Governor Whitmer’s Update on Vaccine Rollout

Governor Whitmer’s Update on Vaccine Rollout

by | May 12, 2021 | Uncategorized

Header 2021

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 12, 2021

Media Contact: [email protected]

 

PHOTOS: Governor Whitmer’s Update on Vaccine Rollout and Path out of Pandemic

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7SKROH6q9g

 

LANSING, Mich. — Governor Gretchen Whitmer and  Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Chief Medical Executive Dr. Joneigh Khaldun provided an update on vaccine rollout and the MI Vacc to Normal Challenge. They were joined by Dr. Srikar Reddy, President-Elect of the Michigan Academy of Family Physicians, and John Walsh, President and CEO of the Michigan Manufacturers Association.

 

The Governor praised Michigan’s progress on vaccinations. Michigan has reached the first milestone of the ‘MI Vacc to Normal’ plan, and the Governor anticipates that MIOSHA will take action allowing offices to allow in-person work on May 24. COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations have also decreased since mid-April. She encourages Michiganders who have not gotten vaccinated yet to get their shots as soon as possible.

 

To view the PowerPoint presentation that the governor used during today’s press conference, click the link below:

 

 

 

 

See below for photos from today’s press conference:

 

 

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Extensive bridge work requires closing I-75

Extensive bridge work requires closing I-75

by | May 12, 2021 | Transportation

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                 WEDNESDAY, MAY 12, 2021

 

CONTACT: Rob Morosi, MDOT Office of Communications, 248-483-5107, [email protected]

 

Extensive bridge work requires closing I-75

this weekend in Oakland County and Detroit

 

Fast facts:

– Southbound I-75 will be closed from I-696 to I-94; northbound I-75 will be closed from M-102 (Eight Mile Road) to I-696.  

– Closures begin at 9 p.m. Friday and end by 5 a.m. Monday.

– 13 Mile Road will be closed under I-75 over the weekend.    

 

May 12, 2021 —      Weather permitting, bridge demolition, beam setting, and substructure work will require southbound I-75 to be closed in sections from I-696 to I-94, and northbound I-75 to be closed from M-102 (Eight Mile Road) to I-696. These closures will begin at 9 p.m. Friday, May 14, and end by 5 a.m. Monday, May 17. One lane of southbound I-75 will remain open from M-102 to M-8 (Davison Freeway) for local traffic.

Further north, 13 Mile Road will be closed under I-75 to allow crews to safely set new bridges beams on the bridge that carries southbound I-75 over 13 Mile Road. The closure, between Molly and Concord drives, starts at 9 p.m. Friday, May 14, and ends by 5 a.m. Monday, May 17. During the closure, traffic will be detoured to 12 Mile Road.

Prior to the freeway closure, crews will begin closing ramps at 7 p.m. and start freeway lane closures at 8 p.m. All ramps to northbound I-75 will be closed from Davison Freeway to 9 Mile Road. All ramps to southbound I-75 will be closed from 14 Mile to 9 Mile Road in Oakland County. In Detroit, ramps to southbound I-75 will be closed from 7 Mile Road to Clay Street.

During the closure, northbound I-75 traffic will be detoured west on 8 Mile Road to northbound M-1 (Woodward Avenue), then eastbound I-696 back to northbound I-75. Southbound I-75 through-traffic will take westbound I-696 to southbound M-1, then westbound M-8 (Davison Freeway) to southbound M-10 (Lodge Freeway) to get back to southbound I-75.

“Working with three separate contractors to align all this work into one weekend to minimize the impact on the motoring public requires extensive coordination,” said Metro Region Engineer Kimberly Webb. “This direction benefits the public by limiting the number of times a freeway needs to close and provides a safer environment for both workers and drivers.”
Orion Township ZBA Meeting of May 10, 2021

Orion Township ZBA Meeting of May 10, 2021

by | May 12, 2021 | Meetings, Township/Village

 

Federal Program to Lower Cost of High-Speed Internet 

Federal Program to Lower Cost of High-Speed Internet 

by | May 12, 2021 | Regional News

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  

May 12, 2021

Contact: [email protected]   

 

Lt. Governor Gilchrist Encourages Michiganders to Sign Up for Federal Program to Lower Cost of High–Speed Internet

Michiganders are eligible to receive discounts on internet service and devices.

 

LANSING, Mich. – Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II and the Connecting Michigan Taskforce are encouraging Michigan families to sign up for a new federal program to help lower the cost of high speed internet service, which has begun enrolling participants today.

 

The Emergency Broadband Benefit, a new program from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), is making $3.2 billion available nationwide for eligible households to receive discounts of up to $50 per month on internet service, or up to $75 per month for qualifying households on Tribal lands. In addition, some internet service providers will also provide a one-time $100 discount toward the purchase of a computer, laptop or tablet.

