U.S. Senate votes to advance landmark Respect for Marriage Act

Members of the U.S. Senate voted 62 to 37 on Nov. 16 to advance a bill known as the Respect for Marriage Act that would seek to codify interracial and same-sex marriage into law.

While the U.S. Supreme Court’s rulings in Obergefell v. Hodges and Loving v. Virginia currently allow for same-sex marriage and interracial marriage to be recognized nationwide, such are not protected by any federal law.

Following the Court’s decision in June to overturn judicial precedent and rescind the nationwide right to abortion established in a previous ruling, advocates have signaled alarm over other rights like same-sex and interracial marriage currently guaranteed through Court decisions and not existing law.

The vote saw 12 Republicans vote with all Senate Democrats in pushing the bill forward. While the chamber has yet to put the bill to a final vote, the initial number of senators voting to limit debate on the legislation signals that it will likely have the support it needs to pass.

If passed by the Senate, the amended version will return to the House of Representatives for a floor vote and, if approved there, will move on to President Joe Biden’s desk for a final signature to be enacted into law.

West Michigan, Great Lakes regions pounded by heavy early-season snowfall

West Michigan and the Grand Rapids area near Grand Valley State University was inundated with heavy snowfall last week and through the weekend as travel for the Thanksgiving holiday approaches.

According to WOOD TV8 reporting, almost two feet of snow had fallen in some areas of Grand Rapids since Thursday, Nov. 17, setting multiple daily records for early-season snowfall.

In addition, other areas in the Great Lakes region received several feet of snowfall in this same time period that has proven to be both immense and lethal.

On the east side of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario, as much as six feet of snow was dropped on areas around Buffalo, New York. There have been at least two reported deaths in that area due to cardiac complications from shoveling snow.

GV opens new food option for faculty and staff

Grand Valley State University will soon offer a new dining option for faculty and staff.

The new location, known as the Laker Club, will be located on the upper level of the Commons.

According to GVNext, a complementary buffet will be offered to faculty and staff on Nov. 21 and 22 to mark the opening of the location. Regular operations will begin on Nov. 28.