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Local News

Whitmer Adds Iosco County to Emergency Declaration

Lansing, MI — On Tuesday, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer issued Executive Order 2020-105  adding Iosco County to the state of emergency declaration issued last week for Midland, Gladwin, Arenac, and Saginaw counties after heavy rains caused widespread flooding and resulted in the breach of Edenville and Sanford dams.

“This flooding has caused devastating damage for thousands of residents in impacted areas,” said Governor Whitmer. “I have declared an emergency to provide much needed assistance and have added Iosco county to the emergency declaration to ensure access to critical resources. I want to thank emergency responders in the region for helping to evacuate residents. Let’s all stay safe, and take care of each other.”   

“My staff has been working closely with county officials in affected areas as the situation has progressed,” said Capt. Kevin Sweeney, deputy state director of Emergency Management and Homeland Security and commander of the Michigan State Police, Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division (MSP/EMHSD). “We will continue to partner with the county to ensure they receive the needed resources to respond and recover from this incident.”  

COVID-19 Testing More Accessible Under New Order

Lansing, MI — Governor Whitmer signed an executive order on Tuesday that expands COVID-19 testing in the state of Michigan. The order increases the eligibility for testing, negates the need for a doctor’s order, and eliminates the out-of-pocket cost of testing for individuals.

Those now eligible for testing under the new order include anyone who:

  • Exhibits any symptom of COVID-19, including mild symptoms
  • Has been exposed to a person with COVID-19
  • Has been working outside their home for at least 10 days
  • Resides in any congregate setting, such as a long-term care facility, prison or jail, homeless shelter, or migrant camp

Under Executive Order 2020-104, anyone who leaves their home for work, or has symptoms of COVID-19 (even mild symptoms), may receive a test at a community testing location without securing a doctor’s order in advance. Medical personnel will be available to order testing upon arrival. A person who wishes to be tested may call the Michigan coronavirus hotline at 1-888-535-6136 or visit www.michigan.gov/coronavirustest to find an appropriate testing location.

The state also launched an online dashboard that visually illustrates COVID-19 risks and trends in Michigan. The dashboard was developed through a collaboration between the Michigan departments of Health and Human Services and Labor and Economic Opportunity and the University of Michigan, dashboard data is divided into Michigan Economic Recovery Committee (MERC) regions.

You can access the dashboard <HERE>

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Kilpatrick’s Request for Home Confinement Denied

Until recently, supporters, friends and family of former Detroit  mayor Kwame Kilpatrick were hopeful that he would soon be released from federal prison because of the coronavirus pandemic. It now appears Kilpatrick will not be released early.

After reviewing Kilpatrick’s request for early release, the  Federal Bureau of Prisons announced Kilpatrick’s request for home confinement was denied.  Kilpatrick will continue to serve his sentence at the Federal Correctional Institution in Oakdale, Louisiana. His sentence is scheduled to end in  January 2037.

The Department of Justice released the following statement: “On Tuesday, May 26, the Federal Bureau of Prisons reviewed and denied inmate Kwame Kilpatrick for home confinement. Mr. Kilpatrick remains incarcerated at the Federal Correctional Institution-I in Oakdale, Louisiana.”

In February, Kilpatrick’s family, politicians, religious leaders and business leaders asked President Donald Trump for a commutation of his sentence. The White House signaled that they were considering the request, but there still hasn’t been any official response.

Reporting for WGRT – Marty Doorn

United Way of St. Clair County Grants Funds for Virtual Counseling

Port Huron, MI — The United Way of St. Clair County (UWSCC) granted funds from their Emergency Services Fund – COVID-19 Relief Aid to the Catholic Charities of Southeast Michigan (CCSEM). The grant will help the counseling center with the start-up costs and maintenance of their telehealth system so they can provide virtual services.

The counseling center converted from face-to-face counseling to provide virtual counseling to their new and existing clients during this time of social distancing. CCSEM offers counseling services to those who  most need it and never refuses services based on a client’s ability to pay.

Mental Health agencies have reported an increase in anxiety, depression, and substance abuse since the COVID-19 virus began affecting Americans in March. These valuable mental health services allow counselors to meet virtually and offer the support and tools their clients need to feel supported and equipped to deal with this challenging season.

COVID-19 funds are still available for organizations seeking aid.  Visit the United Way of St. Clair County’s Website <HERE> to apply.

 Funds cannot be used for individuals seeking financial support at this time.  UWSCC recommends all individuals with any type of need to dial 2-1-1, or (888) 636-4211, to be connected with available information and resources. Please remember, many organizations have staff working from home and require individuals to leave a phone message.  

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

North American Rebound Campaign Seeks Partnership for Economic Recovery

Port Huron, MI — The Washington-based Canadian American Business Council launched a new online campaign last week to convince states, provinces, and federal officials on both sides of the border to team up in the economic recovery of North American businesses. The primary goals of the “North American Rebound” campaign are to secure personal protective equipment, replenish and maintain each other’s medical stockpiles, and defend cross-border supply chains.

In many ways, the effort is an early hedge against the perils of protectionism. Kathryn Friedman, a law professor and Canada-U.S border expert on the Buffalo campus of the State University of New York states: “Given that now there’s a real push for companies to bring suppliers back home, to really get out of China and reshore back in the United States or Canada, there’s a real opportunity for border cities to position themselves as a new platform in each region for reshoring of supply chains.”

Since the shutdown, bridge traffic between Port Huron and Sarnia has significantly slowed. The bridge is not expect to re-open for regular traffic until June 21st.

FEMA Team Meets with Leaders to Coordinate Disaster Relief for Flooding

After significant flooding in Michigan last week, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) was activated and—with the full force of the federal government—continues to support response efforts to disaster conditions in east-central parts of the state.

On May 21st, President Trump approved an Emergency Declaration for the state of Michigan, which authorizes FEMA to provide resources necessary to alleviate the impacts of the emergency.

“FEMA staff have already been embedded in the state’s operations for more than two months supporting COVID-19 response efforts,” said FEMA Region 5 Administrator James K. Joseph. “We’re prepared now to do what it takes to further assist the state in their response to the devastating floods impacting individuals and communities throughout central Michigan.”

Immediately following the President’s declaration, FEMA Administrator Joseph traveled to the state to meet with Governor Whitmer, state emergency management leadership, and elected officials to view the damage and ensure a closely coordinated, federally supported, and state managed response and recovery operation to the flood disaster area.