 

“With children learning online and parents working from home, the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted just how great the need for reliable and affordable high-speed internet access is in Michigan, just as it is everywhere in our country,” said Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist. “Internet service is no longer a luxury, it’s a necessity. I’m committed to making sure that we level the playing field so that everyone in our state has an equal opportunity to take advantage of online resources and participate fully in our society and economy. We are working on getting the word out about the Emergency Broadband Benefit program to both broadband providers and residents across Michigan to ensure that every eligible household in our state has an opportunity to take advantage of this tremendous federal resource.”

 

A household is eligible if one member of the household meets at least one of the criteria below:

  • Has an income that is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or participates in certain assistance programs, such as SNAP, Medicaid or the FCC’s Lifeline program;
  • Approved to receive benefits under the free and reduced-price school lunch program or the school breakfast program, including through the USDA Community Eligibility Provision, in the 2019-2020 or 2020-2021 school year;
  • Received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year;
  • Experienced a substantial loss of income through job loss or furlough since February 29, 2020 and the household had a total income in 2020 at or below $99,000 for single filers and $198,000 for joint filers; or
  • Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating provider’s existing low-income or COVID-19 program.

 

In addition to the federal program, more than $20 million in Connecting Michigan Communities (CMIC) grants have been awarded by the Whitmer Administration to help bring service to approximately 12,000 homes and businesses, and additional grants are expected to be announced in June 2021. The economic impact of the CMIC grants is projected to exceed $25 million.

 

Michigan has experienced tremendous success in securing federal resources to help expand internet access in our state. Over the past year, providers in our state have secured more than $22.5 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Broadband ReConnect Program, $1.8 million from the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC’s) COVID-19 Telehealth Program, and $363 million from the FCC’s Rural Digital Opportunity Fund Program.

 

The Emergency Broadband Benefit that launched today is one of several important federal initiatives designed to improve connectivity. On Monday, May 10, the FCC voted unanimously in favor of the Emergency Connectivity Fund, which will provide $7.1 billion nationwide to help schools and libraries improve access to internet service. In addition, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration will soon begin taking applications for three national grant programs that were established under the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 and will collectively award more than $1.6 billion to improve access, adoption, and digital literacy. The Whitmer Administration continues to work to ensure that Michigan takes full advantage of these federal resources, as well as the State and Local Recovery Funds that were made available through the American Rescue Plan, to help ensure that every home and business in Michigan can connect to reliable, affordable high-speed internet service.

 

Beginning May 12, 2021, eligible households can enroll in the Emergency Broadband Benefit program through a participating broadband provider or directly with the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) at www.getemergencybroadband.org. Mail-in applications will also be available.  Additional information about the Emergency Broadband Benefit is available at  www.fcc.gov/broadbandbenefit, or by calling 833-511-0311 between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. any day of the week.

 

To learn more about the Connecting Michigan Task Force and related initiatives in Michigan, visit www.michiganbusiness.org/broadband.
Consumer Alert on Over-The-Counter Hearing Aids

Consumer Alert on Over-The-Counter Hearing Aids

by | May 12, 2021 | Regional News

Attorney General Dana Nessel

Media Contact:

Lynsey Mukomel 
517-599-2746

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Wednesday, May 12, 2021

Attorney General Nessel Issues Consumer Alert on Over-The-Counter Hearing Aids

LANSING – Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel issued a consumer alert urging consumers to be on the watch for companies using misleading sales tactics to sell over-the-counter hearing devices, especially online or by mail order.

Dozens of companies have entered the over-the-counter hearing aid market since the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) relaxed restrictions on the sales of hearing aids in 2017. Many of the products sold by these companies are actually classified as Personal Sound Amplification Products (PSAP), not FDA-approved medical devices.

“Consumers must remain proactive because, as we have seen time and time again, what looks like a good deal is not always a legitimate one,” Nessel said. “My office is committed to holding companies that use these deceptive practices accountable. If you’ve fallen victim to these tactics, contact my office immediately.”

Sellers of these phony products often entice consumers via websites advertising deals for much less than what a traditional FDA-approved hearing aid would cost. According to a recent bulletin issued by the FDA, these companies often market their products as being “FDA registered” to imply FDA approval, but a registered product is not the same as an FDA-approved product.

Before purchasing over-the-counter hearing aids, keep the following in mind:

  • The FDA has not approved any over-the-counter hearing aids. Over-the-counter hearing aids are not regulated and may simply be PSAP, which may be of poor quality and not work for those with hearing loss.
  • Research the seller on the Better Business Bureau website or another objective consumer review site.
  • Consider getting a hearing screening and opinion from a hearing specialist who can tell you whether an over-the-counter hearing device will work for you.
  • Remember, if the deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.

As always, your connection to consumer protection is just a click or phone call away. Consumer complaints can be filed online at the Attorney General’s website, or by calling 877-765-8388.