MSU College of Human Medicine in Flint Expanding

The Michigan State University College of Human Medicine in Flint is expanding thanks to a $25 million grant from the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation. The grant will fund an increased number of public health faculty, academic research, and community health collaborations.

Flint is at the epicenter of public health policy development in the region after the 2015 discovery of elevated lead levels in children.

Aron Sousa, M.D., interim dean of the MSU College of Human Medicine said, “Our researchers have worked side-by-side with the Flint community to improve lives locally and in communities across the country.”

Sousa said, “Our work in Flint across the city’s water crisis, COVID-19, nutrition and mental health has become a national model.”

Yvonne Lewis, founder and CEO of the National Center for African American Health Consciousness said, “This partnership between the community, Michigan State University, and the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation gives real credibility and credence to the work, leading to strengthened public health efforts in Flint.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Reimbursement Part of Proposal to Address Teacher Shortages

The Michigan legislature has been asked to address the teacher shortages in public school districts. State Superintendent of Public instruction, Dr. Michael Rice, sent a letter to the legislature with some suggestions as to how to address the teacher vacancies in many struggling school districts.

The letter asks for at least $300 million to be spent over the next five years to address the crisis. That money is intended to be used to reimburse tuition and other expenses for current college students, including district support staff who make a commitment to pursue teaching.

Rice suggests loan forgiveness for recent college grads and current teachers who are paying on loans. He also pointed out a weakness in regional teacher preparation in the Upper Peninsula and the northern Lower Peninsula which rely on a single program to produce a substantial number of teacher candidates.

Rice said, “If we expect a major commitment from a wave of young people as our next generation of educators in our great state, the least we can do is make sure that they don’t go into debt to perform this all-important public service.” 

The Michigan Department of Education has several other initiatives in place as well to attract and maintain educators in the state.

 Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Closings for Thursday, February 3, 2022

We have received the following notices of closings and delays in our listening area:

 

St. Clair County:

Algonac Community Schools

Blue Water Choices

Blue Water Community Action (Offices and Head Start Programs)

Capac Community Schools

Cardinal Mooney Catholic High

Council on Aging – Services and centers (including meals and transportation)

East China School District

East Shore Leadership Academy 

Landmark Academy 

Marysville Public Schools 

New Life Christian Academy

Port Huron Schools

St. Clair County Community College – main campus and off-campus locations

St. Mary / McCormick Catholic Academy 

St. Clair TEC 

St. Edwards on the Lake 

Woodland Development Center

Yale Schools

*** NOTE: Port Huron Area School Administration Office will be OPEN

Sanilac County:

Brown City Schools 

Croswell-Lexington Schools 

 

Unemployment Insurance Agency Reform Bills Pass House, Head to Senate

Michigan’s Unemployment Insurance Agency has been in turmoil since the economy was brought to a halt during the start of the pandemic. Lawmakers have brought forth a series of bills to reform the troubled agency.

State Representative Andrew Beeler, a Port Huron Republican, said, “A functional government should carry out its responsibilities in a thorough and timely manner. Those characteristics hardly describe our unemployment agency, which paid over $8 billion in fraud, approved benefits erroneously and slowed down many legitimate claims. The legislation passed by the House will repair the agency after disastrous delays, confusing communications and bungled benefits.”

The state House passed two legislative packages last week. The bills are now headed to the Senate.

The bills call for a clear, expedited timeline in which the UIA can review and decide on claims and more transparency. There would be a new unemployment insurance advocate.

The bills also ensure that nearly 700,000 unemployment recipients who received the money in error but applied honestly, would not have to return the money.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Hometown “Rising Star” Jazmyn Thomas Returns to Port Huron as New Administrator

The City of Port Huron has announced the appointment of Jazmyn Thomas as the new Community Development Program Administrator. Thomas will be in charge of community development strategies and the disbursements of federal Community Block Grant funding.

Thomas got started in her career working as an intern for the City of Port Huron in 2012. Thomas is a Michigan State University graduate with a degree in Social Relations and Policy. She graduated with honors with her master’s degree in Public Administration from Oakland University.

After building her career working as a Grant Management Specialist for Macomb County, Thomas is back with the City of Port Huron, where she serves on the Community Foundation’s Equity and Inclusion Committee, the Port Huron Police Department’s Community Resource Champions Committee, and the St. Clair County Diversity Initiative.

Port Huron City Manager James Freed called Ms. Thomas a “rising star in public policy” and said,  “No one understands the needs of our community better than someone who grew up in our neighborhoods. Ms. Thomas was raised here and that’s why we are excited she will help shape our city’s future.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Closings & Delays February 2-3, 2022

We have received the following notices of closings and delays in our listening area:

 

St. Clair County:

Algonac Community Schools – closed February 2

Blue Water Community Action (Offices & All HeadStart Programs) – closed February 2

Capac Community Schools – closed February 2

Cardinal Mooney Catholic High – closed February 2

Council on Aging – Services and centers (including meals and transportation) – closed February 2

East China School District – closed February 2

East Shore Leadership Academy – closed February 2 & 3

Landmark Academy – closed February 2 & 3

Marysville Public Schools – closed February 2 & 3

New Life Christian Academy – closed February 2

Port Huron City Offices – closed February 2

Port Huron Area School District – closed February 2

St. Clair County Community College (Main and Off-Campus Locations) – closed February 2

St. Clair County Community Mental Health will be closed on February 2, 2022.  All programs are closed. Employees do not need to report to work.

St. Clair County Government Offices – closed February 2

St. Mary / McCormick Catholic Academy – closed February 2

St. Clair TEC – closed February 2

St. Edwards on the Lake – closed February 2

Woodland Development Center – closed February 2

Yale Schools – closed February 2

*** NOTE: Port Huron Area School Administration Office will be OPEN Wednesday, February 2nd at 9 am

Sanilac County:

 

Brown City Schools – closed February 2

Croswell-Lexington Schools – closed February 2