Andrew Roth
@roththereporter.bsky.social
1.1K followers 610 following 210 posts
Covering Michigan politics and policy at Michigan Advance and WKAR. Reporting and photos also seen in The Detroit News, The New York Times, Rolling Stone, The Atlantic and more. Available for assignment. Also at @rothsreviews.bsky.social.
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just setting up my blsky
roththereporter.bsky.social
East Lansing's police chief is facing calls to resign after saying the city had a “disproportionate number of minorities come into the community and commit crimes.”

She has apologized for “unintentionally offending members of the community.”
East Lansing police chief facing calls to resign after comment about minorities
Several members of the East Lansing Independent Police Oversight Commission indicated during Tuesday night’s City Council meeting that they have lost faith in Police Chief Jen Brown’s leadership.
www.wkar.org
roththereporter.bsky.social
Watching leaves turn hues of orange and red as temperatures begin to drop is a favorite fall activity for many Michigan residents.

But this year’s display could be a little less dazzling due to drought conditions in the lower parts of the state.
Lower Michigan could miss out on dazzling fall colors amid drought conditions
Leaves in areas of the state below M-55 may turn brown and fall off before fall colors take hold due to drought conditions.
www.wkar.org
Reposted by Andrew Roth
rothsreviews.bsky.social
It sure looks like AI was used in these #TSTheLifeOfAShowgirl promotional videos, unless Taylor Swift has learned a new alphabet and retroactively redesigned the surprise song piano. (Though, as a caveat, it’s unclear how involved she is in this scavenger hunt and how much of it is Google.)
roththereporter.bsky.social
U.S. Senate candidate @abdulelsayed.bsky.social says his young daughters are front of mind when taking precautions. But they also increase his resolve.

“I don’t want them to grow up in a world where people get shot because of their political opinions. That means you have to work toward that world."
roththereporter.bsky.social
Senate candidate @mallorymcmorrow.bsky.social is concerned political violence will deter people from public office.

“We all understand when we get into these jobs that we expect a level of scrutiny,” she said. “We don’t expect somebody showing up at your house with a premeditated plan to kill you.”
roththereporter.bsky.social
Sheriff Chris @swanson4mi.bsky.social said he feels safe campaigning for governor, since he always carries his firearm, badge and handcuffs. But his wife has concerns after seeing officials targeted at home.

“It’s human nature to think that could have been me, and nobody’s immune from it.”
Reposted by Andrew Roth
rothsreviews.bsky.social
Taylor Swift has officially given us Pop Bible 2.0 with #TSTheLifeOfAShowgirl.

This is a completely new sound for her, not an iterative evolution or rehash of anything she’s done before.

Not a single skip from beginning to end. An instant classic.
roththereporter.bsky.social
Michigan’s state government has been funded for one week, until Oct. 8, after the Senate passed a short-term budget 31-2 and the House passed it 103-4.

Constitutional question of whether the governor can direct the government to operate without funding is now mostly moot.
roththereporter.bsky.social
The Michigan Legislature has failed to pass a budget by the constitutional deadline of Oct. 1, joining the federal government.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer says via press release that state departments will continue operating, though the mechanics and constitutionality of such a maneuver are unclear.
roththereporter.bsky.social
The Michigan Legislature has failed to pass a budget by the constitutional deadline of Oct. 1, joining the federal government.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer says via press release that state departments will continue operating, though the mechanics and constitutionality of such a maneuver are unclear.
roththereporter.bsky.social
Lansing City Council President Ryan Kost says he is filing a complaint with Attorney General Dana Nessel after a flyer mailed to Lansing residents by the commission tasked with rewriting the city’s charter used persuasive language about the proposed changes.
Lansing Charter Commission sent flyers using persuasive language, City Council president contends
The mailer says the proposed changes, which voters are already weighing in on, seek to “strengthen transparency and accountability in city government,” Lansing City Council President Ryan Kost said.
www.wkar.org
roththereporter.bsky.social
Jimmy Kimmel mentions Lansing during his second monologue back on the air. His show is being preempted by the Nexstar-owned affiliate in Michigan’s capital city.
Reposted by Andrew Roth
rothsreviews.bsky.social
Jimmy Kimmel responds to Donald Trump: “You can’t believe they gave me my job back? I can’t believe we gave you your job back.”

“He does know bad ratings,” Kimmel says as he displays Trump’s approval ratings on screen.
Reposted by Andrew Roth
rothsreviews.bsky.social
Kimmel responds to Trump saying he doesn’t get ratings: “I do tonight!”

“You almost feel bad for him,” he says. “He tried to get me canceled, instead he forced millions to watch my show. That backfired bigly.”

“He might have to release the Epstein files to distract from this.”
Reposted by Andrew Roth
rothsreviews.bsky.social
“This show isn’t important,” Kimmel says. “What’s important is that we get to live in a country that allows us to have a show like this.”

He says he took it for granted until Colbert’s cancellation and his own suspension, which he calls un-American.
Reposted by Andrew Roth
rothsreviews.bsky.social
Kimmel: “If you are just joining us, we are preempting your regularly scheduled encore of Celebrity Family Feud to bring you this special report.”
roththereporter.bsky.social
“The game situation feels much farther away than secondary,” the broadcasters somberly say about 30 seconds before excitedly announcing USC scoring a touchdown in what they called a “beautiful play.”
roththereporter.bsky.social
The broadcasters for the MSU football game saying “it’s like a mini car accident” when two players hit helmets and “this is the worst part of football” before reaching the conclusion moments later that “it is required, it is part of the job description.”
roththereporter.bsky.social
Vice President JD Vance in Howell to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer: “Gretchen, we are happy to send the National Guard to Detroit, Michigan. All you have to do is ask.”
roththereporter.bsky.social
Vice President JD Vance is visiting Howell, Michigan, on Wednesday to tour a precision metal stamping facility.
roththereporter.bsky.social
I understand where you’re coming from but I’m not sure saying it’s not a retraction as you retract the story makes it any less of a retraction. (I also completely understand their concern for the safety of their staff.)
roththereporter.bsky.social
Michigan Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist, a Democratic candidate for governor, says there was a credible bomb threat at his home today.

“The purpose of this violence is to silence, intimidate and eliminate people and their voices from our society,” Gilchrist said. “We cannot let this remain our reality.”
roththereporter.bsky.social
Jezebel has now completely retracted the story about paying Etsy witches to curse Charlie Kirk on the recommendation of their lawyers.
roththereporter.bsky.social
A bipartisan 9/11 memorial ceremony in Lansing was moved from the outdoor steps of the Michigan Capitol to the indoor House chamber after yesterday’s assassination of Charlie Kirk.
Reposted by Andrew Roth
rothsreviews.bsky.social
Taylor Swift mentions @detroitlions.bsky.social quarterback Jared Goff in her appearance on boyfriend Travis Kelce’s podcast, New Heights, where she also unveiled her 12th studio album, #TSTheLifeofaShowgirl.