Latest news with #Michigan-native
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Yahoo
NYU sophomore says her drunk roommate peed on her while she slept — yet school told her to move out
A vile incident inside a New York University dorm room has now turned into a pissing match between the alleged victim and the school. NYU sophomore Eloni Belcher claimed her roommate urinated on her as she slept in their shared dorm room inside the Broome Street Residence Hall. The Tisch School of the Arts student told The Post she was roused from slumber shortly before 5:30 a.m. on April 12 by her allegedly inebriated roommate, who was squatting over her and peeing. 'It was horrible,' said Belcher, 19. 'I thought we were friends.' As she realized what was happening, Belcher went to block her face with her arms — at which point, her roommate proceeded to pee on them, she recalled. The Michigan-native, at NYU on a full-ride scholarship, said she fought the overwhelming urge to retaliate against her 20-year-old roomie. 'I knew if I did anything to hurt her, even something in the moment, I would receive the brunt of the punishment,' she said. 'I know that if you get into a fight on campus, everyone involved gets punished.' The roommate urinated on her clothing, bedding, and mattress, she said — evidence she provided to school officials. 'They made me move to a different room' inside the same dorm 'when I asked for temporary housing,' explained Belcher. 'I asked why I had to move, and they asked, 'What do you expect? You want us to kick her out?' And I said, 'Yes.' 'They were telling me it was my only viable option, moving out,' she continued, 'and I did — but they've disregarded what has happened to me.' The roommate claimed she was sleepwalking, said Belcher, who would not identify the young woman. The Post spoke to the suspected leaker this week, and she denied the allegations. 'That's not really my vibe,' the woman explained. 'I think she's lying.' The woman called the matter 'an ongoing case,' and told The Post she has already been interviewed by police, with no charges filed. The two apparently never had any real problems, though Belcher noted she'd asked the roommate to lower her voice while talking on the phone the day before the downpour. Belcher filed complaints with NYU's Department of Campus Safety and Office of Student Conduct, and later, with the NYPD, which confirmed receiving a report about the alleged urine harassment. The ex-roommate 'apologized and fled to the restroom' after relieving herself on Belcher, police said. Belcher learned from school officials on April 15 they hadn't even started investigating her claims, and decided to vent about the situation in an Instagram video, now seen by more than 4 million people. 'I was assaulted,' she insisted in the video. 'Why would I uproot my entire life three weeks before [the end of the semester] for nothing?' The university has since informed her that she is 'being investigated now for posting [that video],' Belcher claimed. 'They're trying to turn this around on me. I guess we can't use our freedom of speech anymore.' 'It's been very frustrating,' she told The Post. 'NYU's just deliberate mishandling of my case has been confusing to me. I genuinely believed if anything happened to me that was this serious, it would be handled appropriately. I never thought that it would get to this point.' NYU spokesperson John Beckman told The Post 'the alleged behavior is concerning, and we have taken the entire matter seriously since it came to our attention. We respectfully disagree with the characterizations that the University wasn't concerned about the student's welfare, didn't promptly engage the Office of Student Conduct, didn't inquire about retaliation and threats, or didn't try to fulfill what we believed to be the student's wishes. Safety is our top priority — always.' Beckman would not confirm Belcher was being probed, or her roommate disciplined, adding the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act 'prohibits universities from disclosing information about students' disciplinary records.'
