George James

State AGs Want Flavored Vapes and Other Products Banned

Youth nicotine use has not gone away, even with decades of campaigning to educate kids about the dangers of addiction. In fact, there is an ongoing surge in the use of e-cigarettes, or “vaping”.

A coalition of Attorneys General, including Michigan’s, are asking the Food and Drug Administration to regulate the industry and stop allowing flavors that appeal to kids and to stop selling things like nicotine pouches, gum, and lozenges. They also want to tighten up marketing restrictions and age verification measures.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said, “The youth nicotine epidemic is an urgent public health matter and it is on us to ensure that the health and safety of our youth is not jeopardized. I urge the FDA to take immediate action and use its regulatory powers to impose restrictions on these products that are harming our young people.” 

The marketing that the AGs are trying to stop seems to be very successful. Vaping has gone up from 1.5 percent of high schoolers in 2011 to 27.5 percent in 2019. Eighty percent of young people who use e-cigarettes choose candy, mint, or fruit flavors.

The FDA could rule on September 9th of this year as to the future of flavored vapes and other high-nicotine products.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

“Ice Cream Saves Lives” Fundraiser August 24th

Can ice cream really save lives? The St. Clair County Dive Team Auxiliary thinks it can. The “Ice Cream Saves Lives” fundraiser lets supporters donate to the Auxiliary while enjoying summertime’s favorite treat.

The Ice Cream Saves Lives event will be held on Tuesday, August 24th from 4:00-9:00 p.m. at the Milkhouse Café, located at 4189 Keewahdin Road in Fort Gratiot.

The Dive Team, which is critically important in an area surrounded by water, will have many opportunities for patrons to interact with the Team. They will have members there to answer questions and meet the public, as well as give the public a chance to use the underwater communication devices.

The Milkhouse Café is locally famous for its ice cream taco Tuesdays. The fundraiser happens to be on Tuesday, so everyone will get a chance to enjoy their favorite ice cream taco or anything else on the menu.

All sales from the event will go to the St. Clair County Dive Team Auxiliary, which supports the “Educate, Respond, Recover” efforts of the Sheriff’s Office.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Labor Day Mackinac Bridge Walk is Back This Year

If you always wanted to walk across the Mackinac Bridge with thirty thousand other people, this might be the year. The annual Mackinac Bridge Walk on Labor Day is scheduled for September 6th, 2021.

Mackinac Bridge Authority Director Kim Nowack said, “Whether you’re resuming your tradition of walking the bridge on Labor Day or planning to join us for the first time, the return of the walk in 2021 is pretty exciting. We’ve been preparing for much of the year to make sure the walk is better than ever.”

The Mackinac Bridge will be closed to traffic from 6:30 a.m. to noon on Labor Day. The annual event has been going strong since 1958, except for last year, when COVID fears shut it down. The walks have attracted up to 30,000 walkers over the years.

This year, walkers will have the choice of turning around at the center of the bridge, walking in one direction on the bridge and arranging transportation, or walking the whole length and back.

Walkers can start in either St. Ignace or Mackinaw City. Walkers should watch a video posted by the Bridge Authority before walking to get an idea of what to expect and the choices they will have on Labor Day. A link to the video: www.MackinacBridge.org/Walk

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Michigan and Ontario Work Together for the Future of Transportation Technology

Michigan and Ontario are picking up the pace when it comes to advancing the progress toward autonomous vehicles and green transportation technology.

The Michigan Department of Transportation and the Michigan Office of Future Mobility and Electrification, along with Ontario’s Autonomous Vehicle Innovation Network and Ontario’s Ministry of Transportation will begin a partnership to deploy green technology at the border. A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed to “explore the implementation of a cross-border, multimodal testbed for advanced automotive and mobility solutions,” according to a press release.

The partnership will identify the economic, social, and environmental benefits for both sides of the border. It will also identify challenges to land, air, and water crossings, and the regulatory and policy implications.  

Caroline Mulroney, Ontario Minister of Transportation, said, “By working together to explore and advance new and innovative mobility technologies, we’re taking steps to ensure Ontario and Michigan stay at the forefront of the evolving transportation industry.” 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Time for Michigan Women to Get Back to Routine Health Screenings

Women are putting off getting their routine cancer screenings, such as mammograms and cervical cancer screenings. Covid-19 is likely to blame as life has been put on hold in many ways since the pandemic began in March of 2020.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report an 87% drop in breast cancer screenings and an 84% drop in cervical cancer screenings nationally when comparing April 2020 to the previous five years. That’s really not a surprise considering the state of the nation in April 2020. But, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is reminding Michigan women that it’s time to make those appointments and get back on schedule.

MDHHS says that screenings are proactive and can catch cancer early when it is more treatable. Screenings also help identify risk factors for chronic disease.

MDHHS has set up a hotline to help women schedule their screenings. A program specialist will help them get a screening scheduled.

There are some free screenings available through MDHHS. Links to those programs, along with the hotline number:

People in need of screenings can call MDHHS at 844-446-8727 to speak with a program specialist.

The Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Navigation Program provides free breast and cervical cancer screening services, statewide, to low-income women.

The WISEWOMAN Program, available in select areas, helps participants understand chronic disease risk factors and make healthy lifestyle choices.  

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Friends of St. Clair River Offers 10-week Conservation Program

Do you love the natural beauty and diverse ecosystem of the Blue Water Area and want to share that passion with others? Would you enjoy field trips and case studies involving wildlife habitats and conservation? If so, the MSU Extension Michigan Conservation Stewards Program hosted by Friends of the St. Clair River could be a great opportunity.

The ten-week course consists of interactive online classes and is for those who are interested in science-based ecosystem management. The course includes live online content, capstone projects, and in-person field experiences.

Kirsten Lyons, Stewardship Director for Friends of the St. Clair River, said, “We’re proud to host this conservation leadership training program again. Nearly two dozen alumni from our 2018 Conservation Stewards program have been in the community restoring trails and natural areas, leading conservation efforts, and educating youth about the environment.”

Those interested in participating need to sign up soon. Registration closes on September 1st and the cost is $95. A link to signup information:

To register, contact Kirsten Lyons at stewardship@scriver.org or visit www.canr.msu.edu/conservation_stewards_program/.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland