Republicans surprised by ballot returns: Democrats make historic gains
Election '98 was supposed to be the rebirth of the Republican Revolution, marked by vast gains in Congress and a stranglehold on the governorships.
But like any good story, this one yielded many surprises - and now experts are scrambling to figure out just what it all means.
Engler sets goals for term
DETROIT (AP) - Cutting the state income tax will be the first priority in the third and final term of Republican Gov. John Engler, who said yesterday he is anxious to put some often-delayed plans into place.
Defeated Democratic challenger Geoffrey Fieger remained true to form in the wake of his lopsided loss - defiant, saying he had nothing to say to Engler, and refusing to rule out another run for office.
Wash. initiative ends use of race
Voters in the state of Washington approved a referendum to ban racial and gender preferences in its public schools' admissions policies Tuesday.
The vote, coupled with California's Proposition 209, indicates declining support nationwide for racial and gender preferences as the University of Michigan faces two lawsuits challenging the use of race as a factor in its admissions process.
GEO offers new plans
Unresolved issues and new affirmative action proposals confronted negotiators during a Graduate Employees Organization contract bargaining session last night.
The GEO bargaining team offered the University's bargaining team four proposals concerning affirmative action in hopes that they could become contractual commitments.
LSA-SG against administration on Fleming move
For the first time in recent years, members of the Literature Sciences and the Arts Student Government are publicly expressing opposition to the University administration's actions.
LSA-SG members oppose University President Lee Bollinger's plan to move administrators from the Fleming Administration Building to Angell Hall - a switch that will push LSA Academic Advising, the LSA Honors Office and the Office of the Registrar out of their current offices.
Hurricane Mitch sparks aid appeal
TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras (AP) - Unable to provide Hondurans such basics as gasoline, food and water, a government overwhelmed by Hurricane Mitch's destruction made an urgent appeal for international aid yesterday.
Across Central America, Hurricane Mitch has killed an estimated 9,000 people and destroyed roads leading to areas where authorities say thousands were still missing.
$5 million reward offered for bin Laden
NEW YORK - Exiled Saudi millionaire Osama bin Laden was charged yesterday with masterminding the embassy bombings in East Africa and authorities offered a record $5 million reward for his capture.
A federal indictment charged bin Laden and Muhammad Atef, the military commander of bin Laden's alleged terrorist organization, with conspiracy in the Aug. 7 bombings at U.S. embassies in Nairobi, Kenya, and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Twelve Americans were among the 224 people killed.
Methane used for power
The recent transformation of an Ann Arbor landfill has turned an environmental problem into an effective energy source.
In 1994, the trash piled higher and higher in the Ann Arbor Swiftrun Landfill until the methane gas released by the refuse was becoming an environmental hazard.
Bombing trial witness: Sheriff tipped off state militia
KALAMAZOO, Mich. (AP) - A Calhoun County sheriff's officer tipped off a militia group accused of conspiring to blow up federal buildings and attack federal officials, a witness told a federal jury yesterday.
The testimony came on the second day of Bradford Metcalf's trial on conspiracy and illegal weapons charges. Security was tight. Courtroom spectators had to go through an extra metal detector, and a bomb-sniffing dog went through the building.
Kevorkian convicted of 2 misdemeanors
ROYAL OAK (AP) - Yesterday a jury convicted Jack Kevorkian of two misdemeanors and acquitted his associate in a May confrontation with police outside a hospital where they were dropping off a body.
Kevorkian later opted to immediately pay $700 in fines and $200 in court costs in lieu of 60 days in jail.
Genetics treat muscular dystrophy in muscles of mice
University researchers have successfully delivered a gene that produces dystrophin - the protein lacking in those afflicted with muscular dystrophy - in the muscles cell of mice, without eliciting an immune system response.
Last year, human genetics Prof. Jeff Chamberlain reported the success of a viral vector - the whole package of genes that delivers the intended gene to the cells - in promoting dystrophin in mice with no immune systems at the American Society for Human Genetics' meeting.
The Calendar: What's happening in Ann Arbor today
Republicans regain full control of state House
DETROIT (AP) - Michigan Republicans have regained control of the state House, giving them and GOP Gov. John Engler a virtual free reign to shape the future of the state and its government for the next two years.
Rep. Chuck Perricone, (R-Kalamazoo Twp), who is expected to be the next speaker, agreed with Democratic leaders yesterday that the GOP would control 58 of 110 seats when final vote tallies are in after Tuesday's election.
Granholm: I earned spot on merits
DETROIT (AP) - Michigan's attorney general-elect Jennifer Granholm said yesterday that she's thrilled to be the first woman to hold the spot, but stressed that she won it for her qualifications, not her chromosomes.
"I have been saying all along that I am the most qualified person for this position and I have very good credentials," said Granholm, Wayne County's corporation counsel.
Ticket splitters put Dems in House
WASHINGTON (AP) - Michigan's congressional Democrats said they were re-elected by wide margins because their message got out despite President Clinton's troubles and the Republican sweep of the governorship and state Legislature.
Nationally, the Republicans have a slender majority in the U.S. House. But not in Michigan where ticket splitters allow many congressional Democrats to rack up electoral margins well above their party base.
Ventura renames himself 'The Mind'
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - Jesse "The Body" Ventura's election as governor hit Minnesota's political establishment like the piledriver move the former professional wrestler used to inflict on his hapless opponents in the ring.
In an Election Night Nitro performance, the scowling, bald-headed Ventura, running as the candidate of the Reform Party, body-slammed the two major party candidates: Hubert Humphrey III, the Democratic attorney general for the past 16 years and son of the late Vice President Hubert Humphrey, and Republican St. Paul Mayor Norm Coleman.
Gingrich blames Republican party losses on media: House speaker claims media's coverage of Clinton scandal hurt GOPs
WASHINGTON -When Newt Gingrich tangled with Katie Couric yesterday morning, he had a handy explanation as to why the voters had dashed his party's hopes.
He blamed the media for perpetually flogging the Monica Lewinsky scandal.
11-05-98
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