New Laws Make it Easier for Military Families to Live and Work in Michigan

Michigan is actively recruiting military veterans to live and work in the state by removing licensing and certification barriers that had previously deterred veterans from transitioning to civilian employment.

Several bills were signed into law that waive licensure application fees and expedite the processing of professional licensing applications. The bills include family members of veterans who are transitioning to Michigan.

Senator John Bizon, a Battle Creek Republican, commented on the bi-partisan bill package saying, “With these bills, we are helping our veteran and military families by removing the government red tape preventing them from continuing their careers here in Michigan. Military spouses in professions that require licensure can be left jobless with a sudden move to a new state.”

U.S. Army Major General Paul Rogers, adjutant general and director of the Michigan Department of Military and Veteran Affairs further commended the recognition of the sacrifices made by military families, saying, “These new laws will eliminate a significant burden often faced by our military families.” 

The new laws can be found at the following links: 

https://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2021-2022/billenrolled/Senate/pdf/2021-SNB-0157.pdf 

https://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2021-2022/billenrolled/Senate/pdf/2021-SNB-0312.pdf 

https://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2021-2022/billenrolled/House/pdf/2021-HNB-4376.pdf 

https://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2021-2022/billenrolled/House/pdf/2021-HNB-4377.pdf 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Michigan Reaches 60% Vaccinated

Governor Whitmer announced last week that Michigan has reached the 60% mark in its COVID-19 vaccination rate. Whitmer said that cases of COVID-19 in the state are falling fast which she believes positions the state’s economy for a strong recovery.

Whitmer said, “I know that we can give Michigan the economic jumpstart it needs with the billions in available federal funds and our multi-billion dollar budget surplus. We will emerge from this once-in-a-century pandemic stronger than ever, and I am confident that we can make lasting, transformative investments in our schools, small businesses, and communities to help them thrive.”

Active cases of COVID-19 fell to 4,058 last week, down from 6,363 on June 1st.

The St. Clair County Health Department has also moved most of its vaccine services back to their main building and the Teen Health Center, although there may be pop-up clinics in certain areas as needed.

Dr. Annette Mercatante and Justin Westmiller have been doing a weekly live Q&A session on the Health Department’s Facebook page, and their updates are transitioning to a monthly format beginning in July. The next event is July 1, 2021 at 3:30 PM.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

 

Approved Bill Will Help Diabetic Michiganders

Senator Kevin Daley sponsored a pair of bills that would allow pharmacists to dispense insulin under certain emergency situations. The bill was approved by the Michigan House of Representatives last week and now moves to the Governor for consideration.

Senate Bill 155 would allow pharmacists to dispense up to a 30-day supply of insulin to an individual if the individual has no current refills on file, but they have a preexisting relationship with that pharmacy, and the pharmacist cannot get ahold of the original prescriber.

A partner bill, SB 156, would amend the Insurance Code so an emergency refill dispensed in this situation would be covered by an individual’s health insurance.

Senator Daly said, ““Countless people rely on insulin to survive. There needs to be a safety net in place that helps patients instead of government barriers that deny them their life-saving medication. This bill would do just that and provide a peace of mind for patients across the state.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

Think About Pets When Preparing for Emergencies 

June is National Pet Preparedness Month and it’s a great time for pet owners to make sure they are ready to take care of their furry friends during an emergency.

Leaving a pet behind during a natural disaster or other emergency is not an option, as they could be lost, injured, or die. Having pets microchipped is an easy way to make sure pets and owners can be reunited if they are separated.

The Michigan State Police encourage pet owners to make a plan before emergencies strike and that includes building a kit for each pet with a three-day supply of food in an airtight, waterproof container and three days’ worth of water specifically for pets.

A crate or pet carrier on hand is also recommended, as is a collar with ID tag, rabies tag, and a leash. Loose dogs and cats are not a great idea when evacuating in an emergency.

The State Police also encourage pet owners to have a picture of themselves with the pet in case ownership needs to be proven.  The picture should be in the emergency kit along with any health records and ownership information pertaining to the pets.

A link to more information:

https://www.michigan.gov/miready/0,8237,7-375-89493_89732_89801—,00.html?fbclid=IwAR3fybSFJaW9R-cJ5z9REG61BpT4Pd6DpeWKs9L7Uww3CTf34mdbdY9Cq5U

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

“The Big Give” Brings in over $600K for Non-Profits

Seventy-one non-profits got a funding boost during “The Big Give” on June 9th, with Mid-City Nutrition, the local soup kitchen which is in the process of building a new headquarters, raising the most money: over $153,000. A matching grant from the Marshall E. Campbell Company helped bring Mid-City to the top of the Leaderboard.

The organization with the most donors was Spero Pregnancy Center, which had 181 donors and came in second in total donations with over $43,000.

Jackie Hanton, Vice President of the Community Foundation, said, “The community stepped up big and collectively raised over $600,000 from nearly 1,700 donors.”

Some of the non-profits gathered in front of the Community Foundation building. Hanton said, “It was wonderful to see donors stopping by to chat with their favorite nonprofit and others walking around to learn more about organizations they didn’t know about.”

Hanton remarked, “Our community continues to be one of the most amazing and generous places to live. The Big Give brought us back together in person and online and giving was abundant!”

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

No Bologna Festival This Year; Organizers Look to September Event

The Yale Bologna Festival is on hiatus for another year. The Yale Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and Festival Board made the announcement expressing regret over the difficult decision.

The Yale Bologna Festival had been going strong since 1989 until the pandemic shut it down in 2020. This year’s cancellation is blamed on a lack of sponsorship and volunteers, as well as health and safety concerns for both attendees and volunteers as the pandemic lingers on.

The Bologna Festival is not just a celebration of processed meat. It has a loyal following of festival-goers who enjoy small-town offerings like a parade and fireworks, as well a street dance and the very unique outhouse races. The Bologna Festival relies on volunteers to pull off the event, but they were scarce this year.

The Festival Board said in a public statement that they had put seven months into planning, but the Bologna Festival just wasn’t meant to happen in 2021. Instead, they are looking forward to a Hometown event on September 11th featuring a concert and fireworks. They are looking for community support to continue the events that bring the community together.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland