George James

MI Symptoms Tracker Logs 3 Million Entries, Provides County-level Data

Over 3 million entries have been logged into the MI Symptoms COVID-19 symptom screening tool. The tool is mainly used by employees to maintain compliance with workplace screening rules.

The mobile and desktop app was created by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and the University of Michigan. It is updated as needed to reflect the changing state and CDC guidance. The app is getting around 20,000 entries per day.

Dr. Joneigh Khaldun of MDHHS said, “While vaccination efforts are ongoing, it is important that people get tested if they have been exposed or have symptoms, and to continue to wear masks, socially distance and wash hands frequently.”

Screening is still required by MISOHA. Employers use the app to keep local health departments updated about workplace outbreaks.

Sarah Lyon-Callo, MDHHS state epidemiologist remarked, “Instead of a local health department having to wait for lab tests to come back, the department will have an indication if there is a group of individuals working in a place where symptoms have been reported.”

The MI Symptoms tracker has a map that shows users what symptoms have been tracked in their community.

https://misymptomapp.state.mi.us/

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Benson, Clerks Association Denounce Voter Reform Bills

A series of voting reform bills are making their way through the state legislature. The bills aim to pare down the state’s voter list, clarify absentee voting laws, and make voter fraud a 5-year felony.

The attempt by Republican lawmakers to amend the voting laws well in advance of the next election has not been well-received by Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson.

Benson has maintained that the 2020 election was completely free and fair. Benson said, “Many of the bills in this package will make it harder for citizens to vote. Rather than introducing bills based on disproven lies and copied from other states, lawmakers should be codifying what worked in 2020.”

Some of the bills are focused on the responsibilities of municipal clerks and would publicize whether or not the clerks have met accreditation standards.

Chris Swope, President of the Michigan Association of Municipal Clerks disagreed with the idea, saying, “This package of bills contains some of the most egregious voter suppression ideas Michigan has seen. With nearly 30 percent of Michiganders not participating, we need to focus on expanding ballot access, not attempts to disenfranchise certain voters.”

The bills have passed the House and have been referred to the Senate Committee on Elections.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Treasury Urges Unemployment Beneficiaries to File Taxes Soon

Waiting until the last minute to file taxes could be a mistake this year. The Michigan Department of Treasury is urging those who collected unemployment benefits in 2020 to get their taxes done and filed.

State Treasurer Rachael Eubanks said, “Please don’t hesitate to file your individual income tax return. Taxpayers who think they owe taxes often wait to file right up to the filing deadline. The American Rescue Plan changes the dynamic of the 2020 tax year and this year’s filing season. A larger than anticipated refund could provide much-needed assistance during the pandemic.”

According to the Treasury, the federal American Rescue Plan Act excludes unemployment benefits up to $10,200 from income for tax year 2020 for those within certain income brackets. 

If taxes are already filed, taxpayers who collected unemployment should not file an amended state or federal return. The Treasury awaits federal guidance as to how to process refunds but expects to have more information soon.

Filing online and choosing direct deposit is the fastest and the Treasury’s preferred way to file. 2020 taxes are due at 11:59 p.m. on May 17, 2021.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

PHPD’s Special Needs and Autism Day Planned for April 10th

Port Huron, MI — The Port Huron Police Department will be having Special Needs and Autism Day on Saturday, April 10th in the St. Clair County Community College parking lot. The event will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The project is meant to bring awareness to special needs community members.

The Police Department has established a process where information is gathered that helps them assist in interacting with or locating someone with special needs. Caregivers can fill out a form to share that information at the April 10th event, or at the Police Station, or online. The forms will be kept on file and available in case of an emergency.

Special Needs and Autism Day is being held in conjunction with the Port Huron Fire Department, TRI Hospital EMS, St. Clair County Community Mental Health, and Anthony’s Autism Awareness.

At the event, participants will be able to meet police officers, check out the police cars, and get some safety information. There will also be games and informational handouts.

Contact Officer Duane Hunger at hungerd@porthuron.org or 810-984-9715, extension 1030.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Billions of Cicadas to Appear this Year after 17 years Underground

Brace yourself. The cicadas are coming. 

After seventeen years in hibernation, one of the largest broods of cicadas, Brood X, will be making an appearance. Cicadas are small flying bugs. 

Entomologists predict that the woods and even suburban areas will be filled with billions of cicadas. The whistling and buzzing that will take over the spring landscape is actually the sound of a mating call. Once the cicadas find their true love, the females will lay eggs- hundreds of them at a time. The call of the cicadas could last up to four weeks, predicted to start in April or May.

After coming out of hibernation, mating, and laying eggs, the adults will die. Then, when the eggs hatch, the babies will fall from the trees, burrow underground, and take a seventeen-year nap, just like their parents did.

According to Michigan State University entomologist Gary Parsons, the cicadas are harmless to humans but may be a little annoying with their high pitch relentless buzzing. The largest sighting of the Brood X cicadas, when they last appeared in 2004, was centered around Ann Arbor.

The appearance of the Brood X cicadas is expected to be seen in most of the eastern United States. They usually wait for the ground to warm up to the mid 60’s before making their appearance.

Reporting for WGRT- Jennie McClelland

PHHS Gets Recognition for Increasing FAFSA Completion, Increasing Options for Students

Port Huron, MI — Port Huron High School has received recognition from the Michigan College Access Network as being among the Top Ten College Bound Michigan Host Sites with the most improvement for FAFSA Completion. Nearly 700 schools participated.

FAFSA is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. The Big Reds saw a 40% increase in completed FAFSA applications compared to this time last year.

Getting all the options on the table when deciding on what to do after high school is critical, but not easy. One part of the planning is being realistic about college costs. Completing the FAFSA is a crucial step in determining how much of a college bill students and their parents will be required to pay.

The driving force behind that increase in completion, and increase in knowing real options, is Port Huron High School’s AdviseMI College Advisor, Brandon Warlow.

Warlow said his focus has been on talking to the students and staying consistent with following up with them. He makes sure students know his goal is to help them establish a plan for after graduation no matter what and that college, trade schools, the military, or others are all great options and the one that is best for them is all dependent on their goals.

Congratulations to Port Huron High School on this important recognition!

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie Mcclelland