business news

McLaren Lapeer Nurses Vote Unanimously to Authorize Strike

Nurses at McLaren Lapeer Region Hospital have unanimously voted in favor of authorizing their bargaining team to call for a strike if deemed necessary. 

Over the past few days, the nurses held a strike authorization vote, with 100% of the voting nurses choosing to grant their bargaining team the power to initiate a strike. The move follows growing concerns among nurses regarding patient safety and the impact of corporate greed on healthcare.

Carie Babcock, RN, president of the Michigan Nurses Association (MNA) says, “Nurses are rising up because we are tired of watching our patients’ lives be jeopardized due to corporate greed. We are the frontlines. We will do whatever it takes to win a contract that will protect our patients.”

While hospital executives have often cited a nursing shortage, publicly available data from government agencies reveals that there are over 50,000 registered nurses with active Michigan licenses who are presently not working in nursing roles.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Bluewater YMCA: Making Healthy Living Accessible to All

The Bluewater YMCA is dedicated to ensuring that healthy living is accessible to everyone, regardless of their socioeconomic status. To achieve this goal, the Y offers a Financial Assistance program that provides vital support to those in need.

Through the income-based assistance program, the Y aims to alleviate the financial burden of membership by offering discounted rates and flexible payment due dates. The Y believes that no one should be deprived of the opportunity to lead a healthy lifestyle due to financial constraints.

To apply for financial assistance, interested individuals can access the application form on the Bluewater YMCA’s website. Applicants are required to submit a completed form along with proof of one month’s household income, such as pay stubs, bank statements, SSI statements, or SNAP/Food Stamps case actions.

These types of programs are made possible by the community’s donations and support. Help support the YMCA’s Open Arms Campaign today! 

For more information, call (810) 987-6400.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Join Sarnia’s Rock The Rescue Fundraiser By The Sarnia & District Humane Society

On Saturday, June 3rd, join the Sarnia & District Humane Society for their Rock The Rescue Fundraiser. The fun begins from 8 am – 3 pm, located at 131 Exmouth St, Sarnia. The Rock and Rescue Fundraiser will be having a huge sale of new and like-new items for all pets. 

The event will feature live music from 11 am – 2 pm from the incredible musical talents of Jimmy Bell and Derek Donkers, along with Katie Harvath. 

There will be plenty of games and activities for the whole family to enjoy as well such as, Connect Four from Skyline Inflatables and the dunk tank. There will be raffles, bbq, cotton candy, popcorn machines and more. 

The Sarnia & District Humane Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping fight the causes of animal suffering and finding good homes for abandoned or unwanted animals. 

If you would like more information on the Rock and Rescue Fundraiser, visit: sarniahumanesociety.com.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Black History 101 Mobile Museum Celebrates 50 Years of Hip Hop Culture on National Tour

St. Clair County Library System presents the Black History 101 Mobile Museum national tour which commemorates 50 Years of Hip Hop culture. The tour will stop at the Don Dodge Auditorium, located at 200 Grand River Avenue, Port Huron. 

The exhibit begins Friday, June 16th, from 10 am – 3 pm. Attendees can drop in at any time during tour hours to view the exhibit. The museum’s founder, Dr. Khalid el-Hakim, will deliver a presentation at 1 PM.

Featuring more than 150 original artifacts, the exhibition captures the evolution of Hip Hop culture and its profound impact on American society. It emphasizes the contributions of Black artists and innovators within the genre. 

The exhibit takes a unique approach by examining Hip Hop culture through the lens of significant social movements like the Anti-Apartheid Movement and the Stop the Violence Movement. 

For more information, visit: stclaircountylibrary.org.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Gov. Whitmer Celebrates One-Year Anniversary Of Caring For MI Future

In a recent update, Governor Whitmer revealed that 687 child care entrepreneurs have successfully opened new child care programs, while an additional 1,829 center- and home-based programs have expanded their services to accommodate more children. These efforts have resulted in lower costs and increased access to quality child care for families across the state.

The announcement coincided with the one-year anniversary of the launch of Caring for MI Future, a comprehensive strategy aimed at opening 1,000 new child care programs by the end of 2024. 

Michigan is making remarkable progress in achieving this goal, as evidenced by the nearly 700 new child care licenses already issued, surpassing expectations for this stage in 2023.

Governor Whitmer emphasized the significance of investing in high-quality and affordable child care, highlighting the benefits of lower costs for working families, increased parental employment, and the provision of a safe and nurturing environment for children’s growth and development.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Rocket Mortgage Classic Welcomes Celebrities Barry Sanders, Chris Webber, And More At The AREA 313 Celebrity Scramble

The AREA 313 Celebrity Scramble is set to take place on Tuesday, June 27th, at 5 p.m. at Detroit Golf Club, located at 17911 Hamilton Rd, Detroit.

The event is a highlight of the upcoming Detroit Community Days, offering complimentary admission and parking to the Rocket Mortgage Classic on both Tuesday and Wednesday, June 28th.

The AREA 313 Celebrity Scramble features six four-player teams competing in a thrilling three-hole exhibition match on holes 14 through 16 at Detroit Golf Club, famously known as AREA 313. 

Each team is led by PGA TOUR stars, alongside celebrity athletes, entertainers, players from THE JOHN SHIPPEN National Golf Invitational presented by Rocket Mortgage, and corporate partners. Additional participants for the Celebrity Scramble will be announced in the coming weeks.

Notable additions to this year’s event include Chris Webber, The Miz, Barry Sanders, Calvin Johnson, Dylan Larkin, and Tom Izzo.

For more information and ticket prices, visit: rocketmortgageclassic.com. 

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell