2025
HARBOR NEWS
MSU Campus Shooting Survivors Secure $29.75M in Historic Settlements
Thumbwind - Lansing - June 11, 2025
"In a significant legal development, Michigan State University (MSU) has reached a settlement totaling $29.75 million with three students who survived the mass shooting on its campus on February 13, 2023."
Report: MSU reaches settlements for 3 injured in Berkey Hall shooting
WOOD TV News 8 - Grand Rapids - June 10, 2025
"Multiple news outlets are reporting three students injured in the 2023 mass shooting on Michigan State University’s campus have reached settlements with the school. News 8 sister station WLNS-TV says the three students will receive a combined total of $29.75 million."
3 Michigan State University shooting survivors awarded nearly $30M in settlements
WJBK Fox 2 - Detroit - June 10, 2025
"Three students who survived being shot in the 2023 Michigan State University shooting reached nearly $30 million in settlements with the school, the law firms representing them announced Tuesday."
Michigan State University shooting survivors awarded $29.75 million in settlements
9 & 10 News - Grand Rapids - June 10, 2025
"Attorneys Mick Grewal and Scott Weidenfeller of Grewal Law and William Azkoul of Gruel Mills Nims & Pylman announced today that they have reached settlements totaling $29.75 million on behalf of three survivors of the on-campus shooting that took place at Michigan State University in 2023."
MSU settles for $29.75 million with students injured in 2023 mass shooting
Up North Live 7 & 4 - Traverse City - June 10, 2025
"Three students injured in the 2023 mass shooting on Michigan State University’s campus will receive $29.75 million from the school as part of a settlement, attorneys representing the students announced Tuesday, June 10."
Michigan State agrees to pay nearly $30 million to shooting survivors
Bridge Michigan - Lansing - June 10, 2025
"Michigan State University will pay nearly $30 million in total to three people critically injured during the February 2023 campus shooting. Lawyers for Nathan Statly, Troy Forbush, and Yukai “John” Hao announced Tuesday they had reached settlements with the university."
MSU settles for $29.75 million with students injured in 2023 mass shooting
WWMT News 3 - Kalamazoo/Grand Rapids - June 10, 2025
"Three students injured in the 2023 mass shooting on Michigan State University’s campus will receive $29.75 million from the school as part of a settlement, attorneys representing the students announced Tuesday, June 10."
Michigan State settles with 3 survivors of 2023 mass shooting for $30M
Traverse City Record Eagle - Traverse City - June 10, 2025
"Michigan State agreed to a $14.2 million settlement with Nathan Statly; $13 million with Yukai “John” Hao; and $2.5 million with Troy Forbush, according to lawyers at Grewal Law and Gruel Mills Nims & Pylman."
Three MSU mass shooting survivors secure nearly $30 million settlement with university
Michigan Advance - Lansing - June 10, 2025
"Attorneys for three of the students wounded during the 2023 shooting at Michigan State University announced Tuesday a several million dollar settlement for their injuries, pain and suffering."
MSU agrees settlement of $29.75 million to Feb. 13 shooting survivors
The State News - East Lansing - June 10, 2025
"Michigan State University has reached a settlement with survivors of the Feb. 13, 2023 campus shooting, two years after legal action was taken against the university, lawyers representing them announced Tuesday morning."
Three mass shooting victims reach $29.5 million settlement with Michigan State University
Yahoo News - New York - June 10, 2025
Three students who survived being shot in the 2023 Michigan State University shooting reached nearly $30 million in settlements with the school, the law firms representing them announced Tuesday.
Michigan State U. to Pay Nearly $30 Million to 3 Survivors of Campus Shooting
New York Times - New York - June 10, 2025
"Michigan State University has agreed to pay a total of nearly $30 million to three students who survived a shooting on campus in 2023 in which three other students were killed, lawyers announced on Tuesday."
Agrawal: Michigan’s innovation agenda starts with student support
Detroit News - Detroit - May 18, 2025
"That’s what’s possible when students get the support they need. Graduates don’t just earn degrees; they also gain the tools, relationships and resilience to build meaningful lives and careers. Too many Michiganians never get that chance though."
Opinion: Protect seniors, say no to funding cuts that hurt long-term care
Gander Newsroom - Michigan - May 16, 2025
"More than 66% of Michigan nursing facility residents are Medicaid beneficiaries. And nearly 1 in 5 assisted living residents rely on a program that provides Medicaid funding for individuals who receive services in their home or an assisted living community."
The Metro: Why are men falling behind in college enrollment, completion?
WDET - Detroit - May 12, 2025
"So if getting a college degree is still the recommended path to success, why aren’t men doing it? While college enrollment among men has declined in recent years, targeted programs and outreach efforts have emerged to reverse that trend."
3-time ACM winning country music star coming to National Cherry Festival
MLive - Traverse City - April 28, 2025
“Trace Adkins delivers a performance that’s rich with soul and packed with country spirit,” said Kat Paye, Executive Director of the National Cherry Festival. “We’re excited to welcome him to Traverse City as we celebrate 99 years of cherries, community, and country music.”
Michigan governor race gets crowded: 'The more, the better'
Detroit News - Detroit - April 19, 2025
"The job of governor — the top political position in the state — is a valued one with some candidates plotting for years to pursue it, said John Sellek, a longtime Republican political adviser and CEO of the firm Harbor Strategic Public Affairs."
Who Are Trump Supporters Blaming If The Tariffs Cost Them Their Jobs?
MIRS - Lansing - April 8, 2025
"When a gov has the best approval ratings running a Pure MI social persona, people aren't looking for a ton of results. The storm was the first test showing she is still gov in tough times but it felt sluggish"
Preserving Muskegon's History Millage Campaign
White Lake Beacon - Whitehall/Montague - February 20, 2025
Community leaders, educators and parents today launched the Preserving Muskegon’s History campaign to educate county residents about the exciting impacts of a proposed construction millage for the Lakeshore Museum Center’s Muskegon Museum of History & Science.
Michigan lawmakers strike deal on wages and tips — but not sick leave, yet
Bridge Michigan - February 13, 2025
"Others praised the compromise, including John Sellek, a spokesperson for a group called Save MI Tips that fought to preserve the tipped credit: ‘Tonight, Michigan servers and bartenders can sleep a little easier knowing a bipartisan legislative solution to the impending tip credit crisis is a big step closer to reality.’”
MI Senate advances bill that secures $15 minimum wage by 2027, increased tipped wage
My Up Now - February 13, 2025
“‘Listening to the people who do the job and saving their income and jobs is not a partisan issue. It’s an economic issue,’ said John Sellek from Save MI Tips after the legislative victory.”
Tipped wage deal remains elusive; Whitmer supports negotiation extension
9&10 News - February 12, 2025
Michigan policymakers are running up against a quickly approaching deadline for sick time and tipped wage changes. “No solution, no compromise over the next nine days is not an acceptable outcome for an industry, and we’ll all be feeling the negative outcome,” said Justin Winslow, CEO of the Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association.
Analysis: Another big US Senate race in Michigan? This one could play out far differently
Detroit Free Press - February 3, 2025
"Trump's team clearly prepared for a blitz that fills every moment with activity. That’s left the Democrats on their heels," said John Sellek, CEO of Harbor Strategic, a PR firm in Lansing. "Trump spooked Democrats so badly they don’t know how to attack him."
Michigan, Georgia top hot battlegrounds for 2026
Axios - January 29, 2025
"Peters walking away has, 'caused a complete roiling of everything, the whole Dem. side, both the gov.'s & senate race,' said John Sellek, a PR executive in Lansing, Mich., who used to work in republican politics. 'It's opened the door to possibly affecting the gov. race instantly.'"
Threat of ballot issues adds another complication to minimum wage, paid leave negotiations
Crain's Detroit - January 27, 2025
John Sellek, spokesperson for Save MI Tips, said, "One Fair Wage is only making threats of a referendum because the votes were far more bipartisan than they claimed. They know better than anyone that they just got demolished on the ballot in blue state Massachusetts with the exact same proposal. That's the last thing they want to do."
The legend of the disappearing trophy - Why this melting award is one of the most coveted in off-road racing
Cycling News - January 21, 2025
‘It’s going to kill us’: Michigan servers testify in Lansing about changes to tipped wages
MLive - January 15, 2025
Debate over tipped wages, sick time continue at the Michigan Capitol
WLNS 6 - January 14, 2025
“I had one business owner say to me they have never seen policies so devastating to business,” says State Rep. Kathy Schmaltz (R-46). “These bills have to pass and we have to help our servers continue to get their tips and we need to help our restaurants and small businesses from closing.”
Bills before Michigan House Committee look to reverse Supreme Court ruling on tipped workers’ wages
WLUC TV 6 - January 14, 2025
"Rep. Fairbairn says if the tipped worker wage is increased, it could mean higher costs for businesses and ultimately consumers. 'We’ve seen it happen in these different cities,' Fairbairn said. 'In Chicago and Washington, D.C., they’re both backpedaling now after they removed the tip credit. We’ve seen it fail in these other locations and we’re trying to stop that from happening.'"
MI House Committee hears testimonies for bills aimed at reversing tip wage, sick time laws
WWMT Channel 3 - January 14, 2025
"Many fear if the law goes into effect as it is expected to in February, they will have to raise menu prices, and potentially close their doors. '$15 an hour is a joke and it's a slap in the face,' Amy Covert, a server from Jackson, Mich., said. 'We can't support our families on that.'"
Servers push for preserving tipped wage at Michigan House hearing
WOOD TV - January 14, 2025
Amy Covert, a single mother of four who lives in Jackson, said she has worked in the restaurant industry for 20 years. “I can support my four kids on this job,” she said. “My average is more than half of what they want to pay us at $15 an hour."
Service industry workers testify as lawmakers consider chopping tipped wage and sick leave laws
Michigan Advance - January 14, 2025
The newly formed Michigan House Select Committee on Protecting Michigan Employees and Small Businesses was filled with workers from across the state who offered their support to bills to undo a mandate to phase out the tipped wage credit and set requirements for paid sick leave that are set to take effect Feb. 21.
Square-off heats up on minimum wage, paid sick leave
Crain's Detroit - January 14, 2025
"The panel took testimony from several restaurant servers, business owners and business groups that advocated for the legislation during a nearly three-hour hearing that drew so much interest that people watched from two overflow rooms."
Michigan Legislature makes moves to change minimum and tipped wages
CBS Detroit - January 9, 2025
John Sellek, a spokesman with Save MI Tips, says that after months without traction, this week has been a breath of fresh air. "We feel like we broke a logjam, we've got a long way to go and almost no time on our hands. But finally, there's movement both in the House and the Senate. That's exciting," said Sellek. "Now we just need to make sure everything gets wrapped up before mid-February."
Three Shooting Victims Reach Multi-Million Dollar Settlements with Michigan State University
WSYM Fox 47 - Lansing - June 10, 2025
"Three shooting victims have reached multi-million-dollar settlements with Michigan State University. This is in relation to the February 2023 shooting on the school’s campus. Officials announced that they reached $29.75 million in settlements on behalf of three survivors."
Three MSU shooting survivors receive $29.75 million settlement
WLNS News 6 - Lansing - June 10, 2025
"Tuesday morning, Grewal Law and Gruel Mills Nims & Pylman Attorneys announced a settlement of $29.75 million was reached on behalf of three survivors of the mass shooting on Michigan State University’s campus in 2023."
Settlements reached for three MSU mass shooting survivors
WILX News 10 - Lansing - June 10, 2025
"Settlements have been reached between Michigan State University and three survivors of the 2023 mass shooting on Michigan State’s campus. Attorneys for Nathan Statly, Troy Forbush, and Yukai “John” Hao said the settlements total $29.75 million."
Michigan State settles with three survivors of 2023 mass shooting on campus
Lansing State Journal - Lansing - June 10, 2025
"Attorneys Mick Grewal and Scott Weidenfeller, of Okemos-based Grewal Law, and William Azkoul, of Gruel Mills Nims & Pylman law firm in Grand Rapids, announced the settlements June 10 for three of the five people wounded in the shooting."
MSU settles for $29.75 million with students injured in 2023 mass shooting
WEYI News 25 - Flint/Saginaw - June 10, 2025
"Three students injured in the 2023 mass shooting on Michigan State University’s campus will receive $29.75 million from the school as part of a settlement, attorneys representing the students announced Tuesday, June 10."
Michigan State settles with 3 survivors of 2023 mass shooting for $30M
San Francisco Chronicle - San Francisco - June 10, 2025
"Michigan State agreed to a $14.2 million settlement with Nathan Statly; $13 million with Yukai “John” Hao; and $2.5 million with Troy Forbush, according to lawyers at Grewal Law and Gruel Mills Nims & Pylman."
3 Michigan State Shooting Victims Settle with School for $30 Million
Campus Safety Magazine - Massachusetts - June 10, 2025
"Three people were killed and five others were wounded when a 43-year-old gunman opened fire in two campus buildings on Feb. 13, 2023, Campus Safety previously reported. Killed in the shooting were students Arielle Anderson, Brian Fraser, and Alexandria Verner. Injured in the shooting were students Guadalupe Huapilla-Perez, Hanyang Tao, Yukai “John” Hao, Nate Statly, and Troy Forbush."
MSU reaches $29.75M settlement with 3 shooting survivors
MLive - Lansing - June 10, 2025
"The law firms representing the three survivors announced they had reached a multi-million dollar settlement agreement with MSU on Tuesday, June 10. The three students each sustained life-altering gunshot wounds in the Feb. 13 shooting and their settlements totaled $29.75 million."
MSU shooting survivors reach nearly $30 million settlement with the university
WILX News 10 - Lansing - June 10, 2025
"More than two years after the mass shooting that left three students dead and five critically injured at Michigan State University, three survivors have reached a nearly $30 million settlement with the university."
Michigan State settles with 3 survivors of 2023 mass shooting for nearly $30M
Michigan Public - Ann Arbor - June 10, 2025
"Michigan State agreed to a $14.2 million settlement with Nathan Statly; $13 million with Yukai “John” Hao; and $2.5 million with Troy Forbush, according to lawyers at Grewal Law and Gruel Mills Nims & Pylman."
Engler, Blanchard, Cherry, Bishop: Our election system works; now let's improve it
Detroit News - Detroit - June 2, 2025
"By all accounts, voting on May 6 was secure and safe, with Michiganians making their voices heard in support or opposition to funding for local schools, public safety, parks and more."
Tax the rich to pay for schools? Michigan voters may get chance in 2026
Bridge Michigan - Michigan - May 28, 2025
"There’s been “rhetoric and attempts around ‘tax the rich’ or graduated income tax in the past and if it was popular, we would already have one,” said Sellek, who worked on Republican Bill Schuette’s 2018 campaign for governor."
Battle over Medicaid boils over in DC; what it means for Michigan
Bridge Michigan - Michigan - May 16, 2025
The stakes are high in Michigan, where 2.6 million people receive some form of assistance through Medicaid, a costly safety-net program that provides billions of dollars in crucial funding to hospitals, clinics, mental health providers and nursing homes, among others.
Black Caucus Foundation of Michigan holds 14th annual Detroit Construction Science Expo
WDIV - Detroit - May 14, 2025
Skilled trades leaders are actively working to create more opportunities in trades and engineering for Detroit’s youth.
The Black Caucus Foundation of Michigan provided hands-on experience to students at this year’s Detroit Construction Science Expo.
Proposed Medicaid cuts would be devastating for Michigan
The Daily Mining Gazette - Houghton - May 4, 2025
"Nearly half of all children in Michigan are covered by Medicaid, and in 2024, 45% of all babies born here relied on the program. In many rural counties, Medicaid covers the majority of births, making it crucial for keeping birthing services open in those communities."
Buss: James' bid for governor a mission to return home
Detroit News - Detroit - April 23, 2025
"Before he had even yet announced, James got support from 46% of respondents in a January survey of likely GOP voters from Harbor Strategic Public Affairs, outpacing other GOP candidates by at least 40-percentage points."
Michigan Farm News: Better collaboration, better politics: How farmers can get involved in elections
Michigan Farm News - Lansing - February 27, 2025
"Bishop co-launched the Democracy Defense Project with former Michigan Lt. Gov. John Cherry Jr., a Democrat, and other leaders. They say respect and tolerance need to come to the forefront when it comes to the election process so that public perception changes."
Kash Patel to Lead the FBI
WJR Radio - February 21, 2025
John Sellek, who worked for two attorneys general, discusses the confirmation of the new FBI director with Kevin Dietz on WJR: "The resume has plenty to qualify him by DC standards. And all Trump picks are loyal. On partisanship, look no further than MI's attorney general nomination system & the open partisanship of folks like AG Nessel. Agree or disagree with the politics, but it's already baked in."
Michigan Senate Democratic leaders supported minimum wage law before voting to change it
The Detroit News - February 14, 2025
"Brinks had, 'acknowledged the overwhelming voices of tipped workers wanting an adjustment to the law and took their message to heart,' said John Sellek, spokesman for Save MI Tips. 'All laws need amendments from time to time and that's what good legislators do — listen and adjust. We are very thankful for her willingness to listen and lead on this issue.'
Whitmer; let’s make a deal on tipped wage and sick leave
WILX News - February 12, 2025
Governor Gretchen Whitmer is calling to delay the tipped wage and sick time law until July, citing concerns from both wait staff and small business owners ahead of its scheduled February 21 implementation. “This would create more space for the House and Senate to continue negotiations while we work on the budget,” Whitmer said in a statement.
Who Wants To Run For Peters' U.S. Senate Seat In '26?
MIRS - January 29, 2025
"John Sellek said a U.S. senator has probably the best job in U.S. politics. Unlike a governor, who is limited to two 4-year terms, senators can serve unlimited 6-year terms. Sellek explained, 'you can be on all the Sunday shows you want. You're living your best life, really.'"
John Sellek, Founder and CEO of the Michigan Political Consulting Firm Harbor Strategic Public Affairs
Michigan's Big Show - January 29, 2025
John Sellek joined Michigan's Big Show to discuss Sen. Peters' decision not to seek a third term: "The only times people younger than Peters involuntarily left either had a health condition or were committed to prison. It doesn't happen & that should be eye-opening for a lot of reasons."
Sen. Gary Peters will not run for reelection, opening a key Senate race in 2026
9&10 News - January 28, 2025
"'What the Democrats are now going to have to try to do is separate out all those good candidates and see if they can get them to avoid challenging each other in a primary,' said John Sellek of Harbor Strategic."
Michigan House Passes Tipped Wage Legislation
WJR Radio - January 24, 2025
Harbor CEO John Sellek joined WJR Radio to discuss the legislative focus on the tip credit and the Senate's upcoming negotiations. "Both the Senate and the House put the tip credit at the top of their lists, so we are optimistic this will get done," said Sellek.
Nesbitt Announces $1M Raised For His Gubernatorial Bid
Gongwer - January 17, 2025
Tipped Wage, Paid Sick Leave Come Before House Committee
Gongwer - January 14, 2025
House committee opens hearings on minimum wage, sick leave initiatives
Michigan Public - January 14, 2025
“It doesn’t matter if you’re in Monroe or Marquette, Detroit or rural Michigan, it impacts everybody, it hits everybody hard, which is why it’s important that we fix it," said Representative Bill G. Schuette (R-Midland).
Michigan’s House holds select committee for new employment laws
WZMQ 19 - January 14, 2025
"Tipped workers have been speaking up about the changes since they were announced last July. With the beginning of the new legislature, lawmakers are pushing hard to pass a new law to set different rates before the changes kick in. At the bill’s committee hearing, 50 testimony cards were submitted, but only three against the legislation were heard."
State House committee holds first hearing on tipped minimum wage, sick time bills
ABC 12 - January 14, 2025
"We're here today because there is a looming cliff our state is racing toward. And on February 21, our restaurant workers our family owned small businesses and the future of literally thousands of jobs in our state will pay the price if our legislature does not act," said committee chair Rep. Bill G. Schuette.
Michigan House Committee holds hearing on bills aimed at amending Michigan's minimum wage and tipped wage credit
WZZM 13- January 14, 2025
Several restaurant workers and owners asked lawmakers to keep the current tipped wage system in place during a special committee hearing in Lansing on Tuesday morning.
Michigan restaurants warn of price hikes over wage, sick day laws
Bridge Michigan - January 14, 2025
Restaurant owner Marianne Hayoz testified in support of the bill, telling lawmakers the only way she could afford to comply with the coming changes is to raise her cafe’s prices and add service fees.” “This is something that I don't want to do, but unfortunately, there's no other option,” she said.
AFL-CIO, Michigan lawmakers clash on bills to scale back new sick leave, tipped wage laws
The Detroit News - January 14, 2025
"Several restaurant workers testified that the law, which is set to replace the lower tipped wage with a minimum wage, would be detrimental to their take home pay. 'Good hard working people will lose their jobs,' said Marianne 'Lu' Hayoz, a restaurant worker from Walker in suburban Grand Rapids. 'Doors will close. All for something we never asked for.'"
Michigan lawmakers tackle looming court ruling threatening small businesses and working for tips
Thumbwind - January 14, 2025
Tammy Upchurch, a server in Midland, expressed concern over losing tips that significantly supplement her income. “This would destroy anybody making 30, 40, or 50 dollars an hour sometimes,” Upchurch said. “The wage we’re paid is overly compensated by the tips we earn. If it’s not broke, don’t fix it.”
Advocates push to increase statute of limitation for sex abuse survivors
FOX 47 - January 2, 2025
John Sellek is the spokesperson for the sexual assault survivors group: Justice for Survivors. "Because so far in their view the law protects the abuser and keeps the survivor from being able to access the courts, to access justice, to come forward," Sellek said.