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Local News

Whitmer Celebrates Preliminary Injunction of 1931 Abortion Law

Governor Gretchen Whitmer, who has consistently aligned herself with the abortion industry giant, Planned Parenthood, which operates 19 Michigan health centers, and vowed to “fight like hell” to maintain unrestricted abortion access in Michigan, celebrated a victory this week, with a preliminary injunction against Michigan’s 1931 law that criminalizes abortion.

Whitmer said, “The opinion from the Michigan Court of Claims is clear and sends the message that Michigan’s 1931 law banning abortion, even in cases of rape or incest, should not go into effect even if Roe is overturned. It will help ensure that Michigan remains a place where women have freedom and control over their own bodies.”

Pro-abortion activists, industry lobbyists, and elected officials like Whitmer have been in panic mode since the leaked Supreme Court draft surfaced and have quickly initiated pre-emptive legal processes. 

While some look at the possibility of Roe v. Wade being overturned as an opportunity to start a new conversation about abortion at the state level, a press release issued by Whitmer referred to the issue as “beyond settled” and cited statistics saying that 65.7% of Michiganders are in favor of the repeal of the 1931 law. 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClellan

Updated 5/23/2022 – An earlier version of this story referred to Planned Parenthood centers as “abortion clinics”. According to Planned Parenthood Michigan’s website, they “provide the abortion pill at all of our health centers in Michigan” and they “provide in-clinic abortion procedures at our Ann Arbor East, Flint, and Kalamazoo health centers.” The story was updated to refer to Planned Parenthood clinics as “health centers” to align with the term they use to describe themselves.

McLaren, Port Huron Schools Partner with STEAM Project

A new partnership is blossoming between McLaren Port Huron and Port Huron Schools. Two students in the Biomedical STEAM Project Lead the Way have been hired by McLaren Port Huron after completing a paid internship over the past semester.

The program is offered at both Port Huron Northern and Port Huron High Schools. McLaren sponsors the Biomedical STEAM programs at the schools with plans to expand to twelve internships per semester. Jobs include physical therapy, medical imaging, inpatient nursing, laboratory work, and facilities and clerical positions.

Eric Cecava, President and CEO at McLaren Port Huron said that the hospital is “excited to partner with Port Huron Schools to not only expose students to the variety of health care careers that exist, but also to give them real opportunities to find a career in a thriving organization right here at home.”

The program is exclusive to Port Huron Schools. Assistant Superintendent of Instructional Services Catherine Woolman said, “To develop local talent is a high level and unique advantage our district has due to our partnership with McLaren.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Bill Advocating for Veterans Passes U.S. House

Congresswoman Lisa McClain’s bill, H.R. 5754, the Patient Advocate Tracker Act, passed out of the U.S House of Representatives on Wednesday, May 17, 2022.

The bipartisan Patient Advocate Tracker Act, which McClain introduced in October, would create an online portal where veterans can track the status of formal complaints that they file through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

“Our veterans deserve the best care possible, and when they don’t receive an adequate level of care, there needs to be an easy way for them to file a complaint and track its progress through the VA,” said Rep. McClain. “Our veterans sacrificed so much to protect our nation, and I’m thrilled the House passed this commonsense legislation to ensure they are taken care of after returning home.”

H.R. 5754 now goes before the Senate, and if it passes there, it goes to the desk of President Biden.

To track the progress of this bill, visit Congress’s website <HERE>.

 

Click-It-Or-Ticket and Commercial Vehicle Checks Underway

Local law enforcement is increasing patrols for both seatbelt use and commercial vehicle enforcement. The Click-it-or-Ticket campaign is underway, as is the Commercial Vehicle Alliance International Roadcheck.

Click-it-or-Ticket is an enhanced effort to catch those who choose to drive without wearing a seatbelt. The St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office will have patrols dedicated to seatbelt enforcement from May 16th to June 5th.

Sheriff Mat King said, “We can’t overstate the importance of wearing your seatbelt. It’s the law, but more than that, it is the simplest thing you can do to help save yourself from injury or death in the event of a crash.”

The Michigan State Police have been utilizing weigh stations and rest areas to inspect commercial vehicles, focusing on finding defective equipment and checking driver hours of service. More than 65,000 drivers of big rigs and buses are expected to go through the checkpoints.

Commercial drivers should be prepared to show their operating credentials and hours of service. Officers will be looking for anyone operating under the influence of substances as well.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

I-94 From Detroit to Port Huron Slated as Alternative Fuel Corridor

Interstate 94 from Detroit to the Blue Water Bridge is one of the seven nominations for the new Alternative Fuel Corridors, or AFCs. The AFCs are routes that will eventually be part of the electric vehicle charging infrastructure in a multi-state network, taking advantage of funds from the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

The Michigan Department of Transportation will be in charge of implementing the AFCs, working with the Michigan Infrastructure Office. The goal is to use the funds on the routes that centered on the support of Electric Vehicle adoption and to relieve “range anxiety” for those who have invested in electric vehicles.

The I-94 corridor is on the list, along with I-275, I-696, and several northern Michigan corridors.

Chief Infrastructure Officer & Director of the Michigan Infrastructure Office, Zachary Kolodin, said, “This is an essential part of our future, and these nominations that have been submitted for the new AFCs are just another step we’re taking to make sure Michigan remains at the forefront of the mobility industry.” 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Grant Open for Port Huron Businesses Hiring New Employees

The St. Clair County Economic Development Alliance (EDA) has a grant opportunity available for businesses who need a boost to hire new employees. The Talent Attraction Grant can help eligible Port Huron businesses attract and retain employees.

The EDA has allocated $40,000 to the program, and funds will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis instead of being evaluated competitively. Businesses can request up to $2,000 total to allocate toward marketing their job openings, providing hiring bonuses or incentives to new employees, and providing incentives to current employees who refer a new hire.

Eligible businesses must have a physical location in the city of Port Huron, and the employees who benefit from the grant must also work in the city. Positions must be full time, at least 37.5 hours a week, and the program will focus on new hires who earn a low to moderate income. They also aim to support the hiring of those who are minorities, physically challenged, or financially disadvantaged.

The grant application is online, and the EDA will keep accepting applications until all funds are exhausted. Go to the grant application <HERE> for more information about eligibility and to apply.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand