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MSU survey finds ‘hands-free’ law having effect

While it should have been obvious, the message to keep hands on the wheel and eyes on the road when driving — and off cell phones and other electronic devices — has taken awhile to sink in, despite its potential for disaster. Distracted driving is thought to have claimed more than 3,000 lives in 2022, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. With that kind of grim statistic in mind, states have enacted laws to make drivers think twice about using their phones while driving, including Michigan, according to a recent news release. A Michigan State ...

Michigan Education Trust lowers startup costs for prepaid tuition

The Michigan Education Trust, a prepaid tuition savings program, helps Michigan families pay for future education at today’s tuition rates. Over its 37-year history, MET has helped more than 105,000 students work toward their education goals. Beginning this year, the program is becoming more accessible with a new $25 minimum enrollment contribution. This replaces the previous requirement to purchase at least one credit hour to start, which generally ranges between $200 and $800. In a news release, MET Executive Director Diane Brewer said the change is designed to make MET plans ...

Shoveling snow may cause serious health problems

With a reasonable amount of snow finally on the ground, driveway and walkway clearing has begun in earnest in Superiorland. And a great deal of it is accomplished by out-of-shape homeowners looking to save a little money by doing it themselves. That’s where the trouble can start. According to one medical study, about 100 people die each year from heart attacks related to snow shoveling. An unknown number of people are stricken but survive — perhaps to shovel again. According to the American Heart Association, one of the reasons heart attacks can occur during snow shoveling is the ...

Public education funding welcome

The Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential has announced that $10 million has been awarded to 75 school districts and public school academies statewide as part of the Universal Free Application for Federal Student Aid Challenge. This initiative is designed to increase FAFSA completion rates among Michigan high school seniors, connect students with more financial aid, and increase the number of students enrolling in college and career training after high school. The three Upper Peninsula school districts that received awards are Bark River-Harris School ...

Flu season ramping up

The U.S. winter virus season is in full force, and by one measure is the most intense in 15 years, according to a report from The Associated Press. One indicator of flu activity is the percentage of doctor’s office visits driven by flu-like symptoms. In early February, that number was clearly higher than the peak of any winter flu season since 2009-2010, when a swine flu pandemic hit the nation, according to data posted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Of course, other viral infections can be mistaken for flu. But COVID-19 appears to be on the decline, according ...

Career and technical education emphasizes in-demand careers

This is Career and Technical Education Month in Michigan, a chance to highlight CTE programs offered by schools and colleges across the state, including Bay College and the Dickinson-Iron Intermediate School District. With nearly 500,000 job openings projected in Michigan each year through 2032, CTE offers high school and college students hands-on learning experiences that can be applied to real-world training and career pathways. CTE programs are aligned with in-demand careers in fields such as business, information technology, health care, hospitality and manufacturing. Most high ...