Category: News

  • Trump Ends Funding to Fight Extremist Groups

    Delete HateWhile Trump empowers extreme right-wing through his words, tweets and press conferences, his administrations ends funding to fight such groups.

    WASHINGTON ― Weeks before a violent white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, led to three deaths and 19 injuries, the Trump administration revoked a grant to Life After Hate, a group that works to de-radicalize neo-Nazis.

    The Department of Homeland Security had awarded the group $400,000 as part of its Countering Violent Extremism program in January, just days before former President Barack Obama left office. It was the only group selected for a grant that focused exclusively on fighting white supremacy. But the grant money was not immediately disbursed. [1]

    Trump’s Two Faces

    The Trump administration’s decision to cut federal funding for groups fighting right-wing violence has come under new scrutiny following the president’s controversial response to violence at a white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Va., over the weekend.

    Trump, who faced a firestorm of criticism for not initially calling out white supremacists, the KKK and neo-Nazis on Saturday, explicitly denounced the hate groups by name on Monday and vowed to fight against violent extremism.

    But the botched immediate response has some critics questioning the White House’s commitment to the issue, and they point to the funding cuts as evidence. [2]

    References:

    1. Huffington Post, August 15, 2017, Jessica Schulberg – Controversial Trump Aide Katharine Gorka Helped End Funding For Group That Fights White Supremacy – Life After Hate works to de-radicalize neo-Nazis. The Trump administration decided it wasn’t a priority.
    2. The Hill, August 14, 2017, Melanie Zanona – Trump cuts funds to fight anti-right wing violence
    3. Life After Hate

  • Terry Pochert and Lee Pochert Fishing at Port Hope, Michigan

    Terry Pochert - Lee Pochert

    Terry Pochert and Lee Pochert (cousins) fishing at Port Hope, Michigan, during perch season.

  • Port Hope’s St. John Lutheran School closes after 133 years

    St. John Lutheran School - Port Hope, Michigan
    PORT HOPE – Port Hope’s St. John Lutheran School is closing due to declining enrollment after 133 years of offering a Christian education, most recently to K-8.

    “Throughout the years, thousands of young people have entered our doors and left with a firm foundation rooted in our Lord jesus Christ,” the school released in a statement.

    The first school was erected in 1883 by German Lutherans, who began settling in the area in the 1860s.  During these years, attendance often exceeded 100 students.  A new building was constructed in 1952 and was added on to in 1981.

    The school has had 44 teachers since being founded.  Ernest Mossner taught for 40 years, Louis Fink for 27, Dan Buchinger for 18 and Harold Wolf for 14. Andrea Landenburg has served as preschool teacher for the past 17 years, Paula Ceplecha has dedicated herself to St. John ministry as principal and teacher for 12 years.  Former students, Suellen Emerick and Ciara Gust, returned to each for 19 and 17 years, respectively, the school said.

    Recently, Port Hope St. John employed a preschool teacher, a grade school teach and two aides, as well as, a school secretary.  In the 2015-2016 school year, there were four students in preschool and six students in grades K-8, but only two indicated that they would be returning for the 2016-17 school year.

    The school is located within the North Huron School District, which serves the Port Austin and Kinde area.

    Students may also choose to attend other schools, with those closest being Harbor Beach Community Schools or Zion Lutheran School, also located in Harbor Beach. [1]

    St. John Lutheran School - Port Hope, Michiganh

    References:

    1. Huron County View, September 1, 2016, John Bonke – Port Hope’s St. John Lutheran School closes after 133 years (PDF)

  • Love Finds You In Charm – Date Disaster

    Congratulations to the Meg Whitman. She plays a lead role, an Amish girl in this television movie. Her proud parents are David Whitman and Carol Coughlin Whitman. Dave was an anchor WXYZ back in the 70’s . Carol was the news director at WRIF FM .

    Meg WhitmanMeg Whitman, daughter of David Whitman and Carol Coughlin Whitman

    References:

    1. imdb.com – Love Finds You in Charm (2015)

  • WXYZ Staff Buys New Homes

    Benny Kyte, John Osgood Hart, Emmel Leib

    Benny Kyte, John Osgood Hart, and Emmet Leib, all of the staff of WXYZ, Detroit, have bought new homes recently.  Kyte also has been shopping for a cradle. – Radio Daily, June 4, 1937, Page 8