Great Lakes Wire

The Michigan Legislature has passed a state budget that emphasizes healthcare funding and safeguards access to essential healthcare services across the state's communities. The fiscal year 2025 state budget, along with the fiscal year 2024 supplemental proposals, maintains funding pools that support rural and critical access hospitals, obstetrical services, the Healthy Michigan Plan, and Michigan’s Medicaid populations. These pools are crucial for maintaining access to care for underserved populations throughout Michigan.

Survey reveals widespread worker apprehension towards human resources

A recent survey by job site MyPerfectResume found that of 1,000 respondents, 86% of workers fear their human resources representative. Further, 85% reported that they hesitated to go to HR to discuss their work-related issues.

Commercial Alliance of REALTORS announces new members for June 2024

The Commercial Alliance of REALTORS welcomes these new members: Margaux Drake, Keller Williams North; Dustan Luban, Vision Real Estate Investment; Tanner Schmidt, Martin Commercial Properties; Kyle Wheeler, CARR, Inc.; and affiliate member Matt Brechting, Ace Asphalt and Chip Seal.

Court rules FOIA denial for sensitive election data justified

LANSING – Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced that the 16th Judicial Circuit Court in Macomb County dismissed claims brought under Michigan’s Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) against 16 cities and townships. These claims were made following denied FOIA requests for election records containing sensitive information.

Michigan health association elects new officers for 2024-25

Members of the Michigan Health & Hospital Association (MHA) elected new officers and appointed board members during the association’s Annual Membership Meeting on June 26. Officers of the 2024-2025 MHA Board of Trustees include Julie Yaroch, DO, as chair; Bill Manns as chair-elect; and Brittany Lavis as treasurer. Brian Peters was reappointed to serve an indefinite term as CEO of the association. The board directs the Greater Lansing-based association’s statewide representation of hospitals and healthcare providers.

Nicole Wood addresses impact of misinformation at NNPHI conference

Nicole Wood, Social Media and Communications Specialist, recently gave a presentation at the National Network of Public Health Institutes (NNPHI) annual conference. The presentation was titled “The Great Infodemic: Building Science Communication Pathways to Address Public Health Misinformation.” Wood’s talk focused on science communication and how effective communication practices can improve public health functions amid misinformation.

Ohio woman sentenced for threatening voicemails to state representatives

Sandra Bachman, 61, of Batavia, Ohio, was sentenced today before Judge Joyce Draganchuk in the 30th Circuit Court in Ingham County to a prison term ranging from 23 months to five years. The sentencing follows her guilty plea to charges related to leaving a racially and politically motivated death threat for former Michigan State Representative Cynthia A. Johnson in June 2021. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced that Bachman pled guilty in May to one count each of Threat of Terrorism – Attempt, Ethnic Intimidation, and Malicious Use of Telecommunication Services.

Steps for addressing sexual harassment claims at work

When an employee claims they have been sexually harassed at work, the process of investigating such a claim can be daunting. A resource titled "Identifying and Preventing Workplace Harassment" provides guidance on conducting these investigations. Below is an overview of the recommended steps:

AG Nessel celebrates Pride Month at White House on Obergefell anniversary

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel celebrated Pride Month at the White House this afternoon. The event coincided with the ninth anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court's Obergefell decision.

Former Westland police sergeant faces trial for ethnic intimidation

Former Westland Police Sgt. Kevin Yudt, 42, of Grass Lake, has been bound over to stand trial for two counts of ethnic intimidation and two counts of assault and battery, announced Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. The charges relate to an incident on April 6, 2023, when security at MGM Grand Detroit denied Yudt and a friend access to the casino floor due to his apparent intoxication.

Common Cause urges action on pro-democracy agenda before summer break

Before legislators head off for summer break, Common Cause Michigan is urging lawmakers to ensure the full pro-democracy agenda is passed and sent to the governor’s desk. The organization emphasizes that several bills need immediate action before legislators leave to campaign:

AG Nessel urges court support on FTC ban against TurboTax ads

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has joined a coalition of 22 attorneys general in filing a brief supporting a Federal Trade Commission (FTC) order that bars Intuit, the maker of TurboTax, from deceptively advertising “free” tax preparation software when its services are not actually free for most consumers. In a brief filed in Intuit v. Federal Trade Commission, the attorneys general argue that the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit should reject an appeal filed by Intuit and uphold the FTC’s order.

Common Cause urges passage of pro-democracy agenda before summer break

Before legislators head off for summer break, Common Cause Michigan is urging lawmakers to ensure the full pro-democracy agenda is passed and sent to the governor’s desk.

Northern Michigan names Dave Shyiak new head hockey coach

Former Northern Michigan University hockey player Dave Shyiak has been named the institution's fourth head hockey coach, as announced by Athletic Director Rick Comley on Wednesday.

MDHHS expands hotline services for seasonal farmworkers impacted by influenza A (H5N1

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has announced an expansion of its farmworker hotline, 833-SIAYUDA (833-742-9832), to include resources and services for farmworkers affected by influenza A (H5N1). The MDHHS Farmworker Outreach Services Division initially launched the toll-free SIAYUDA hotline in February 2023 to provide information and service referrals in a farmworker’s primary language. Given that two-thirds of Michigan’s seasonal farmworker population speak only Spanish, the hotline offers translations in English, Spanish, and Haitian-Creole.

Warren man sentenced up to 40 years for human trafficking

LANSING – Today, James Madison-Cranford, 30, of Warren, was sentenced to 7-40 years’ incarceration for human trafficking a minor, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced. Madison-Cranford is also required to register as a sex offender upon discharge from the Michigan Department of Corrections. Cranford pled guilty in May to:

Updated top house districts most likely to flip

Republican Melody Wagner has run for Marquette’s state House multiple times. Although not predicted to win the primary in her fifth attempt, her vote counts have increased significantly over the years. In 2020, Trump lost this seat by a narrow margin of 100 votes.

Senate approves bill shifting school retiree healthcare funds amid fiscal negotiations

School employees would no longer have to pay 3 percent of their paychecks to cover their retiree health care benefits under legislation the Senate approved Thursday, as the Legislature began movement on a linchpin to the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 budget discussion.

Court rules against Michigan abortion regulations

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel issued a statement in response to the Court of Claims' ruling and injunction in Northland v. Nessel.

Nurse charged with falsifying records related to patient fall