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Governor Gretchen Whitmer and LARA announce adopted training requirement to improve equity across Michigan’s health care system

LANSING — Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer and the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) took an important step to address health care disparities and improve equity in the delivery of healthcare to all Michigan residents. LARA has adopted new administrative rules that require implicit bias training as part of the knowledge and skills necessary for the licensure or registration of health care professionals in Michigan. Michigan is a national leader in recognizing and addressing disparities that affect the equitable provision of health care. Last year, upon ...

Keweenaw Bay firefighters earn advanced credentials

KEWEENAW BAY — Two firefighters from the Keweenaw Bay Fire Department (KBFD) have recently earned new certifications, ensuring that they are better prepared to respond to emergencies in Baraga Township. KBFD members Garrick Lamb and Jake Putala successfully completed Firefighter I, ...

Finnish American Heritage Center reopening June 1

HANCOCK — The Finnish American Heritage Center (FAHC) will reopen to the general public on June 1 under the following guidelines: — Public hours will be 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday — The Finlandia University Gallery and Martha Wiljanen Community Hall will be open and accessible for self-guided tours; guided art gallery tours provided by Gallery Director Carrie Flaspohler are available upon request — The archive will be 100% appointment-only; masks will be required when inside archive reading room and other research areas — The FAR office will accept walk-in ...

MDHHS announces holiday data schedule for Memorial Day

LANSING — The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has announced its holiday schedule for all data posting over the holiday weekend. Data will not be updated on the Michigan.gov/coronavirus website on Memorial Day due to the state holiday. This includes COVID-19 case information, vaccine administration updates and hospital data. Data updates will resume on Tuesday, June 1. Case data will be broken down into daily averages for Sunday, May 30; Monday, May 31; and Tuesday, June 1. Michigan residents seeking more information about the COVID-19 vaccine can visit ...

MDHHS recommends avoiding foam on lakes and rivers

As the summer months approach, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is issuing its annual recommendation that Michiganders should avoid contact with foam they may see on Michigan waterbodies such as lakes, rivers and streams. The foam may have unknown chemicals or bacteria in it, so it is recommended to avoid contact. Foam can form on any waterbody, but foam on some waterbodies may have high levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). PFAS-containing foam tends to be bright white in color, is often lightweight and may pile up like shaving cream on ...

Public comments are being accepted on infrastructure improvements at Seney National Wildlife Refuge

SCHOOLCRADT COUNTY — We at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are excited to break ground on a backlog of infrastructure projects at the Seney National Wildlife Refuge thanks to funding provided in the Great American Outdoors Act. The refuge was established in 1935 during the Civilian Conservation Corps and Works Progress Administration Era. From the 1930s to the 1960s many facilities and structures were built. We understand the importance of preserving the history of the site and have proposed Seney National Wildlife Refuge be made a Historic District. We are proposing a number of ...