Seven News Story Summaries – September 2025 (Part 1)

Seven Summaries of Seven News Stories

Governor Issues Executive Directive on AI Use in State Agencies

Between September 1–15, 2025, the Governor of Michigan issued an executive directive regulating the use of artificial intelligence in state agencies. The directive mandates transparency, ethical guidelines, and public reporting for AI systems used in decision-making processes.

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FAQs

Q: What does the directive require? A: Agencies must disclose AI use and follow ethical standards.

Q: Is this a law? A: No, it’s an executive directive with binding effect on state agencies.

Q: Where can the directive be found? A: It will be published in the Michigan Register and agency websites.

Child Welfare Appellate Clinic Wins Court of Appeals Case

On September 2, 2025, Michigan Law’s Child Welfare Appellate Clinic secured a favorable ruling in the Michigan Court of Appeals. The case involved parental rights termination and procedural fairness. The court emphasized the need for clear evidence and proper notice in such proceedings.

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FAQs

Q: What was the key issue in the case? A: Whether the parent received adequate notice and a fair hearing.

Q: What precedent does this set? A: It reinforces procedural safeguards in child welfare cases.

Q: Who represented the parent? A: Michigan Law students under faculty supervision.

Michigan Law School Hosts Conference on Gender Apartheid and International Law

On September 4, 2025, the University of Michigan Law School hosted a legal conference focused on using international law to combat gender apartheid. Legal scholars and practitioners discussed treaty enforcement, human rights litigation, and comparative legal frameworks.

FAQs

Q: Is this related to Michigan law? A: Indirectly, through academic exploration of international legal principles.

Q: Who attended the conference? A: Legal scholars, students, and human rights advocates.

Q: Will there be follow-up actions? A: The school plans to publish proceedings and policy recommendations.

Environmental Lawsuit Filed Over Microsoft Water Use

On September 13, 2025, an environmental group filed suit in Michigan seeking disclosure of projected water usage by a planned Microsoft data center in Mount Pleasant. The plaintiffs argue that the public has a right to know how much Lake Michigan water will be diverted and whether it complies with conservation laws.

Environmental advocates are suing the city of Racine to force the release of information on projected water use in the first phase of Microsoft’s $3.3 billion data center campus in Mount Pleasant.

The complaint filed Monday 

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FAQs

Q: What is the legal basis for the lawsuit? A: Michigan’s Freedom of Information Act and environmental protection statutes.

Q: Is Microsoft named in the suit? A: The suit targets local agencies responsible for approving water use.

Q: What are the plaintiffs seeking? A: Full disclosure of water usage estimates and environmental impact assessments.

Continued… Here’s the full paper trail surrounding the FOIA dispute and water usage data for Microsoft’s Mount Pleasant data center, including the lawsuit, city response, and released records.

FOIA Request Timeline and Lawsuit

• In February 2025, Milwaukee Riverkeeper submitted a public records request to the City of Racine seeking projected water usage data for the Microsoft data center.
• The city delayed responding, citing the need to review contractual obligations with Microsoft.
• On September 15, 2025, Midwest Environmental Advocates filed a lawsuit in Racine County Circuit Court on behalf of Milwaukee Riverkeeper, alleging unlawful delay under Wisconsin’s public records law.

City of Racine’s Response and Record Release

• On September 17, 2025, the City of Racine released the requested documents and issued a public statement reaffirming its commitment to transparency.
• The city acknowledged the delay was due to coordination with Microsoft to avoid violating contractual agreements.
• Racine Mayor Cory Mason stated: “Open and transparent government is not optional; it is essential to public trust.”

The official media release is available as a PDF from the City of Racine.

Water Usage Records and Environmental Impact

• The records show Microsoft is permitted to use up to 2.8 million gallons of Lake Michigan water annually in phase one, with future expansion potentially reaching 8.4 million gallons per year.
• Wastewater discharge could reach 243,000 gallons per day.
• Microsoft has stated that its cooling systems aim to minimize water use through closed-loop technology.

Detailed projections and environmental concerns are covered in this report from the Wisconsin Examiner.

FAQs

Q: Why did the City of Racine delay releasing the records? A: Officials cited the need to review contractual obligations with Microsoft before releasing sensitive data.

Q: What legal action was taken? A: Midwest Environmental Advocates sued the city for violating Wisconsin’s public records law due to a 210-day delay.

Q: How much water will Microsoft use? A: Up to 2.8 million gallons annually in phase one, with potential expansion to 8.4 million gallons per year.

Q: Can’t they pull it from a dirty lake like Lake Erie, use it, clean it and put it back in? A:  

Michigan Court Orders Website Takedown Over Misleading Political Fundraising

On September 14, 2025, a Michigan court ordered a Massachusetts resident to remove websites that allegedly misled donors into believing they were contributing to Michigan political campaigns. The court found the sites violated consumer protection laws and misrepresented affiliations with Michigan-based entities.

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FAQs

Q: What law was violated? A: Michigan consumer protection statutes regarding deceptive practices.

Q: Was this a criminal case? A: No, it was a civil enforcement action.

Q: Can the defendant appeal? A: Yes, the ruling may be appealed to a higher court.

Court of Claims to Hear Earmarks Lawsuit

On September 15, 2025, the Michigan Court of Claims scheduled hearings in a case questioning the constitutionality of legislative earmarks in the state budget. Plaintiffs argue that certain appropriations lack transparency and violate separation of powers. The court will examine whether these earmarks meet constitutional standards under Michigan law.

FAQs

Q: What are legislative earmarks? A: Specific budget allocations directed to projects or entities, often without competitive review.

Q: What is the legal issue? A: Whether earmarks violate Michigan’s constitutional budgetary procedures.

Q: What could happen next? A: The court may uphold, strike down, or require changes to earmark practices.

Michigan Supreme Court Revives Lawsuit Against EV Battery Plant

On September 15, 2025, the Michigan Supreme Court reinstated a lawsuit challenging the development of the Blue Oval Battery Park in Marshall. The decision reversed a lower court’s dismissal, allowing further review of environmental and zoning concerns raised by local residents and advocacy groups. The ruling does not determine the project’s legality but affirms the plaintiffs’ right to proceed with litigation.

FAQs

Q: What is the lawsuit about? A: It challenges the environmental and zoning approvals for the EV battery plant in Marshall.

Q: Does this ruling stop construction? A: No, it allows the lawsuit to continue but does not halt development.

Q: Who filed the lawsuit? A: A coalition of residents and environmental organizations.

Q: What does a $3B battery factory look like? A: Go here

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