port huron

Michigan AG Dana Nessel Warns Residents To Protect Personal Data After McLaren Health Care Cyberattack

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is urging residents to take proactive steps to safeguard their personal information following a cyberattack on McLaren Health Care. 

The breach, reported on Aug. 6, has disrupted the healthcare provider’s IT systems, raising concerns about the exposure of sensitive data. While McLaren assures the public that its facilities remain “largely operational,” Nessel warns that cybercriminals may have accessed private information.

Nessel highlights the importance of monitoring for signs of identity theft, such as unexpected medical bills, errors in insurance statements, and unrecognized debt collections. She emphasized the lack of Michigan state laws requiring notification of significant data breaches, leaving many consumers vulnerable. 

Nessel advises residents to consult her office’s consumer alert at Data Breaches: What to Do Next for guidance on responding to data breaches and protecting personal information.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

U.S. House Advances Legislation Targeting Chinese-Made DJI Drones Over National Security Concerns

The U.S. House of Representatives has taken a significant step toward banning drones manufactured by China’s DJI, pushing the legislation closer to becoming law. This move is part of the Countering CCP Drones Act, which was incorporated into the broader National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), according to michiganfarmnews.com. 

The act requires the Department of Defense (DoD) to investigate Chinese drone companies for possible inclusion on the Chinese Military Company list and places DJI on the FCC’s “Covered List,” which restricts the marketing, sale, or operation of newly designated equipment within the United States.

Representative Elise Stefanik (R-NY), who sponsored the bill, stressed the importance of limiting China’s influence in the U.S. drone market and telecommunications infrastructure. Although the ban would not apply to DJI drones purchased before the regulations are enacted, it follows growing concerns over potential security risks posed by Chinese-manufactured drones. 

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

St. Clair County Health Department Highlights New WIC Guidelines For 2024, Urges Families To Reapply

The St. Clair County Health Department (SCCHD) is reminding residents about updated guidelines for the Women, Infants & Children (WIC) program, which took effect on Jun. 1, 2024. 

Under the new federal rules, families can earn slightly more and still qualify for assistance through this vital nutrition program. WIC, funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), provides benefits via the Michigan WIC EBT card, enabling participants to purchase essential foods like milk, eggs, fresh produce, and infant formula.

Public Health Nursing Supervisor Becki Hartman encourages those who were previously ineligible to reapply, as they may now qualify under the revised criteria. In addition to food assistance, the SCCHD’s WIC program offers nutrition education, breastfeeding support, healthcare referrals, and immunizations. 

For more information, residents can call: (810) 987-8222.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Southside Music Festival Offers Free Family Fun With Top Jazz Artists

The NAACP Port Huron Branch invites you to the Field Day & Southside Music Festival on Saturday, Aug. 31, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Lincoln Park, located at 2720 South Blvd, Port Huron. This free event promises a full day of entertainment and activities for the whole family.

Highlighting the festival are live performances by multiple Billboard hit-charting saxophonist Tom Braxton, Amazon.com’s #1 smooth jazz artist, and acclaimed guitarist Tony Jefferson. Also performing are the Gopherbroke Blues Band and The Shade Band, ensuring a vibrant musical experience.

The festival also offers plenty of activities for kids, including a free hot dog meal for the first 50 children, bike raffles, book giveaways, a bounce house, and a mobile video game station. Attendees can also explore various food and resource vendors throughout the day.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Study Highlights Significant Gaps In Vision Care Coverage For Medicaid Enrollees

A study supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), published in Health Affairs, reveals alarming disparities in vision care coverage for Medicaid enrollees across the United States. According to the study, 6.5 million enrollees (12%) live in states where routine adult eye exams are not covered, and 14.6 million (27%) reside in states that do not provide coverage for eyeglasses.

It found significant variability in coverage, with 20 states excluding glasses under fee-for-service Medicaid, and seven states offering no coverage for either eye exams or glasses. Additionally, 35 states do not cover low vision aids, such as magnifiers, leaving many, particularly older adults, without essential vision support.

The findings highlight an urgent need for policy changes at the state level to address these gaps, especially as the aging U.S. population faces a projected doubling of vision impairment cases by 2050.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Friends Of The St. Clair River Urge Float Down Participants To Keep Waterways Clean

As thousands prepare for the annual Float Down on Sunday, Aug. 18, at Lighthouse Beach in Port Huron, Friends of the St. Clair River is urging participants and spectators to keep the river clean. 

Their “A Clean River is a Fun River” campaign highlights the importance of preserving the St. Clair River’s pristine waters, which are vital for drinking water and fish habitats. The group asks floaters and onlookers to responsibly dispose of trash and recyclables, reducing the litter and plastic waste that can accumulate from the event. 

Executive Director Sheri Faust emphasized the river’s significance, stating, “The St. Clair River is a vital resource for 60,000 people. We all have a responsibility to protect and celebrate this precious resource.”

For more information about the campaign, email: info@scriver.org.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell