Michigan News & Current Events | Public News Service

The five prize-winners at Saturday's Midland Day of Peace festival will each release a dove to signify the value of peacemaking. (Okea/Adobe Stock)

Thursday, September 22, 2022

City of Midland, Groups Plan Celebration of International Day of Peace

In a world filled with conflict, one city in Michigan is celebrating its status as an International City of Peace. A group of nonprofit …

Michigan voters will decide on a number of races and proposals on the Nov. 8 midterm elections. (1STunningART/Adobe Stock)

MI Groups Say it's Time to Get Ready to Vote in Midterm Elections

The midterm elections are coming up on Nov. 8, and advocates are reminding Michiganders to plan now on how, when, and where they will cast their …

The area known as Squaw Bay near Alpena in northeast Michigan has been renamed Birdsong Bay by the U.S. Department of the Interior. (Pixabay)

Interior Review Finds Hundreds of Place Names with Indigenous Slurs

The U.S. Department of the Interior has ordered name changes for nearly 650 sites on federal lands, in Michigan and across the country, containing …

PFAS contamination has been confirmed at 228 sites in Michigan. (Adobe Stock)

Great Lakes Groups Call Proposed EPA PFAS Rule a 'Watershed' Moment

The Environmental Protection Agency is proposing a rule that will designate two "forever chemicals" as dangerous. PFOA and PFOS are PFAS chemicals …

The RECOMPETE Act establishes a federal block-grant program to empower small, economically distressed communities. (Atstock/Adobe Stock)

RECOMPETE Act Could Bring New Jobs to Rural Michigan

A program approved by Congress aims to give rural communities a leg up when applying for federal dollars. The CHIPS Act, passed last month, aims to …

The biomass process, also called anaerobic digestion, uses waste products from farm animals and plants to extract methane and generate power. (Olivo/Adobe Stock)

MI Groups Call Biomass Proposal 'Flawed, Inefficient'

Environmental advocates are calling a Michigan proposal to use animal and industrial waste as a source of "renewable natural gas" for power generation…

According to the National Centers for Environmental Information, water levels in Lakes Michigan and Huron have risen during the last decade from around 577 feet to 582 feet. (Tada Images/Adobe Stock)

Inflation Reduction Act Provides Hope for Michigan's Climate-Change Policies

With the Inflation Reduction Act now law, many states are beginning to bring their climate goals to fruition. In the last decade, Michigan has seen …

Judge Douglas Shapiro reinstates $12 minimum wage for all Michigan workers. (David Carillet/Adobe Stock)

Michigan Workers Win Minimum-Wage Increase, Paid Sick Leave

Workers in Michigan won major victories recently as a minimum-wage increase and employer paid sick time program were reinstated by court order…

Roughly 16% of Michigan's 2.1 million children live in poverty. (Adobe Stock)

Reports Offer Holistic View of Child Well-Being in Michigan

A pair of research reports are providing a holistic perspective on how Michigan children are faring in the key measures of well-being. The 50-state 2…

In a recent poll, 51% of Michigan voters said they have skipped or delayed getting the health care they need because they are concerned about how much it will cost. (Damir Khabirov/AdobeStock)

Michiganders: Out-of-Pocket Health-Care Costs Devastating Family Budgets

Congress is considering a major legislative package which could affect not only investments in climate change, but the affordability of health care…

Millions of dollars in outside spending have entered Michigan's primary race. (Adobe Stock)

Progressive Jewish Voters Sound Alarms About Outside Spending in MI Primary

CORRECTION: The organization's name is Jewish Voice for Peace Action. (8:05 a.m. MST, Aug. 1, 2022) Tomorrow is the primary election in Michigan…

One project in Michigan receiving an AARP Community Challenge grant plans to foster an environment of healthy eating and physical activity through community gardening. (Halfpoint/Adobe Stock)

Grants Awarded to MI Groups to Make Communities More Age-Friendly

Five projects in Michigan have been awarded grants from AARP to make communities more livable, especially for older residents. Types of projects …

Michigan does not allow split-ticket voting in the primary election. (Adobe Stock)

MI Voting Rights Group: Make a Plan to Vote Next Week

Next Tuesday is the primary election in Michigan, and groups such as the Voting Access for All Coalition are encouraging people to make a plan to …

A report from the USPS Office of the Inspector General finds while upfront costs for electric vehicles may be greater, the Postal Service would save money over time by deploying more EVs. (jetcityimage/Adobe Stock)

EV Advocates: Electrifying USPS Vehicles Benefits Workers, Communities

The U.S. Postal Service is buying nearly 85,000 new vehicles, and estimates about 40% of them will be electric vehicles. That includes 50,000 new …

Michigan Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist, at podium, is among the members of the Juvenile Justice Reform Task Force. (michigan.gov)

Task Force Urges Policy Reform to Keep MI Kids Out of Juvenile Justice System

Young people who have run-ins with the juvenile justice system are more likely to end up in the adult system. The Michigan Task Force on Juvenile …

Around 38% of Michigan nursing homes are facing staffing shortages. (Dragana Gordic/Adobe Stock)

MI State Budget Includes Funding for Long-Term Care, Direct-Care Workforce

The state budget Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed into law Wednesday includes funding for bolstering long-term care. It funds a direct-care workforce …

The Michigan Legislature has been controlled by Republicans since redistricting in 2010, despite Democrats doing well in many statewide races. (Adobe Stock)

U.S. Supreme Court to Consider 'Independent State Legislature' Theory

During its next session, the U.S. Supreme Court will consider the legal validity of the "Independent State Legislature" theory. The case could cause …

Promote the Vote 2022 announced Monday it has collected nearly 670,000 signatures to get its amendment on the ballot. (Promote the Vote)

MI Voting, Reproductive Freedom Ballot Campaigns Submit Signatures

Two constitutional amendment campaigns submitted signatures Monday to qualify to appear on the November ballot, one called "Promote the Vote 2022" …

One of the Consumers Energy goals is to tap 8,000 megawatts of solar power by 2040. (Adobe Stock)

MI's Largest Utility Plans to Close Coal Plants by 2025

Regulators have approved a plan from Michigan's largest utility to stop burning coal to generate energy by 2025. Consumers Energy aims to get more …

Twice as many voters with disabilities reported experienced difficulty voting in 2020 as voters without a disability. (John Davis/Adobe Stock)

MI Disability Group: Tips for More Inclusive Political Campaigns, Elections

With the 2022 elections nearing, groups in Michigan are working to educate political campaigns on how to become more accessible to voters with …

A study to find out whether sperm age plays a role in pregnancy outcomes involved 379 male partners in couples who discontinued use of contraception for getting pregnant. (Andriy Bezuglov/Adobe Stock)

Study: Sperm Cells' Age May Play Role in Reproductive Success

A new study found an association between what researchers are calling the biological age of sperm and reproductive success. While age is considered …

Juvenile-justice advocates in Michigan urge policy action on the issue of youth and families having too many court fines and fees to pay off. (Alex/Adobe Stock)

Report Warns of False Narratives Surrounding Youth Crime

New research found reports of skyrocketing youth crime are not only unfounded, but are fueling calls for stricter punishments. Data from the …

Cyanobacteria and green algae often look similar, like green scum on the water's surface, sometimes compared to green paint. (mivod/Adobe Stock)

Great Lakes Department Official: Watch Out for Algal Blooms

Reports of harmful algal blooms have increased in Michigan in recent years, and state officials have tips on how to keep an eye out for them…

Michigan's new congressional voting district map is available on the Michigan Independent Citizens Redistrict Commission's website, along with the state House and Senate maps. (michigan.gov)

Municipal Clerk: What to Know Ahead of Aug. 2 Primary

Mail-in ballots will soon go out to voters who have requested them ahead of the Aug. 2 primary in Michigan. Municipal clerks across the state are …

Only one county in Michigan - Genessee County - offers Election Day opportunities for eligible voters in jail. (WESTOCK/Adobe Stock)

MI Coalition Spotlights Need for Jail-Based Voting Improvements

Voting-rights groups in Michigan are working to increase awareness about and access to voting in jails. In Michigan, anyone not serving a prison …

More than 80 business, religious and social services groups are calling for an increase to Michigan's state Earned Income Tax Credit. (JJ Gouin/Adobe Stock)

MI Groups: New Census Data Underscores Need for Higher EITC

The latest county census data found Michigan's child poverty rate remains at 19%, and groups advocating for children and families say it is time to …

Nearly 40% of Michigan households include at least one member over age 60. (eggeggjiew/Adobe Stock)

Online Platform Helps Older Michiganders Get Connected, Socialize

More than 40% of older Michiganders live alone, and studies show the pandemic has exacerbated loneliness for many. The State of Michigan has renewed …

About 45% of Wayne State University recent graduates started their education at other institutions. (llhedgehodll/Adobe Stock)

Wayne State Changes Transfer Credit Policy to Increase Access

A university in Michigan is seeking to make it easier for folks to obtain a bachelor's degree after attending community college, by removing barriers …

Court documents show that the estimated increase to gas prices from a shutdown of the Line 5 pipelines is about half a penny a gallon. (Jim Glab/Adobe Stock)

Report: Shutting Down Line 5 Would Increase Gas Prices Half a Penny

New court documents in Michigan show that shutting down the Line 5 pipelines, which run under the Straits of Mackinac, would have a negligible impact …

The National School Lunch Act was signed by former President Harry Truman in 1946. (WavebreakmediaMicro/Adobe Stock)

USDA Awards Grant to Help MI Build Its School Nutrition Workforce

The Michigan Department of Education has received a nearly $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for building and retaining …

Michigan is in the bottom 10 states for fourth-grade reading among Black students. (carline11/Adobe Stock)

Report: Michigan Lags Behind Other States in Reading, Math Indicators

A new report found Michigan kids have remained stagnant across several key indicators of student success, such as fourth-grade reading and eighth-…

Keeping siblings together in foster care is a national best practice. (mytrykau/Adobe Stock)

MI Foster Care Agency: Youths, Families Need Wraparound Services

Michigan is taking steps to improve the child welfare system for National Foster Care Month. In Michigan, nearly a quarter of young people who are …

More than 200 organizations submitted a letter last month urging the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to halt new construction on Line 5, which runs under the Straits of Mackinac. (Wikimedia Commons)

MI Water Advocate: Pipeline Reroute Puts Tribal Fishing Rights at Risk

CORRECTION: Enbridge is proposing a rerouting of its existing Line 5. An earlier version incorrectly stated the project involved an expansion…

The utility company Consumers Energy has a program to reward consumers who charge electric vehicles during off-peak hours. (TheSupporter/Adobe Stock)

EV Business Leaders Highlight MI Infrastructure, Innovation Progress

Electric vehicle (EV) industry leaders in Michigan are touting the state's progress toward electrifying the transportation sector and improving infras…

Baby formula out-of-stock rates jumped from 30% to 40% over the course of April. (279photo/Adobe Stock)

Baby Formula Shortage Hits Low-Income, Rural Communities Hard

The baby-formula shortage is hitting Michigan families hard, especially those who live in rural areas, are low-income or have kids with digestive or …

Consumers Energy plans to have 8,000 megawatts of utility-scale solar power by 2040. (ALEXSTUDIO/Adobe Stock)

MI Utility Seeks Landowners, Communities to Site Solar Arrays

As Michigan aims to reach economy-wide carbon neutrality by 2050, with interim 2030 goals, the state's largest utility is working to transition its …

Seven in 10 parents say their kids have interacted with a smartphone before age 11. (dubova/Adobe Stock)

MI Educator: Engage With Your Kids' Social Media Use

During Mental Health Awareness Month, experts, parents and health professionals are spotlighting the effects of screens and social media on young …

Nearly 70% of voters who identify as independents said they oppose overturning Roe v. Wade, according to a WDIV/Detroit News poll released in January. (vivalapenler/Adobe Stock)

MI Groups Sound "Trigger" Law Alarm if SCOTUS Overturns Roe

Michigan lawmakers and pro-choice advocates were among those gathering Tuesday at courthouses, calling on the U.S. Supreme Court to protect a …

Forty percent of first-generation students in a survey said they filled out the FAFSA forms themselves, compared with 11% of higher-income students. (photo_gonzo/Adobe Stock)

Simplifying the FAFSA: MI Groups Have Some Tips

As the U.S. Department of Education works to simplify the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, known as the FAFSA, groups in Michigan have some …

Machelle Pearson, a formerly incarcerated Michigander, speaks at a virtual news conference spotlighting a proposed initiative for a system of

Petition: Allow Incarcerated Michiganders to Earn Time Off Sentences

A prospective ballot initiative in Michigan would allow people in prison to earn time off their sentences through work training, earning a college …

Resources will be available at Equality Michigan fairs this week, including peer-support opportunities. (ASDF/Adobe Stock)

Groups Spotlight Services for LGBTQ+ Victims of Crime in MI

It's National Crime Victims' Rights Week, a time to raise awareness of victims' rights and services. Equality Michigan is holding three community …

The latest report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change notes that without drastic action, impacts from severe storms and flooding will continue to worsen. (Cory Seeman/Adobe Stock)

MI Group: Oil Pipeline Tunnel Plan Not In Sync with State's Climate Goals

This Earth Month, Michigan leaders took the opportunity to release a new roadmap for a carbon-neutral state economy by 2050. In addition to …

Galls can be the result of a number of different parasites, from bacteria and viruses to insects. (sheilaf2002/Adobe Stock)

Wayne State Researchers Explore Novel Groundwater Monitoring Method

Researchers at Wayne State University are developing an alternative method of monitoring groundwater for toxins. The process is typically labor-…

Experts say the earlier, the better when it comes to building financial skills such as saving, borrowing and investment. (BullRun/Adobe Stock)

MI Lawmaker, Credit Unions: Youth Need Financial Education

A bill before the Michigan Legislature would bring financial education into the state's public schools, by requiring high school students to take a …

A proposal from the City Council, if passed by voters in November, would put $1 million annually toward fighting climate change. (Wikimedia Commons)

Ann Arbor Among Cities Making Strong Climate Commitments

Michigan cities are among those working to curb the devastating impacts of climate change, by reducing their carbon footprints and expanding …

Wayne Health Mobile Units have administered more than 14,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. (Wayne Health)

Report: Mobile Health Clinics Reach Vulnerable MI Communities

An analysis of mobile health clinics launched in the Detroit metro area during the pandemic finds it's a model that can deliver health screenings and …

Students who are forced to delay their college plans are less likely to complete that degree, and the pandemic has had an outsized impact on college-going rates for Black and Latino students. (Lisa F. Young/Adobe Stock)

Report Cites COVID's Outsized Impact on Black, Latino College Plans

The COVID-19 pandemic has had an outsized impact on Black and Latino communities in Michigan, including when it comes to college plans. A new report …

Michigan lost one congressional seat after the 2020 census apportionment. (My Districting Michigan)

MI Good-Government Groups: Check Your Districts Before Election Time

New Michigan voting district maps went into effect last week, and officials now are working to update the voter rolls. Despite ongoing litigation…

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