DNR News Digest – Week of Oct. 17, 2022
|
|||||||||
News Digest – Week of Oct. 17, 2022
|
|||||||||
|
Want to see more pictures like this, taken by Michigan state parks photo ambassador 
This time of year, bears can spend up to 20 hours a day foraging for foods rich in calories, like acorns, hickory nuts, berries and leafy greens, as they prepare to hibernate. Because bears can lose up to one-third of their body weight while overwintering, it is vital to pack on the pounds – with some bears consuming 20,000 calories a day.
Pull your boots and flannels out of the closet – it’s campfire season! Just be sure to brush up on our burning tips before lighting that brush pile in the backyard. DNR firefighters have responded to more than 215 wildfires so far this year.
Explore the woods and waters of Michigan and gain valuable career experience in natural resources with a Huron Pines AmeriCorps service term. Terms run January-November 2023.
With some 20 million acres of forest land, Michigan is richer than many states in terms of opportunities to see seriously spectacular fall foliage. If you’ve got questions – Where are the best places to see peak color? Where exactly do those beautiful hues come from? – a recent 
Scammers Taking Advantage of Student Loan Forgiveness
|
|
|
|
$30 million in Funding to Hire Local Police Officers
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 17, 2022 Contact: [email protected]
Gov. Whitmer Announces $30 million in Funding to Hire Local Police Officers Across the State
LANSING, Mich. — Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced that $30 million in grant scholarships are now available to help local law enforcement agencies hire more police officers by providing funding to help cover basic law enforcement training academy costs and recruit salaries for individuals employed by a law enforcement agency and enrolled in an academy session.
“As a former prosecutor, public safety is a top priority, and I will work with anyone to ensure state and local law enforcement agencies have the resources, personnel, and training they need to keep our communities safe,” said Governor Whitmer. “After listening to law enforcement across the state, we are delivering $30 million in funding to help them hire additional officers. This funding is a critical component of our plan to boost investment in public safety across the state. Every Michigander deserves to feel safe while going to the grocery store, dropping their kids off to school, or taking a walk around the block.”
The Public Safety Academy Assistance Program is a grant scholarship established to help address the critical need for additional police officers by reducing or eliminating the cost associated with basic police training for hiring agencies. Under this program, law enforcement agencies are eligible for up to $4,000 per recruit for salaries and benefits, and up to $20,000 for academy tuition and other training costs that are traditionally paid for by the employing agency. Applications are now open for agencies who intend to enroll recruits in an academy session beginning on or after January 1, 2023.
Funding for the Public Safety Academy Assistance Program comes from the FY 2023 bipartisan budget Governor Whitmer signed in July that includes several investments to improve relationships between communities and law enforcement and graduates more state troopers to protect families and communities.
“This grant program will help local law enforcement agencies screen, hire and enroll individuals to a basic law enforcement training academy increasing the number of police officers in our state,” said Timothy S. Bourgeois, Executive Director of the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards (MCOLES). “The availability of these scholarships may allow agencies to recruit and hire police officers who may otherwise not have had the means to pay to attend a law enforcement academy.”
Program highlights include:
Additional program details and application can be found on the MCOLES website.
Governor Whitmer’s Public Safety Investments As a former prosecutor, public safety is a core issue for Governor Whitmer. She has worked closely with local leaders, law enforcement officers, and community organizations to ensure people feel safe in their neighborhoods. Since taking office, she has signed four balanced, bipartisan budgets, each making record investments to help communities fund local law enforcement departments and hire more first responders. This year’s budget…
Governor Whitmer’s Criminal Justice Investments Governor Whitmer has also worked across the aisle to enact historic criminal justice reform. She signed bipartisan “Clean Slate” legislation to help hundreds of thousands of Michiganders emerge from the criminal justice system with enhanced opportunities for jobs and housing, empowering them to pursue their full potential. She also launched task forces to address pretrial incarceration and juvenile justice and pursued reforms to improve relationships between law enforcement and the people they serve.
This summer, Governor Whitmer signed her fourth balanced, bipartisan budget that included funding for Jobs Court, a program that offers non-violent, low-level offenders gainful employment with local partnering small businesses.
|
Flags Lowered for Identified World War II Soldier
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 14, 2022 Contact: [email protected]
Governor Whitmer Lowers Flags for Identified World War II Soldier
LANSING, Mich. — Governor Gretchen Whitmer has ordered U.S. and Michigan flags to be lowered to half-staff throughout the state of Michigan on Monday, October 17 to honor the service of Private First-Class Soldier Lowell Smith. The flag lowering will coincide with Smith’s funeral.
“On behalf of the entire state of Michigan, I express my gratitude for Army PFC Lowell Smith for his service and the ultimate sacrifice for our nation,” said Governor Whitmer. “PFC Smith’s heroism and selflessness are examples for us all, and we are grateful to finally have him home for an honorable burial. My thoughts are with his loved ones as he is laid to rest.”
Army PFC Lowell Smith was assigned to Company F, 2nd Battalion, 157th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division in January 1945. On January 21, 1945 Smith was part of a Browning Automatic Rifle squad during the Battle of Reipertswiller when his company attacked German forces in support of surrounded colleagues. Smith was reported missing following the Battle. However, his remains were not identified among those recovered.
Smith’s remains were identified by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency on June 21, 2022 using DNA analysis. He was returned to Michigan on October 14, 2022 and will be buried in at Fort Custer National Cemetery in Augusta, Michigan on October 17.
The State of Michigan recognizes the duty, honor and selfless service of Army PFC Lowell Smith by lowering flags to half-staff. Michigan residents, businesses, schools, local governments and other organizations also are encouraged to display the flag at half-staff.
To lower flags to half-staff, flags should be hoisted first to the peak for an instant and then lowered to the half-staff position. The process is reversed before the flag is lowered for the day.
Flags should be returned to full-staff on Tuesday, October 18. |
Lt. Governor Gilchrist Kicks Off MI First Vote Tour
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE PHOTOS: Lt. Governor Gilchrist Kicks Off MI First Vote Tour Three-stop tour will visit Michigan schools to register voters and encourage civic participation by Michigan high school seniors DETROIT, Mich. – Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist today kicked off the MI First Vote Tour, a three-stop tour to register new voters, clear up misconceptions and apprehensions about voting, and ensure young voters have everything they need for a successful first vote. Lt. Governor Gilchrist visited the Jalen Rose Leadership Academy and took part in a roundtable to discuss the importance of civic participation and what students can expect when they vote. Lt. Governor Gilchrist was joined by Jalen Rose and Civic 360, a nonpartisan nonprofit dedicated to boosting civic participation in Michigan.
“As young Michiganders head to the ballot box for the first time this fall, it is critical to ensure they have everything they need to vote,” said Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II. “That is why I am excited to announce the MI First Vote Tour, an initiative to educate young voters on how to get registered and vote. Michigan’s future belongs to our young voters, and Governor Whitmer and I are committed to supporting them.”
“Your vote counts as your voice and it is paramount to be represented in your local, state and presidential elections,” said JRLA Founder, Jalen Rose. “Failure to vote can no longer be an option.”
“Democracy For All, a program of the League of Conservation Voters Education Fund and Civic360 are excited for this great opportunity to partner with Jalen Rose Leadership Academy to empower our youth with voter education/registration,” said Olu Jabari, State Director of Civic 360-Democracy for All. “The voice of our youth is critical to building a strong democracy.”
The Tufts University Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE) found in a study that 50% of eligible voters aged 18-29 cast a ballot in the 2020 election, compared to only 39% of eligible youth voters in 2016. CIRCLE also estimated that 46% of new voters – young people ages 18-19 – voted in 2020.
Often, eligible young people choose not to vote due to apathy, a lack of understanding about how to get registered or how to vote, or lack of engagement by government or voter registration efforts. The MI First Vote tour will travel to Michigan high schools to ensure young voters have everything they need for a successful first vote.
The MI First Vote tour will continue with stops in Southfield and River Rouge.
Whitmer Administration Actions on Voting
In May, Governor Whitmer signed executive directive 2022-04, instructing all state departments and agencies to identify and assess potential opportunities to help eligible Michiganders register to vote and gain access to reliable information about voting.
Under the executive directive, state departments and agencies must look at ways to provide Michiganders with reliable information on voter registration and voting, including displays in public spaces, printed materials, online information, public announcements, and social media posts. They must also consider which of their offices could help register voters by distributing vote by mail applications, helping Michiganders complete their voter registration forms, and accepting applications for voter registration.
Michigan’s state government interacts with citizens from all walks of life in countless ways: from providing fishing and driver’s licenses to supporting veterans, educating children, and administering Medicaid or food assistance. This level of engagement which extends to all 83 Michigan counties, provides the state an opportunity and obligation to reach the citizens they serve and empower them to fully participate in our democracy.
The executive directive can be viewed here.
On October 7, Governor Whitmer signed legislation strengthening elections and expanding voting access by allowing clerks to pre-process absentee ballots two days prior to Election Day. The legislation also allows our overseas military members to return their ballot electronically, making it easier for service men and women to participate in our elections.
|
