George James

Protests at Secretary of State Benson’s Home

In a year of protests and calls for justice, peaceful assembly and waiting for the legal process to play out are generally the norm. But a group of protestors may have gone too far when making an uninvited visit to the Detroit home of Michigan Secretary of State, Jocelyn Benson.

The protestors are concerned with the legitimacy of the outcome of the November election. Both the Wayne County Prosecutor, Kym Worthy, and Michigan’s Attorney General, Dana Nessel, have spoken out against the protest saying that the activists crossed the line when they went after Benson and her family. Worthy and Nessel have called on citizens and public officials to join them in condemning the “disturbing behavior masquerading as protest”, according to a press release.

Benson was quick to fire back at the bold protestors, saying, “As my four-year-old son and I were finishing up decorating the house for Christmas on Saturday night, and he was about to sit down to watch How the Grinch Stole Christmas, dozens of armed individuals stood outside my home shouting obscenities and chanting into bullhorns in the dark of night.”

Benson has vigorously defended the integrity of the election.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Michigan National Guard Remains on Duty Through March 2021

The use of the Michigan National Guard in the battle against COVID-19 has been extended into 2021. Title 32 authority allows Guardsmen and women to receive federal pay and benefits and was set to expire at the end of the year. The authority has been extended to March 31st.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer said, “The Michigan National Guard continues to be a crucial part of our fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. I want to thank our men and women in uniform for their dedication and round-the-clock work to protect the people of our state by expanding testing in our communities and ensuring they have what they need to get through this crisis.”

Whitmer went on to ask President Trump to “listen to public health experts and work with Mitch McConnell and Nancy Pelosi on a bipartisan recovery package that protects American families, frontline workers, and small business owners.”

The National Guard is to be part of the logistical framework that will be helping to get Michiganders vaccinated against COVID-19. The Michigan National Guard has helped distribute more than 14 million pounds of food at food banks, delivered tests and protective equipment across the state, and assisted with testing more than 200 thousand Michiganders for COVID-19 since being “called up” earlier this year.

Reporting for WGRT -Jennie McClelland

Help is Available for Paying Utility Bills

The Michigan Public Service Commission and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services have awarded $54.5 million in Michigan Energy Assistance Program grants. The grants are to help those who fall behind on home energy bills.

The grants will go to nine community service agencies statewide, including Society of St. Vincent de Paul of the Archdiocese of Detroit, The Heat and Warmth Fund, The Salvation Army, and United Way for Southeastern Michigan.

Funding for the assistance grants comes from a 91-cent monthly surcharge assessed by utility providers and the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. More than 55,000 households received assistance last year in Michigan.

Customers are asked to contact their utility company or propane supplier as soon as they know they can’t pay the bill. Don’t wait for the shutoff notice. Taking steps to reduce consumption and keep bills manageable are also encouraged by MPSC and MDHHS.

Here are ways to seek assistance:

Call 211 or go to mi211.org to learn about agencies that may assist with your energy bill.

State Emergency Relief may help low-income households pay part of their heating or electric bills, assist in keeping utilities in service, or have service restored, assistance that’s available year round. Apply on MI Bridges or call your local MDHHS office for information. You’ll be required to verify your income, so you may want to work with your utility or 211 first on tips to navigate this process. Households must apply for SER assistance prior to receiving any MEAP services.

Michiganders can take a number of steps to cut home energy costs by reducing energy waste and smarter use of energy.

Check furnace filters and change them monthly or as recommended by the manufacturer. Clean filters allow furnaces to run more efficiently.

Install a programmable thermostat and save on heating costs by lowering temperatures during daytime hours. Dressing for cold weather and turning down the thermostat another degree or two helps save money.

Seal air leaks around windows, doors, or utility access points.

Schedule a home energy assessment to identify ways to cut energy waste. Rebates on heating, ventilation and air conditioning, appliances, lighting, insulation and other improvements are available through utilities.

Go to the MPSC’s Be Winterwise page for more information, or check out additional recommendations on reducing energy bills from the U.S. Department of Energy.

For more information about MEAP, visit the MPSC’s MEAP page. For information about the MPSC, visit www.Michigan.gov/MPSC, sign up for its monthly newsletter or other listservs, or follow the Commission on Twitter.   

Reporting for WGRT -Jennie McClelland

It’s Christmas Tree Month!

It’s officially Christmas Tree Month in Michigan. The proclamation honors the economic, environmental, and social benefits of the Christmas tree industry in the state.

MDARD Director Gary McDowell shared, “Real Michigan Christmas trees are an important tradition for many families, whether you visit a Christmas tree farm or a retail tree lot. You not only get a fresh, fragrant, beautiful tree as the centerpiece of your holiday decorations, but at many locations you also get to experience a variety of activities like hayrides or sleigh rides, petting farms, visits with Santa and more.”

Michigan is a top producer of Christmas trees, ranking third in the nation. Around 2 million fresh trees with a value of up to $40 million are produced each year on more than 560 tree farms in the state. Michigan has the largest variety of species, with nine kinds of trees on the wholesale market.

Natural trees have a positive environmental impact as they can grow where other crops can’t. They also provide cover for animals, create oxygen, and can be recycled into wood chips after use.

A directory of tree farms can be found at MichiganFarmFun.com .

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Bridge to Bay and North Channel Projects on the DNR Funding List

Until the pandemic subsides, outdoor recreation is the safest kind of recreation. Responding to the uptick in Michigan residents spending time in public outdoor spaces, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Trust Fund Board has advised 76 recreation development projects and land acquisitions.

Included in the recommendation are two projects in St. Clair County: the acquisition of property on the North Channel Shoreline and further development of the Bridge to Bay Regional Trail Connector.

DNR Director Dan Eichinger said. “This year’s grant recommendations represent a broad range of land acquisition and outdoor development projects that will make a real difference. With the results of Proposal 1 this fall, it’s clear that Michigan’s residents support this program and its continued investment in projects that speak to the recreational needs of communities across our state.”

The recommendations from the Trust Fund Board will go to the Michigan Legislature appropriations review. Trust Fund Board Chair Bill Rustem remarked, “Under the challenges of gathering with friends and family this year, outdoor spaces and public recreation played a major component in people’s lives.”

A link to the full list of projects can be found at Michigan.gov/MNRTF.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

December is Career Exploration and Awareness Month

There is a shortage of workers in high-demand fields. To address the need for talent and labor, December has been designated as Career Exploration and Awareness Month in Michigan.

The Michigan Career and Education Pathfinder website has been created to help students, parents, and career counselors explore high-demand careers and find ways to pay for the education needed. The free tool uses labor market information, wage data and other metrics to help match students with careers.

The Going PRO in Michigan website is another career exploration resource that lists actual job openings. Right now, there are a projected half million openings looking into 2026 in the fields of manufacturing, automotive, IT, health care and construction.

Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) Acting Director Susan Corbin, said “We are committed to making sure every Michigander has an equal and successful pathway to high-quality, high-paying, in-demand careers. By providing the right tools, and encouraging more Michiganders to explore different careers, we can help prepare every Michigander for a rewarding career path and bigger paychecks.”  

Michigan Career and Education Pathfinder site 

Going PRO in Michigan website 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland