local news

Blue Water Woman of the Year Awards 2024 Recognize Remarkable Achievements

The prestigious Blue Water Woman of the Year Awards is set to honor extraordinary women in the Blue Water Area of Michigan for their outstanding contributions as volunteers, mentors, professionals, or community leaders. 

The 2024 Awards Ceremony, taking place on March 13th, at McMorran Place Theatre, will showcase women who exemplify excellence, creativity, and innovation in their respective fields.

Nominees for the coveted Blue Water Woman of the Year title must meet rigorous criteria, emphasizing their commitment to excellence in professional, volunteer, mentoring, passion, or educational pursuits. Nominators play a crucial role in ensuring nominees receive the recognition they deserve, with a call to actively promote attendance at the ceremony. This year, the focus is on creating a supportive and celebratory atmosphere where each award recipient can bask in the well-deserved applause from a dedicated fan club.

Click here for more details. 

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

State Rep. Mike Harris Urges Committee Action On GOP Plan To Revamp Troubled Unemployment Insurance Agency

State Representative Mike Harris (R-Waterford) pressed the House Ethics and Oversight Committee to deliberate on a comprehensive plan, introduced by House Republicans, aimed at overhauling Michigan’s Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA). The call for action follows an audit released Wednesday by Michigan’s nonpartisan Office of the Auditor General, revealing systemic failures within the UIA during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

The audit disclosed negligence by the UIA in investigating improper payments, leading Rep. Harris to challenge Governor Whitmer’s assurances that the issues were resolved. “Our tax dollars went to the incarcerated and deceased just a year ago. Democrat policies have burdened employers, leaving countless individuals jobless through no fault of their own,” says Harris. 

The proposed GOP reforms focus on transparency, fraud prevention, and enhanced customer service for both unemployed workers and contributing employers.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Unusual Earthquake Strikes St. Clair County, Prompting Urgency For Residents To Familiarize Themselves With Safety Measures

On Wednesday, December 27th, an unexpected earthquake hit the St. Clair County area measuring at 2.5 on the Richter scale, prompting earthquake awareness and safety precautions for Michigan residents. 

While earthquakes are uncommon in the state, the recent seismic activity underscores the importance of preparedness, especially given Michigan’s proximity to states with a higher seismic risk. Notably, parts of Arkansas, Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, and Tennessee lie on the New Madrid fault line, where earthquakes as high as 7.7 on the Richter scale have occurred. 

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provides a map highlighting earthquake-prone areas in the U.S. Residents are advised to recognize earthquake signs, including roaring sounds, violent shaking, and jolts, and to prepare for potential aftermaths such as structural damage, fires, land disturbances, and hazardous material releases.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Massive Cybersecurity Breach Exposes Personal Health Data Of Over One Million Michigan Residents

In a startling revelation, Attorney General Dana Nessel announced a cybersecurity breach at HealthEC, LLC, a population health management platform serving Corewell Health’s properties in southeastern Michigan.

The breach, impacting over a million residents, has raised concerns about the security of sensitive health information. HealthEC, a vendor for Corewell Health, specializes in identifying high-risk patients and improving care accessibility. On December 22nd, HealthEC initiated the process of notifying affected individuals, acknowledging the compromise of personal data such as names, addresses, Social Security numbers, medical records, and health insurance information.

The exposed information also includes medical diagnoses, prescription details, and billing information, posing a significant threat to privacy and highlighting the urgent need for enhanced cybersecurity measures in the healthcare sector.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

T-Mobile Implements Stricter Measures Against A2P Traffic Violations With New Fines Starting January 1st

Commencing January 1st, 2024, T-Mobile is set to enforce three new fines for non-compliant Application-to-Person (A2P) traffic leading to Severity-0 violations, the most severe form of consumer harm. 

The fines, applicable to all A2P products utilizing T-Mobile’s network, are structured as follows: Tier 1 – $2,000 for offenses like phishing and social engineering; Tier 2 – $1,000 for illegal content, encompassing substances like Cannabis and solicitations; and Tier 3 – $500 for various violations, including but not limited to SHAFT, which is Sex, Hate, Alcohol, Firearms, and Tobacco. 

The move underscores T-Mobile’s commitment to maintaining a secure and compliant messaging environment, reinforcing penalties for severe violations.

For more information, refer to Section 5 in the T-Mobile Code of Conduct.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Holiday Chocolate Alert: High Levels Of Lead And Cadmium Found In Popular Brands

As holiday festivities boost chocolate consumption, a cautionary note arises with Consumer Reports revealing elevated levels of heavy metals like lead and cadmium in many popular chocolate products. 

Recent testing unveiled that 71 percent of the chocolate examined exceeded recommended thresholds for lead, cadmium, or both. Notably, Divine 70% Deliciously Smooth Dark Chocolate and Sam’s Choice (Walmart) Dark Chocolate 85% Cocoa were exceptions, meeting CR’s safety standards. 

Four out of six hot cocoa mixes tested, including Great Value (Walmart), Trader Joe’s, and Nestlé (which supplies Starbucks), surpassed Consumer Reports’ lead limit. Surprisingly, even products with cocoa powder, sugar, and additional ingredients showed elevated levels of lead, raising concerns about potential health risks for consumers. Holiday revelers are urged to be mindful of their chocolate choices to avoid unintended exposure to heavy metals.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell