George James

Military Exercise Brings Arctic Strategy to Michigan

Michigan is proving to be the ideal spot for training for military units from the United States and some of its partner forces. “Winter Strike” is a National Guard-sponsored military exercise that will be held from January 21-29 in Grayling and Alpena.

Camp Grayling Joint Maneuver Training Center and Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center comprise the National All-Domain Warfighting Center. The annual training is intentionally held during the coldest part of the year as part of the U.S. Department of Defense’s Arctic strategy.

Major General Paul D. Rogers, adjutant general and director of the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs said, “Michigan has some of the best military training facilities in the country, which makes it the perfect place for visiting units and defense industry partners to work together in a complex, all-domain environment.”

Rogers said that Michigan is receiving national recognition as an innovator because of the military exercise.

Lieutenant Colonel Adam Jenzen, Northern Strike land component exercise director called the Michigan training “one of our nation’s best reserve component exercises”.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Health Insurers, Federal Government to Provide Free COVID Testing

Insurers are now required by federal law to cover the purchase of eight COVID-19 tests per person, per month.

At-home tests are often hard to find and can cost up to $12 per single test. Consumers who find the tests will need to save the box and the receipt to get reimbursement. The rule went into effect on January 15th.

Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services Director Anita Fox said, “Depending on the insurer, consumers may be able to get their covered tests for free at the store or pharmacy, or they may be required to keep receipts for later reimbursement.”

Health insurers must cover the cost of the tests through preferred networks of pharmacies and retailers or through reimbursement. Medicaid and MIChild recipients have coverage as well. Uninsured people can get testing for free at some community health centers.

In addition to the insurance coverage, the federal government is providing one billion free at-home tests that can be ordered beginning January 19th through the website COVIDTests.gov. Tests will typically ship within 7-12 days of ordering. Four tests per address are allowed with the federal program.

Reporting for WGRT- Jennie McClelland

Little Black Dress Fundraiser Goes Virtual to Raise Funds for Cancer Patients

The 16th Annual Little Black Dress fundraiser is on the calendar for Friday, March 4th at 6:00 p.m. The event will be virtual again this year, thanks to the spike in Covid cases in the region and the danger of gathering in large groups. Participants can check in on Facebook Live to be part of the annual tradition.

The Little Black Dress event raises funds for the Betty Kearns Cancer Fund to provide support for those in cancer treatment. Last year, 25 families were helped with meeting basic needs while dealing with their cancer diagnoses.

Supporters can get involved by buying raffle tickets. Some of the items on the list this year include a Gift Card Board, Lotto Ticket Board, a Paddle Board & Yeti Cooler, and the popular “Touch a Freighter” experience. There are also trips to Sedona, Arizona and Mackinac Island and catering from Vintage House, among many others.

Sponsorship opportunities for businesses and families are available. Donations of raffle items are being accepted until February 25th.

To buy raffle tickets or to find out more about the cause, go to bluewaterlittleblackdress.org.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Be Aware of Insurance Refund Scams

The Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services is warning those who insure vehicles to be on the lookout for fake insurance refunds.

DIFS Director Anita Fox said, “Whenever there is a widespread distribution of funds to consumers, inevitably there will be bad actors who attempt to take advantage of the situation in order to steal personal information or money from consumers.”

Fox explained, “Your refund check or ACH deposit will come directly from your insurer, and you will not have to take any action to receive it. Never give out personal information to a caller claiming to be from your insurance company.”

Many Michigan auto insurance policy-holders will be refunded $400 per vehicle from the Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association. The money is to be refunded by May 9, 2022.

If anyone is contacted by someone asking for personal information in response to the MCAA insurance refund, they are asked to report it to the Department of Insurance and Financial Services.

If you are contacted by anyone claiming to be a representative of the MCCA, your auto insurance company, or another official, end the communication with the individual reaching out to you, and contact your auto insurer directly. Consumers who have questions or concerns that cannot be resolved directly with their insurer should contact DIFS by calling Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 833-ASK-DIFS (833-275-3437) or by emailing autoinsurance@michigan.gov.

If you would like to learn more about the MCCA refunds, DIFS has launched a consumer FAQ page at Michigan.gov/MCCArefund. The webpage contains important information and answers common questions about the refund timeline, eligibility requirements, and tells consumers what to do if they have questions or concerns about their refunds.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

SOAR Bill Signed to Attract Investments in Michigan

The Strategic Outreach and Attraction Reserve package, or SOAR, has been signed into law. The plan is described as a “historic economic development toolkit” meant to help Michigan attract businesses.

The bipartisan legislation has been praised by both Governor Gretchen Whitmer, a Democrat, and Republicans House Speaker Jason Wentworth and Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey.

Whitmer praised the collaboration saying, “Because both parties in the legislature came together, our state will be able to win huge, transformational projects and compete effectively for every dollar and every job for decades to come.”

Shirkey said, “With the actions we are affirming today, we are not just demonstrating Michigan is ‘in the game,’ we are establishing our seat at the table, side by side with investors who recognize the value of Michigan and its unique assets.”

The $1 billion economic development fund will keep Michigan in the running to attract investment from job-creating industries. An additional $500 million fund will pay for technological changes, support small businesses, and create or retain competitive jobs.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland