After 11 weeks on strike, the United Auto Workers announced a tentative agreement with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network. The agreement includes the reduction of the wage progression from 22 years to five, significant general wage increases, a $6,500 ratification bonus for Blue Cross Blue Shield workers, a $5,000 ratification bonus for Blue Care Network workers, and inflation protection bonuses of $1,000 each year of the contract. Negotiators secured stronger contractual language to protect worker jobs from being outsourced during the agreement. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/michigan-in-focus/support

 Michigan state Rep. Steve Carra, R-Three Rivers, says he will introduce a bill next year aiming to prohibit legislators from signing non-disclosure agreements. The plan follows a Detroit News report revealing that nearly one in five Michigan lawmakers have signed “secrecy pacts” gagging them from sharing their knowledge of taxpayer-funded projects. Carra encourages economic expansion but says the government picking winners and losers behind closed doors isn’t the right solution. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/michigan-in-focus/support

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed bills into law that ban those convicted of domestic violence from buying, owning or transporting firearms for eight years after sentencing. House Bill 4945 updates the sentencing guidelines to prohibit those convicted of domestic violence from buying or owning a gun or ammunition for eight years. Senate Bill 471 prohibits the possession or use of firearms and ammunition by persons convicted of a misdemeanor involving domestic violence. Senate Bill 528 defines additional domestic violence offenses that result in disqualification. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/michigan-in-focus/support

Ford Motor Co. will slash 800 jobs from its planned electric vehicle plant in Marshall subsidized by more than $1.7 billion of taxpayer money. Ford said it is "re-timing and resizing" the BlueOval Battery Park Michigan in Marshall.” The news brought bipartisan criticism from Michigan lawmakers. Ford originally announced the plant as worth $3.5B and estimated it would employ 2,500 workers.  --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/michigan-in-focus/support

Michigan announced that three companies will receive $178,000 in total funding through the Michigan Mobility Funding Platform to deploy mobility projects. The projects aim to deliver life-saving medications, maximize environmentally-conscious travel experiences, and create more walkable, bikeable and accessible streets. The funding will flow to three companies – $90,000 to Bedestrian in Dearborn, $8,000 to Keweenaw Mountain Lodge in Copper Harbor and $80,000 to Numina in Corktown, Detroit. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/michigan-in-focus/support

Michigan House Republicans introduced House Concurrent Resolution 9 aiming for lawmakers to adjourn in late December. The resolution notes, according to session schedule, that House lawmakers are to meet until Dec. 21 and the Senate is scheduled to meet until at least Dec. 14. The plan follows as the Democratic majority in the House and Senate plan to stop legislative business and break for the year on Nov. 14 instead of adjourning in late December. The early adjournment is because last week, the Michigan House deadlocked 54-54 until a special session is called after two Democratic lawmakers won mayoral races in Warren and Westland. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/michigan-in-focus/support

As Michigan aims for 100% clean energy by 2040, a new plan aims to ensure that child slaves aren’t mining the rare earth minerals and assembling the solar panels. Michigan House Republicans proposed a package aiming to stop taxpayer money from funding projects using child or forced labor for solar panels and electric vehicle battery parts. Phil Green, R-Millington, and others sponsored House Bills 5322, 5323, 5324, and 5325 and House Resolution 168. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/michigan-in-focus/support

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed bipartisan legislation to support the victims of crime by expanding access to support services for domestic and sexual violence survivors and adding privacy protections. Whitmer said the bills will "protect people's privacy and safety while ensuring swift prosecutions for those who commit these crimes.” --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/michigan-in-focus/support

 At 2 p.m. Wednesday, all new faces will be sworn into the Green Township Board after voters recalled five board members for supporting the Gotion electric vehicle battery plant that’s acted as a flashpoint to locals. The $2.4 billion EV plant has divided locals. Some welcomed the estimated 2,350 jobs created over 10 years in a county fighting population and job loss, while others questioned the $715 million taxpayer funding to Gotion Inc., a North American company in California that is a subsidiary of Gotion High-Tech in Shanghai. Funding includes a $125 million grant for job creation, a 30-year Renaissance Zone to Mecosta County valued at $540 million, and a $50 million performance-based grant. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/michigan-in-focus/support

While the United Auto Worker union auto strike might soon end, Detroit's casino strikes are ongoing. The three casinos remain open but 3,700 members from five unions have been on strike since Oct. 17 seeking better pay and benefits affecting MGM Grand Detroit, MotorCity Casino and Hollywood Casino at Greektown. In 2020, workers agreed to a three-year contract extension with minimal wage increases to help the industry reeling from the COVID-19 pandemic. Striking members say they need raises to compensate for high inflation in Detroit and that the gaming industry is reaping record benefits but aren’t passing them down to workers. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/michigan-in-focus/support