Latest news with #Hallman
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Federal lawsuit aims to make recordings of Oakland County court proceedings public
Getty Images A federal lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan aims to make the audio and video recordings of Oakland County court proceedings available to the public and the parties or attorneys in a given case, a move that could maximize public engagement with the courts. The lawsuit, Hallman v. Reeds, was filed in April in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. Aside from increased public engagement, a win for the plaintiffs could also serve as a way to hold judges accountable when they are accused of courtroom errors or misconduct. That last aspect could be beneficial to voters when it comes time to select local and statewide judicial candidates in election years. Several Michigan courts made live streams of proceedings available to the public during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Michigan Supreme Court routinely streams its proceedings and for a time encouraged local courts statewide to continue live streams even after the pandemic, but each court had discretion on the matter. Some courts have since completely retreated from the virtual sphere and no longer live stream their proceedings. Other courts have continued on, but with the caveat of producing a live stream without archiving the proceeding. Philip Mayor, an attorney with the ACLU of Michigan and the plaintiff's counsel in the Hallman case, told Michigan Advance that streaming proceedings is now technologically feasible, so the courts should be making their recordings available. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The named defendants in the case are Oakland District Court judges Travis Reeds and Lisa Asadoorian, as well as Oakland Chief Circuit Judge Jeffery Matis. A message seeking comment from Oakland County was not immediately returned. Aside from courts that do make their proceedings public, the court sued in Hallman only provides a transcript when asked. Mayor said a transcript is inadequate compared to an audio or video recording in capturing the tone, tenor and demeanor of a given judge, especially when an attorney or a party is seeking to highlight a judicial error upon appeal. 'Judges know this, because our appellate courts defer to trial judges when they make credibility findings, or when they talk about a witness's demeanor, because they say that judge was there to see that and experience that in person,' Mayor said. 'We recognize that that's meaningful. The Michigan Judicial Tenure Commission recognizes this when it evaluates judges accused of misconduct because it looks at the videos and it discusses not just the words that were said, but the demeanor with which it was said, and the way people are treated by judicial officials.' Mayor said that from a democracy standpoint, the public had a right to be informed about what goes on in Michigan's courthouses. 'It's just not realistic that [members of] the public are going to read a 40-page transcript, but it is realistic that the public, in informing themselves before an election, may watch a five minute clip of something that happens in the courthouses,' he added. The lawsuit's complaint also details that paradigm as a taxpayer return-on-investment issue. 'Taxpayer dollars are used throughout Michigan to create recordings of courtroom proceedings, but those same taxpayers are routinely denied access to the very recordings their hard-earned funds pay to create,' the complaint said. 'This lack of transparency violates the First Amendment by denying the public the right to access and disseminate records of critical judicial proceedings, many of which constitute the bedrock upon which a functioning democracy is built.' The Hallman lawsuit centers around one such instance where a recording of the court's proceedings was suppressed, implicating access and First Amendment issues. The lead plaintiff, Dr. Samantha Hallman, said her brother was subjected to alleged abusive conduct from an Oakland District Court judge. A lawsuit in the Oakland Circuit Court followed to ferret out issues of the district judge's demeanor and the fact that her brother was denied an audio recording of the proceeding. A local administrative order ultimately denied dissemination of that recording. Hallman then attempted to get a copy to inform voters about the judge's courtroom conduct and demeanor, but she was denied under the same policy. She was later allowed to view a recording of the proceeding but was denied permission to disseminate the copy to the public, legislators and other policy makers. Her lawsuit in the federal district court notes that a transparent and open court was one of the hallmarks of American democracy, and that civic engagement and government accountability depended upon open access. 'It was once a civic expectation that the public would attend trials and directly engage with democratic governance by doing so,' the complaint said. 'That is not possible in the modern world, but providing the public with access to existing recordings of what happens in our courts is the closest modern analog to this historical practice.' The case is awaiting an answer from the defendants and possibly a motion to dismiss, Mayor said. He noted that the issue wasn't specific to Oakland County. Mayor said there was a similar recent instance in Hamtramck where a judge had allegedly berated a cancer patient who had been sued on a civil offense for not keeping his lawn mowed. Someone had recorded the hearing, potentially in violation of the same policies Mayor and the ACLU of Michigan were suing to overturn in Oakland County. The video went public and drew voter attention, leading the judge to apologize. 'That just shows that a transcript of that hearing wasn't going to capture the public's attention, but the video did,' Mayor said.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Oklahoma Watch uncovers why homeowners' insurance rates are so high, commissioner responds
