Calhoun County health officials say a whooping cough outbreak reaches 11 cases. Survivors of sexual abuse by Michigan State University sports doctor Larry Nasser call for interim MSU president John Engler to resign or be fired. Both the Growlers and Bombers get wins in extra innings.
Calhoun County officials say the number of whooping cough cases has likely reached 11. County health officials tell the Battle Creek Enquirer that they have confirmed nine cases, and two more are probable. Calhoun County’s health department announced an outbreak earlier this month. Vaccination is recommended to prevent whooping cough, also known as pertussis. The bacterial disease affects the respiratory tract. People of all ages can contract whooping cough, but it’s most severe in infants and children who have not been immunized.
The Board of State Canvassers is scheduled to meet Wednesday afternoon and consider whether to certify a proposal for the November ballot that would change how Michigan’s legislative districts are drawn. The group Voters Not Politicians has collected more than enough signatures to put the proposed amendment to the state constitution on the ballot this fall. But members of the board of State Canvassers delayed certifying the issue for the ballot last month, saying they want to wait while a legal challenge against the proposal is decided in the courts. Last week the Michigan Supreme Court refused to issue a stay of a state Court of Appeals ruling that the legal challenge is without merit.
Survivors of sexual assault want Michigan State University interim president John Engler gone. More than 100 survivors of disgraced MSU sports doctor Larry Nassar called for Engler’s termination Wednesday. (Link to tweet from Kalamazoo native and sexual abuse suvivor Rachael Denhollander) Emails between Engler and an aide published by the Chronicle of Higher Education last week revealed that Engler said survivors are being manipulated by attorneys. Hundreds of survivors are suing the school for failing to prevent Nassar from abusing patients while he was on the faculty there. Two members of MSU’s board of trustees have also called for Engler to step down.
Michigan Bridge Card holders can double the money they can spend on fresh produce at more than 140 farmers markets across the state. The Double Up Food Bucks program allows Michigan food stamp recipients to use their Bridge Card at farmers markets and have the money matched. So someone who spends 10 dollars of their SNAP benefits on Michigan asparagus, cherries and blueberries will get 10 dollars more to spend on more fruits and veggies. Double Up Food Bucks is funded through private donors and a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. It’s not available at every farmers market, but any market that accepts Bridge Cards can apply for the program. (WVPE)
In baseball, Kalamazoo has won seven straight after a 9-6 win at Green Bay in 11 innings Tuesday night. The Growlers and Bullfrogs will finish their two game series Wednesday night.
It took 12 innings but Battle Creek beat Kenosha 4-3 Tuesday night. The Bombers have won four of their last five games. Battle Creek will host the Kingfish again Wednesday night at C.O. Brown Stadium.