervin, with UBS, shared some pointers for staying safer online, whether or not your SSN is up for grabs:

    Be proactive: Back up important files. Educate children about safe practices online and encourage safe social media guidelines.

    Hardware: Secure your home and small business network by changing the default administrator password of the device controlling your wireless network. Enable encryption on your Wi-Fi router, preferably WPA2. Don’t plug in suspicious USB devices, such as unknown flash drives.

    Software: Only install applications from trusted sources, such as app stores or known websites. Make sure your computer and devices are set up to receive automatic software updates. Delete apps you no longer need or don’t know the origin of and monitor your children’s’ downloading and use of apps. Use your cellphone data plan instead of public Wi-Fi when on the go.

    Eyes open: Review your Social Security Administration records. Go through your health claims carefully to ensure you’ve received the care listed.

    Opt out: Contact organizations to remove your name from marketing lists, including for the credit reporting bureaus (Experian, TransUnion, Equifax), to prevent unsolicited credit offers.

    Be private: Consider what you disclose online. Avoid publishing that you are traveling or including personal information such as your birthday/year or mother’s maiden name or pets’ names — typically used for security or verification purposes — on social media. Use privacy settings to control who can access your information, and review them regularly. Don’t take online polls and be selective about friend requests from people you might not know.

    Be skeptical: Be wary of phishing schemes, which continue to grow; never open unfamiliar attachments or click on unfamiliar links. Ignore emails or text messages that ask you to confirm or provide personal information by replying to the email or message.

    Hundreds of millions of Social Security numbers were stolen from a Florida background check company in April. (Dreamstime/TNS)

    Michigan Republicans and Democrats slam each other over Chinese investment in the state

    ✇WDET 101.9 FM
    By: Steve Carmody
    11 September 2024 at 17:59

    Michigan Republicans and Democrats exchanged barbs Monday over Chinese investment in the U.S. — and in Michigan in particular.

    Michigan Republicans accused prominent state Democrats of providing a “safe zone” for companies fronting for the Chinese Communist party.

    The criticism is tied to recent projects involving companies planning manufacturing investments in Michigan.

    The main criticism involves a planned electric vehicle battery plant near Big Rapids. The company behind the project, Gotion, is a U.S.-based subsidiary of a Chinese company. The articles of association of the parent company say it must “carry out party activities in accordance with the constitution of the Communist party of China,” but a spokesperson for the company has said there’s distance between the Chinese government and the company’s business decisions.

    Republican U.S. Senate candidate and former congressman Mike Rogers accused his Democratic opponent, Representative Elissa Slotkin, of playing a role in attracting the project to west Michigan.

    “I can tell you as a member of Congress for those seven terms, never once — never once — did I see an elected official sign a non-disclosure agreement for any issue, let alone a company that is tied to the communist party of China,” said Rogers.

    A spokesman for Democratic Senate candidate Elissa Slotkin called Rogers’ allegations a “false attack,” insisting Slotkin has never signed any agreement involving a project connected to the Chinese government.

    Slotkin has introduced legislation giving the federal government additional authority to investigate Chinese-backed business dealings in the United States.

    Democrats counter that Republicans are trying to distract from Rogers’ own history of working with U.S. companies that have partnered with Chinese businesses.

    Rogers worked as a security advisor for AT&T and a risk analyst for Nokia (a Finnish company) while those companies had loose ties to the Chinese telecom company Huawei.

    Rogers has defended his business dealings since leaving Congress, insisting his record shows he has long fought against Chinese intellectual property theft and other threats to the U.S.

    Rogers and Slotkin are running to succeed retiring U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow.

    Michigan’s open U.S. Senate seat could prove pivotal for deciding which party will control the Senate.

    The post Michigan Republicans and Democrats slam each other over Chinese investment in the state appeared first on WDET 101.9 FM.

    A look at false and misleading claims made during Trump and Harris’ debate

    ✇WDET 101.9 FM
    By: Associated Press
    11 September 2024 at 13:53

    In their first and perhaps only debate, former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris described the state of the country in distinctly different ways. As the two traded jabs, some old false and misleading claims emerged along with some new ones.

    Here’s a look.

    Trump overstates his economic record

    TRUMP: “I created one of the greatest economies in the history of our country. … They’ve destroyed the economy.”

    THE FACTS: This is an exaggeration. The economy grew much faster under Presidents Bill Clinton and Ronald Reagan than it did under Trump. The broadest measure of economic growth, gross domestic product, rose 4% a year for four straight years under Clinton. The fastest growth under Trump was 3% in 2018. The economy shrank 2.2% in 2020, at the end of Trump’s presidency. And a higher proportion of American adults had jobs under Clinton than under Trump. During the Biden-Harris administration, the economy expanded 5.8% in 2021, though much of that reflected a bounce-back from COVID.

    Trump’s record on manufacturing jobs examined

    HARRIS: “We have created over 800,000 manufacturing jobs. … Donald Trump said he was going to create manufacturing jobs. He lost manufacturing jobs.”

    THE FACTS: Those statements are missing context.

    There were 12,188,000 manufacturing employees in the U.S. when Biden took office in January 2021, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Preliminary numbers for August 2024 put that number at 12,927,000. That’s a difference of 739,000 — close to the 800,000 number Harris has cited.

    Also of note is the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The number of manufacturing employees dropped steeply in April 2020, by more than 1.3 million. Discounting that decline, there were only 206,000 more manufacturing employees in August than there were in March 2020, prior to the pandemic.

    Inflation has gone down

    TRUMP: “They had the highest inflation perhaps in the history of our country, because I’ve never seen a worse period of time.”

    THE FACTS: While praising the strength of the economy under his presidency, Donald Trump misstated the inflation rate under Biden. Inflation peaked at 9.1% in June 2022 after rising steadily in the first 17 months of Biden’s presidency from a low of 0.1% in May 2020. It’s now seeing a downward trend. The most recent data shows that as of July it had fallen to 2.9%. Other historical periods have seen higher inflation, which hit more than 14% in 1980, according to the Federal Reserve.

    Trump has distanced himself from Project 2025

    HARRIS: “What you’re going to hear tonight is a detailed and dangerous plan called Project 2025 that the former president intends on implementing if he were elected again.”

    THE FACTS: Trump has said he doesn’t know about Project 2025, a controversial blueprint for another Republican presidential administration.

    The plan was written up by many of his former aides and allies, but Trump has never said he’ll implement the roughly 900-page guide if he’s elected again. He has said it’s not related to his campaign.

    Trump on abortions ‘after birth’

    TRUMP: “Her vice presidential pick says abortion in the ninth month is absolutely fine. He also says execution after birth, it’s execution, no longer abortion, because the baby is born, is okay.”

    THE FACTS: Walz has said no such thing. Infanticide is criminalized in every state, and no state has passed a law that allows killing a baby after birth.

    Abortion rights advocates say terms like “late-term abortions” attempt to stigmatize abortions later in pregnancy. Abortions later in pregnancy are exceedingly rare. In 2020, less than 1% of abortions in the United States were performed at or after 21 weeks, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

    Trump’s taxing and spending plan examined

    HARRIS: “What the Wharton School has said is Donald Trump’s plan would actually explode the deficit.”

    THE TRUTH: The Penn-Wharton Budget Model did find that Trump’s tax and spending plans would significantly expand the deficit by $5.8 trillion over ten years. But it also found that Harris’ plans would increase the deficit by $1.2 trillion over the same period.

    Harris’ record on fracking examined

    TRUMP: “If she won the election, fracking in Pennsylvania will end on Day 1.”

    THE FACTS: Trump’s statement ignores the fact that without a law approved by Congress, a president can only ban fracking on federal lands.

    The federal government owns about 2% of Pennsylvania’s total land, and it is not clear how much of that is suitable for oil or gas drilling.

    Republicans have criticized Harris for “flip-flopping” on the issue, noting that Harris said in the 2020 campaign that she opposed fracking, a drilling technique that is widely used in Pennsylvania and other states.

    Harris has since said repeatedly that she won’t ban fracking if elected, and she reiterated that in Tuesday’s debate.

    Trump shares inflated numbers around migrants and crime

    TRUMP: “When you look at these millions and millions of people that are pouring into our country monthly — whereas, I believe, 21 million people, not the 15 people say, and I think it’s a lot higher than the 21 — that’s bigger than New York State … and just look at what they’re doing to our country. They’re criminals, many of these people are criminals, and that’s bad for our economy too.”

    FACTS: Trump’s figures are wildly inflated. The Border Patrol made 56,408 arrests of people crossing the border illegally from Mexico in July, the latest monthly figure available. Since Biden took office, the Border Patrol made about 7.1 million border arrests, though the number of people is considerably lower because many of those arrests were repeat crossers.

    The Biden administration also permitted legal entry for about 765,000 people on an online app called CBP One at land crossings in Mexico through July. It allowed another 520,000 from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela to come by air with financial sponsors. Additionally, an unknown number of people crossed the border illegally and eluded capture.

    That doesn’t come close to “millions and millions of people” monthly. …. It is also unproven that “many of these people are criminals.”

    There have been high-profile, heinous crimes committed by immigrants. But FBI statistics do not separate out crimes by the immigration status of the assailant, nor is there any evidence of a spike in crime perpetrated by migrants. In 1931, the Wickersham Commission did not find any evidence supporting a connection between immigration and increased crime, and many studies since then have reached similar conclusions.

    Trump repeats false claims that noncitizens are being sought to vote

    TRUMP: “A lot of these illegal immigrants coming in, they’re trying to get them to vote. They can’t even speak English. They don’t even know what country they’re in practically and these people are trying to get them to vote, and that’s why they’re allowing them to come into our country.”

    THE FACTS: In recent months, Trump and other Republicans have been repeating the baseless claim that Democrats want migrants to come into the country illegally so they will vote.

    There’s no evidence for this, nor is there any evidence that noncitizens illegally vote in significant numbers in this country.

    Voting by people who are not U.S. citizens already is illegal in federal elections. It can be punishable by fines, prison time and even deportation. While noncitizens have cast ballots, studies show it’s incredibly rare, and states regularly audit their voter lists to remove ineligible voters from the rolls.

    Trump’s comments suggest that not speaking English is somehow prohibitive for voting in the U.S. — and that’s also not the case. In fact, the Voting Rights Act requires certain states to provide election materials in other languages depending on the voting-age population’s needs.

    Trump misrepresents crime statistics

    TRUMP, criticizing the Biden administration: “Crime is through the roof.”

    THE FACTS: In fact, FBI data has shown a downward trend in violent crime since a coronavirus pandemic spike. Violent crime surged during the pandemic, with homicides increasing nearly 30% in 2020 over the previous year — the largest one-year jump since the FBI began keeping records

    Violent crime was down 6% in the last three months of 2023 compared with the same period the year before, according to FBI data released in March. Murders were down 13%. New FBI statistics released in June show the overall violent crime rate declined 15% in the first three months of 2024 compared to the same period last year. One expert has cautioned, however, that those 2024 figures are preliminary and may overstate the actual reduction in crime.

    Trump endorses false rumor about immigrants eating pets

    TRUMP: “In Springfield, they’re eating the dogs, the people that came in, they’re eating the cats… They’re eating the pets of the people that live there.”

    THE FACTS: There’s no evidence to support the claim, which Trump and his campaign have used to argue immigrants are committing crimes at a higher rate than others.

    Authorities in Ohio have said there are no credible or detailed reports to support Trump’s claim.

    Jobs created under the Biden administration

    TRUMP: “Just like their number of 818,000 jobs that they said they created turned out to be a fraud.”

    THE FACTS: This is a mischaracterization of the government’s process of counting jobs. Every year the Labor Department issues a revision of the number of jobs added in a 12-month period from April through March in the previous year. The adjustment is made because the government’s initial job counts are based on surveys of businesses. The revision is then based on actual job counts from unemployment insurance files that are compiled later. The revision is compiled by career government employees with little involvement by politically appointed officials.

    National Guard soldiers on Jan. 6

    TRUMP, speaking about the Jan. 6 insurrection: “I said I’d like to give you 10,000 National Guard or soldiers. They rejected me. Nancy Pelosi rejected me.”

    THE FACTS: That’s false. Pelosi does not direct the National Guard.

    Further, as the Capitol came under attack, she and then-Senate Majority leader Mitch McConnell called for military assistance, including from the National Guard.

    The Capitol Police Board makes the decision on whether to call National Guard troops to the Capitol. It is made up of the House Sergeant at Arms, the Senate Sergeant at Arms and the Architect of the Capitol.

    The board decided not to call the guard ahead of the insurrection but did eventually request assistance after the rioting had already begun, and the troops arrived several hours later.

    There is no evidence that either Pelosi or McConnell directed the security officials not to call the guard beforehand.

    Trump falsely claims China is building ‘massive’ auto plants in Mexico

    TRUMP: “They’re building big auto plants in Mexico, in many cases owned by China.”

    THE FACTS: It’s not the first time Trump has claimed the Biden administration is allowing Chinese automakers to build factories just across the border in Mexico.

    At present, though, industry experts say they know of no such plants under construction, and there’s only one small Chinese auto assembly factory operating in Mexico. It’s run by a company called JAC that builds inexpensive vehicles from kits for sale in that country.

    Trump falsely claims evidence shows he won in 2020

    TRUMP: “There’s so much proof. All you have to do is look at it.”

    THE FACTS: The election was not stolen. The authorities who have reviewed the election — including Trump’s own attorney general — have concluded the election was fair.

    Biden’s victory over Trump in 2020 was not particularly close. He won the Electoral College with 306 votes to Trump’s 232, and the popular vote by more than seven million ballots. Recounts in key states affirmed Biden’s victory, and lawsuits challenging the results were unsuccessful.

    Trump claims Putin endorsed Harris

    TRUMP: “Putin endorsed her last week, said ‘I hope she wins.’”

    THE FACTS: Russian President Vladimir Putin did wryly claim last week that Harris was his preferred candidate, but intelligence officials have dismissed the comment as not serious.

    U.S. intelligence agencies have said Russia favors Trump, who has openly praised Putin, suggested cutting funds to Ukraine and repeatedly criticized the NATO military alliance.

    Harris takes Trump’s ‘bloodbath’ comment out of context

    HARRIS: “Donald Trump, the candidate, has said in this election there will be a bloodbath if this and the outcome of this election is not to his liking. Let’s turn the page on that.”

    THE FACTS: Trump delivered the line at a speech in March in Ohio in which he was talking about the impact of offshoring on the American auto industry and his plans to increase tariffs on foreign-made cars. It was in reference to the auto industry that he warned of a “bloodbath” if his proposals aren’t enacted.

    “If I don’t get elected, it’s going to be a bloodbath for the whole — that’s going to be the least of it. It’s going to be a bloodbath for the country,” Trump said.

    Trump inflates numbers around new military equipment left in Afghanistan

    TRUMP, on the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan: “We wouldn’t have left $85 billion worth of brand new, beautiful military equipment behind.”

    THE FACTS: That number is significantly inflated, according to reports from the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction, or SIGAR, which oversees American taxpayer money spent on the conflict.

