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Local News

Nessel and Colleagues Say No to Instagram for Kids

A coalition of attorneys general, including Michigan’s, is reaching out to Facebook and is urging the company not to launch Instagram for Kids. Instagram is one of the company’s social media products.

In a letter to Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and others in the National Association of Attorneys General expressed concern based on Facebook’s track record with monitoring social media and the research that shows that social media is harmful to children’s physical, emotional, and mental health.

Nessel said, “With research rating Instagram as the worst social media platform for youth mental health, it’s hard to imagine that this launch is about anything other than expanding the already lucrative Instagram franchise. Introducing children to this social media environment poses serious threats to their security and wellbeing and I urge Facebook to reconsider its plans for this new platform.” 

The letter states that the risks to mental health far outweigh any benefits of an Instagram platform tailored to kids under the age of 13. Kids under 13 are prohibited from using Instagram, currently.

A link to the full letter:

https://www.michigan.gov/documents/ag/NAAG_Letter_to_Facebook_-_Final_724678_7.pdf

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Discounts on Internet Bill and Devices Available

Some people are eligible for a discount on internet service through the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program sponsored by the Federal Communications Commission.

The FCC is allocating $3.2 billion to give $50 per month credits to eligible households. There is also a provision for a $100 discount on a laptop or desktop computer or tablet. Eligibility includes family income at 135% or less of the federal poverty level for family size, being a recipient of free or reduced lunch, being a Pell Grant recipient, or having experienced a substantial income loss due to the pandemic.

Even with legislation in the works to get fast internet to every corner of the state, not everyone can afford it.   Eric Frederick, Executive Director of Connected Nation Michigan said, “Michigan’s broadband issues go beyond a lack of infrastructure access. Even when high-speed internet service is available, many families cannot afford the monthly cost of service to get connected.”

 There are three ways to apply for the benefit:  

  1.       Contact your preferred participating broadband provider directly to learn about their application process. 
  2.       Go to GetEmergencyBroadband.org to apply online and find participating providers near you. 
  3.       Call 833-511-0311 for a mail-in application and return it along with proof of eligibility to:  

Emergency Broadband Support Center 

P.O. Box 7081  

London, KY 40742  

 Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Mid City Nutrition Breaks Ground on New Building

Port Huron, MI — Four years ago the board of directors for Mid City Nutrition realized more than ever that they didn’t have the room to do their work. With a steady increase of clients to feed, and a desire to expand their work, they decided it was time to raise money for a new building.

Board member Bethany Belanger shared that from the moment they made that decision, the community has rallied to their cause.

The new building will be on the corner of Griswold and 9th Streets in Port Huron, and the groundbreaking ceremony was on Wednesday, May 12, 2021. The nonprofit shared a beautiful outdoor celebration with a large crowd of supporters from the Blue Water Chamber of Commerce, the City of Port Huron, fellow nonprofit organizations, and the community.

The future building will be one story with easy access for the handicapped and include a large dining room, commercial kitchen, storage areas, bathroom facilities, and a teaching kitchen for cooking classes. Belanger foresees the teaching kitchen doubling as a source of income for Mid City Nutrition as it could be available for rent to small businesses or caterers who could use it for prep.

The building project will be supervised by Gary Beem, owner of  Beem Construction, and will benefit from in-kind donations from Blue Water Glass, Port Huron Paint, and others along with a partnership with Habitat for Humanity. The teaching kitchen has been supported by the Stebbins Family Fund of the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan and will be named the Stebbins Family Nutrition Center.

When asked how she feels about the support Mid City has received for their building project, Bethany Belanger said, “So many people have supported this project. We are absolutely blessed. It’s a need in this community. It’s a necessity. Maybe someday it won’t be, but it’s just gotten greater.”

