Michigan News & Current Events | Public News Service

The Urban Wood Network was formally established in 2016 after multiple state chapters were awarded a USDA Forest Service grant. (Adobe Stock)

Thursday, June 8, 2023

Wood Products From Urban Sources a Growing Trend

By Liam Jackson for Great Lakes Echo.Broadcast version by Brett Peveto for Michigan News Connection with support from the Solutions Journalism Network…

Data from the Prison Policy Institute shows that of the approximately 1 million inmates in state prisons across the United States, one in eight, or 13%, is older than 55. (Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, June 6, 2023

Grant Awarded to Study Improving Health Care for Imprisoned Seniors

Longer sentences handed out for major crimes in Michigan and other states over the past few decades mean a larger portion of people in state and feder…

More than 50 anti-Muslim hate groups were operating in the United States in 2021, according to the Southern Policy Law Center. Many groups target Muslims by the way they dress. (Adobe Stock)

Muslim Rights Group Sues Michigan Sheriff Over Forced Hijab Removal

A Muslim rights group is taking the Kent County Sheriff's Office to court for forcing a Michigan woman to remove her hijab for a booking photo…

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 …

Michigan reached a historic low in teen pregnancies in 2020, at just over 12 births per 1,000 females ages 15-19. (Nicholas Felix/peopleimages.com)

MI Women's Health Needs Begin in Adolescence

The need for Michigan women to prioritize their health doesn't stop when National Women's Health Month ends this week. One expert said it is time to …

Black employees encounter discrimination against appearance of natural hairstyles including but not limited to braids, dreadlocks, twists and Afros. (Olesia Bilkei/Adobe Stock)

Michigan Senate Passes CROWN Act to Prevent Hair Discrimination

The Michigan Senate has passed legislation to confirm wearing natural hair should not prevent anyone from rising in the workplace, in education or in …

Research has found that about 90% of individuals who die by suicide experience mental illness, which oftentimes is undiagnosed or untreated. (Adobe Stock)

Hospitals Collaborate on Best Suicide Prevention Practices

Trinity Health Michigan is joining a new nationwide network of hospitals collaborating on suicide prevention. Research shows nearly half the people …

Miigwech Inc. represents 12 federally recognized tribes. (Philip Hutchinson/Northern Territory Photography)

Our Vote as Our Voice: Rocking the Native Vote in Michigan

With elections on the horizon, Indigenous groups in Michigan are educating native communities about how they can make their voices heard to make …

Veridian at County Farm is on County Farm Park with 130 acres of woods, trillium-lined trails, gardens and playgrounds. (Romolo Tavani/Adobe Stock)

Michigan Community Paves Way for 'Net-Zero' Living

By Genevieve Fox for Great Lakes Echo.Broadcast version by Shanteya Hudson for Michigan News Connection with support from the Solutions Journalism Net…

According to the Lake Carriers' Association, the Great Lakes fleet moves more than 90 million tons of cargo annually. (icholakov/Adobe Stock)

Could Great Lakes’ Cargo Fleet 'Go Green?'

By Audrey Richardson for Great Lakes Echo.Broadcast version by Farah Siddiqi for Michigan News Connection reporting for Solutions Journalism-Public Ne…

Learning to debate helps develop students' critical thinking skills, according to the American Debate League. (Adobe Stock)

Community Groups Encourage Open Dialogue After Controversy at Michigan High School

After controversy erupted over Palestinian American activist and lawyer Huiwada Arraf's speech at a Michigan high school, community groups are …

More than one in four restaurant workers said they'll leave the profession within a year, according to survey by KURU Footwear, which polled 800 U.S. workers in the food/restaurant service industry last December. (Adobe Stock)

Public Weighs In on How Non-Complete Agreements Impact Workers

Earlier this year, the Federal Trade Commission said it intends to ban non-compete agreements, and hundreds of people have submitted comments on the …

The Enbridge Line 5 oil pipeline runs for four miles on the bottom of the Straits of Mackinac, carrying millions of gallons of crude each day from Canada to Michigan. (Adobe Stock)

Michigan Tribes, Others File Grievance With UN Over Line 5 Project

Representatives of 51 tribes and First Nations have presented a demand to the United Nations to call on Canada to end its support for the Enbridge Lin…

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…

The U.S. Census Bureau says Asian-Pacific Islanders make up a growing part of America's immigrant community. (Adobe Stock)

Community Group Helps Asian-Pacific Island Migrants Adjust to Life in U.S.

Thousands of immigrants arrive in the United States every year, knowing very little about the language, culture and civic ways of their new homeland…

DTE Energy's 52-year-old power station, one of the most polluting coal-fired plants in the country, is scheduled to be decommissioned by 2028. (Wikimedia Commons)

EPA Proposal Would Reduce Emissions from MI Coal Plants

The Environmental Protection Agency is tightening rules to limit emissions of mercury and other pollutants from coal-fired power plants. Experts say …

Ann Arbor's A2Zero program is designed to transform the city of 125,000 to carbon neutrality by 2030. (Adobe Stock)

Ann Arbor initiative Aims to Render the City Carbon Neutral by 2030

By Avery Schuyler Nunn for Grist.Broadcast version by Mark Richardson for Michigan News Connection reporting for the Grist-Public News Service Collabo…

In 2021, some 241,000 new apprentices entered the national apprenticeship system, but a new policy report says Black workers are still underrepresented. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Black Workers Need More Opportunities for Apprenticeships

Labor leaders and various industries recently celebrated the 85th anniversary of a federal law that laid the groundwork for registered apprenticeship …

The Warrior Way Back program at Wayne State University works with older students who may have families or jobs competing for their study time. (digitalskillet/Adobe Stock)

University Makes It Easier for Former Students to Return, Finish Degree

Everyone starts college with pretty much the same dream - to earn a degree and have a better life. But sometimes life gets in the way, and dreams get …

The Enbridge Line 5 pipeline carries oil and gas products from Canada to Michigan, where it is distributed across the Midwest. (Dragon Claws/Adobe Stock)

Feds Postpone Permit to Build Line 5 Tunnel Under Great Lakes

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has announced an 18-month delay in permitting a controversial oil-tunnel construction project under the Great Lakes…

Senate Bill 4 amends Michigan's 1976 Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act. It comes after the Michigan State Supreme Court ruled that state law currently provides protections from discrimination based on sexual orientation. (Iliya Mitskavets/Adobe Stock)

MI Approves Extending Civil Rights to LGBTQ Community

Advocates for Michigan's LGBTQ community are calling lawmakers' move to expand the state's civil rights law to include them a victory that's "been a l…

A project to reclaim empty and abandoned lots across Detroit has brought a host of native plants and animals to communities across the city. (amphiphan/Adobe Stock)

Detroit Arboretum, Zoo Lead Connected-Habitat Restoration Project

By Tom Perkins for Planet Detroit.Broadcast version by Mark Richardson for Michigan News Connection with support from the Solutions Journalism Network…

Mexico and Canada are the largest importers of meat into the United States, but other countries such as Brazil, Australia and Japan sell significant amounts of beef, pork and lamb here, as well. (Grecaud Paul/Adobe Stock)

USDA Proposes New Rules on Who Can Use 'Product of USA' Labels

A proposal by the U.S. Department of Agriculture would change the rules on what foods can be labeled "Product of USA." Current regulations allow …

Union representatives hope the labor movement in Michigan will rebound if the legislature repeals the state's

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Michigan Democrats Take Major Step to Roll Back Right-to-Work Law

Michigan Democrats took a major step toward one of their top legislative priorities this week by passing a measure in the House to roll back the state…

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…

According to data from the CDC, the rate of gun deaths in Michigan increased 11% from 2010 to 2019, while the rate of gun suicides increased by 18%. (Adobe Stock)

MI Faith Leaders Meet with Lawmakers on Gun Violence Legislation

Michigan faith leaders are meeting with members of the state Legislature to push for action on gun safety. House leaders, including Rep. Joe Tate…

Statistics show that of the 11 million people incarcerated yearly, about 15% have been homeless. Conversely, around 48,000 people going into homeless shelters each year come from prisons or jails. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Policies Keep People with Criminal Records Out of Public Housing

A new report is calling for public housing authorities to change certain policies to prevent excluding people with criminal records. The Prison …

Michigan's Little River Band of Ottawa Indians is studying the feasibility of operating its own power utility. (Adobe Stock)

Michigan Native American Tribe to Study Building Own Power Utility

A Michigan Indian tribe has been awarded a $100,000 federal grant to study the possibility of creating its own power utility. The Little River Band …

In Michigan and elsewhere, dental therapists ensure that in areas where dentists are hard to find, proper, cost-effective oral health care is available. (sofiko14/Adobe Stock)

Dental Therapists May Provide Vital Care in MI's 'Dental Deserts'

Experts agree that proper dental care is an important part of a person's overall health, but a chronic shortage of dentists makes some parts of …

Law enforcement officials say Tuesday's deadly incident at Michigan State University is the 67th mass casualty event in the U.S. this year. (Adobe Stock)

MSU Shooting: Deja Vu for Two Survivors of School Gun Violence

The deadly shooting spree at Michigan State University Monday night was another tragic American event involving firearms. But for at least two MSU …

The National Center for Education Statistics shows while the number of people earning college degrees has increased, the retention rate for first- and second-year students remains flat. (Adobe Stock)