    The $85 billion figure resembles a number from a July 30 quarterly report from SIGAR, which outlined that the U.S. has invested about $83 billion to build, train and equip Afghan security forces since 2001. That funding included troop pay, training, operations and infrastructure along with equipment and transportation over two decades, according to SIGAR reports and Dan Grazier, a defense policy analyst at the Project on Government Oversight.

    Only about $18 billion of that sum went toward equipping Afghan forces between 2002 and 2018, a June 2019 SIGAR report showed.

    No one knows the exact value of the U.S.-supplied Afghan equipment the Taliban have secured, defense officials have confirmed it is significant.

    Trump misrepresents key facts of the Central Park Five case

    TRUMP: “They admitted, they said they pled guilty and I said, ’well, if they pled guilty they badly hurt a person, killed a person ultimately … And they pled guilty, then they pled not guilty.”

    THE FACTS: Trump misstated key details of the case while defending a newspaper ad he placed about two weeks after the April 1989 attack in which he called for bringing back the death penalty. Trump wrongly stated that the victim was killed and that the wrongly accused suspects had pleaded guilty.

    Trump appeared to be confusing guilty pleas with confessions that the men — teenagers at the time — said they made to police under duress. They later recanted, pleaded not guilty in court and were convicted after jury trials. Their convictions were vacated in 2002 after another person confessed to the crime.

    The victim, Trisha Meili, was in a coma for 12 days after the attack but ultimately survived. She testified in court against the wrongly accused suspects, who are now known as the Exonerated Five. In 2002, Matias Reyes confessed to the crime and said he was the lone assailant. DNA testing matched Reyes to the attack, but because of the statute of limitations he could not be charged in connection with it.

    Associated Press writers Melissa Goldin, David Klepper, Ali Swenson, Matthew Daly, Chris Rugaber and Tom Krisher contributed to this story.

    The post A look at false and misleading claims made during Trump and Harris’ debate appeared first on WDET 101.9 FM.

    Benson to testify before US House voting security panel

    ✇WDET 101.9 FM
    By: Rick Pluta
    11 September 2024 at 11:00

    Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson will tell a congressional panel that “lies,” threats to election workers and foreign interference are big concerns heading into the final weeks of this year’s political campaigns.

    According to a copy of her testimony shared with the Michigan Public Radio Network, Benson will say that, although she is an elected Democrat, the role of the secretary of state or other election officials is not partisan or political.

    “But it is a role that increasingly forces us — whether we consider ourselves Republicans, Democrats, or independents — to endure threats, harassment, false and malicious attacks on our character and integrity,” she said. “Why? Because of lies — about our work, about the security of our elections and our own integrity.”

    Benson will appear alongside a bipartisan group of six secretaries of state, many from states considered competitive in the presidential race. Benson’s statement includes warnings about foreign interference in U.S. elections, and threats and harassment faced by election workers. Her statement also includes concerns about underfunding of elections and the need to maintain and update voting technology.

    It is likely Benson can expect to face some tough questions from the Republican-controlled House Committee on Administration.

    Read more:

    Trusted, accurate, up-to-date.

    WDET strives to make our journalism accessible to everyone. As a public media institution, we maintain our journalistic integrity through independent support from readers like you. If you value WDET as your source of news, music and conversation, please make a gift today.

    Donate today »

    The post Benson to testify before US House voting security panel appeared first on WDET 101.9 FM.

    Detroit Evening Report: Detroit extends deadline to apply for home accessibility repair program

    ✇WDET 101.9 FM
    By: Sascha Raiyn
    10 September 2024 at 21:07

    The city of Detroit is using money from the American Rescue Plan Act to help residents with disabilities make their homes more accessible.

    Subscribe to the Detroit Evening Report on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

    The Detroit Home Accessibility Program — a joint project of the city of Detroit, CHN Housing Partners and Detroit Disability Power — dedicates more than $6 million in ARPA funds to home modifications for eligible residents to add ramps or lifts, widen entrances, modify handrails, or add alarms to the entries and exits of their home.

    “Detroit has more than 129,000 disabled residents. Members of this large, diverse and important constituency deserve the ability to fully engage in all that our City has to offer,” said Ani Grigorian, disability access consulting manager at Detroit Disability Power, in a news release. “This program is an important step towards greater accessibility, and therefore increased well-being.”

    Homeowners who live in single-family homes who receive social security disability benefits, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Children’s Healthcare Services benefits or Veterans Administration disability benefits can still apply.

    The program is expected to provide accessibility upgrades to at least 250 homes.

    Applicants must also have homeowner’s insurance and be current on property taxes or in a payment plan. There are income requirements for participation. For more information, visit chnhousingpartners.org/Detroit/dhap or call 866-313-2520. 

    Other headlines for Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024:

    • Mason K-8 Academy opened its newly renovated and stocked school library today. The Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) chose Mason to receive 18,000 new books from the Council of Great City Schools and Scholastic.
    • Cass Tech students who live in Hamtramck and “Banglatown” – an area close to Hamtramck – are asking DPSCD to provide bus transportation to the school. Education nonprofit 482Forward organized student and adult members to take their appeal to tonight’s school board meeting. 
    • The Detroit Food Commons will host a concert series this fall. The Freedom Sounds fall concert series kicks off Sunday, Sept. 22 with jazz percussionist and Jazz at Lincoln Center alum Ali Jackson. Bassist and composer Marion Hayden will perform Oct. 27; and on Nov. 24, multi-genre percussionist and food justice advocate Aisha Ellis will perform. The series is curated by violinist and flutist Michelle May. The events, held in the Mama Imani Humphrey Banquet Hall on the second floor of Detroit Commons, cost $25 to attend with funds going towards Detroit Black Community Food Sovereignty Network’s community programs. 
    • The Hamtramck Parks Conservancy has a new director of programming and communications. Alicia Chiaravalli has a background in environmental science, play design and sustainability. She will be responsible for developing recreation programs, coordinating volunteers and community partnerships for the conservancy. 

    Do you have a community story we should tell? Let us know in an email at detroiteveningreport@wdet.org.

    Trusted, accurate, up-to-date.

    WDET strives to make our journalism accessible to everyone. As a public media institution, we maintain our journalistic integrity through independent support from readers like you. If you value WDET as your source of news, music and conversation, please make a gift today.

    Donate today »

    The post Detroit Evening Report: Detroit extends deadline to apply for home accessibility repair program appeared first on WDET 101.9 FM.

    The Metro: How is the Gordie Howe Bridge construction impacting residents?

    ✇WDET 101.9 FM
    By: John Filbrandt
    10 September 2024 at 20:54

    The Gordie Howe International Bridge is expected to be complete in 2025.

    The bridge is being built in Detroit’s Delray neighborhood in Southwest Detroit — a place where, for years, residents have faced issues associated with heavy industry. Now, residents are dealing with the challenges that come with the construction of a roughly $4.2 billion international bridge. 

    Simone Sagovac, director of the Southwest Detroit Community Benefits Coalition, joined The Metro on Tuesday to help us understand the impact the bridge has had and will have on residents.

    Subscribe to The Metro on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

    In 2017, the group helped secure an almost $50 million benefits package for people living in the area. One of the overall issues people in the community face has to do with truck traffic, Sagovac says. During the coalition’s data gathering efforts, they counted 1,200 trucks driving on Livernois Street in one day.

    “Something that wasn’t really anticipated was, you know, the scale of a development like this. It is the largest infrastructure project that both countries have had in 100 years and it’s 165-plus acres,” Sagovac said. “And when they’re in the thick of construction, and there’s no grass, and no trees covering that dirt – the dust has been a huge problem for the community. People have chronic sinus conditions. Asthma accelerated in the area. And the project is trying to do things with street sweeping but the dirt gets carried on the trucks and these trucks are allowed to drive on residential streets.” 

    Use the media player above to hear the full interview with Simone Sagovac, director of the Southwest Detroit Community Benefits Coalition.

    More headlines from The Metro on Sept. 10, 2024: 

    • The Detroit area is home to one of the largest groups of people with sickle cell disease in the country. The painful disease is caused by an inherited genetic mutation and most of the people who have it are Black. For decades, there weren’t many treatment options for the disease outside of pain medication. But in recent years, new medical technologies have helped alleviate and even cure sickle cell disease. Larenz Caldwell, a sickle cell patient who underwent a stem cell transplant six years ago; and Outlier Media Science Reporter Koby Levin joined the show to discuss. 
    • The Detroit Fiber Club is hosting an immersive exhibit showcasing environmental- and fiber-based art at the Boyer Campbell Building in Milwaukee Junction through Sept. 28, as part of the Detroit Month of Design. To discuss the exhibit, we were joined by Co-Curators Sarah Rose and Lisa Waud, and Detroit Fiber Club Managing Director Meg Morley.
    • Detroit Artist LeKela Brown is kicking off the College for Creative Studies’ Woodward Lecture Series. The CCS graduated joined The Metro to talk about her work and her first solo-presentation, “From Scratch: Seeding Adornment,” currently on display at the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit.

    Listen to The Metro weekdays from 11 a.m. to noon ET on 101.9 FM and streaming on-demand.

    Trusted, accurate, up-to-date.

    WDET strives to make our journalism accessible to everyone. As a public media institution, we maintain our journalistic integrity through independent support from readers like you. If you value WDET as your source of news, music and conversation, please make a gift today. Donate today »

    The post The Metro: How is the Gordie Howe Bridge construction impacting residents? appeared first on WDET 101.9 FM.

    Officials question why toxic atomic waste is coming to Wayne County

    ✇WDET 101.9 FM
    By: Quinn Klinefelter
    10 September 2024 at 18:47

    One of the worst parts of World War II is coming to metro Detroit this month. And it’s scheduled to keep coming into January.

    Each week about 25 semi-trucks will haul low-level radioactive waste from New York to a disposal site in Wayne County’s Van Buren township.

    It’s by-products from the Manhattan Project, which created the atomic bombs dropped in Japan that ended World War II.

    It’s also the latest in a series of toxic material shipments sent to Michigan raising concerns among some members of Congress and other officials.

    That includes Wayne County Executive Warren Evans. He says there’s a disconnect between federal agencies that regulate hazardous waste, the company that owns the Van Buren disposal site and Michigan’s government.

    “It doesn’t make sense to me that we would be the location of choice so often for this toxic material.”

    -Wayne County Executive Warren Evans

    Listen: Warren Evans on toxic atomic waste coming to Wayne County

    An aerial view of Republic Services' Wayne Disposal Inc. facility in Van Buren Township.
    An aerial view of Republic Services’ Wayne Disposal Inc. facility in Van Buren Township.

    This interview has been edited for clarity and length.

    Warren Evans: I don’t believe that they level with us about what they’re doing. My trust level for them is almost zero. And it doesn’t lead to good results or good communications back and forth. The only time we hear about these waste issues is when a reporter writes a story and we read about it and they become automatically defensive. I’m concerned about the lack of notice (that shipments are coming to Michigan.) That leads me to be concerned about the level of hazardous waste in the material and the amount that’s coming and how it’s being transported.

    Quinn Klinefelter, WDET News: The Army Corps of Engineers has said they’re not required to notify anybody if they’re sending waste to a facility that’s allowed to take those kinds of shipments, which the one in Van Buren is. So when you say you don’t think that they’re leveling with you, what do you think needs to be changed?

    WE: They said they’re not “required” to. What the heck does that mean? Does it mean there’s a prohibition about doing it? They’re hiding behind a rule that doesn’t require them to do it. But good public policy does require them to do it, them or somebody, I think. Hiding behind a rule that doesn’t make you do it just tells me the rule doesn’t make any sense and you’re not concerned about the reaction of the public’s health concerns about this. If that’s the way you feel, then I’m troubled by the whole thing.

    QK: You’ve had a couple of town hall meetings about this and other toxic waste that came from the East Palestine, Ohio train derailment. What are you hearing from residents about the situations?

    WE: It’s real clear that residents don’t want it here. And what we hear from the federal agencies is how safe they claim to be and what the rules and federal regulations are. That’s not what people are asking for. They are asking for clear answers about why so much of it is coming here and just how safe is it? It’s troubling to me, because the agencies are answering questions in a very bureaucratic way. “This is regulation 207 and we’re required to do that.” It’s double-speak to me. People are asking about the health concerns that they have, the health concerns that they’re afraid of in the future. They are asking for solid, honest answers. Part of that would be alleviated if there was more discussion about the actual hazardous waste, the toxicity of it, how it’s being transported and how it is being kept in the landfill. That would help people determine whether the safety valves are there or not there. When you hear the agencies talk about it, they say they have a stellar track record for keeping us safe. And every year you hear about catastrophes that occur and violations that occur at these different waste treatment places. Those two notions don’t square in my mind or the minds of anybody else that has any sense.

    QK: So you still have some concerns when state environmental officials say that they’ve tested this latest waste coming from the Manhattan Project, that it’s within the limits that the site is permitted to take? And there’s only seven similar sites in the country, so you just gotta grit your teeth and bear with it?

    WE: Yeah but that doesn’t really make sense. There’s a significant amount of it that’s coming and there’s certainly no legal prohibition against dividing it into some different landfills. Why does it all have to come here? Particularly since the waste is rated at a level that would allow it to go to many other landfills — and many other landfills that are closer to New York than here. They can talk all day about how this landfill provides added security. But if the waste is rated low enough that it can go just about anywhere, then why don’t you send it just about anywhere?

    QK: I have heard that it was somewhat cheaper to dispose of it in landfills here as opposed to other places. Have you heard that same reasoning?

    WE: Absolutely. And I think that that, in and of itself, calls for a state solution. It appears to me that there are two solutions that we ought to be working on as a community. One is, we ought to act legislatively, get our legislature to refuse to take it. In other words, change the rules about Michigan being able to take the hazardous waste. That’s why it’s coming out of New York, New York won’t take it. That’s one option. That’s a pretty drastic one, but a significant one. The other one is to raise the tipping fees such that it is not so profitable for those who want to deliver the waste here. I think both of those are solutions that bear some close scrutiny and, I think, support.

    There are many states that are less populated than Michigan. Wayne County is the largest by population county in the state of Michigan. It doesn’t make sense to me that we would be the location of choice so often for this toxic material. Nobody wants it. There’s no financial advantage to the county for accepting it. The disadvantages are creating a further health care risk. And we’re already rated poorly in the state of Michigan in terms of health indicators.

    Trusted, accurate, up-to-date.

    WDET strives to make our journalism accessible to everyone. As a public media institution, we maintain our journalistic integrity through independent support from readers like you. If you value WDET as your source of news, music and conversation, please make a gift today.

    Donate today »

    The post Officials question why toxic atomic waste is coming to Wayne County appeared first on WDET 101.9 FM.

    RFK Jr, Cornel West will be on Michigan presidential ballot

    ✇WDET 101.9 FM
    By: Rick Pluta
    10 September 2024 at 13:59

    The Michigan Supreme Court ruled Monday that Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s name will be on the state’s presidential ballot.

    This appears to settle the legal battle and allows local clerks to start printing absentee ballots to mail to overseas and military voters. Kennedy is the nominee of the Natural Law Party of Michigan. But he tried to remove his name from the ballot after suspending his campaign and endorsing former President Donald Trump, the Republican nominee.

    The case pitted Kennedy against election officials in the Secretary of State’s office who determined Kennedy flouted Michigan’s deadlines and election standards.

