In Case You Missed It: Top Stories From the Week (Jan. 11-15)

Apple is opening a developer school in Detroit, indoor dining may reopen on Feb. 1, former Gov. Rick Snyder pleads not guilty to Flint water crisis charges, and Michigan politicians react to President Trump’s impeachment
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flint water crisis - gov. rick snyder
Flint Water Plant photo: IStock

Former Gov. Rick Snyder pleaded not guilty to two misdemeanor charges for his involvement in the Flint water crisis.

Snyder appeared before Genesee County Judge Christopher Odette, who set his bond at $10,000 and ordered that Snyder not travel outside the state until his next court date. Eight other state officials under Snyder’s administration were charged.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer activates the Michigan National Guard to help protect the state’s Capitol ahead of armed protests.

During a Friday morning press conference, representatives with the Michigan State Police, the Lansing Police Department, and the FBI vowed they’re ready for demonstrations spurred by the presidential inauguration.

General Motors Co. debuts a new logo atop the Renaissance Center.

GM is changing its corporate logo and launching a new campaign to better market itself as a clean-vehicle company. The automaker promises to roll out 30 new battery-powered vehicles globally by the end of 2025.

Restaurants may reopen for indoor dining next month.

Whitmer’s administration says its “working plan” is to begin allowing indoor dining at restaurants and bars on Feb. 1, should COVID-19 cases continue to stabilize. The plan will include capacity limits and a curfew.

Michigan lawmakers react to the second impeachment of President Trump.

The U.S. House voted Wednesday to impeach President Trump for his role in inciting the attack on the Capitol last week. Sen. Gary Peters, Sen. Debbie Stabenow, and Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib among others released statements on the impeachment.

Bell's Brewery - no yeah
Photograph courtesy of Bell’s Brewery

Bell’s new beer — No, Yeah — bears a name from polite Midwestern slang.

The West Michigan-based brewery’s  new, year-round release will be available to purchase at the Bell’s General Store and Eccentric Café in downtown Kalamazoo starting Jan. 18.

Apple to open a developer school in Detroit, the first of its kind in the U.S.

Apple Inc. will open the Apple Developer Academy, a school to train developers in Detroit, later this year. This school is part of Apple’s $100 million Racial Equity and Justice Initiative that the company launched in June.

President-elect Joe Biden taps Whitmer for DNC vice chair.

Biden’s transition team announced that Whitmer, U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth of Illinois, and U.S. Rep. Filemon Vela Jr. of Texas are nominated to serve as vice chairs. The DNC will vote for its officers on Jan. 21.

The Detroit Lions will hire Los Angeles Rams’ Brad Holmes as their next general manager.

The Lions reached an agreement on a five-year contract with Holmes, the Rams’ director of college scouting. Holmes is the nephew of former Lions’ first-round pick Luther Bradley.

Enbridge will not shut down Line 5.

Enbridge Inc., which owns and operates the Line 5 dual pipelines in the Straits of Mackinac, refuses to close the pipelines, arguing they are in full compliance with standards. This comes in response to Whitmer and the Department of Natural Resources’ order to cease operations.


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