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — Sky-high insurance rates affect nearly every homeowner in Oklahoma. We've all heard the excuse that it's because of the hail, but Oklahoma Watch decided to look beyond that and discovered it may not be the case. 'It turns out that both Texas and Kansas have historically more hail than we do. Yet their insurance rates are lower than ours,' said JC Hallman, reporter for Oklahoma Watch. A report from the National Weather Service from 2020 to 2024 shows Oklahoma had an average of 16.6 days of 2 inch hail. While Texas had more than double at 37.8 days. Kansas had 21.4 days and Nebraska had 22.6 days. Those numbers are what made Hallman start asking what's really driving up Oklahoma's insurance costs. 'It's a quirk in Oklahoma law,' said Hallman. The Oklahoma Insurance Department (OID) will regulate rates if they go too low, but won't step in if they go up, assuming the free market will bring costs down. State Auditor releases initial report on Department of Mental Health 'Oklahomans wind up paying a lot more than they maybe need to and it allows the insurance companies to cover up losses in other states by charging Oklahomans more money,' said Hallman. The OID is led by Glen Mulready. 'Glen Mulready actually has the power based on the law as it is that he could step in and simply decide that we do not have a competitive market and once he says we have a non competitive market, then he could just lower rates,' said Hallman. News 4 asked Mulready if he has considered taking action. 'It all comes down to, do we have a competitive marketplace? And yes, we're getting complaints because premiums are up and people don't like that and I get that, but we have a very competitive marketplace,' said Hallman. Oklahoma Watch reported that there was one instance a commissioner stepped in to lower rates with earthquake insurance. 'Now there were two companies writing earthquake coverage, so it was determined that is not a competitive market,' said Mulready. Records show that the insurance industry was Mulready's top donor in thirteen out of fifteen years. Business owners concerned about NW OKC road construction 'There's zero connection with that because there's nothing that can be done. We don't approve rates, I could see that if we approve rates and somehow I was doing a favor for a certain insurance company, but that doesn't take place because it can't take place,' said Mulready. Mulready also told News 4 he never said it was just hail driving up the cost of insurance. 'Rates are up because of claims and inflation. You know, if a roof costs more to replace today than it did yesterday, your insurance premiums are going to reflect that because that's a direct connection to actual costs,' said Mulready. News 4 asked if he's working with lawmakers to do something about the high prices. 'We are looking for solutions, there's no silver bullet,' said Mulready. Last year the legislature passed the Strengthen Oklahoma Homes Act, which just launched in March. Homeowners can apply for grants to use to fortify their homes, which can lead to lower premiums. While Mulready believes Oklahoma has a competitive market, Hallman encourages you to share your concerns with the OID and push for change. To read JC Hallman's full story, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Borneo Post
15-05-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Sarawak Skills cements collaborations with Halliburton Energy, SDEC
Sagah (fourth right) witnesses the exchanging of the MoU between Hallman (second right) and Benjamin. – Photo by Churchill Edward KUCHING (May 15): The Sarawak Skills Development Centre (Sarawak Skills) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Halliburton Energy Services (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd. The MoU marks a strategic collaboration to strengthen industry-relevant training and workforce development in Sarawak. 'This partnership aims to support the design and implementation of specialised training programmes, provide practical training and internship opportunities, promote knowledge-sharing initiatives, and encourage joint resource development,' the institution said in notes shared during its Sarawak Leadership Talk here today. 'The MoU reflects a shared commitment by Sarawak Skills and Halliburton to advancing technical skills and capabilities within the oil and gas sector in Malaysia.' Sarawak Skills also signed a memorandum of agreement (MoA) with Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation Berhad (SDEC) to collaborate on advancing Industry 4.0 (IR4.0) technology adoption and workforce skills development in the state. 'This partnership focuses on the retrofitting of advanced Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machinery and the delivery of practical, hands-on training programs to equip local talent with relevant skills in smart manufacturing and digital technologies,' Sarawak Skills explained. 'The collaboration reflects both parties' commitment to supporting Sarawak's digital transformation by enhancing technical education and preparing a future-ready workforce aligned with industrial innovation.' Halliburton was represented by South East Asia vice president Tomas Benjamin, whereas SDEC was represented by Research and Product Development department head Dr Khairul Hafiz Sharkawi. Minister of Education, Innovation and Talent Dato Sri Roland Sagah Wee Inn officiated at the talk.
