February 8, 2021 Americans are being radicalized faster than ever before as politicians and community leaders continue mainstreaming far-right values, like white supremacy and anti-government rhetoric. The ideas incubated by white nationalists are being pulled from the backwoods of Ku Klux Klan rallies and militia meetings and into the mainstream through the internet, so much so that nearly 25% of the American public has been exposed to them on a fairly regular basis, according to Devin Burghart, executive director for the Institute for Research & Education on Human Rights. “Not all of them have been radicalized. Not all of them decided to invade the Capitol,” Burghart said. “But it’s a reminder that we have a deep and growing problem and that you are undoubtedly likely to encounter someone who shares these ideas.” MORE ►Who are Michigan's militias? Armed 'patriot' groups resurface during anti-government climate People are excited to get back to regular life. It's one of the reasons many are clamoring to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. But even if you have received both doses of the vaccine, it doesn't mean the rules have changed just yet. While the data is clear that the vaccines greatly reduce the risks of being hospitalized or dying of COVID-19, it is much less clear whether the current vaccines protect against asymptomatic cases. MORE Ron Weiser was elected Saturday to once again lead the Michigan Republican Party, this time alongside Co-Chair Meshawn Maddock. The party announced that Weiser bested previous Chair Laura Cox with 66% of the vote in the state GOP convention. “Meshawn and I are honored and excited to lead the party over the next two critical years,” Weiser said in a statement released by the party. Weiser had for weeks been considered the presumptive incoming chair, with no one running against him, until Cox made clear days before the vote that she would oppose him. MORE Calvin Johnson is officially a first-ballot member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, joining the star-studded class of 2021. Johnson joins former Michigan great Charles Woodson, quarterback Peyton Manning, receiver Drew Pearson, guard Alan Faneca, safety John Lynch, longtime Steelers scout Bill Nunn, and former Raiders and Seahawks coach Tom Flores in this year’s class. The man known as “Megatron” played his entire nine-year career for the Lions, holding every significant receiving record the franchise has to offer. MORE The surprise gift, her family’s mortgage paid for the rest of 2021, brought Kayla Lopez to tears. “Oh my goodness,” the Grand Rapids 28-year-old said upon being told about the gift from a local financial firm. “Thank you guys so much.” After the charitable act of kindness this week, the single mother of five can stop worrying about her family potentially experiencing homelessness as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. Lopez, who was a receptionist at a salon, became unemployed shortly after the pandemic began. WATCH Get your local news 24/7 Connect with MLive To ensure receipt of our emails, please add newsletters@update.mlive to your address book or safe sender list. |