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Great Lakes Wire

Monday, November 4, 2024

News from July 2024

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AG Nessel announces $1.2 billion Kroger settlement over opioid crisis

By Great Lakes Wire | Jul 29, 2024

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is urging municipalities to join a $1.2 billion national settlement with Kroger to address allegations that the company contributed to the opioid epidemic. Michigan governments are set to receive nearly $42 million from the settlement over 11 years to combat the crisis.

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Gen Z's reliance on AI reshapes workplace dynamics

By Great Lakes Wire | Jul 28, 2024

A new TalentLMS report sheds light on the profound impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the workplace skills and interactions of Generation Z. This generation, born roughly between 1997 and 2012, is quickly becoming a dominant force in the workforce. The report reveals that nearly half (47%) of Gen Z workers prefer AI guidance over traditional managerial advice. This preference underscores a significant shift in how this cohort values technology and its role in their professional development.

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How businesses can attract engage retain Generation Z workers

By Great Lakes Wire | Jul 27, 2024

Gen Z is a generation like no other, and in order to maintain your business, you’ll need to think about how you can accommodate the up-and-coming workforce.

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West Michigan business leader takes helm of SBAM's volunteer board

By Great Lakes Wire | Jul 26, 2024

Michael Rogers recently spoke with Erick Stewart, owner of LAGNIAPPE Strategic Consulting in Battle Creek, on the SBAM Weekly Podcast. Stewart is serving as the Small Business Association of Michigan’s (SBAM) Board Chair for 2024-2025.

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Guidelines for managing employee requests for unpaid leave after PTO exhaustion

By Great Lakes Wire | Jul 26, 2024

If an employee runs out of paid time off (PTO), the employer's obligation to allow unpaid time off depends on various factors, including legal requirements and past practices.

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Court approves new State Senate districts map in Michigan

By Great Lakes Wire | Jul 26, 2024

In response to the court approving a new State Senate districts map, ending the redistricting process and court case, Common Cause Michigan Executive Director Quentin Turner released the following statement:

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Advance Peace expands Peacemaker Fellowship® program into East Lansing

By Great Lakes Wire | Jul 26, 2024

MPHI’s Advance Peace Initiative recently announced its expansion into East Lansing. Previously, the initiative focused on the city of Lansing; however, their efforts revealed that individuals in East Lansing might be at risk of gun violence involvement.

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Ben Russell named assistant hockey coach for Northern Michigan

By Great Lakes Wire | Jul 26, 2024

Northern Michigan head hockey coach Dave Shyiak has announced the hiring of Ben Russell as an assistant coach for the 2024-25 season.

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Former Kent County advisor sentenced after paying restitution for embezzling from clients

By Great Lakes Wire | Jul 26, 2024

Earlier this week, former Kent County investment advisor Jaime Westenbarger, 46, now residing in Nashville, TN, was sentenced to 30 to 240 months of incarceration by Judge Scott A. Noto in the 17th Circuit Court in Kent County. This sentencing follows one count of Embezzlement $100,000 or More. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced that Westenbarger received a concurrent sentence of 30 to 180 months for one count of Embezzlement $50,000 or More But Less Than $100,000.

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Michigan AG Nessel signs bill banning predatory right-to-list agreements

By Great Lakes Wire | Jul 25, 2024

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel signed Senate Bill 602 into law today while serving as acting governor. Nessel was accompanied by members of the Michigan Realtors, representatives of the Department of Attorney General, and her son.

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Payton Dube finishes fourth at UPLGA Championship

By Great Lakes Wire | Jul 25, 2024

NMU golfer Payton Dube competed in the 2024 UPLGA Championship over the weekend, placing fourth in the top flight of golfers.

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Little Blessings Learning Center advocates best child care standards

By Great Lakes Wire | Jul 25, 2024

Dianne Hartwell, the owner and founder of Little Blessings Learning Center, has been a prominent figure in the Lansing area for over 30 years. The center has received the Governor’s Quality Care Award and maintains a 4-star rating in Michigan. Partnering with Great Start to Quality and the Association for Child Development Food Program, Little Blessings ensures quality learning experiences and proper nutrition for children.

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Ithaca woman charged with embezzling from vulnerable adult

By Great Lakes Wire | Jul 24, 2024

Cheryl Colburn, 65, of Ithaca, was arraigned on Monday in the 64B District Court in Stanton before Magistrate Brian G. Wagner on one count of embezzlement from a vulnerable adult, $1,000 - $20,000, a five-year felony, announced Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. Colburn, who was serving as the professional guardian and conservator of the victim, allegedly kept the victim’s property for her own benefit.

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Coalition urges FEMA recognition for extreme heat & wildfire smoke as major disasters

By Great Lakes Wire | Jul 24, 2024

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has joined a coalition of 14 attorneys general in petitioning the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to update its regulations to recognize extreme heat and wildfire smoke events as eligible for major disaster declarations under the Stafford Act. The petition also seeks to clarify that wildfire smoke events are eligible for Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) funding.

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MDHHS partners with Michigan 211 on new grief support initiative

By Great Lakes Wire | Jul 24, 2024

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), in partnership with Michigan 211, has launched a new website dedicated to increasing access to grief and bereavement support services and resources.

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AG Nessel praises judge's decision on FTC's noncompete ban

By Great Lakes Wire | Jul 24, 2024

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel commended Judge Kelley Hodge of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania for rejecting a challenge to block the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) ban on noncompete agreements. Nessel, who previously joined a multistate coalition supporting the FTC rule, praised the decision in April to implement a nationwide ban on noncompete agreements.

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Michigan signs revised sharps disposal requirements into law

By Great Lakes Wire | Jul 24, 2024

The following statement can be attributed to Brian Peters, CEO of the Michigan Health & Hospital Association.

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Debate arises over anti-gambling rules in employee handbooks amid rise in online gaming

By Great Lakes Wire | Jul 24, 2024

With the ubiquity and convenience of online gambling, are employer “no gambling” rules becoming outdated? In an informal survey of nearly 50 employee handbooks reviewed by ASE over the past four years, a no-gambling policy was found in 25% of those handbooks. Typically, this rule was embedded within general conduct policies.

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Burtchville woman pleads guilty to embezzling over $86k from elderly ward

By Great Lakes Wire | Jul 23, 2024

LANSING – Yesterday, Lisa Marie Tramski, 57, of Burtchville, pled guilty in the 31st Circuit Court in St. Clair County to one count of embezzlement of $50,000 or more but less than $100,000, announced Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. Tramski embezzled more than $86,000 from an elderly woman after becoming her court-appointed guardian. Tramski will pay $51,600.75 in restitution prior to sentencing as part of the plea.

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Attorney General Nessel opposes UPPCO's proposed $16.9 million rate increase

By Great Lakes Wire | Jul 23, 2024

LANSING – On Friday, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel filed testimony with the Michigan Public Service Commission, arguing for significant reductions to Upper Peninsula Power Company’s (UPPCO) latest electric rate hike request. UPPCO filed its request with the Commission in March, seeking a 16% rate hike for all customers to raise $16.9 million in added revenue. The company also aims to raise its profit margin on infrastructure investments from 9.9% to 10.7%, potentially making it the highest return on equity in the state and possibly the nation.