Choze Powell

Michigan Secretary Of State Confirms Donald Trump’s Inclusion In 2024 Presidential Primary Ballot

In a pivotal decision, Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson declared today that, barring intervention from the U.S. Supreme Court, former President Donald Trump will be featured on the Republican presidential primary ballot scheduled for February 27th, 2024. 

Emphasizing her commitment to nonpartisan governance and adherence to the law, Secretary Benson, a former election law professor, highlighted the importance of securing democracy and ensuring fair and accessible elections. 

Michigan’s state Supreme Court, along with lower courts, has upheld the Secretary of State’s limited authority in determining ballot access for presidential primary candidates. Secretary Benson expressed optimism for swift resolution from the U.S. Supreme Court, underscoring the necessity of clarity as the nation gears up for the 2024 election season.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Massive Cybersecurity Breach Exposes Personal Health Data Of Over One Million Michigan Residents

In a startling revelation, Attorney General Dana Nessel announced a cybersecurity breach at HealthEC, LLC, a population health management platform serving Corewell Health’s properties in southeastern Michigan.

The breach, impacting over a million residents, has raised concerns about the security of sensitive health information. HealthEC, a vendor for Corewell Health, specializes in identifying high-risk patients and improving care accessibility. On December 22nd, HealthEC initiated the process of notifying affected individuals, acknowledging the compromise of personal data such as names, addresses, Social Security numbers, medical records, and health insurance information.

The exposed information also includes medical diagnoses, prescription details, and billing information, posing a significant threat to privacy and highlighting the urgent need for enhanced cybersecurity measures in the healthcare sector.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

T-Mobile Implements Stricter Measures Against A2P Traffic Violations With New Fines Starting January 1st

Commencing January 1st, 2024, T-Mobile is set to enforce three new fines for non-compliant Application-to-Person (A2P) traffic leading to Severity-0 violations, the most severe form of consumer harm. 

The fines, applicable to all A2P products utilizing T-Mobile’s network, are structured as follows: Tier 1 – $2,000 for offenses like phishing and social engineering; Tier 2 – $1,000 for illegal content, encompassing substances like Cannabis and solicitations; and Tier 3 – $500 for various violations, including but not limited to SHAFT, which is Sex, Hate, Alcohol, Firearms, and Tobacco. 

The move underscores T-Mobile’s commitment to maintaining a secure and compliant messaging environment, reinforcing penalties for severe violations.

For more information, refer to Section 5 in the T-Mobile Code of Conduct.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Holiday Chocolate Alert: High Levels Of Lead And Cadmium Found In Popular Brands

As holiday festivities boost chocolate consumption, a cautionary note arises with Consumer Reports revealing elevated levels of heavy metals like lead and cadmium in many popular chocolate products. 

Recent testing unveiled that 71 percent of the chocolate examined exceeded recommended thresholds for lead, cadmium, or both. Notably, Divine 70% Deliciously Smooth Dark Chocolate and Sam’s Choice (Walmart) Dark Chocolate 85% Cocoa were exceptions, meeting CR’s safety standards. 

Four out of six hot cocoa mixes tested, including Great Value (Walmart), Trader Joe’s, and Nestlé (which supplies Starbucks), surpassed Consumer Reports’ lead limit. Surprisingly, even products with cocoa powder, sugar, and additional ingredients showed elevated levels of lead, raising concerns about potential health risks for consumers. Holiday revelers are urged to be mindful of their chocolate choices to avoid unintended exposure to heavy metals.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Blue Water Area Transportation Commission Offers Free Rides On New Year’s Eve To Curb Drunk Driving Risks

In a move to enhance public safety during the New Year’s Eve festivities, the Blue Water Area Transportation Commission (BWAT) has announced free ride services for residents. 

From 6:30 p.m. on December 31st to 2:30 a.m. on January 1st, BWAT will be offering complimentary transportation to individuals in Port Huron, Marysville, Fort Gratiot, Port Huron, and Burtchville townships. The initiative aims to reduce the likelihood of drunk driving accidents over the holiday period. 

To streamline the process, the commission urges residents to schedule their rides in advance, enabling them to allocate resources effectively. This thoughtful initiative reflects BWAT’s commitment to promoting a safe and responsible environment for the community’s New Year’s Eve celebrations.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Christmas Gift Spending Hits Record Highs: Americans Set To Spend $937 Billion, Reflecting a Decades-Long Trend

The tradition of Christmas gift-giving in the United States has evolved into a multi-billion dollar phenomenon, with data over the past two decades revealing a nearly twofold increase in overall spending since 2003. 

Despite a dip during the 2008 financial crisis, the National Retail Federation (NRF) projects a 3 to 4 percent growth in 2023, forecasting total holiday spending to reach at least $937 billion. Contrastingly, back in 1950, holiday spending stood at $40.2 billion, adjusting for inflation and population growth. However, the shift towards year-round shopping and increased reliance on credit cards has transformed gift-giving into a perpetual pursuit, emphasizing materialism over meaningful connections. 

Advocates suggest reflecting on the simplicity and purposefulness of past generations’ gifts to rekindle the true spirit of the season.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell