Great Lakes Wire

Camilla Carbone, a member of the Northern Michigan University (NMU) Swim and Dive Team, has been recognized with the GLIAC Commissioner's Award. This award is one of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference's (GLIAC) most prestigious honors.

Northern Michigan Track & Field heads to Elaine Leigh Invite

The Northern Michigan Track & Field team is set to participate in the Elaine Leigh Invite, a two-day event hosted by Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan. This marks the team's second trip downstate this outdoor season. The meet will commence on Friday, April 19th and conclude on Saturday, April 20th.

Northern Michigan lacrosse prepares for final games of regular season

The Northern Michigan women's lacrosse team is preparing for the final stretch of their regular season with a series of three away games. The Wildcats, currently holding an 11-3 overall record and 2-1 in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC), are receiving votes in both the International Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) and USA Lacrosse polls for the first time.

Michigan AG Nessel Testifies in Support of BRITE Act

LANSING – Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson appeared before the House Ethics and Oversight Committee to endorse the Bringing Reforms in Integrity, Transparency and Ethics (BRITE) Act. The Act aims to enhance disclosure requirements for political funds, limit the movement of legislators transitioning to lobbyists, and broaden gift disclosures for elected officials.During the hearing, Nessel emphasized the importance of closing loopholes in campaign finance laws to prevent undisclosed political influence. She warned against the...

Office of Highway Safety Planning urges cannabis day celebrants to plan a safe ride home

The Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning (OHSP) is urging cannabis enthusiasts to plan a safe ride home as the unofficial holiday of April 20, or 4/20, approaches. The OHSP, along with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), is reminding cannabis users about the dangers and illegality of driving under the influence of cannabis.OHSP director, Katie Bower, emphasized the importance of responsible decision-making, stating, "If you are impaired by drugs or alcohol, you should never get behind the wheel." Bower further advised, “Those who plan to use...

Former Hartford Police Chief Pleads Guilty to Drug-Related Charges

Former Hartford Police Chief Tressa Beltran has pleaded guilty to drug-related charges in a case that has shocked the community. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced that Beltran admitted to one count each of Delivery or Possession with the Intent to Deliver less than 50 Grams of a Controlled Substance and Use of a Computer to Commit a Crime.The plea deal includes a sentencing agreement that will see Beltran facing a minimum term of incarceration of 24-40 months, with a statutory maximum of 20 years’ imprisonment. The sentence for each count will run...

Oakland County Physician Bound Over on Insurance Fraud Charges

LANSING – Dr. Rainna Furnari Brazil, 57, of Sylvan Lake, was bound over yesterday in the 48th District Court in Bloomfield Hills on charges stemming from an allegedly fraudulent disability insurance claim and subsequent years of receiving fraudulent payments, announced Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. She will stand trial in the 6th Circuit Court in Oakland County. Brazil, a licensed osteopathic physician, applied for and received disability insurance payments from the Unum Life Insurance Company of America. The People allege she subsequently continued working as a...

Northern Michigan wrestlers receive NWCA Scholar All-American honors

The National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) has recognized seven members of the Northern Michigan wrestling team as Scholar All-Americans for the 2023-24 academic year. The awards were given to a total of 199 individuals from 47 institutions across the country.

Former Fabius Township Supervisor Sentenced in 2010 Cold Case Sexual Assault

Former Fabius Township Supervisor Kenneth Dwayne Linn, 58, of Three Rivers, has been sentenced to 19 to 50 years' incarceration for a sexual assault committed in 2010, as revealed by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and Kalamazoo County Prosecutor Jeff Getting. Linn was found guilty of four counts of First-Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct by a Kalamazoo County jury in March, following a cold-case investigation led by the Kalamazoo County Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI) team.Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel commended the SAKI units for their work, stating,...

NMU women's golf team set for GLIAC Championships at Gull Lake View

The Northern Michigan University Women's Golf team is preparing for the upcoming Women's GLIAC Championships. The event will take place at Stonehedge North, one of the courses at Gull Lake View Golf Resort in Augusta, Michigan. The tournament is scheduled to begin on Friday, April 19, and conclude on Saturday, April 20, 2024.

Interview with Yesenia Peralta

By Great Lakes Wire Report | Apr 16, 2024

Forge Industrial Staffing is an industrial staffing company that specializes in talent recruitment services, based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Director of IT Yesenia Peralta spoke to the Great Lakes Wire on Jan. 24 to discuss her role and experience with Forge.

AG Nessel Announces Airline Passenger Protection Partnership with U.S. Department of Transportation

By Great Lakes Wire | Apr 16, 2024

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has announced a new partnership with the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) aimed at enhancing protections for airline passengers. The agreement focuses on reviewing and resolving consumer complaints against airlines and ticket agents, with a strong emphasis on upholding federal aviation consumer protection requirements.In a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the Michigan Department of Attorney General and the DOT, a streamlined process for addressing consumer complaints against air travel companies has been outlined....

Attorney General Nessel Charges Former State House Speaker Lee Chatfield with 13 Felonies, Conducting a Criminal Enterprise

By Great Lakes Wire | Apr 16, 2024

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has announced 13 felony charges against former Speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives Lee Chatfield for alleged financial crimes. Nessel stated, "Our investigation has uncovered evidence that Lee Chatfield used various different schemes to embezzle, steal, and convert both private and public monies." The charges include Conducting a Criminal Enterprise and multiple counts of embezzlement and conspiracy to commit embezzlement.According to Nessel, Chatfield is accused of misusing political non-profit funds, state budget funds,...

VA Purchase Loans in Michigan average $267,730 for Q1

The average VA Purchase Loan amount for Michigan in the first quarter of fiscal year 2024 was $267,730, according to figures provided by the Veterans Affairs Home Loans Index.

VA’s Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loans in Michigan average $295,182 for Q1

The VA’s Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loans in Michigan for the first quarter of the fiscal year 2024 averaged $295,182, according to figures provided by the Veterans Affairs Home Loans Index.

Number of VA loans issued in Michigan decreased by 16.8% from Q1 2023 to Q1 2024

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) issued 1,678 home loans totaling $433.5 million in Michigan during the first quarter of the fiscal year 2024, according to figures provided by the Veterans Affairs Home Loans Index.

NMU athletics teams prepare for busy competition weekend

The Northern Michigan University (NMU) athletics teams are preparing for a busy weekend of competitions from April 19 to April 21. The women's golf team will participate in the Women's GLIAC Championships, while the women's track and field team heads to the Elaine Leigh Invite. Additionally, the women's lacrosse team is set to face Davenport and Grand Valley State.

Northern Michigan University signs four top recruits for men's basketball team

The Northern Michigan University men's basketball team has announced the signing of four recruits for the 2024-25 freshmen class. The new additions include Michael McNabb, Isaiah Allen, Cody Schmitz, and Jonny Ingalls.

AG Nessel Re-Issues Alert to Warn Medium and Small Business Owners That Tax Scams May Target Them

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is re-issuing her alert, Tax Scams Targeting Small and Midsized Businesses, emphasizing the need for small business owners to be vigilant against tax scams. Nessel stated, “Criminals who perpetrate tax scams against small and midsized businesses are not only defrauding hardworking entrepreneurs but also undermining the integrity of our tax system for financial gain.”The AG outlined various tax-related scams that target small and midsized businesses, which include Business-Related W-2 Scams, Employer ID Number Scams, and IRS Imposter...

Sports teams achieve notable performances across various events