100.5 The River » Political

NTSB Suggests Lowering Blood Alcohol Limit For Drivers From .08 To .05 – Do You Agree? [Poll]

Matt Milhouse — Thu, 16 May 2013 15:37:04 +0000

On Tuesday, the National Transportation Safety Board issued a new recommendation for the legal limit of blood alcohol content for drivers.

The NTSB recommended that all 50 states set the threshold at .05.

Some have come out in opposition to the proposed change.

Should the legal blood alcohol content for drivers be changed from .08 to .05?

West Michigan Election Results – May 7, 2013

Matt Milhouse — Wed, 08 May 2013 17:47:48 +0000

There were a number of special elections in West Michigan on Tuesday, May 7. Many school bond proposals passed, but not all. Most elections yesterday involved funding for schools, but there were other issues on the ballot as well. Some of the school districts with proposals that passed include: Fennville Grandville Hudsonville West Ottawa A [...]

Governor Snyder Declares State Of Disaster In Grand Rapids, Ionia, And 19 Counties Due To Flooding

Matt Milhouse — Wed, 08 May 2013 15:30:14 +0000

Governor Rick Snyder has declared parts of West Michigan a state of disaster. The declaration will help to ensure that all state resources will be available to those recovering from flooding. FEMA has been asked to visit West Michigan to assess damages. Their visit is the first step towards a possible federal declaration of disaster. [...]

Elections Held Across Michigan On May 7

Matt Milhouse — Tue, 07 May 2013 14:00:46 +0000

Dozens of special elections are being held in Michigan on Tuesday, May 7. There are elections in Hudsonville, Wyoming, Zeeland, Otsego, Holland, Grandville, and many other West Michigan locations. Spring elections don’t typically draw the same attention as those in the fall, but they are just as important. Today’s elections cover a wide range of [...]

Should The State Of Michigan Sell Lottery Tickets Online? [Poll]

Matt Milhouse — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 17:06:07 +0000

The State of Michigan is currently considering allowing the sale of lottery tickets online. Some support the sales as a way to increase revenue. Some are opposed. Should the State of Michigan sell lottery tickets online? Whether it’s building a casino or adding new games, gambling laws are always controversial. The possibility of making lottery [...]

Should 911 Recordings Be Considered Public Information In Michigan? [Poll]

Matt Milhouse — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 15:13:53 +0000

We occasionally hear 911 recordings in the news. The recordings are available to anyone through the Freedom of Information Act. At least one Michigan lawmaker would like to change the availability of those recordings. Should 911 recordings be considered public information? Representative Kurt Heise (R-Plymouth) has introduced House Bill 4011. He says the bill would [...]

Should Minors Be Allowed To Use Tanning Salons? [Poll]

Matt Milhouse — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 14:00:44 +0000

Many students and families prepared for warm and sunny spring break trips by making a few trips to a tanning salon. A proposed law would make it illegal for minors to use a tanning salon in Michigan. Should minors be allowed to use tanning salons? Michigan law currently allows minors to use tanning salons with [...]

Should Grand Rapids Ban Large Sugary Drinks? [Poll]

Matt Milhouse — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 14:00:15 +0000

A ban on sugary drinks larger than 16 ounces was set to go in effect in New York City on March 12. It was struck down by a judge on March 11. Should Grand Rapids consider a similar measure and ban large sugary drinks? NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s proposal was controversial from the start. Nytimes.com [...]

How Much Incentive Money Should Michigan Give To The Film Industry? [Poll]

Matt Milhouse — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 15:00:33 +0000

Since the start of the program, Michigan’s incentives for the film industry have been controversial. The controversy has returned to the spotlight as Michigan’s next budget takes shape. How much incentive money should Michigan give to the film industry? Michigan’s incentive program for filmmakers offers rebates of up to 42% of expenditures. The total amount [...]

Michigan May Raise Blood Alcohol Limit From .08 To .10 For Drivers

Matt Milhouse — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 20:15:06 +0000

Prior to 2003, drivers in Michigan weren’t considered drunk unless they had a blood alcohol content of .10. Current law sets the legal blood alcohol level at .08. The legal blood alcohol level will return to the pre-2003 level of .10 this fall unless a new law is voted in. When the new level of [...]

