George James

States to FDA: Do a Better Job at Regulating Baby Food

Baby food really should not have lead or mercury in it. That seems obvious, but there is concern that the FDA is not adequately regulating the baby food industry to address the mounting concerns over toxic heavy metals in baby food.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel signed the letter petitioning the United States Food and Drug Administration to accelerate their efforts to remove toxic heavy metals from infant and toddler foods. The petition is asking the FDA to move faster to reach their “Closer to Zero” plan.

Nessel said, “There is no population more vulnerable than infants and toddlers, and action must take place swiftly to ensure that foods designed for growing children are safe to eat.”

The petition was prompted by a report from the U.S. House of Representatives’ Oversight and Reform Committee’s Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policy that found high levels of toxic heavy metals like lead, arsenic, cadmium, and mercury, in many baby foods.

Rice cereal is of particular concern and the petition asks for the FDA to lower the acceptable level of inorganic arsenic in the popular “first solid food” of many infants.

Reporting for WGRT- Jennie McClelland

It’s Bat Week!

Bats are a little creepy, but they are also an important species. It’s International Bat Week, and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources wants to remind Michigan residents that bats are vital to the ecosystem.

Many species of bats are declining in numbers and some are federally protected, so if you have bats in the attic, they need to be relocated, not exterminated.

The DNR says that bats are helpful because they eat pests like mosquitos and sometimes act as pollinators. Bats have been falling ill to “white-nose” syndrome in the area, which causes them to wake up early from hibernation. Infected bats don’t make it through the winter as their fat stores are depleted prematurely.

Bat houses that are placed away from people are a good way to peacefully co-exist with bats in your neighborhood. To learn more about bats, the Friends of the St. Clair River are hosting a “Bat Hike” at Columbus County Park on Friday, October 29th at 10:00 a.m. Registration information for the bat walk, as well as information about constructing bat houses, can be found below.

Bat Hike on Oct 29 at 10 am at Columbus County Park. Register at https://form.jotform.com/212904885991166

https://batweek.org/install-bat-house/?fbclid=IwAR0BD02ZzCxY1FQzDv2SbRQXUDNLzpJWVgdK7XYJ8PaozMf-8j2M7Nt49lM

Reporting for WGRT -Jennie McClelland

SC4’s “We Are Still Here” to Tell Story of Native History

Most students of American history know that in 1492 Columbus sailed the ocean blue, but do they know anything about indigenous culture or pre-colonial North America? The St. Clair County Community College Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion will be offering a chance to get a history lesson from a different perspective with the “We are Still Here” presentation for Native American History month.

The presentation will be on November 5th from 10:00-11:30 a.m. in the SC4 Fine Arts Theater on the Port Huron campus.

“We are Still Here” is being facilitated by Banashee (Joe) Cadreau and Giddigongookskwe (Jade) Green. The pair will be discussing indigenous culture in Michigan as well as in the entire United States and Canada. Michigan is the home of the “three fires” people: the Ojibwa, Odawa, and Potawatami.

Both presenters, who are members of native tribes, will tell their stories of dealing with accepting their cultures and their adolescent struggles. To reserve a seat for this free community event, email dei@sc4.edu.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Port Huron to Participate in Historic Opioid Settlement

Eleven people overdosed on drugs in the City of Port Huron this September alone. One of those overdoses was fatal. Nine of those overdoses were known to be from the use of heroin.

Port Huron could soon be getting help from the historic settlement between states’ Attorneys General and the makers and promoters of highly addictive opioid pain relievers that can lead to heroin use and substance abuse disorders.

The settlement is the result of years of negotiation and the clock is ticking to ensure participation and guarantee payout. Michigan’s Office of Attorney General acknowledges that the money won’t immediately end the opioid epidemic, but it will help local governments to “commence with meaningful change” to curb addiction, overdose, and death.

The City of Port Huron is taking the necessary steps to participate in the settlement process, according to a memo from City Manager James Freed.

The multi-billion dollar payouts will be spread out over up to 18 years and priority is given to the states which have been the most affected by opioid abuse.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Mark S. White Named 2020 Michigan Professional Emergency Manager of the Year

Mark S. White has been named the 2020 Michigan Professional Emergency Manager of the Year by the Michigan State Police, Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division.

White is the Deputy Director for St. Clair County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. White drafted the emergency management framework in the midst of the pandemic, which allowed for all county agencies to coordinate their efforts.

White is also credited with spearheading the Local Emergency Planning Committee in St. Clair County. The Committee brings together the resources of both public and private entities to expand resources and expertise in emergencies.

Captain Kevin Sweeney, Commander of the Michigan State Police Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division, said, “Mr. White’s dedication to emergency management over the last three decades has helped his community prepare for and respond to disasters, ensuring their health and safety. His continued efforts to educate others and improve emergency response statewide are more than deserving of this award.”

Mark S. White started his career in public service 35 years ago as a firefighter with the Port Huron Fire Department.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Michigan Part of Push to Preserve Local Journalism

Local journalism could be fading fast, with the advent of Artificial Intelligence (AI) used in writing and the competition for advertising dollars that support local media. The Local Journalism Sustainability Act of 2021, if passed, will incentivize preserving local journalism.

Attorneys General nationwide, including Michigan’s, are asking Congress to pass legislation that can help sustain local media outlets. The proposed legislation would give tax credits to those who subscribe to locally produced news and those who advertise with local media. They also propose a payroll credit for media outlets that hire local journalists.

It is difficult to get regional and relevant news for a lot of markets. The letter to Congress says, “Local news is essential to the health of our states, communities, and our democracy. Local news organizations across the country have been struggling for many years because of significantly reduced revenue and the transition to online news. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated these challenges.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland