This year, on Tuesday, December 1, 2015, the Portage Health Foundation is participating in #GivingTuesday, a global day dedicated to giving. Last year, more than 27,000 organizations in 68 countries came together to celebrate #GivingTuesday.  Since its founding in 2012, #GivingTuesday has inspired giving around the world, resulting in greater …

Bedtime stories are among the most cherished childhood memories. You don’t need much—a good book, a warm pair of pajamas, and your child is all set. The Youth Advisory Council of the Keweenaw Community Foundation is running a book and pajama drive for the kids in the local community. KCF …

Vice President Joe Biden will have a Michigan Christmas tree this upcoming holiday. Korson’s Tree Farms in Sidney in Montcalm County is sending eight trees to Biden’s home in Washington, D.C. after winning second reserve champion at the 2015 National Tree Contest in July. Jessica Korson, one the owners of …

As Michigan’s firearm deer season comes to a close, hunters may have noticed something different this year: more women hunting. A report released in October shows that while the number of people hunting nationwide is down, the number of female hunters in Michigan is up. That’s not surprising to Michigan …

Registered medical marijuana patients that smoke pot in their cars in a public parking lot aren’t immune from prosecution. The Michigan appeals court ruled Wednesday that a parking lot is a public place so the state’s voter-approved medical marijuana law provides no protections for a patient who uses the drug …

Retired and off-duty Department of Corrections’ (DOC) officers would be added to the list of those allowed to carry a gun in gun free zones, under a legislation signed by the governor Monday. Currently in Michigan, you can’t carry a pistol into a school, hospital or sports stadium because they …

EMTs and paramedics are protected from getting sued if they provide emergency medical care while off duty under a bill signed in to law by the governor. The measure passed the House last month and cleared the Senate in October. Previously only doctors and nurses had Good Samaritan protections. Providing …

A measure designed to make it easier for firefighters coming from out-of-state to be certified in Michigan has been signed into law by the governor. The bill passed the House in November and the Senate in October. State Senator Dale Zorn, the bill sponsor, says it would provide firefighter certification …

A second hearing is planned this month for legislation that aims to stop big box stores from asking the Michigan Tax Tribunal to value their property – for tax purposes — as if it were empty, or dark, arguing the layout is unique and wouldn’t be worth much if the …

Some changes to how concealed handgun licenses are issued take effect Tuesday. Three-member county gun boards are no longer part of the mix, with their duty of issuing, denying, revoking or suspending licenses transferring to county clerks. State police will be responsible for background checks to ensure someone who’s not …