The Michigan legislature is moving quickly to approve a bill extending a fee on businesses who offer healthcare to their employees. The money collected from the Health Insurance Claims Assessment helps pay for Medicaid. Rich Studley, CEO of the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, opposes the measure. He calls it a …
Read More »Governor Snyder Rebukes Donald Trump's Comments on Muslims
Governor Rick Snyder says Donald Trump’s recent comments about Muslims were inappropriate. Trump, the leading GOP presidential candidate, recently told a crowd in South Carolina he was calling for a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the U.S. But Snyder, a fellow Republican, isn’t on board with the real-estate …
Read More »Bill Passes Senate to Keep Sex Offenders Away From Schools
A bill to reinstate the law banning sex offenders from being near schools cleared the state Senate Wednesday. In April, a federal judge struck down Michigan’s law prohibiting registered sex offenders from being within 1,000 feet of a school. The judge ruled the law was unconstitutionally vague. Senator Rick Jones, …
Read More »Revenge Porn Protections Bill Clears Senate
Legislation making cyber revenge, also known as revenge porn, a crime cleared the Senate Wednesday. Under the bills, a person who posts illicit photos or videos of someone without permission, would be guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by up to 93 days in jail and/or a $500 fine. Someone guilty …
Read More »MI House Passes Bills Eliminating Straight Ticket Voting, Allowing for No-Reason Absentee
The Michigan House has approved a pair of bills changing the way you’ll vote in 2016. One bill would eliminate straight-ticket voting, meaning you couldn’t check a box for Democrat or Republican and be done with it. A second bill would allow people to vote absentee without giving a reason. …
Read More »Independence Celebrated At Finlandia University–Event Marks Exhibit Opening
HANCOCK — In what was at least a wonderful coincidence, about 150 people turned out for Finlandia University’s annual celebration of Finland’s independence this year, which is the 150th year since the first Finns arrived in Hancock. From the first note of the Finnish national anthem, to the last note …
Read More »Houghton-Douglass Falls Could Be Opened To The Public Again
If you try to visit the Houghton-Douglass falls, a tall fence and a warning sign is as far as most people get. That’s because in 1996, the falls–which are located on private property–were closed to the public. That could soon change. Calumet Township Supervisor Paul Lehto said, “It’s the highest …
Read More »UPEC Announces New Community Conservation Grant Program
Media Release November 20, 2015 The Upper Peninsula Environmental Coalition announces a new Community Conservation Grant Program with a call for proposals due by January 10, 2016. The program is in honor of UPEC member Tom Church (Watersmeet) whose bequest in 2013 made this new fund possible. Tom is …
Read More »CLK Schools To "Give Drugs The Boot"
CLK Schools are looking to “Give Drugs The Boot”. That’s the theme for this year’s drug awareness event, which is a Boot Hockey Tournament. The CLK Board of Education heard a presentation at Tuesday’s meeting from Calumet High School SADD Chapter Co-Presidents Rosie Torola and Claire Haapala, along with their …
Read More »MI Ranks Poorly in Smoking Cessation Spending
Michigan ranks poorly compared to other states when it comes to state funded efforts to prevent kids from smoking and helping smokers quit. That’s according to a coalition of public health organizations. The report shows Michigan ranking 44th overall in funding anti-smoking programs. It notes the state spent $1.6 million …
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