Daily Briefs

State appeals court shoots down casino proposal for Nov. ballot

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — The state appeals court has sided with a group opposing the expansion of casino gambling in Michigan and ordered that a petition allowing new casinos not go before voters.

The court ordered the Secretary of State on Tuesday to reject the Citizens for More Michigan Jobs’ petition and keep it off the November general election ballot.

Citizens for More Michigan Jobs seeks a constitutional amendment proposal and wants a fourth casino in Detroit and seven others across the state.

A lawsuit by Protect MI Vote said the ballot question is illegal because it would change the Michigan Constitution and state law. Opponents of casino expansion are American Indian tribes and current casino owners.

The appeals court says that “in some respects” the proposal “directly contradicts provisions of the Gaming Act.”


Judge Edmunds: Former mayor must keep defense lawyer


DETROIT (AP) — A federal judge has ruled that former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick must keep his defense lawyer for his corruption trial.

U.S. District Judge Nancy Edmunds made the ruling during a hearing Tuesday. Edmunds last week disclosed that Kilpatrick had raised concerns about a possible conflict of interest involving longtime lawyer James Thomas. She ruled, however, that Kilpatrick waited too long to raise the issue.

Kilpatrick says an issue was that Thomas once represented a towing contractor who claims he had to pay money to the mayor's political campaign. And The Detroit News reports Kilpatrick says they've gotten into shouting matches.

Thomas also asked to be off the case.

Kilpatrick and his father, Bernard Kilpatrick, are charged with tax crimes and widespread fraud. Opening statements are scheduled for next month.


Third annual Wayne Law and Keith Center Family and Friends Service Day at Belle Isle Aug. 17

Join the third annual Wayne Law and Damon J. Keith Center for Civil Rights “Family and Friends Service Day as they help clean up Belle Isle. Family and friends of alumni, faculty, staff and students are welcome to participate on Friday, Aug. 17, from 1-6 p.m.

A shuttle will depart the Law School at 2 p.m. or you can meet the group at the Belle Isle Nature Zoo.

Contact Felicia Thomas at f.thomas@wayne.edu to RSVP or for more information.

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