Breaking News

Press Releases

Boosting COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness

WAUSAU, Wis. – Reports of COVID-19 breakthrough cases make national headlines frequently. The most recent example is the death of Colin Powell from COVID-19 complications. These reports are coming at the same time the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing its recommendations for COVID-19 boosters. All this information adds to confusion about COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness and the need for booster shots. “The intent of the booster shot is to rev up that immunity again and get it acting at its full potential,” said Michael Walters, MD, Aspirus Senior System Physician ...

U.P. COVID-19 community town hall series continues as Michigan COVID-19 cases increase

HOUGHTON — As COVID-19 cases decline nationwide, Michigan has seen a steady increase in cases since July. To help keep community members informed, Michigan Tech University continues to deliver a virtual U.P. COVID-19 Town Halls Series. Organized by the Health Research Institute, the 60-minute Town Halls are broadcasted live on Zoom, Facebook Live, and 97.7 The Wolf (WOLV-FM) the final Thursday of each month. Over the course of the series, moderated by professors Steven Elmer and Kelly Kamm from the Department of Kinesiology and Integrative Physiology, clinicians, public health ...

MI Independent Citizens Redistricting Committee

The League of Women Voters will be holding an information webinar on Thursday, Oct. 21 at 7 p.m. Join thousands of your neighbors and Michiganders across the state by making your voice heard to help shape our federal and state legislative district boundaries for the next 10 years. For the first time in our state’s history, a commission of 13 randomly selected Michigan citizens – not politicians or lobbyists – are responsible for drawing fair and representative election districts. Join in to hear about the proposed maps that will affect your county. Your webinar is Thursday, ...

Missing child found in good health

HOUGHTON — The Houghton County Sheriff's Office responded to a missing child complaint at approximately 2:45 p.m. on Sunday afternoon. A nine year-old boy with Downs Syndrome had walked away from his father while walking through the woods behind a family member's residence on the Lower Worham Rd. The boy was not familiar with the area. The following agencies were either requested or offered assistance in the search: Michigan State Police troopers and their K9 unit, Keweenaw County Sheriff's K9 unit, MTU Public Safety, DNR, Superior Search and Rescue, and several Houghton County ...

AG Nessel joins bipartisan coalition in defense of Indian Child Welfare Act protections before the U.S. Supreme Court

LANSING – Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel joined a bipartisan coalition of 26 attorneys general in an amicus brief in support of the United States and four federally recognized tribes in their efforts to uphold critical protections guaranteed under the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA). Filed before the U.S. Supreme Court in Haaland v. Brackeen and Cherokee Nation v. Brackeen, the amicus brief highlights the states’ compelling interest in standing up for the well-being of all children, including Native American children, in state child-custody proceedings. "The Indian Child ...

FY22 Food Safety Education Fund recipients announced

LANSING – The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) today announced recipients of the 2021-2022 Food Safety Education Fund (FSEF) grants for food safety training for the food industry and education and outreach for consumers. The FSEF is a 12-month competitive grant program, now following the state’s fiscal calendar year from Oct. 1 to Sept. 30 each year. “These grants are integral for helping train the food and agriculture industry to maintain the safety, nutritional value, and quality of food throughout the food chain,” said MDARD Director Gary ...