New York Post
03-05-2025
- New York Post
NYU sophomore says her drunk roommate peed on her while she slept — yet school told her to move out
A vile incident inside a New York University dorm room has now turned into a pissing match between the alleged victim and the school. NYU sophomore Eloni Belcher claimed her roommate urinated on her as she slept in their shared dorm room inside the Broome Street Residence Hall. The Tisch School of the Arts student told The Post she was roused from slumber shortly before 5:30 a.m. on April 12 by her allegedly inebriated roommate, who was squatting over her and peeing. 5 Eloni Belcher is an acting student, at NYU on a full-ride scholarship. Leonardo Munoz 'It was horrible,' said Belcher, 19. 'I thought we were friends.' As she realized what was happening, Belcher went to block her face with her arms — at which point, her roommate proceeded to pee on them, she recalled. 5 Eloni Belcher shared an image of her soiled pillow on Instagram. Eloni Belcher/ Instagram The Michigan-native, at NYU on a full-ride scholarship, said she fought the overwhelming urge to retaliate against her 20-year-old roomie. 'I knew if I did anything to hurt her, even something in the moment, I would receive the brunt of the punishment,' she said. 'I know that if you get into a fight on campus, everyone involved gets punished.' The roommate urinated on her clothing, bedding, and mattress, she said — evidence she provided to school officials. 'They made me move to a different room' inside the same dorm 'when I asked for temporary housing,' explained Belcher. 'I asked why I had to move, and they asked, 'What do you expect? You want us to kick her out?' And I said, 'Yes.' 'They were telling me it was my only viable option, moving out,' she continued, 'and I did — but they've disregarded what has happened to me.' 5 Belcher has been critical of NYU's response to the incident. Leonardo Munoz The roommate claimed she was sleepwalking, said Belcher, who would not identify the young woman. The Post spoke to the suspected leaker this week, and she denied the allegations. 'That's not really my vibe,' the woman explained. 'I think she's lying.' The woman called the matter 'an ongoing case,' and told The Post she has already been interviewed by police, with no charges filed. The two apparently never had any real problems, though Belcher noted she'd asked the roommate to lower her voice while talking on the phone the day before the downpour. 5 Belcher immediately stripped her bedsheets after the disgusting incident. Eloni Belcher Belcher filed complaints with NYU's Department of Campus Safety and Office of Student Conduct, and later, with the NYPD, which confirmed receiving a report about the alleged urine harassment. The ex-roommate 'apologized and fled to the restroom' after relieving herself on Belcher, police said. Belcher learned from school officials on April 15 they hadn't even started investigating her claims, and decided to vent about the situation in an Instagram video, now seen by more than 4 million people. 'I was assaulted,' she insisted in the video. 'Why would I uproot my entire life three weeks before [the end of the semester] for nothing?' The university has since informed her that she is 'being investigated now for posting [that video],' Belcher claimed. 'They're trying to turn this around on me. I guess we can't use our freedom of speech anymore.' 5 An NYU spokesperson said the school 'respectfully disagrees' with Belcher's claims. Leonardo Munoz 'It's been very frustrating,' she told The Post. 'NYU's just deliberate mishandling of my case has been confusing to me. I genuinely believed if anything happened to me that was this serious, it would be handled appropriately. I never thought that it would get to this point.' NYU spokesperson John Beckman told The Post 'the alleged behavior is concerning, and we have taken the entire matter seriously since it came to our attention. We respectfully disagree with the characterizations that the University wasn't concerned about the student's welfare, didn't promptly engage the Office of Student Conduct, didn't inquire about retaliation and threats, or didn't try to fulfill what we believed to be the student's wishes. Safety is our top priority — always.' Beckman would not confirm Belcher was being probed, or her roommate disciplined, adding the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act 'prohibits universities from disclosing information about students' disciplinary records.'
CBS News
22-04-2025
- Sport
- CBS News
Pistons unveil fan giveaways, new food and merchandise items ahead of home playoff games
The Detroit Pistons are heading home to Little Caesars Arena after picking up their first playoff win since 2008 with a 100-94 victory over the New York Knicks on Monday. Ahead of Games 3 and 4 of the Eastern Conference first round series with the Knicks, the Pistons announced Tuesday fan giveaways as well as new food and merchandise offerings. The first 10,000 fans attending Game 3 will receive thundersticks and a Pix Mob light-up bracelet. The Pistons say the bracelet will activate during the team's pregame introductions, halftime and throughout the game. All fans will receive a free T-shirt. The first 10,000 fans in attendance at Game 4 will also receive thundersticks The Pistons encourage fans to find their seats before tipoff for "special surprise playoff elements during introductions and throughout the in-game entertainment" during Games 3 and 4. Michigan-native Kem will perform the National Anthem before Game 3, while Detroit's own LaShell Renae will sing the anthem during Game 4. The Pistons are unveiling new playoff-inspired merchandise offerings, including a Pistons team roster lineup T-shirt, a Pistons caricature graphic T-shirt, and the Nike NBA Playoff Mantra shirt, as well as a 2025 NBA Playoff snapback hat. Pistons souvenir punch bowls and beer cups are also available. The Pistons team store inside Little Caesars Arena will be open April 21-26 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., with shorter hours on April 24 (12 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.) In addition to the merchandise items, fans will enjoy several limited-time food and beverage options across the arena. At 313 Grill (near Portals 2, 13, 51 and 69), fans can chow down on the Triple Double, a triple-patty smash burger with bacon, cheese and burger sauce, while The Coop (near Portals 18, 38 and 66) is dishing out Truffle Poutine Fries with black truffle gravy, cheese curds and Parmesan. Johnny Noodle King's Takeover (near Portal 28) is offering up dishes like Shoyu Mazemen, Chilled Rice Noodle, Fried Chicken Karaage and the Pork Sando, while the 1701 Deli (near Portal 56) is serving Wagyu Beef Bao, Lobster "Roll" Bao and a sweet Dim Sum Donut.