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Marlington scholarship to honor late wrestling coach
Marlington High School graduate Alex Hallman The Marlington Alumni Association Announces the Alex Hallman Memorial Scholarship Marlington Alumni Association will honor a late alumnus and wrestling coach with a scholarship established in his name. The Alex Hallman Memorial Scholarship was created in 2024 by the Hallman family to celebrate and continue Alex Hallman's legacy. Hallman was a proud 2005 graduate of Marlington High School, and a four-year letterman on the wrestling team. Advertisement He earned an associate's degree in HVAC from Stark State College, and was lead HVAC technician at Aultman Hospital for 13 years. In its announcement of the scholarship, Marlington Alumni Association said Hallman was a devoted husband and father who enjoyed camping, riding dirt bikes and supporting his children. Hallman became part of the Marlington Youth Wrestling program in 2018, working with young athletes and offering unwavering support. 'We rejoice in knowing his legacy will continue to shine, and we will always be proud to say Alex was a Duke," the Hallman family said in the news release. Advertisement Hallman's wife, Ali, and children Cooper, Ila and Nash established the scholarship that will go to a Marlington senior 'who has demonstrated commitment to their education and personal growth.' Rules for the scholarship indicate candidates must maintain a 3.2 or higher grade-point average; plan to pursue a two-year or four-year degree, priority to those seeking an associate of applied science degree; show leadership potential; and be a four-year high school wrestler. To make a gift to this scholarship, go to To establish a scholarship or support Marlington Alumni Association, contact marlingtonalumni@ This article originally appeared on The Alliance Review: Marlington scholarship to honor late wrestling coach Alex Hallman
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Del Mar Fairgrounds once again debating affordable housing units
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — Now that the train tracks will not likely be going into a tunnel under the Del Mar Fairgrounds — it appears the people who run the place are once again open to talking about 'affordable housing' somewhere on the property. 'It's not just any tunnel, that is a trench. That is a cut and cover trench. Before you cover, you have to cut, and that means cutting from the surface,' said Tristan Hallman, Del Mar Fairgrounds. 'I think that has maybe been lost in this discussion, it's not just burrowing under and nobody notices. It's digging from the surface through a wide expanse, and leaving us unable to host the events and activities that we've hosted here since 1936.' Del Mar Fairgrounds affordable housing proposal questioned by developer While there's been talk of housing on the fairgrounds for years, that talk was shut down last month after the City of Del Mar openly supported a rail alignment that could have gone under the fairgrounds. The fairgrounds' board saw that as a betrayal, and put a pause on any talks about housing. 'The position that Del Mar took was anything that harmed the fairgrounds they were against. Obviously, you heard the mayor of Del Mar taking a position counter to that. We also heard them taking a position to ask for a delay of this fully funded, long planned project, that the only reason for delaying that project is because they wanted to keep the tunnel in play,' said Hallman. But now that SANDAG has voted to eliminate the tunnel under the fairgrounds, at least for now, it appears the City of Del Mar and the fairgrounds board could be working together again on a housing plan. New affordable housing units could be coming to Del Mar Fairgrounds A housing plan that's required by state law for every city in California. Even though the Del Mar Fairgrounds is home to dozens of events year round — including the County Fair and world class Horse Racing — there is a lot of land, 340-acres. There was a real fear that building a tunnel would directly impact business. 'That means no fair, no horse racing, no events. No business,' said Hallman. Along with a potential for low income housing, the fairgrounds board sees this as another opportunity. When and if the tracks are ever moved off the coast, they're hoping to build a 'seasonal platform' on the fairgrounds during peak times. Not under the fairgrounds, but on the surface. 'The platform will be right at the edge of our property. That would allow people to come straight to the San Diego County Fair, straight to horse racing, straight to other events. It would be special events only, it's not going to stop there all the time,' said Hallman. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
