Kalamazoo's downtown movie theater is closed for now due to a burst frozen water pipe. New laws go into effect in Michigan for minors in possession of alcohol. "Fake news" and "gig economy" make Lake Superior State University's annual list of banished words and phrases.
A frozen water pipe has caused Kalamazoo’s downtown movie theater to close for now. The Kalamazoo AMC Portage Street 10 closed New Year’s Eve after the pipe burst and caused water damage to the building. An AMC spokesman told the Kalamazoo Gazette through an e-mail that the theater will remain closed through today and possibly longer.
Beginning this year minors found in possession of alcohol will get a little more leniency under the law. The consequences defined by Michigan’s minor in possession, or MIP law, changed as of yesterday. The first offense will be a civil infraction, instead of a misdemeanor. The minor will have to pay a fine and could be sentenced to community service or to substance abuse classes, and the infraction will appear on their driving record. Berrien County Prosecutor Michael Sepic tells WVPE the law will keep youth from having criminal records for one relatively minor offense. The second offense remains a misdemeanor carrying a fine, and the possibility of 30 days in jail.
Fake news, gig economy, and impactful are on this year’s list of banished words and phrases from Lake Superior State University. The school started releasing a list of overused and misused words in 1976. Lake State’s wordsmiths say Fake News has become used “for any story that you disagree with.” Gigs are for musicians and stand up comedians. And Impactful is described as a frivolous word used in place of effective or influential. Among the other words and phrases on this year’s list: unpack, drill down and hot water heater.