Mid City Nutrition is  holding their annual fundraiser the week of May 17 – 21st. The online event will air on Blue Water Healthy Living on Monday, May 17th at 6 PM and replayed throughout the week. The event includes entertainment, celebrity chefs, and an auction for 8 incredible dining, wine & spirits, and entertainment packages.  Visit Mid City Nutrition’s Facebook Event page <HERE>.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

 

Daly Asks for Public Comment on COVID Rules for Workplaces

31 District Senator Kevin Daley is asking the public to provide feedback on what he is calling “Governor Whitmer’s Endless Emergency”. Daly is responding to a proposal by MIOSHA that they be allowed to examine the continued need for their COVID-19 workplace safety rules even after MDHHS and the Governor’s orders have ended.

MIOSHA, or the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration, sets and enforces workplace safety rules. Their goal is to protect the safety and health of Michigan workers.

As a result of the COVID pandemic, many rules were put into place that made it mandatory for employers to create policies and procedures about in-person work, physical distancing, and PPE.

MIOSHA rules included creating workplace policies that prohibited in-person work for any employee that could reasonably work from home, daily self-screening protocols like health questionnaires, and requiring face coverings for employees and those entering the workplace.

The new proposed rule gives MIOSHA the control to examine the continued need for these rules within 21 days of the expiration or rescission of any remaining COVID-19 emergency orders. At that time, they could choose to make some of the COVID rules permanent.

Daly said, “Business owners should be able decide for themselves what’s best for them, their employees and their customers. This is not something that should be decided by unelected bureaucrats in Lansing. Business owners should have a say in how their business is run and I’d like to begin these discussions and get feedback from the folks of the 31st District.”

The 31st Senate District includes Bay, Lapeer, and Tuscola counties., and Senator Daly asks his constituents to submit their comments here: https://www.misenategop.com/WhitmerEmergency/

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

Catching a Tagged Trout or Salmon Could Lead to $100 Reward

Spring fishing trips could net more than just memories this year. Catching a fish marked by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and turning it in, could end with a $100 payout.

Anglers are asked to look for marked fish and turn them in. Trout or salmon could have a clip on the adipose fin. They may also have a coded-wire tag in their snout, which is very small. The Fish and Wildlife Service only wants the head, so they can remove the clip and use it to gather data.

Jay Wesley, Lake Michigan Basin coordinator for the DNR said, “We are particularly interested in confirming the wild contribution of Chinook salmon to the fishery, movement and wild contribution of steelhead in lakes and rivers, and survival and movement of Atlantic salmon. This reward program will help incentivize anglers to become community scientists and help us collect valuable data.”

To be in the running for the $100 reward, the fish heads must be dropped off at a local drop-off station in Michigan. Locally, they can be found at Anderson’s Pro Bait in Port Huron, Blue Water Bait in Fair Haven, the Port Sanilac Boat Launch, and Lexington Harbor.

The prizes will be announced in February of 2022. A link to full details:

https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-350-79119_79146_82441_82708-180624–,00.html?utm_campaign=marked%20tagged%20fish%20reward&utm_medium=pr&utm_source=govdelivery

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Class of 2021 Car Parade Planned for May 22nd

Port Huron, MI — A car parade is being planned for Saturday, May 22nd at 3:00 p.m. to celebrate the high school graduating classes from both Port Huron High and Port Huron Northern High Schools.

The parade is a grassroots effort as most school-sanctioned events have been cancelled. No prom; no all-night party; even commencement ceremonies are divided into half the class going at one time and half the class at another.

The parade is intended to bring all seniors together in a socially distanced way. A similar event was held last year in the midst of all the Class of 2020 cancellations.

Organizer Alexandria Guenther, a senior at Port Huron Northern said, “The parade is going to be something that we will remember for the rest of our lives.” Guenther said she is excited for the parade, saying it will make the seniors feel special, having the whole community and parents lining the streets of downtown for the seniors.

The parade will start behind the YMCA and will end at Pine Grove Park. Seniors are asked to arrive at 2:45 to get lined up. All streets remain open and all traffic rules must be followed as the usual street traffic is not being diverted. Participation is voluntary and not sanctioned by any public entity.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland