A food and fund drive in Kalamazoo marks the fifth anniversary of the Sand Hook shooting. Kalamazoo College's Provost will become the president of a consortium that includes K-College. West Michigan Congressman Justin Amash wants a standalone vote on renewing some federal surveillance programs.
A food and fund drive is being held in Kalamazoo Monday to mark the fifth anniversary of the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. The Kalamazoo Gazette says the group Kalamazoo Moms Demand Action is hosting the event, which will benefit Kalamazoo Loaves and Fishes and Ministry with Community. The event in Kalamazoo is one of 200 across the country to coincide with the anniversary of the massacre that killed 20 children and six educators. The groups are calling for an end to gun violence in the United States.
Kalamazoo College Provost Mickey McDonald has been named the new president of the Great Lakes College Association. McDonald, who has been K-College’s provost for the last 10 years, will become the eighth president of the consortium of 13 private liberal arts colleges in Michigan, Indiana, Ohio and Pennsylvania. Kalamazoo, Hope and Albion Colleges are all members of the GLCA. McDonald will become president of the consortium in June.
West Michigan Congressman Justin Amash is seeking a standalone vote on whether to continue some federal surveillance powers. The Detroit News reports that the Grand Rapids area Republican is the leader of a bipartisan effort asking House leadership for a standalone vote on renewing the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. 35 members of the House signed the letter. Amash and other critics of federal surveillance programs say they are concerned that the renewal will be included in a year-end spending package.
The state has launched a new toll-free hotline to handle special education disputes. A news release from the state says callers to 833-Kids-1st will be connected to an intake coordinator for the Michigan Special Education Mediation Program. They will take requests for mediation or facilitated special education meetings. The hotline can also provide information about options for dispute resolution.
Auto parts supplier Denso has acquired a Holland-based tech start up. The Japanese company bought InfiniteKey for its phone as a key technology. The Holland company’s CEO told MiBiz that they have developed technology that allows people to start their car with their phone instead of a physical car key. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. InfiniteKey’s Holland location will remain open as a Denso satellite office.
In hockey, Kalamazoo lost at Toledo 5-4 on Sunday. It’s the first time in six games that the K-Wings did not earn a point. Kalamazoo will play at Indianapolis on Wednesday.