Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer has a lot on her plate. In the past two months, her state has seen both armed anti-lockdown demonstrations and a protest movement calling for sweeping changes to the criminal justice system, all while combating coronavirus. Handling these successive protests has required a careful balancing act for the Democratic governor.
"We've been known for a number of protests here in Michigan and they've come from very different angles, but the fact of the matter is I support people's First Amendment rights," Whitmer told Cheddar.
Last week, Whitmer marched near Detroit with protesters calling for social justice reforms.
"I do believe this change in terms of policing in our country is long overdue and I wanted to make my voice known on that front, but I did wear a mask," she said. "I did not shake or hug people or give high fives like we usually do when we recognize one another."
"We stood in solidarity, and we did it safely," the governor added.
The governor outlined some of the reforms she'd like to see the state implement to address the protest movement that has followed George Floyd's death at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer.
"We have taken direct action here in Michigan to start the education process of our police forces," Whitmer said.
Those reforms include mental health checks for police officers, training in de-escalation tactics, and greater diversity within the police force. She has expressed support for calls to "defund" the police, but her administration has not yet put forward specific measures.
Whitmer also stressed the importance of not wasting the political opportunity presented by the protests.
"This can't just be a moment in time. This has to be the opportunity that we all take to do better, to fix the problem," she told Cheddar.
However, the governor stressed that police reforms are only a part of the problem and that larger systemic changes are necessary to address inequality.
"This is about investment in communities," she said. "What we're really missing in this country is real investment in communities, rebuilding communities through creating opportunity and leveling the playing field, ensuring that every child, no matter if you're a child in poverty or a child of color, that you've got an excellent education available to you, knowing that you've got opportunities and access to transportation, and good-paying jobs, and healthcare."
The U.S. has put more than 8,000 American troops on high alert for possible deployment to Eastern Europe as the West prepares for a potential Russian invasion of Ukraine. With Russia building up more than 100,000 troops near the Ukrainian border, concerns over the country's behavior are mounting. Joel Rubin, Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of State and President of the Washington Strategy Group, joined Cheddar to discuss what this means for U.S.-Russia relations, and where the conflict might be heading next.
As the midterm election looms, things aren't looking too promising for President Joe Biden. One year into his term as president, Biden is facing one of the lowest approval ratings of any modern-day president, threatening his party's control of the House in 2022. Brian Bennett, Senior White House Correspondent for TIME, joined Cheddar's Opening Bell to discuss.
A full one year into his term as President of The United States, President Biden addressed the nation on Wednesday, facing questions on everything from inflation to chip shortages and covid-19. As Biden enters his second year in office, he is facing one of the lowest approval ratings of any modern-day president. Kate Davidson, Reporter, POLITICO joined Cheddar's Opening Bell to discuss.
"Barbara Lee: Speaking Truth to Power" is the story of how the longtime House Democrat became, as she Is known to some, as "the Conscience of Congress." The film also
shows Representative Lee from her days working to fight community poverty to famously becoming the only member of Congress to vote "no" against the war in Afghanistan days after 9/11. The film is nominated for an NAACP Image Award, and Premieres on Starz on February 1. Film director Abby Ginzberg and Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif. 13th District), joined Cheddar to discuss more.
San Diego has just implemented a new law that could set the stage for how the country deals with food waste. This new law hopes to make a dent in that. Businesses and groceries stores out in San Diego will need to put a plan in place to *donate edible food rather than toss it straight to the trash. Food Rescue Manager at Feeding San Diego, Kate Garret
Earlier this month, New York City experienced one of the deadliest fires it has seen in decades. 17 people lost their lives in the Fordham section of the Bronx. This was due to a faulty space heater which reportedly began on the lower floor of the 120 unit building. Thanks to the F. D. N. Y. And heroic neighbors, many were able to get out in time. Unfortunately, the toxic smoke surged upwards through a safety door. Now, many advocates say negligence by policymakers and landlords has led to the deaths in black and brown communities from fires that honestly could have been preventable. Legislative Director of Citizen Action of New York, Rebecca Garrard, and the Chair of Journalism and New Media Studies at St. Joseph's College Theodore Hamm, joined Cheddar to discuss more.
The Supreme Court has declined to order the Texas Abortion case back to the original trial judge for further proceedings. Essentially if Texas abortion providers were able to get their case back to the lower court., It would have greatly helped the group move against the law. However, this decision is likely to prolong the case legal battle. Professor and Author of "The Turnaway Study: Ten Years, a Thousand Women, and the Consequences of Having — Or Being Denied — An Abortion", Diane Foster, joined Cheddar to discuss more.
The Supreme Court rejected yet another bid by abortion providers to block Texas's law - which bans most abortions after six weeks of pregnancy. This is the fourth time that advocates have tried and failed to block the most restrictive abortion ban in the country. Leah Litman, assistant professor of law at The University of Michigan and co-host of the "Strict Scrutiny" podcast, joins Cheddar News to discuss.
As the standoff between the U.S. and its allies continues with Russia over its possible designs to invade Ukraine, President Biden held a video conference call with European leadership and had 8,500 American troops put on high alert. Jamil Jaffer, a former associate White House counsel for the Bush Administration, joined Cheddar to discuss his views on the escalating crisis in Eastern Europe.
