Daily Briefs

Immigration attorney running for House seat held by Amash

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) — An immigration attorney who served in the Justice Department during President Barack Obama’s administration is running for the U.S. House seat held by Justin Amash of Michigan.

Hillary Scholten announced Monday her bid to seek the Democratic nomination for Michigan’s 3rd Congressional District. The 37-year-old from Grand Rapids says her goals include fixing the country’s “broken” immigration system and curbing gun violence.

Two other Democrats have said they’re seeking to represent the district that includes Grand Rapids, Battle Creek and surrounding areas.

Amash, who had been the only Republican in Congress to call for impeachment proceedings against President Donald Trump, said last week he’s leaving the GOP . He’d filed for re-election in 2020 as a Republican in a race that drew primary challengers . Amash plans to run as an independent.


Detroit-area priest charged with sexually abusing minor

WAYNE, Mich. (AP) — Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has charged a 57-year-old Detroit-area priest with sexually abusing a minor.

Nessel said in a statement The Rev. Joseph “Jack” Baker was arrested Monday and is expected to be arraigned in a Wayne district court. The charge is first-degree criminal sexual conduct with someone under 13.

Baker’s attorney didn’t immediately return a message seeking comment.

The Archdiocese of Detroit announced last month it restricted Baker from ministry because of a decades-old allegation. Baker, who most recently served St. Perpetua Parish in Waterford Township, was ordained in 1993.

Diocesan officials on Sunday announced the removal of another Michigan priest from ministry after reviewing a child-abuse allegation from decades ago.

State prosecutors in May said five other priests face sexual abuse charges as part of an ongoing investigation.


Appeals court: Sealed records at campus library are public

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — A court decision could force the University of Michigan to open the records of a doctor who is considered by critics to be an influential voice in anti-immigration matters.

Dr. John Tanton of Petoskey donated 25 boxes of papers to the university, but 11 boxes were to remain closed until 2035. The Michigan appeals court says the closed records are public documents under the Freedom of Information Act because they’re being held by a campus library as an “official function,” a key phrase in state law.

The appeals court on June 20 overturned a decision by the Michigan Court of Claims. The university says it’s considering its options. It could ask the state Supreme Court to take the case.

The lawsuit was filed by Hassan Ahmad, an attorney in McLean, Virginia.

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