Colleges Working to Raise Graduation Rates by Eliminating 'Equity Gap'

Colleges in Michigan and around the country are taking a proactive role in helping their students to succeed in their academic careers. Programs …

According to the CDC, children who regularly see a dentist and brush daily with a fluoride toothpaste are likely to have fewer dental problems as adults. (Rawpixel/Adobe Stock)

Dentists: Early Oral Hygiene Can Prevent Problems Later in Life

February is National Children's Dental Health Month, giving parents another reason to watch their children's intake of Valentine candy this week…

Problem gambling experts say commercials for sports-betting apps often portray the activity as a fun, social event, with not enough information about the potential risks. (wpadington/Adobe Stock)<br />

Expert: Use Common Sense Making Online Super Bowl Wagers

The Super Bowl is on this weekend, and people ready to try sports-betting apps will no doubt want to get in on the action. Online sports betting is …

Michigan environmental activists have begun to focus on environmental justice issues in low-income communities that bear the brunt of industrial pollution and political indifference. (Adobe Stock)

Environmental Activists Adopt New Tactics to Battle Michigan Polluters

By Tom Perkins for Planet Detroit.Broadcast version by Mark Richardson for Michigan News Connection with support from the Solutions Journalism Network…

The CDC recommends schools, businesses and public gathering places keep an artificial external defibrillator available. (Adobe Stock)

Doctors: Know What to Do for Heart Attack or Cardiac Arrest

February is American Heart Month, and according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease is the number one cause of death in …

According to the Pew Research Center, adults in all age groups, except those younger than 30, are far more likely to trust information from national and local news outlets than from social media. (Farknot Architect/Adobe Stock)

Editor: News Outlets Must Do Better to Regain Consumers' Trust

Americans continue to have little faith in the mainstream news media, with many people under the age of 30 saying they trust information from social …

In a national survey, Michigan was ranked 27th among the 50 states for its cost, access and quality of long-term care supports and services. California was ranked first. (Flickr)

MI State of State: Whitmer Promises Seniors Tax Breaks, Better Care

In her fifth State of the State address this week, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer emphasized policies designed to put more money in Michiganders' pockets…

Research shows that cooking with natural gas can emit toxic fumes such as methane and nitrogen dioxide into the home and the atmosphere. (malkovkosta/Adobe Stock)

Consumer Warning on Gas Stove Emissions Sparks Controversy

The health risks associated with gas-burning stoves have caused a recent stir and fears of a government ban on the appliances, but a Michigan …

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 …

The CDC reports about one in every 10 babies born in the United States is a preterm birth. (Monkey Business/Adobe Stock)

New Research in MI on Preterm Births, Environmental Toxins

Wayne State University has received an $11 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to investigate how volatile organic compounds contribu…

The surge in union organizing has left the National Labor Relations Board understaffed and short of funds to accomplish its mission. (Adobe Stock)

Labor Unions Push for More NLRB Funding

Labor groups are calling on the new Congress to build on last year's $25 million funding increase for the National Labor Relations Board, an agency …

One of the benefits of silvopasturing is to relieve grazing animals, such as cattle, from the perils of heat stress. (UllrichG/Adobe Stock)

Farmers Mix Trees, Crops, Livestock to Fight Climate Change

By Caroline Miller for Great Lakes Echo. Broadcast version by Mark Richardson for Michigan News Service, reporting for Solutions Journalism/Public …

The massive spill in Kansas marks the 23rd time that the Keystone Pipeline has leaked since it launched in 2010. (anankkll/Adobe Stock)

Group: KS Keystone Spill a Cautionary Tale for MI Pipeline

An environmental watchdog group said the recent Keystone Pipeline oil spill should serve as a warning to Michiganders if a proposed expansion of the E…

The Loud Dam, which impounds the Au Sable River in Iosco County, is one of 13 historic hydropower dams that could be decommissioned or sold. (Flickr)

Power Utility Ponders Fate of 13 Historic Michigan Dams

A number of small dams along Michigan lakes and rivers, some operating for more than a century, are still generating hydropower energy - just not …

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…

Jon Kent (kneeling) and a cadre of volunteers are raising vegetables and feeding the community from their urban farm at Charlevoix and Lakeview streets in East Detroit. (Sanctuary Farms)

Young Farmers of Color: Feed Detroit, Fight Injustice, Protect Climate

By Britny Cordera for Yes! Magazine.Broadcast version by Mark Richardson for Michigan News Connection reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-…

An estimated 96,000 children in rural Michigan are left out of the full $2,000 federal Child Tax Credit because their families earn too little. (Pexels)

Group Backs Renewal of Child Tax Credit for Rural MI Kids

A coalition of advocates for Michigan families is pushing Congress to permanently install the Child Tax Credit in its end-of-year spending bill…

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