Public News Service

This week, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services finalized the calendar year 2025 rate announcement for the Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D prescription drug programs. CMS's final ruling from 2022 will lead to the new Highly Integrated Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan in Michigan. (Flamingo Images/Adobe Stock)

MI HealthLink pilot program to transform by 2026

Michigan's HealthLink pilot program is planning to transition into a new Highly Integrated Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan. The new program will …

The Task Force on Juvenile Justice Reform, formed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and led by Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II, took a comprehensive look at the state's system and released its report in July 2022 with 32 recommendations for improving Michigan's juvenile justice system. (Oleg Kozlovskiy/Adobe Stock)

Michigan's youth justice reforms: Expanded diversion, no fees

Michigan recently implemented a significant juvenile justice reform package following recommendations from a task force made up of prosecutors…

Motor vehicle emissions contribute to ozone, particulate matter and air toxics, which are linked with premature death and other serious health impacts, including respiratory illness, cardiovascular problems and cancer. (rh2010/Adobe Stock)

EPA offers longer rollout for emissions rules on light-duty vehicles

The Environmental Protection Agency is setting stricter limits on vehicle tailpipe emissions through 2032 and giving automakers an additional three ye…

Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., who sits on the Senate Appropriations Committee, helped secure the funding for the Western Michigan University project. (VectorMine/Adobe Stock)

WMU secures $2.25 million grant for carbon capture research

Western Michigan University has gotten a significant funding boost, with a grant of more than $2 million from the U.S. Department of Energy. The …

Although food insecurity can be faced by anyone, Black and Latino children are twice as likely to face hunger because of discrimination based on race. And in 2022, 33% of single-parent families experienced food insecurity. (Piman Khrutmuang/Adobe Stock)

Michigan students get a boost to summer food access

Michigan is planning ahead to make sure kids from lower-income families have enough to eat this summer. The state has opted into a federal food …

The funding increase for community health centers also helps alleviate some of the burdens caused by threats to 340B, the low-cost prescription drug program. A Merck study finds 90% of older adults regularly take at least one prescription drug. (220 Selfmade Studio/Adobe Stock)

MI seniors applaud community health center funding increase

Older adults across Michigan and around the country are applauding a boost in funding for community health centers, thanks to Congress passing a …

States including California and Illinois have passed mental health legislation similar to what Michigan is now considering, without seeing increases to insurance premiums. (Drazen/Adobe Stock)

MI legislators push for mental-health care access

A House bill aimed at increasing access to mental health care in Michigan could go to a vote on the House floor at any time. Rep. Felicia Brabec…

According to the EPA, most EVs can be charged with a standard 120-volt (Level 1) outlet. To charge them more quickly, you can install a dedicated 240-volt (Level 2). (Mike Mareen/Adobe Stock)

Report: EV puts money back into Michigan drivers' pockets

Michigan is seeing growth in new electric-vehicle market share, and EV enthusiasts say lower prices are just part of their appeal. The latest …

The $80.1 million investments from the U.S. Department of Agriculture are part of President Joe Biden's commitment to advance equity for people who have been historically underserved and adversely affected by persistent poverty and inequality. (ysbrandcosijn/Adobe Stock)

USDA funds 28 housing units in Michigan's Alpena County

Braving the week's icy conditions, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and several members of the Legislature highlighted the state's housing crisis at …

This third edition of AECF's Race for Results report has post-COVID data and contends that young people are missing critical developmental milestones as a direct result of choices to not invest in policies, programs and services that support children, especially in under-resourced communities and communities of color. (Brocreative/Adobe Stock)

Many Michigan kids of color face significant barriers to reaching potential

Black children in Michigan are performing worse than their peers nationally in every metric measured, according to the Annie E. Casey Foundation's …

Apart from the January minimum wage increase, the new year also increased the minimum hourly wage rate for minors to $8.78 per hour, and the tipped employee rate increased to $3.93 per hour. (Seika/Adobe Stock)

MLK Jr.'s fight for fair pay resonates with MI service workers

Michigan food service workers are commemorating Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. today, bringing to mind their own, more recent battle for fair wages and …

Achievement data for fourth grade and eighth grade rural Michigan students experiencing poverty and all rural students ranks in the middle compared to other U.S. states. (ruslanita/Adobe Stock)

Report: Rural Michigan students need school counselors

A new report said Michigan has the lowest professional-to-student ratio of all states and pointed to the particular staffing needs of rural schools…

The Peterbilt 520 EV, a fully electric garbage truck, made a test run in Portland, Ore., on Nov. 11, 2023. (scharfsinn86/Adobe Stock)

Heavy-duty trucks: Rolling toward electric power?

While lawmakers and environmental groups strive to lower vehicle emissions and the nation's carbon footprint, many truckers see unrealistic …

the National Young Farmers Coalition delivered a letter to House and Senate Agriculture Committee leadership signed by 175 national, regional and local organizations in support of the Increasing Land Access, Security and Opportunities Act. (Johnstocker/Adobe Stock)

Young farmers advocate for climate changes, face land-access issues

Young Farmers in Michigan hope the new Farm Bill will include key benefits regarding land access so they can continue to pursue farming passionately…

Michigan is among 20 states to receive a multiyear grant from the Pritzker Children's Initiative. (SneakyPeakPoints/peopleimages.com/Adobe Stock)

MI coalition helps get cash influx to improve childcare

The coalition known as "Think Babies Michigan" has advocated for more than $36 million in funding to offer grants to child-care providers for infants …

Water Equals Life is a coalition of water justice advocates, environmental groups and social justice groups who have come together in a statewide campaign to ensure everyone's basic human need for access to clean, safe, and affordable water is met, regardless of income. (Bovart/Adobe Stock)

Michigan Residents Pay Among Highest Water Bills in U.S.

Michigan water rates have surged more than 40% since 2010, and it is a trend that's expected to continue as cities and utilities work to upgrade …

Some 70% of Michigan residents are either currently providing care or have provided care in the past for an adult relative or friend. (Studio Romantic/Adobe Stock)

Michigan Adults Strive to Stay Mentally Sharp as They Age

AARP Michigan's Vital Voices survey results are in, and more than 700 Michigan adults 45 and older say they are most concerned with staying mentally …

Michigan allocated $70 million and lowered the age restriction to expand Michigan Reconnect. Flint-based Mott Community College is among the state's 31 community and tribal colleges. (Courtesy of Mott Community College)

Michigan Doubles Down on Free Community College

Building on the success of a $140 million investment, Michigan is making community college free to hundreds of thousands more students by expanding …

Some 710,500 households currently receive SNAP benefits in Michigan, including more than 531,000 Michigan children (Maksim Kostenko/ Adobe Stock)

Major Win for Michigan with SNAP Asset Test Gone

Michigan families no longer need to spend down their savings and be restricted to having only $15,000 in assets to receive SNAP benefits. Gov…

American families say the lack of cost-effective and available child care is a major problem in their lives, according to the 2023 Kids Count Data Book. (Adobe Stock)

MI Finishes in Bottom Half of Child Well-Being Rankings

Michigan continues to be ranked in the bottom half of U.S. states for child well-being, according to the latest Kids Count Data Book. This year's …

Some 17% of formal complaints made to the Department of Civil Rights are related to housing, according to a legislative analysis of Senate Bill 207. (Andrey Popov/Adobe Stock)

MI Bills Could Prohibit Landlords' Source-of-Income Discrimination

People cannot be denied a place to live based on their race or disability in Michigan, but some are being turned down based on where they get the …

Currently, Michigan has no statewide law protecting families from discrimination based on their use of Housing Choice Vouchers or other non-wage sources of income. (Adobe Stock)

Bill Aims to Curb Discrimination for MI Families with Housing Vouchers

A new report found thousands of Michigan families using Housing Choice Vouchers are often left out in the cold by landlords who refuse to rent to them…

An overhaul of Michigan's tax system, signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer this week, will bring savings to thousands of senior and low-income taxpayers. (Adobe Stock)

Governor Signs Overhaul of MI Tax System, Ends 'Retirement Tax'

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has signed a new law that rolls back Michigan's "Retirement Tax" that was implemented more than a decade ago. The new law…

About 6% of all cars sold in the United States in 2021 were battery-electric powered, but officials say the number of EVs is expected to grow to 25% by 2030. (ARHIT/Adobe Stock)<br />

Report Examines EV Impacts on MI Highway Maintenance, Funding

Most experts agree putting more electric vehicles on the road is a major step toward fighting climate change, but a new report says states will also …

According to AARP Michigan, six out of 10 senior voters are concerned they may not be able to afford the cost of a needed prescription medication. (Stock Footage Inc./Adobe Stock)

Michigan Seniors Call for More Government Action to Lower Drug Costs

A new report found three of four Michigan voters 50 and older take one or more prescription drugs on a regular basis, but many find it difficult or …

The number of restaurant workers in the United States fell from 12.6 million to 11.2 million between 2010 and 2021, according to Statista. (Adobe Stock)

Lawmakers Introduce Restaurant Workers' Bill of Rights

In response to massive pandemic-related layoffs, new legislation in Congress would create a bill of rights for restaurant workers. Rashida Tlaib…

A new report on the cost of water bills estimates that 6.7% of Michigan consumers, or 668,000 residents, pay more for water than they can afford. (motiontion/Adobe Stock)

Report Urges Water-Affordability Strategy to Help Low-Income Michiganders

Residential water rates in Michigan are soaring, with an estimated one out of ten households without access to or unable to afford clean water…

Conservation efforts by the National Wildlife Federation and other conservation groups restored the U.S. wild turkey population from near extinction to thriving in almost every state in the country. (Mataman/Adobe Stock)

Conservationists: Recovering America's Wildlife Act Critical to Save Species

Environmental groups are calling efforts over the past half-century to restore the wild turkey population from the brink of extinction one of America'…

In 2022, almost 250,000 Michigan residents purchased their health coverage online through the Affordable Care Act health insurance exchange. (Maksym Yemelyanov/Adobe Stock)

Affordable Care Act Open Enrollment Begins Nov. 1 in Michigan

Open-enrollment season for health insurance is upon us, and Michiganders who want to get the right kinds of coverage have a lot to consider. More …

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 …

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…

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 …

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 …

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…

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 …

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 …

Eliminating a burdensome retirement-benefit pre-funding requirement could save the U.S. Postal Service $5.65 billion per year. (Bumble Dee/Adobe Stock)

MI Workers: USPS Reform Bill Would Create Opportunity for Postal Banking

Congress has passed a bill to help shore up the U.S. Postal Service, and it's now on to President Joe Biden for a signature. The bill puts six-day-a-…

There are more than 200,000 jobs in the auto industry in Michigan, and a new report says building more electric vehicle-charging stations would create more. (paulynn/Adobe Stock)

Groups: More EVs Could Mean Major Benefits for Michigan

Groups working for cleaner air in Michigan say the pressure is on to encourage wider adoption of electric vehicles (EVs), with the state set to …

Michigan is second only to California as the states with the most diverse agriculture industry.(Michael/Adobe Stock)

MI Farmers Encouraged to Apply for New USDA "Climate-Smart" Program

Michigan farmers say the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) new, billion-dollar investment in projects by "climate-smart" farmers, ranchers and …

Prescription drugs in the United States on average cost 2.5 times as much as medications in other nations. (Gov. Gretchen Whitmer)

MI Groups Support Repealing Pension Tax, Capping Insulin Costs

Groups advocating for seniors are applauding Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's plans to prioritize repealing the pension tax and placing a cap on out-of-pocket …

Many Michigan households say they can't afford to make the necessary repairs to their aging residential sewer lines. (elenabsl/Adobe Stock)

MI Groups Urge State House to Pass Water Infrastructure Bill

A bill before the Michigan Legislature would allocate $2.4 billion dollars in federal funds for repairs to the state's aging water infrastructure…

44% of Michiganders live in child-care deserts. (fizkes/Adobe Stock)

Report: MI Kids Eligible but Not Receiving Child-Care Subsides

New state and county data show among Michigan's youngest children, there are gaps and disparities in access to crucial health, nutritional and …

More than 335,000 Michiganders have a serious mental illness, but researchers say there are not enough Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners or other mental-health professionals in the state. (Adobe Stock)

Researchers: MI Communities Need More Mental Health Support

Pockets of Michigan have limited or no access to mental health providers, and a new pilot program aims to change it. The Wayne State University …

Groups are spotlighting the affordable-housing provisions in Build Back Better that they say could make a big difference for Michiganders. (JP Photography/Adobe Stock)

MI Advocates Call Affordable Housing Key in 'Build Back Better'

DETROIT -- Groups say the Build Back Better Act would bring economic opportunity to many Michigan residents, from helping with access to affordable …

Advocates of President Joe Biden's Build Back Better agenda say it would create millions of well-paying jobs. (ehrlif/Adobe Stock)

MI Officials Urge Bold Action as COP26 Concludes

MARTIN, Mich. -- As leaders from around the world meet in Scotland, the United States' plan to tackle climate change is coming into focus. The Build …

Four post offices in Washington, D.C., Virginia, Maryland and New York are offering some payroll and business check cashing. (Luis G. Vergara/Adobe Stock)

MI Postal Workers Concerned by Mail Slowdowns, Reduced Hours

LANSING, Mich. - Post offices across Michigan and the nation are implementing service changes in an effort by the agency to cut costs, but labor …

Like many across the country, the Benton Harbor water distribution system is more than 100 years old. (Adobe Stock)

MI Community Faces Water Crisis, Calls for Lead Pipe Replacement

BENTON HARBOR, Mich. -- As Congress continues to negotiate infrastructure and social safety-net bills, advocates for environmental justice say …

The average student debt load of a Michigan graduate is a little more than $30,000. (Adobe Stock)

Ed. Department to Streamline Student-Loan Forgiveness for Public Servants

LANSING, Mich. -- An overhaul of the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness program could bring relief to more than 550,000 student-loan borrowers …

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