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New legislation introduced to combat the opioid epidemic

LANSING – A bi-partisan package of bills to combat the opioid epidemic in Michigan was announced today by Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist; Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy for health at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS); Sen. Curt VanderWall (R-Ludington), Sen. Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids), Rep. Mary Whiteford (R-Casco Township), Rep. Angela Witwer (D-Delta Township), the Michigan Health and Hospital Association and the Michigan Opioid Partnership (MOP). The legislation will expand availability of treatment for opioid use ...

Senators Stabenow, Peters introduce bill to support workers impacted by trade

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Gary Peters (D-MI) today introduced a bill to support workers who lose their jobs because global trade has impacted their employers or industry. The Trade Adjustment Assistance For Workers Reauthorization Act of 2021 improves the existing Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) for Workers program so that more trade-impacted workers can access job training benefits, extended unemployment, and other support services needed to find new jobs. Beginning on July 1, the TAA for Workers program will operate in a limited form, harming new ...

Crews will survey streams to find lampreys

BLACK RIVER — The continuing battle against sea lampreys soon will come to locations in the local area. A U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service assessment crew will conduct work in Black River (Gogebic County, MI) July 6 through 15, to estimate the abundance of sea lampreys. The information gathered will be used to determine the need for sea lamprey control. A first step in the control of sea lampreys is to survey streams tributary to the Great Lakes to determine the presence of lamprey larvae. Sea lampreys invaded the Great Lakes during the 1920s and have been a permanent, destructive ...

Public health advisory and precautionary Canal and beach closure due to fuel spill discharge, Portage Canal, Houghton County.

Hancock,- The Western Upper Peninsula Health Department (WUPHD), working in conjunction with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), is issuing a public health advisory for the Portage Canal near Houghton/Hancock due to a fuel spill that discharged to Portage Canal in Houghton County. On June 24, a fuel tanker truck overturned on U.S. Hwy-41, Santori’s Corner, Hancock, MI, and released gasoline fuel to the ground surface. Fuel discharged to a storm drain that outlets to the Portage Canal. The entire Portage Canal, ...

Gypsy moth feeding season nearing its end

Gypsy moth caterpillars have been busy this spring in areas across Michigan. As these now large caterpillars near the pupal or cocoon stage, tree defoliation is at its peak. In highly infested areas, the caterpillars’ munching is audible, and round pellets of frass, or waste, rain down throughout the day and night. Oaks, aspens, willows and other host trees may be nearly leafless, or defoliated, by their feeding. The hairy, yellow-faced caterpillars with pairs of red and blue spots down their backs can be found on buildings, vehicles, equipment or anything that’s been outside for a ...

Gov. Whitmer signs bipartisan legislation to provide food and rental assistance to families across Michigan

LANSING — Governor Gretchen Whitmer today signed a bipartisan bill to invest $2.2 billion in federal COVID-19 relief funding to support the recovery of individuals, families, and businesses struggling with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The new funding helps families put food on the table through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and keep a roof over their head through the Emergency Rental Assistance program. “As we look ahead, we have an unprecedented opportunity to use federal stimulus funds to help Michigan’s families, small businesses, and ...