Do You Watch The State Of The Union Address? [Poll]

Matt Milhouse — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 16:50:45 +0000

The 2013 State of the Union Address is Tuesday, February 12 at 9:00pm. Will you be watching? Do you ever watch the State of the Union Address? The State of the Union Address provides an important opportunity for a president. Sometimes it’s a historic night. Sometimes there’s a few surprises. There’s ALWAYS a lot of [...]

Sneak-Peek Premiere of "The Reagan Presidency" on PBS at GVSU

Andy Rent — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 11:00:53 +0000

Grand Valley State University’s Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies and WGVU Public Media will host an early premiere of a new PBS television special, “The Reagan Presidency”, tonight, January 17. The three-part documentary includes many new and diverse perspectives and insights into the 40th president, including long-term implications of Reagan administration policies. The series will [...]

Petition To Recognize Westboro Baptist Church As Hate Group Is White House's Most Popular Ever

Wendy Reed — Thu, 27 Dec 2012 17:13:49 +0000

The Westboro Baptist Church is likely one of the most hated groups of people in America in recent years, but everything that they do, according to U.S. law is completely legal. Many steps have been made to stop the group from protesting at the funerals of soldiers, children, and even famous people. And now, there's a very popular petition in place that could silence them for good.

The Six-Year-Old Who Would Be President

Matt Milhouse — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 16:45:43 +0000

Now that the election is over we can take some time off from all of the bickering that goes along with campaigning, right?

Not quite. It never really stops.

4 years from now it will be time to change again and there's one six-year-old who is campaigning on a platform we can all agree with.

At What Age Should Kids Be Allowed To Hunt Deer With A Firearm In Michigan? [Poll]

Matt Milhouse — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 15:00:39 +0000

Hundreds of thousands of hunters across Michigan are set to head outdoors as Michigan's regular firearm deer hunting season opens November 15.

Changes that took effect in 2011 allow hunters as young as 10 to hunt deer with a firearm. Ages 9 and under may hunt under the Mentored Youth Hunting Program.

At what age should kids be allowed to hunt deer with a firearm in Michigan?

Early West Michigan Election Results 2012

Matt Milhouse — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 04:02:24 +0000

Results are still coming in, but some votes are ready to be called. Take a first look at West Michigan election results. We will have further updates both on-air and online, but here our the first projections from election night. Barack Obama is being projected to beat Mitt Romney in Michigan. Proposals 2 through 6 [...]

Should Election Day Be A National Holiday? [Poll]

Steven Bohner — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 14:12:30 +0000

In the majority of countries around the world, voting takes place on a weekend or election day is a national holiday. This allows for the most people to reach the polls without their jobs interfering. Some countries even have polls open for several days or weeks to make sure that everyone who wishes to vote can do so. Should the United States do the same thing? Take our poll and tell us what you think.

The 3rd Presidential Debate has been Songified (video)

Andy Rent — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 19:40:48 +0000

Here is my “video-of-the-day” and it’s a whopper! The third and final presidential debate, like the previous two, has been “songified” by The Gregory Brothers. It’s a must-see. Enjoy!

Should Third-Party Candidates Be Allowed In Presidential Debates? [Poll]

Matt Milhouse — Tue, 23 Oct 2012 14:00:06 +0000

The presidential debates are now over…wait, no they’re not. There is a “third-party” debate in Chicago at 9:00pm EST tonight, October 23. Tonight’s third-party debate, moderated by Larry King, will give third-party candidates a rare chance to be heard. Should third-party candidates have been allowed in the debates with Barack Obama and Mitt Romney? Not [...]

Obama vs. Romney, Round 2 — Highlights From the Town-Hall Presidential Debate

Chris Chaberski — Wed, 17 Oct 2012 01:50:56 +0000

The second presidential debate between Barack Obama and Mitt Romney got started just after 9 o’clock from the campus of Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York. The town-hall-style debate, with an audience of uncommitted voters selected by Gallup, was moderated by CNN’s Candy Crowley. Here are some highlights of the action: The first question of [...]