Obama immigration policy change gets mixed review in Michigan

Steve Carmody — Fri, 15 Jun 2012 19:51:09 +0000

A major change in U.S. immigration policy is getting a mixed reaction from advocates for undocumented immigrants in Michigan.

“Cash-mob” targets Grand Rapids small businesses

Lindsey Smith — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 04:33:01 +0000

A organized crowd of people swarmed a local business in downtown Grand Rapids as part of an effort to buy local this holiday season.

Dozens showed up at the same store at the same time for the event, called a “cash mob”. It was organized by the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce. Each person pledged to spend at least $20. Which store the cash mob goes to remains a secret until just a few hours beforehand.

“It’s a new spin on long time mission for the chamber of bringing exposure to local businesses,” said GRACC President and CEO Rick Baker. Baker says they heard about the idea from Cleveland.

The cash mob targeted retail incubator, MoDiv; a single storefront with nine generally new, small retail businesses inside.

Strangers pay off layaway bills at Grand Rapids area Kmart store

Lindsey Smith — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 19:58:21 +0000

Strangers have paid off more than 30 layaway bills at a Kmart near Grand Rapids in the last week.

Dan Veenstra has been working there for more than 20 years and says he’s never seen anything like it. “In the past we’ve had people come in that want to pay on somebody’s layaway - it’s usually a friend or neighbor or a family member. But it’s never been strangers like this,” Veenstra said.

Judge declares "underwear bomber" competent to represent himself

Sarah Cwiek — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 22:34:42 +0000

A U.S. District Court judge says the Nigerian-born man accused of trying to blow up a Detroit-bound airliner nearly two years ago can represent himself at trial.

So-called “underwear bomber” Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab has been acting as his own lawyer in pre-trial hearings. But he also has court-appointed standby counsel.

'Christmas Day Bomber' due in court

Zoe Clark — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 11:05:35 +0000

Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, the Nigerian man accused of trying to blow up an airplane near Detroit on Christmas Day 2009 is scheduled to be in federal court today. From the Associated Press:

…Abdulmutallab is due in court Thursday with prosecutors and his standby counsel, Anthony Chambers.
Abdulmutallab is representing himself, and it's possible that Judge Nancy Edmunds again will ask if he wants that to continue.
It's a critical issue because the deadline to challenge any evidence is two months away. Trial is set for October. Abdulmutallab is not a lawyer.
He's accused of trying to ignite an explosive in his underwear as Northwest Airlines Flight 253 approached Detroit on Christmas 2009. The plane left Amsterdam with 279 passengers and a crew of 11.

Suspected terrorists set for trial this fall in Detroit

Steve Carmody — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 14:54:41 +0000

They come from very different backgrounds and different parts of the world. Members of the Hutaree militia and the suspected Christmas day underwear bomber are set to go on trial. The Associated Press reports each will be in federal court this fall in Detroit.

Nigerian bombing suspect will stay his own lawyer

and Sarah Hulett — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 16:40:50 +0000

The man accused of trying to blow up a Northwest Airlines flight last Christmas says he’s sticking to his decision to represent himself in court.

Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab fired his court-appointed lawyer last month, and told Judge Nancy Edmunds he intends to defend himself in court against charges that he tried to set off explosives hidden in his underwear on a Detroit-bound airliner.

Abdulmutallab now has what’s called a stand-by attorney, who can help advise him through the court proceedings.