REFORM

The atypical behavior of the 31-year-old ex-defensive lineman raised so much concern a judge had ordered that he receive a mental health evaluation, according to the records filed in the Pickens County court and obtained by The Washington Post on Wednesday.

Foster's father said the former football player died while deputies were transporting him from a jail to a medical facility.

Illinois dentists defeated legislation that would have allowed hygienists to practice in nursing homes, prisons

The class-action lawsuit seeks a series of reforms, including the appointment of an independent monitor to enforce the steps.

The actress has backed a host of stars criticising the awards over how it is tackling discrimination.

LANSING, Mich. – “We are, so excited about this coalition, and we’re excited about these reforms. They prove that when people work together, they make genuine real process in Lansing,” said Kimberly Buddin. Thursday, several organizations -- like Americans for Prosperity, the ACLU of Michigan, Safe and Just Michigan and the Mackinac Center for Public Policy -- presented the Justice Reform Package to the State House and Senate. They addressed key and important issues like driver’s license suspensions, mandatory minimum sentencing, case initiation, sentencing, probation, racial justice and fairness. The State House approved the package, now they move on to the Senate.

Ahead of Labor Day, major U.S. labor unions say they are considering work stoppages in support of the Black Lives Matter movement. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File)NEW YORK Ahead of Labor Day, unions representing millions across several working-class sectors are threatening to authorize work stoppages in support of the Black Lives Matter movement amid calls for concrete measures that address racial injustice. Are we in conversation with our members and the national labor movement about how we escalate our tactics to stop fascism and win justice? Martin Luther King Jr. and Rep. John Lewis and was organized by A. Philip Randolph, a Black icon of the labor movement. That connection has only intensified because of the importance of workers of color, particularly African Americans, in the labor movement, Sugrue said.

Since Floyds death in late May, there have been about 450 pieces of policing reform proposals introduced in 31 states, according to a count by the NCSL. Many states had finished their normal legislative session at the time of Floyd's death and are planning to address police accountability next year. But some states are having special sessions this year and others moved quickly to pass bills during the normal legislative calendar. Now lawmakers are set to debate a wide range of policing and other reforms in a special session starting later this month. Lamont Bagby, chairman of the Legislative Black Caucus, said its unfortunate that Floyds death was necessary to create a sense of urgency for policing reforms.

Lakeside Academy in Kalamazoo has since lost its contract with the state to care for youth in the state’s foster care and juvenile justice systems and had its license to operate suspended. Three former Lakeside Academy staff members face charges of involuntary manslaughter and second-degree child abuse in Fredericks' death. “When a child does come into care, we need to make that care as family-like as possible. Lakeside Academy had a series of violations of previous restraint rules, MDHHS Children’s Services Agency Executive Director JooYeun Chang said. Chang said following Fredericks' death, the department did a review of every licensed child care facility and looked to see how many in the past two years had even one serious safety incident or repeated safety incidents, with 76 facilities marked and given new guidance and assistance.

LANSING, Mich. In a virtual campaign event, Sen. Gary Peters (D) touted recent proposals in the Senate on policing reform. Wendell Anthony and former Attorney General Eric Holder in the discussion which lasted just over an hour. Peters also criticized Senate Republicans for not passing what he considered meaningful reforms. The Republicans did not put forward the kind of concrete action that we need to take right now, he said. In a statement Peters opponent, John James called the event PR.Gary Peters doesnt speak for black people.

DETROIT – Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan gave an informational presentation to walk Detroit motorists through their auto insurance bills to help them better understand the new law that takes effect July 2 and how to lower their monthly insurance premiums most effectively and appropriately for their individual circumstances. The mayor went into significant detail, so people watching are encouraged to have a copy of their own bill handy to follow along. Also joining the Mayor for the presentation was attorney Mark Bernstein, a member of his firm Shereen Silver and Leroy Mattic from AAA of Michigan. All are experts in auto insurance law. Similar to the Mayor’s COVID-19 budget presentation in April, this was be a community meeting-style presentation to Detroiters that may be monitored by the media, not a press conference.

The action is being especially encouraged among marginalized communities, where policing -- and police brutality -- occurs more frequently. “You look at budgets and they’re focused on policing — they should be focused on education, transportation, access to health care, access to skills and leveling the playing field." So, yeah, I mean, the spirit of it, I do support that spirit of it.”Following the interview with The Root, Gov. Whitmer said she’s open to the idea of ending qualified immunity in Michigan. Whitmer also said she was open to legislation that would unseal police records, which New York lawmakers are expected to repeal.

DETROIT Around the country Americans are demanding change following the killing of George Floyd, a Black man, by a Minneapolis police officer. Americans are now marching and protesting for a second consecutive week to demand justice for Floyd and countless other Black Americans killed by police officers. Activists are calling for more than just justice, though -- they are calling for tangible change to prevent these tragedies from occurring in the future. Below are some resources to help explain what those demands entail and their significance amid the current national unrest. Policing alternative: Community-led public safety initiativesAdvocates believe that a new approach to public safety is necessary to ensure the safety of all American lives -- especially Black Americans who are disproportionately arrested, sentenced and killed by police around the country.