Elections & Northern Michigan Politics

The group behind the recall effort to remove Rep. Larry Inman (R-Williamsburg) from office got some breathing room Tuesday.

The fifth day of the federal criminal trial against State Rep. Larry Inman ended with no verdict Monday as the jury deliberates the case into Tuesday.

State Rep. Larry Inman (R-Williamsburg) will go to federal trial Tuesday on charges of allegedly soliciting a bribe, extortion and lying to the F.B.I.

The speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives Lee Chatfield (R-Levering) will testify at Rep. Larry Inman’s (R-Williamsburg) criminal trial next week, a federal judge ruled Tuesday.

Chatfield and Inman exchanged text messages throughout the time period last year that Inman allegedly tried to sell his vote on Michigan's prevailing wage law.

Jim Carruthers, 56, will remain the mayor of Traverse City.

He won Tuesday’s election against Shea O’Brien, 32, an employee at Burritt's Fresh Market, who had never run for office before.

Update 9:42 p.m. 10/17/19: A federal judge set the trial date. This story has been updated to reflect that change.

A motion to dismiss the criminal charges against State Rep. Larry Inman (R-Williamsburg) has been denied.

Now Inman will go to trial in federal court over charges of soliciting a bribe, extortion and lying to the F.B.I. Federal prosecutors allege Inman tried to sell his vote on Michigan's prevailing wage law last May.

Prosecutors say State Rep. Larry Inman’s (R-Williamsburg) alleged bribery attempt is not protected by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

Inman's legal team claims that campaign contributions are protected under the First Amendment, after the Citizens United decision in the U.S. Supreme Court from 2010.

Traverse City Area Public Schools will pay back $707,000 to the state over allegedly miscalculated student enrollment, but they could have to give back more money.

The Michigan Department of Education says TCAPS may have miscalculated enrollment in at least two other semesters.

Recreational marijuana businesses are still banned in the village of Vanderbilt. A measure to reverse that ban failed by a vote of 72 to 84 Tuesday, according to unofficial election results.

Candidates for Mayor and City Commission in Traverse City have been announced. Mayor Jim Carruthers will run for re-election against Shea O’Brien.

Five of the seven seats on the City Commission will also be open. Katy Bertodatto, Evan Dalley, Dave Durbin, Roger Putman, Amy Shamroe and Ashlea Walter are running for terms on the City Commission that run through November, 2023.

Tom Mair and Christie Minervini are running for partial terms that run through November, 2021.

Elections will be held on November 5, 2019.

Prosecutors want to delay the trial of State Rep. Larry Inman (R-Williamsburg) by 30 days in order to prepare for his defense.

The attorney for State Representative Larry Inman (R-Williamsburg) wants the charges against his client dismissed. Inman has plead not guilty to charges of extortion, soliciting a bribe and lying to the FBI. 

State Representative Larry Inman (R-Williamsburg) will seek treatment for long-term use of pain medications.

State Representative Larry Inman (R-Williamsburg) was in federal court Tuesday for an arraignment on multiple criminal charges.

Judges say Michigan’s 1st Congressional District was gerrymandered and needs to be redrawn. It was part of a federal court ruling announced Thursday.

Michigan's 1st Congressional District streches over most of northern Michigan and the entire Upper Peninsula. In their decision, the judges said the district was drawn to benefit Republican candidates.