Judge rules Michigan can’t eliminate straight-party voting
DETROIT (AP) — A federal judge in Detroit has told Michigan it can't eliminate straight-party voting.
U.S. District Judge Gershwin Drain issued the ruling Wednesday. He argued that not allowing voters to make a single mark on a ballot to pick candidates of one party would lengthen long lines and increase wait times for all voters.
The change, he said, would discriminate against African-American voters because they use straight-party voting at higher rates and frequently cast ballots for Democrats.
Gov. Rick Snyder and other Republicans say a ban would inspire voters to do their homework instead of just choosing a party.
Nearly half of all Michigan ballots were straight-party during the 2016 election.
Official kneels during Pledge of Allegiance to protest Trump
HADDAM, Conn. (AP) — A Connecticut town official is standing firm on her decision to kneel during the Pledge of Allegiance to protest President Donald Trump's policies.
Haddam Selectwoman Melissa Schlag faced boos and shouts while she kneeled during the pledge on Monday and asked residents and politicians to not add words to her "silent protest."
Schlag says she began her protest at a select board meeting earlier this month, saying it was to protest the Republican president's summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin, his hard-line stance on immigration and other policies.
The Democrat says she's received harassment and threats over her protest alongside calls for her resignation.
Trump has said his immigration policies are meant to keep the country safe.
Judge orders man who knocked over toilet to shovel manure
PAINESVILLE, Ohio (AP) — A judge known for unique sentences has ordered a man who knocked over a port-a-potty to clean manure out of animal pens at a county fairgrounds in Ohio.
Judge Michael Cicconetti recently suspended most of a 120-day jail sentence for Bayley Toth, 18, who pleaded guilty and was convicted of criminal mischief, in favor of the creative punishment of cleaning up waste from animals at Lake County’s fairgrounds.
The Municipal Court judge compared Toth’s actions to those of an animal, saying “you act like an animal, you’re going to take care of animals.”
Authorities say the Painesville man spent a night with friends knocking over objects, including a port-a-potty, at a park.
Marilyn Manson handcuffed in Maine, but it’s a joke
BANGOR, Maine (AP) — No, Marilyn Manson didn't get arrested in Bangor, Maine.
The Bangor Police Department says Manson and an officer were joking around when the rocker was briefly handcuffed. A video of the handcuffing was posted to Manson's Instagram account.
Lt. Tim Cotton took to Facebook to say it was good, clean fun. He also quips the officer is no longer allowed to work backstage "except during Lord of the Dance or anything related to Disney."
Manson and Rob Zombie performed Sunday night, wrapping up a three-day festival.
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