Friends Of The St. Clair River Hosts Annual Native Plant And Rain Barrel Sale

Friends of the St. Clair River is hosting its annual Native Plant and Rain Barrel Sale Sunday, Sept. 8, noon – 3 p.m., offering an ideal opportunity to enhance your garden. 

Native plants, adapted to Michigan’s climate, are easy to maintain, resist pests, and provide vital food for wildlife. Available for purchase are wildflowers, grasses, shrubs, and pre-assembled garden kits for butterflies, pollinators, and rain gardens.

The event also features 55-gallon rain barrels from Upcycle Products to help conserve water and reduce stormwater pollution. Rain barrels must be pre-ordered for pick-up on Sept. 8. Proceeds support pollinator-friendly gardens in the community.

Whether you’re planting a pollinator garden or starting with a rain barrel, this sale promotes sustainable gardening practices while benefiting local ecosystems.

For more information, visit: scriver.org.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Unilever Recalls Popsicle Jolly Rancher Frozen Confections Due To Undeclared Milk Allergen

Unilever U.S. is recalling 137,000 cases of Popsicle Jolly Rancher Frozen Confection Pops (single-serve) because they may contain milk, which is not listed on the label. This poses a serious risk for individuals with milk allergies or sensitivities.

The affected products were sold through ice cream trucks, concession stands, and grab-and-go freezers nationwide between Feb. 1 and Aug. 15, 2024. The recall does not impact the 18-count multi-pack sold in grocery stores.

There have been two reported allergic reactions. Consumers should not consume the recalled products, other Unilever or Popsicle products are not affected by this recall. 

For more information concerning details on the recall, visit: PopsicleRecall.com. 

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Andrew Kercher Joins WGRT As The New Host Of “Limelight”

WGRT is thrilled to welcome Andrew Kercher as the new host of “Limelight,” the station’s popular show highlighting the people who influence culture, commerce, and community in the Bluewater area. 

Kercher, known for his time as the Community Engagement Manager at Port Huron Museums, is a professional historian with a passion for storytelling. He is the founder of Andrew Kercher Lectures & Tours and has worked in museums across Michigan.

A graduate of Albion College with a degree in History and Philosophy, Kercher also holds a Master’s in Historic Preservation from Eastern Michigan University. He now resides in Port Huron with his wife, Lauren, and their two cats, Gilbert and Sullivan. 

Tune in to “Limelight” weekdays at 12:20 and 6:20 p.m. on 102.3 FM WGRT.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

REAL ID Act Enforcement Begins May 2025 For Federal Facility Access And Air Travel

The REAL ID Act, passed by Congress in 2005, will require state-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards to meet federal security standards for certain official purposes. These include accessing federal facilities, boarding commercial aircraft, and entering nuclear power plants.

Starting May 7, 2025, federal agencies, including DHS and TSA, will only accept REAL ID-compliant licenses and identification cards, which feature a star marking, at airport security checkpoints. Enhanced Driver’s Licenses (EDLs) from Washington, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, and Vermont are also valid for these purposes, even without the star.

Travelers should ensure their identification meets the REAL ID requirements before the enforcement date to avoid disruptions when flying or accessing federal sites.

For more information, visit: dhs.gov/real-id.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Michigan Attorney General Praises Child Support Division’s Success In Recovering $415 Million

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is celebrating the accomplishments of the state’s Child Support Division, which has been instrumental in identifying and holding accountable parents who refuse to pay child support. Since its creation in 2003, the division has recovered over $415 million, benefiting more than 29,000 children. This year alone, it has collected $21.5 million and issued 700 warrants.

“The division’s work ensures Michigan’s children have the resources they need to thrive,” Nessel said.

The division targets parents with arrearages of at least $5,000 who are financially capable but unwilling to pay. Beyond supporting children, it has also returned $2.7 million to the State Treasury this fiscal year by recovering funds from cash assistance provided to custodial parents.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Governor Whitmer And MiLEAP Encourage Families To Enroll In Free Pre-K Programs

Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Dr. Beverly Walker-Griffea, director of the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP), are urging families to enroll their four-year-olds in free, high-quality pre-K programs available through local school districts.

A historic investment in the state’s Pre-K for All initiative, part of Michigan’s new budget, will provide nearly 59,000 children across the state with access to free pre-K.

As of Aug. 15, enrollment has expanded to all families regardless of income level, with priority given to those who need it most. “This is a huge win for Michigan families,” said Governor Whitmer. “It saves parents thousands of dollars on child care costs while giving kids the educational foundation they need.”

 

For more information, visit: MiPreKforAll.org.

 

Reporting for WGRT -Choze Powell