Michigan changes transgender policy for driver’s licenses
FERNDALE (AP) — Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson says her department is making it easier for transgender people to get a driver’s license or state ID card.
Starting Monday, those wanting to correct the sex designation on their license can go to a branch office to have their photo taken, fill out a form and pay $9. They no longer will need to provide a birth certificate, passport or court order.
Benson says studies show that about 80 percent of Michigan’s transgender population lacks proper identification.
City, downtown tavern to hold discussion on race in Detroit
DETROIT (AP) — The city of Detroit’s Civil Rights, Inclusion and Opportunity office is partnering with the owners of a downtown tavern and a Detroit resident on a discussion about racial issues.
The city says “Let’s Talk About Race” will be held Thursday at the Checker Bar. It follows the firing of a white Checker Bar employee because of mistreatment of a black patron over his race.
Organizers say the discussion will fuel a needed dialogue aimed at the history and roots of racial discrimination in Detroit, with a goal of building bridges between communities and “champions against racial discrimination.”
County clerks: We’ll lose money if phones are OK at courts
LANSING (AP) — Court clerks around Michigan are criticizing a proposal to allow phones and other electronic devices in courthouses.
Among their objections: They fear they’ll lose money.
The Michigan Supreme Court was scheduled to hold a public hearing today in Lansing with that proposal one of the items on the agenda.
Courts typically charge people to make copies of public documents. Someone with an electronic device could do it for free. For example, Mason County charges $1 per page. Clerk Cheryl Kelly says the proposed rule “would put a dent in our revenue.”
Besides copying documents, the rule would allow people to use an electronic device to search the internet and send or receive text messages in a courtroom.
Lawyers, who typically can carry phones, are in favor of the change, especially if it helps them stay in touch with clients in a courthouse.
Alaskan city sees heat and snowfall records in single day
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — Alaskans have experienced both a record high temperature and a record amount of snowfall in the same day.
The Anchorage Daily News reports the Municipality of Anchorage saw snowfall of more than a foot Saturday after tying a temperature record set in 1967.
The National Weather Service says the city tied the high-temperature record by reaching 45 degrees Fahrenheitaround 3 a.m.
The weather service says southeast winds blew warm air into the city before the winds subsided, temperatures dropped and snow fell.
Snow levels at the weather service’s office broke the 1958 record of 8.3 inches by 1/10th of an inch.
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