State Roundup

Charlotte Doctor faces more criminal sexual conduct charges CHARLOTTE, Mich. (AP) -- Authorities say a Lansing-area doctor is facing more criminal sexual conduct charges involving female patients. The Lansing State Journal reports 53-year-old Kassem Hallak was arraigned Tuesday in Eaton County District Court in Charlotte on second- and fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct charges. Authorities say the new charges involve two female patients. Third- and fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct charges in December involved three other female patients. A message seeking comment was left Wednesday by The Associated Press from Hallak's lawyer John Frawley. He said following the initial charges that his client, who practiced in Charlotte, denied any wrongdoing. Officials say the assaults happened starting in 2009. State records show Hallak's license has been suspended. Flint Financial plan: Flint union contracts under review FLINT, Mich. (AP) -- Flint's city employee union contracts are under review for possible renegotiation, according to a new financial plan from a state-appointed emergency financial manager. The plan includes Michael Brown's suggestions for reducing the city's projected $11.3 million deficit, The Flint Journal reported. A copy of the plan was released Tuesday. According to the plan, Brown wants to cut costs through "negotiated union contracts, consolidation and shared services." His next steps include restructuring collective bargaining agreements and reorganizing departments. "It is a work in progress and it will be amended as necessary" Brown said in a statement released along with the plan. "The next step is the implementation process and I see that as being the most difficult challenge." Brown was appointed late last year. He has broad authority to make changes in the financially troubled city, including the power to oversee city government and toss out union contracts in some situations. "Many of the plan's proposals highlight the need for greater cooperation with the community and partners," Flint Mayor Dayne Walling said in a statement. "Everyone needs to do their part to address Flint's long-standing challenges." Under the plan, Brown also will work to develop the city's 2013 budget. Other ideas for improving the city's finances include possibly disposing of unwanted city assets, including property or equipment, as well as consolidating 911 systems for the city and Genesee County. Republican Gov. Rick Snyder required Brown to submit the plan to the state within 45 days of his appointment. The state Department of Treasury said the plan will be reviewed and amended as necessary. Emergency managers also are in place in Benton Harbor, Ecorse, Pontiac and the Detroit Public Schools. Detroit's finances also are under a review, meaning Michigan's largest city could be brought under state financial control. Mount Pleasant Jim Crow Museum getting new home at university BIG RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) -- The Jim Crow Museum at Ferris State University is getting a new, expanded home at the Michigan school. WCMU-FM reports the board of trustees at the school in Big Rapids recently approved $200,000 to relocate and expand the collection aimed at educating people about racism. The museum is home to thousands of racist artifacts. The museum's website says it was closed for the fall semester and was expected to be closed for much of the spring semester as part of the move. The new facility is expected to reopen this spring at the school, located about 50 miles north of Grand Rapids. Troy City council reverses stand, OKs transit center TROY, Mich. (AP) -- The Troy City Council has reversed course and approved a scaled-back transportation center in the Detroit suburb. The council's decision follows its 4-3 rejection Dec. 19 of a transit center with $8.5 million in federal funding. Councilman Wade Fleming voted no in December but voted yes for the revised $6.3 million plan Tuesday night. Supporters say the center is a key to improving mass transportation in the region. Planning began a decade ago. Mayor Janice Daniels says she and some council members made election pledges to block the transit center, which opponents say wastes tax dollars. U.S. Rep. Gary Peters, D-Bloomfield Township, says the center will provide access to new high speed Amtrak passenger service and transfer points to SMART bus services, taxis and other transit options. Kalamazoo Foundation gives $23M grant to Kalamazoo College KALAMAZOO, Mich. (AP) -- Kalamazoo College in western Michigan has received a $23 million grant to endow work at the school's Arcus Center for Social Justice Leadership. The Arcus Foundation grant is the largest in the school's history and will fund scholarships, two endowed professorships, student internships, faculty and staff fellowships, leadership development programming and residencies for social justice scholars. "The breadth of the grant makes it exceptional," Kalamazoo College President Eileen Wilson-Oyelaran said Tuesday in a release. "The entire Kalamazoo College community is extremely grateful to the Arcus Foundation. Their support will help put Kalamazoo on a path to become a higher education leader in the field of social justice and leadership development." The Arcus Center supports the pursuit of human rights and social justice by developing emerging leaders and sustaining existing leaders in the field of human rights and social justice, according to the school. Jon Stryker, a Kalamazoo College alumnus and trustee, founded the Arcus Foundation in 2000. The foundation advances social justice issues, specifically lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality, and conservation and protection of great apes. "Our intent in making this grant is to foster diverse leaders who advance social justice in all its dimensions -- from anti-racism to economic justice to equality for all sexual orientations and gender identities," Stryker said. Published: Thu, Jan 19, 2012