Yahoo
18-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Michigan's political landscape may help predict national trends, experts say
Michigan 2024 presidential results | Wikimedia Commons Sen. Gary Peters' (D-Bloomfield Twp.) recent decision to retire at the end of his term leaves a Senate seat in a battleground state up for grabs in 2026, and raises questions about whether the Midwestern state will provide a crystal ball into future national elections. 'It's not just that we're a swing state, but we're kind of a microcosm of the country and our politics make us really relevant,' said Dr. Jenna Bednar, professor of political science and public policy at the University of Michigan. Bednar feels that the current dynamics of each party within the state reflect the national scene–just in reverse. On the national stage, Republicans have clear leadership and the Democratic Party lacks frontrunners. In Michigan, however, Democrats have many rising stars while Republicans are regrouping after losing the high-profile race for U.S. Senate. In the presidential race, Michigan has flipped every election since 2012. Once part of the Midwestern 'blue wall,' the state flipped red for Trump in 2016 by an average of two votes per precinct. Biden won in 2020 by three percentage points. Trump regained it in 2024, but by an even slimmer margin. In state politics, the 2018 and 2022 midterms led to major shifts. Democrats won all the major races in the executive branch, governor, secretary of state and attorney general. That marked a major leftward shift for Michigan. In 2022, both chambers of the state legislature flipped blue for the first time in nearly four decades. In recent elections, Michigan's political landscape mirrored the broader national environment, with the Democratic Party drawing in union auto workers, academics and urban voters, political experts said. The Republican Party included rural agricultural workers, evangelical Christians in western Michigan and wealthy moderates resonating with the policies that harken back to the era of Michigan-native, President Gerald Ford. The national shift to the right has left Michigan's moderates searching for a party that better aligns with their beliefs, and 'there's a big segment that just feels homeless,' said Bednar. This reorganization reflected the division within the national Democratic Party following frustration after the 2024 election. 'There's a lot of infighting going on within the Michigan Republican Party,' said Doug Nelson, chair of the Van Buren County Republican Party. The county, which is located in southwestern Michigan, voted for Obama in 2012 but swung significantly to the right since. 'I think if we all get united, we can win this governor's race for sure. We just need everybody on the same page,' Nelson said. With Gov. Gretchen Whitmer facing a term limit in 2026, several Democrats have already thrown their hats in the ring, including Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson. On the GOP side, Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt (R-Porter Twp.) is running, as is Anthony Hudson, a truck driver from Genesee County. Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, a lifelong Democrat, is running as an independent, 'Folks are energized and looking to what we can do to protect our communities and to protect our institutions,' said Justin Mendoza, chair of the solidly blue Kalamazoo County Democratic Party in southwestern Michigan. 'We need to do everything we can here in Kalamazoo to get some sure-fire folks elected at the top.' Mendoza stressed the importance of early preparation for the upcoming midterm election and said his party was already looking toward 2026. 'It's never too early to start prepping,' he said. The midterms could determine which party controls the U.S. Congress starting in 2027 and the Great Lake State could foretell the country's future. 'We're still as purple as ever,' said Mendoza. 'And because of that, we'll continue to be a priority in the national landscape.' SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
04-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Buttigieg excites Democrats as he mulls Michigan Senate bid
Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg is considering a run for Michigan's Senate seat, the latest development to roil what is quickly shaping up to be one of next year's most competitive and closely watched races. Buttigieg moved to the Great Lakes State with his Michigan-native husband in 2022, triggering questions about his political future after eventually leaving his post in the Biden administration's Transportation Department. Last week's announcement from Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.) that he wouldn't seek another term in 2026 appears to have opened a clear path for Buttigieg. While he would likely face opposition and wouldn't automatically coast to the nomination, Democrats said they're excited by the prospect of Buttigieg jumping in and suggested he would be an early favorite as one of the best surrogates for the party. 'I'm excited,' said former Rep. Mark Schauer (D-Mich.) about the prospect of Buttigieg entering the race. 'I think he is a rare political talent, which he's demonstrated as the Transportation secretary and on the campaign trail.' Buttigieg has experienced one of the most rapid rises of any Democrat of the past five years, going from mayor of South Bend, Ind., to becoming one of the most prominent voices in the party. He turned in an unexpectedly impressive performance in the 2020 Democratic presidential primaries, winning the Iowa caucuses and nearly winning in New Hampshire. Though he dropped out in March, he endorsed then-candidate Joe Biden and became a key supporter, eventually joining Biden's administration. Political observers have expected Buttigieg to seek elected office again, and he has been rumored as a possible 2028 presidential candidate. Early polling has often placed him as one of the top potential choices for Democrats. But a Senate run in 2026 may be the launching pad for a long political career regardless of any larger future ambitions. 'If it's your end-state goal to become president, this gets you to D.C. in one of the very top elected jobs in the country,' said Michigan Democratic strategist Adrian Hemond. Buttigieg had already been speculated to be planning a run for statewide office in Michigan since moving to Traverse City a few years ago, but much of that had focused on a possible gubernatorial run, with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) reaching her term limit in 2026. But that quickly shifted, as did the calculus for several other possible candidates, after Peters decided not to seek a third term. Buttigieg and several others almost immediately expressed interest in the seat, and The Detroit News reported on Saturday that he had officially ruled out running for governor and is 'very seriously focused' on a possible Senate run. Former Michigan Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D) told the outlet she expects 'a lot of people will encourage' Buttigieg to run. Analysts said a Senate run makes more sense for Buttigieg and may be an easier lift than a gubernatorial run given his relative newness to the state. Pollster Steve Mitchell, the CEO of Mitchell Research & Communications, said the firm conducted polling last year on the gubernatorial race and found in September that Buttigieg had a 'huge lead' over other possible candidates. With Peters not running, a Senate bid would be easier to pull off for someone relatively new to the state, he said. 'It seems to me, given the fact that he came to Michigan two years ago, is not originally from here, running for the Senate is a lot better position than running for governor,' Mitchell said, adding that running for governor requires a deeper understanding of the state government. Candidates seeking office in a state they're relatively new to have often faced accusations of 'carpetbagging,' but Mitchell said history shows many more instances of those candidates pulling off successful Senate runs than gubernatorial bids. He pointed to Robert F. Kennedy's (D) successful bid for Senate in New York in 1964 despite his background in Massachusetts, and former Sen. Hillary Clinton's (D) victory in New York in 2000 despite being from Arkansas. Schauer, who was the Democratic nominee for governor in 2014, said he's not too worried about Buttigieg's recent move being an issue for him as a candidate. He noted that Buttigieg's husband, Chasten, is a Michigander and that South Bend is 'a stone's throw' away from Michigan, only a few miles away from the border. He also noted that Republicans could face their own attacks on this issue if the 2024 GOP Senate nominee, former Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Mich.), is nominated again. While Rogers represented Michigan in the House for more than a decade, he moved to Florida before moving back to Michigan shortly before mounting his run. Rogers, who came within 20,000 votes of Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) in the race, is considering another run. Matthew Morey, the communications chair for the Kent County Democratic Party in Michigan, said Buttigieg also has 'deep' ties to the Midwest and has showed his 'commitment' to that region of the country. And he argued that Buttigieg can have crossover appeal. 'While he absolutely appeals to a huge swath of the Democratic base, he also has demonstrated that he can work with anybody who is wanting to make a little bit of progress,' Morey said. Buttigieg has blazed a bit of his own path in the media, often seeking out appearances on major conservative media channels and other seemingly hostile outlets. The Democrat appeared regularly on Fox News's daytime newscasts during the 2024 campaign and sparred with Fox anchor Shannon Bream on the network's public affairs show last summer over issues like immigration and crime. 'There are a lot of Americans who my party can't blame if they are ignoring our message because they will never hear it if we don't go on and talk about it,' Buttigieg said while defending his decision to appear on Fox in 2019. Still, Democrats said the field is open and they expect a competitive and lively primary. While a few other candidates have ruled out bids, others such as state Senate Majority Whip Mallory McMorrow (D) and Reps. Haley Stevens (D) and Hillary Scholten (D) are among the top names being floated, each certainly prominent within Michigan. 'I don't think that Buttigieg clears the field at all, but he's certainly a very, very strong candidate, and if he gets into this race, I expect he will raise money very, very quickly,' Hemond said. Morey said Buttigieg would represent a 'new generation of leadership' that would energize Democrats in Michigan, but the party boasts a deep bench of qualified candidates. 'We always love a crowded primary,' he said. 'It gives us the opportunity to show the full range of what it means to be a Democrat. … so having all of these different voices and perspectives in the primary really gets to showcase that.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