    The order in the case was unsigned but in written statements, there was clearly a division between justices nominated by the Democratic and Republican parties.

    Justice Elizabeth Welch, who was nominated by Democrats, wrote in a concurring statement that Kennedy had plenty of time to withdraw and his late exit left the Natural Law Party of Michigan without a nominee after Kennedy sought and accepted the convention nomination.

    “Plaintiff waited more than four months before asking defendant to remove his name from the ballot. When plaintiff made his request, defendant faced a deadline for ballot printing that was two weeks away,” she wrote. “Additionally, the Natural Law Party, which opposed plaintiff’s efforts to remove himself from the ballot, had no opportunity to field a candidate and faced considerable prejudice.”

    In a dissenting opinion, two Republican-nominated justices said the decision will only add to election turmoil.

    “The ballots printed as a result of the Court’s decision will have the potential to confuse the voters, distort their choices, and pervert the true popular will and affect the outcome of the election,” said Justices Brian Zahra and David Viviano. “In short, the Court’s ruling will do nothing to rebuild the public’s trust in the fairness and accuracy of our elections.”

    There was some urgency to the case since the deadline to finalize ballots was last week so absentee ballots can be sent to military and overseas voters.

    A court majority also ruled in a separate, unsigned opinion, that a paperwork error on petitions will not bar academic and activist Cornel West from the Michigan presidential ballot as an independent.

    Trusted, accurate, up-to-date.

    WDET strives to make our journalism accessible to everyone. As a public media institution, we maintain our journalistic integrity through independent support from readers like you. If you value WDET as your source of news, music and conversation, please make a gift today.

    Donate today »

    The post RFK Jr, Cornel West will be on Michigan presidential ballot appeared first on WDET 101.9 FM.

    Detroit Evening Report: Kamala Harris, Jill Stein tied with American Muslim voters, poll says

    ✇WDET 101.9 FM
    By: Nargis Rahman
    9 September 2024 at 21:31


    The Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) has released results of a poll of American Muslim voters.

    Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris and the Green Party’s Jill Stein are tied at around 29%, with 16% of Muslim voters stating they are undecided and 11% planning to vote for former President Donald Trump.

    Subscribe to the Detroit Evening Report on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

    CAIR conducted the election survey two days after the Democratic National Convention ended last month. The organization said 1,500 people responded to the survey out of a random sample of 40,000 Muslim voters across the nation.

    The survey results show that Stein has more support in Arizona, Wisconsin and Michigan — while Harris is favored in Georgia and Pennsylvania.

    There are an estimated 2.5 million registered Muslim voters in the United States.

    More headlines for Sept. 9, 2024:

    • American Muslim Diversity Association breaks ground mosque expansion in Sterling Heights
    • D’Artillery hosting global artisan pop-up experiences in Hamtramck
    • ArabCon kicks off this week at the Ford Performing Arts Center in Dearborn

    Do you have a community story we should tell? Let us know in an email at detroiteveningreport@wdet.org.

    Trusted, accurate, up-to-date.

    WDET strives to make our journalism accessible to everyone. As a public media institution, we maintain our journalistic integrity through independent support from readers like you. If you value WDET as your source of news, music and conversation, please make a gift today.

    Donate today »

    The post Detroit Evening Report: Kamala Harris, Jill Stein tied with American Muslim voters, poll says appeared first on WDET 101.9 FM.

    Democratic candidate for Michigan’s 7th Congressional race wants more ‘reasonable humans’ in the US House

    ✇WDET 101.9 FM
    By: Russ McNamara
    9 September 2024 at 19:44

    One of the more interesting — and expensive — Congressional races this year is in Michigan’s 7th district.

    Democrat Elissa Slotkin currently represents the district, but is now running for U.S. Senate, leaving a vacancy in mid-Michigan.

    The Cook Political report lists the seat as a toss-up.

    Two years ago, Republican Tom Barrett lost to Slotkin and now he’s trying his luck again. Former Michigan State Senator Curtis Hertel Jr. easily won the Democratic primary.

    At the latest campaign finance filing deadline in July, Hertel had a clear lead in cash — with over $3 million on hand. Barrett hasn’t raised as much, but is in the process of rolling out a TV ad campaign with a helicopter, dad jokes and dad jeans.

    Hertel’s message is more about sanity — and moving away from partisan bickering.

    “I’m not going to say I don’t want Democrats to control Congress,” Hertel said. “But what I care more about is having reasonable humans that are willing to work together and actually try to solve problems.”

    One of the bigger problems to solve is stagnating wages in the face of record high inflation that has driven up cost since 2021.

    “You used to be able to work a job at a factory and be able to raise a family and send your kids to college and take a vacation every year,” states Hertel. “That doesn’t exist for many people now.”

    Hertel cited the ballooning salaries of CEOs as playing into income inequality.

    He also proposes a middle class tax cut and negotiating lower drug prices.

    “We are the only country in the world that does not use the power of the federal government to negotiate drug prices down for its people,” said Hertel.

    As they do in other elections, the issues of healthcare and reproductive rights loom large.

    Barrett told WDET in July that the right to an abortion is the law of the land in Michigan and any change to that wouldn’t come from Congress — it would come from voters in the state. The matter was largely settled following the 2022 state Constitutional referendum that passed with 56% of the vote.

