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Proposed Medicaid cuts are unacceptable

A coalition representing more than 150 Michigan-based health care providers, advocates, educators and community organizations urged Michigan’s congressional delegation Tuesday to vote against Medicaid cuts proposed by the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee, as reported by Michigan Advance. The Protect MI Care Coalition — which includes the Michigan State Medical Society, Michigan Health and Hospital Association and the Michigan League for Public Policy — sent a letter to all 13 of Michigan’s members of Congress outlining their “deep opposition” to a spending plan as ...

Celebrity impersonation scams on rise

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is reissuing multiple consumer alerts following an uptick in scams impersonating well-known individuals. Scammers are increasingly impersonating celebrities – like Snoop Dogg, Garth Brooks, Kid Rock– and even military leaders, including former and active 4-star generals, in a variety of schemes designed to steal money from victims. “While it may be disappointing to hear, you are probably not in a secret, long-distance relationship with Garth Brooks,” Nessel said. “Scammers are constantly coming up with elaborate schemes to steal your ...

Safe and loving homes needed

During Foster Care Month in May, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is raising awareness of the need for additional foster parents to provide temporary care of children while the state works to reunify them safely with their parents. “I’m grateful for the dedication of thousands of families across the state who have opened their hearts and homes to help keep kids safe,” said Elizabeth Hertel, MDHHS director. “There is always a need for more foster parents to help ensure every child in Michigan has a safe place to call home.” Foster care identifies and ...

NMU presidential search comes at a vital time

Northern Michigan University held a community listening session last week to gauge public opinion while they search for NMU President Brock Tessman’s successor. Tessman announced last month that he will depart NMU in July to take on the role of President of Montana State University after a little over two years in NMU’s top job. Tessman’s short tenure at NMU has been largely seen as a success as he seemingly stabilized NMU after a difficult period of time that saw the university dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, a contentious negotiation with its professors over a new ...

Having an American Pope is a unique experience

On Thursday afternoon, white smoke poured from the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City as Catholics and non-Catholics alike around the world watched with great interest to see who would be chosen as the successor to the late Pope Francis. As with many cultural events, experts came out of the woodwork. People who two weeks ago had never heard of a single Cardinal became experts on the internal politics of the Vatican. With intense media coverage of an ever-growing list of candidates, the task of finding a new Pope seemed less like a solemn religious ceremony and more like the lead up to the ...

Stamp Out Hunger food drive Saturday

Saturday gives good reason to put more than mail out for your U.S. Postal Service carrier. Since 1993, the National Association of Letter Carriers, or NALC, has annually conducted its Stamp Out Hunger food drive on the second Saturday in May in more than 10,000 cities and towns across America. It’s the largest one-day food drive in the nation. And it relies on residents to set out food items for collection. In preparation, a number of mail carriers have even been handing out special bags along with the mail to be filled with food and other items. Currently, more than 44 million ...