News

The state’s largest union has joined the yes vote campaign to fix Michigan’s roads with a one-cent sales tax increase. AFL-CIO President Karla Swift says it’s not everyday that business and labor agree on major economic issues, but this is an area where it’s easy to find common ground. Republican …

Governor Rick Snyder has signed an executive order creating a new agency to coordinate the state’s energy programs. Valerie Brader, Snyder’s top aide on energy matters, will lead the new Michigan Agency for Energy which will focus on coordinating efforts and decisions as the state looks to replace retiring coal-fired …

The Michigan Senate has approved a bill creating a “choose life” license plate in Michigan. Under the measure most of the money raised from sales of the state-sponsored plate would go to abortion alternatives like crisis pregnancy centers run by Right to Life and other anti-abortion organizations. A Democrat-sponsored proposed …

Faith-based adoption agencies in Michigan which claim a religious exemption would be allowed to decline services to certain potential adoptive parents without risk of losing taxpayer funding, under bills approved by the Michigan House Wednesday. Votes on the Republican-sponsored bills were mostly along party lines. All three bills passed by …

Michigan‘s spring tourism advertising campaign has been launched on national network and cable TV. The Pure Michigan Campaign national ad budget is $12 million dollars this year, including $2 million contributed by four partners: Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids, Great Lakes Bay Region, and Traverse City. David West, Vice President of Travel …

The State Board of Education is offering the job as the state’s next superintendent to Dearborn Public Schools Superintendent Brian Whiston. The board voted 7-to-1 Wednesday afternoon to offer Whiston the contract. He will replace current state superintendent Mike Flanagan, who is retiring in June. Whiston served as a lobbyist …

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 13, 2015   Health Insurance Marketplace Opens Special Enrollment Period for Tax Season Eligible consumers have from March 15 through April 30 to enroll in coverage   A Special Enrollment Period (SEP) for the health insurance marketplace opens on March 15, 2015.  This SEP is for …

Dr. Benishek: Lack of Transparency at VA is Unacceptable Answers from VA Officials at Hearing Demonstrates Problems Still Exist  Washington, D.C.- Yesterday evening, the House Veterans Affairs Committee held a hearing on the public release of findings from internal VA investigations.  Testimony was given by the VA Inspector General’s Chief …

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 17, 2015   Contact: Belinda Laughlin Field Service Manager Northern and Upper Peninsula Special Olympics Michigan 800-644-6404 Belinda.laughlin@somi.org     Special Olympics Michigan seeking new volunteer Area Director for Marquette, Alger, Baraga, Houghton, and Keweenaw Counties   (MARQUETTE, Mich.) – Special Olympics Michigan is seeking a …

Portage Auxiliary Offers Scholarships HANCOCK — March 17, 2015 The Portage Health Auxiliary is offering $1,000 scholarships to students pursuing careers in healthcare. To be eligible for the scholarship, applicants must complete one year of higher education before the fall of 2015, be a registered resident of Houghton, Keweenaw, Baraga or …