    WDET asked Hertel if he believed Barrett.

    “Not at all, and voters in this district shouldn’t believe him either,” Hertel replied. “He has a very specific record on this.”

    Trusted, accurate, up-to-date.

    WDET strives to make our journalism accessible to everyone. As a public media institution, we maintain our journalistic integrity through independent support from readers like you. If you value WDET as your source of news, music and conversation, please make a gift today. Donate today »

    The post Democratic candidate for Michigan’s 7th Congressional race wants more ‘reasonable humans’ in the US House appeared first on WDET 101.9 FM.

    State appealing court order to remove RFK Jr. from ballot

    ✇WDET 101.9 FM
    By: Rick Pluta
    7 September 2024 at 16:46

    The state is taking what is likely the final round of the he’s-on/he’s-off fight over Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s presidential ballot status to the Michigan Supreme Court.

    Kennedy, who was running a fringe, conspiracy theory-laced effort for the presidency that was a long shot from the start, has been trying to remove his name from Michigan ballots since he suspended his campaign and endorsed Republican candidate Donald Trump last month. The latest salvo in the fight came late Friday, when the Michigan Secretary of State filed an urgent request for the state Supreme Court to order that Kennedy’s name will appear on the ballot whether he likes it or not. The state says Kennedy blew past the deadline to drop out of the race, and allowing him to withdraw now would leave the Natural Law Party of Michigan without a nominee at the top of the ballot after he pursued and accepted that party’s nomination.

    “Kennedy’s complaint threatens an orderly election,” said the argument filed by attorneys for Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson. “Further, it is not just the Secretary who is prejudiced, but also the Natural Law Party, who stands to lose its principal candidate with no recourse of fielding a new candidate.”

    The decision will be consequential since even low-polling candidates could make a difference in a close race with Michigan’s 15 presidential electoral votes in play. It is also consequential to the Natural Law Party of Michigan, which was counting on enough votes for Kennedy at the top of the ticket to automatically qualify for the ballot in future Michigan elections instead of going through a petition campaign.

    Kennedy is trying to remove his name from the ballot in battleground states such as Michigan, Wisconsin and North Carolina.

    Kennedy lost his bid before a Michigan Court of Claims judge who excoriated the scion of a prominent Democratic family for gamesmanship. But on Friday, two days later, the Court of Appeals held Kennedy is not bound to remain on the ballot under a technicality that the candidate dropout deadline does not apply to presidential nominees.

    The state asked the Supreme Court to issue a ruling by 3 p.m. Monday to give local clerks the legally required time to mail absentee ballots to overseas and absentee voters.

    Trusted, accurate, up-to-date.

    WDET strives to make our journalism accessible to everyone. As a public media institution, we maintain our journalistic integrity through independent support from readers like you. If you value WDET as your source of news, music and conversation, please make a gift today.

    Donate today »

    The post State appealing court order to remove RFK Jr. from ballot appeared first on WDET 101.9 FM.

    MichMash: Why Michigan public school reading scores are at a 10-year low

    ✇WDET 101.9 FM
    By: Hernz Laguerre
    6 September 2024 at 19:07

    Since the COVID-19 pandemic, Michigan public school reading scores have been taking a hit. MichMash host, Cheyna Roth, and Gongwer News Service’s Zach Gorchow find out why with Peter Spadafore who’s with the Michigan Alliance for Student Opportunity. 

    Subscribe to MichMash on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

    In this episode:

    • The latest Michigan public school reading scores and why they are are so low
    • The lasting effects of the pandemic on students
    • Policy interventions to help students improve their education

    Results from this year’s Michigan Student Test of Educational Progress (M-STEP) were released this week, showing that 39.6% of third graders across Michigan passed the state’s English language arts (ELA) test, compared to 40.9% in 2023.

    Spadafore, who serves as executive director for the Michigan Alliance for Student Opportunity, said the results were concerning but not surprising.  

    “I think like every observer around Lansing and across the state, we were disappointed in the numbers, but also not entirely surprised to see the lingering impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Spadafore. “The state superintendent talks a lot about the impact of virtual instruction. When we were not able to be in classrooms having an impact on those early learners when we’re trying to get at them, soon and quickly to grasp those early reading skills.”

    Lansing is hard at work to pass laws to remedy this issue. But Spadafore said they need to make sure they pass the correct laws to intervene with the reading levels.   

    “It’s important that they move the bills when they’re right now. They’re overly prescriptive and change a whole lot of state law when really what we’re seeing is if we would have a better screening tool to identify students reading disabilities and characteristics of dyslexia, I think that’s when, we could be supportive of legislation.” 

    Spadafore says it will take collaboration between educators, lawmakers, the union, parents and more to help reading levels improve.

    More from WDET:

    More from Gongwer News Service:

    Support the podcasts you love.

    One-of-a-kind podcasts from WDET bring you engaging conversations, news you need to know and stories you love to hear.

    Keep the conversations coming. Please make a gift today.

    Give now »

    The post MichMash: Why Michigan public school reading scores are at a 10-year low appeared first on WDET 101.9 FM.

    ❌
    ❌