CYNTHIA JOHNSON

A local lawmaker is stepping up to help some Detroit families fight evictions as they claim their housing is in “deplorable conditions.”

A man who admitted to calling in a bomb threat at the Michigan Capitol has been sentenced Wednesday to one year in jail.

An Ohio woman has been charged for threatening to shoot or kill two Michigan representatives via voicemail, officials said.

The unpleasant sight of old furniture including mattresses, rotting dressers and other trash bags is just too much for Karen Mealing-Ford and others living in her west side Detroit neighborhood.

There is an ongoing battle against illegal dumping in Detroit.

The problem of illegal dumping in Metro Detroit has only grown during the COVID pandemic.

Michigan Rep. Cynthia Johnson said it was the last thing she was expecting to hear when checking her voicemail -- an extremely racist and violent rant coming from a complete stranger.

Here's what's coming up on Local 4 News at 5.

DETROIT – A 29-year-old woman has died nearly 48 hours after being struck by a vehicle while crossing a street in Pontiac Monday night. On Dec. 7, Vannessa Deanes was tragically struck by a Chevy Impala while crossing North Perry Street near Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. The driver fled the scene following the incident. The video, posted Tuesday night, has quickly gone viral and legislative leadership removed her from her House Oversight Committee assignments Wednesday. COVID-19 cases in Michigan have been on the rise since September, with virus hospitalizations and deaths steadily increasing since October.

Here’s what you missed on Local 4 News at 5:State representative under investigation for comments made in Facebook videoRepublican leaders in the Michigan House stripped a Democratic lawmaker of her committee assignments Wednesday after she threatened “Trumpers” in a social media video. Rep. Cynthia Johnson of Detroit sits on a GOP-led committee that heard baseless allegations of election fraud from President Donald Trump’s personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani and others last week.

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan Rep. Cynthia Johnson is under investigation after she posted on social media a response to the many violent, vulgar and racist death threats she’s received. The video, posted Tuesday night, has quickly gone viral and legislative leadership removed her from her House Oversight Committee assignments Wednesday. “My soldiers, they are soldiers for Christ, soldiers against racism, soldiers against domestic violence, soldiers against domestic terrorism,” Johnson said. Rep. Johnson has been removed from her committee assignments, and we are looking into further disciplinary action as the proper authorities conduct their own investigations. Whitmer, Secretary Benson, Rep. Johnson herself, and others.

They’re even more unbecoming of an elected official," they said in a joint statement stating that violence and intimidation is never appropriate in politics. "That applies to threats made toward public officials, and it must also apply when the threats come from public officials. Behavior like this will not be tolerated this term or next.”Johnson could not be reached for comment. Earlier in the video, she urged people to “be smart” and “hit them in the pocketbook" — an apparent reference to Trump supporters. She urged people to call 911 or the police if they have been threatened or fear for their safety.

DETROIT – As Michigan’s election results sit in the national spotlight officials on both sides of the aisle say the rhetoric has turned dangerous to the point where lawmakers are getting death threats. That also included a protest Saturday night at the home of Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson. On Saturday, Michigan State and Detroit police responded to a report of several armed protesters gathered outside of Benson’s home. Michigan Rep. Cynthia Johnson, the Democratic chair of the House Oversight Committee received death threats over the election. On behalf of Benson, department spokesperson Jack Rollow shared the following message Sunday regarding the incident:“Let’s be clear -- Secretary Benson just oversaw the largest and most secure election in our state’s history.

Over the weekend, armed protesters showed up at the home of Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and a House Representative received death threats. This must stop.”On Saturday, Michigan State and Detroit police responded to a report of several armed protesters gathered outside of Benson’s home. READ: Michigan SOS Jocelyn Benson says armed protesters gathered outside her Detroit homeMichigan Rep. Cynthia Johnson, the Democratic chair of the House Oversight Committee received death threats over the election. The hate message came after Johnson’s participation in the House Oversight Committee that questioned President Donald Trump’s personal attorney, Rudy Giuliani and Melissa Caron during last week’s voting hearing. READ: Michigan House Oversight Committee members receive death threats, racist voicemailsThe hearing was parodied on Saturday Night Live.

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan Rep. Cynthia Johnson, the Democratic chair of the House Oversight Committee is receiving death threats due to the election. She posted several of the threats to social media. After both Democratic and Republican representatives have received threats of violence over the election, Michigan Assistant Minority Floor Leader Laurie Pohutsky posted on Twitter about the SNL sketch. The SNL skit was amusing, I guess, but last night my caucus was trying to figure out how to keep those on that committee safe from the deluge of death threats they’re receiving. I’m sorry to be a bummer and I’m glad people enjoyed the skit, but the reality of it is heinous.

DETROIT – Millions of Americans celebrated Saturday over former vice president Joe Biden’s projected win in the 2020 General Election. In Lansing, others weren’t as happy with the election results. Celebrations were held in New York City, Philadelphia, D.C. and even here in Michigan. Among the crowd of Detroiters were signs like “Voters Decided” and “Count Every Vote.” They all gathered in New Center just hours after President-Elect Joe Biden secured enough electoral votes to beat President Donald Trump. Claire Allenson, with 313 Votes, an organization that promotes voter education, responded to Donald Trump calling out the Detroit voting process.

Let's take a look at what to keep an eye on this week. Elder abuse town hall: Michigan AG Dana Nessel recently announced a bipartisan Elder Abuse Task Force focused on developing strategies to mitigate the issue of elder abuse. Michigan AG Dana recently announced a bipartisan Elder Abuse Task Force focused on developing strategies to mitigate the issue of elder abuse. Macomb County budget review: The proposed 2020 General Fund Macomb County budget is $279.6 million and the proposed 2020 Capital Plan budget is $5.5 million. The proposed 2020 General Fund Macomb County budget is $279.6 million and the proposed 2020 Capital Plan budget is $5.5 million.