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| The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state’s natural and cultural resources for current and future generations. For more information, go to Michigan.gov/DNR. |
Press Release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Jan. 7, 2026 CONTACT: Lynn Sutfin, 517-241-2112, Sutfinl1@michigan.gov MDHHS expands On-the-Go food pantry to third location LANSING, Mich. –The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has again expanded its On-the-Go pop-up food distribution events in partnership with Forgotten Harvest by adding a third distribution site in Taylor. “We are offering these mobile food pantries at our local offices to help Michigan residents put food on the table for their families,” said Elizabeth Hertel, MDHHS director. “We appreciate the growing partnership with Forgotten Harvest as we work together to ensure access to healthy, nutritious food to those in need.” On-the-Go pantries allow individuals to schedule appointments and select groceries from fresh produce to grains to proteins. Additionally, culturally appropriate food options are offered when available – such as halal and kosher-friendly items – when serving communities with specific dietary needs. MDHHS plans to offer these mobile food pantries on a monthly basis at select MDHHS offices in Oakland, Macomb and Wayne counties. To date, these events have served nearly 550 families and distributed more than 11 tons of groceries. An event is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 13 at the MDHHS office at 25637 Ecorse Road in Taylor. Food pantries will be offered at this location on the second Tuesday of each month. Individuals in Southeast Michigan in need of food must make an appointment by emailing MDHHS-FH-WC-Taylor@michigan. Other events in January include:
Forgotten Harvest, Michigan’s largest food rescue organization, has more than 65 permanent mobile pantry partners throughout southeast Michigan in addition to the On-the-Go mobile pantries. To locate a food pantry, visit Forgotten Harvest’s website. Appointments to shop at Forgotten Harvest’s Community Choice Market in Oak Park can be made by calling 248-268-7756. To find additional resources:
Additionally, the Executive Office of the Governor and state departments have helped Michigan residents feed their families by:
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 7, 2026
Contact: press@michigan.gov
Governor Whitmer Announces Michigan Lottery Contributes More Than $1 Billion to Schools for Seventh Consecutive Year
Tops $30 Billion in Contribution Since 1972
LANSING, Mich. – Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced that the Michigan Lottery contributed more than $1 billion to the School Aid Fund for the seventh consecutive year in FY25. The contribution of $1.16 billion brings the Lottery’s total contribution to Michigan’s public schools to more than $30 billion since it began in 1972.
“Here in Michigan, we’re connecting our kids with the tools they need to learn, grow, and thrive whether they’re in pre-K or their senior year,” said Governor Whitmer. “That includes record per-pupil funding of more than $10,000 for every child in every school, free breakfast and lunch for all to save parents almost $1,000 a year per kid, and record investments to help kids read. This year’s lottery contributions will help build on that progress and make a difference for students, educators, and schools across Michigan. Let’s keep working together to make a difference for our kids.”
“The Lottery team is extremely dedicated to our mission of providing funds to support public education in Michigan. We are especially proud of our record-breaking seventh consecutive yearly contribution of more than $1 billion to the School Aid Fund,” said Acting Lottery Commissioner Joe Froehlich. “I am also very proud of the support we provide to local businesses across Michigan. In FY25, Lottery retailers earned more than $300 million in commissions for the sixth straight year. The support the Lottery provides to public education and to businesses throughout the state is critical and far-reaching.”
Since the Lottery began in 1972, it has contributed more than $30 billion to the School Aid Fund which supports public education programs in Michigan. In each of the last seven fiscal years, the Lottery has contributed more than $1 billion to the School Aid Fund, totaling nearly $8.7 billion in contributions over that seven-year span.
Lottery retailers in Michigan earned more than $330 million in commissions in FY25. Since FY19, when the Lottery’s streak of billion-dollar contributions to the School Aid Fund began, retailers have earned more than $2.3 billion in commissions. Lottery products are sold at more than 10,000 locations across Michigan, including both independently owned businesses and large chains. In FY25, more than 700 retailers sold $1 million or more in Lottery games.
Michiganders won big playing Lottery games in FY25, taking home more than $2.8 billion in prizes. Since the Lottery began in 1972, players have collected more than $58 billion in prizes.
For each dollar spent on a Michigan Lottery ticket in FY25, approximately:
Under state law, all profits from the Lottery go to the School Aid Fund. Financial results reported in this release are unaudited and pending final review. Audited financial results and the Lottery’s Annual Comprehensive Financial Report are expected to be available early next year.
The Lottery is also committed to promoting responsible gaming. Responsible gaming information and resources are available on the Lottery’s website at: www.michiganlottery.com/
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 6, 2026 Contact: press@michigan.gov
Gov. Whitmer Makes Appointments to the Bench
LANSING, Mich. —Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced the appointments of Tanya Grillo to the 16th Circuit Court in Macomb County and Magistrate Tamara Garwood to the 15th District Court in the City of Ann Arbor.
“Today, I am proud to appoint Tanya and Tamara to the bench,” said Governor Whitmer. “These skilled legal professionals bring years of experience and dedication to their communities to their new roles. I am confident they will serve the people of Michigan admirably and uphold the rule of law.”
16th Circuit Court – Macomb County Tanya Grillo, of Saint Clair Shores, is managed assigned counsel coordinator at the City of Southfield, an administrative hearing officer at the City of Mount Clemens, and the founding and managing partner at Grillo Law, P.L.L.C. She also previously served as regional manager at the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission for Lapeer, Macomb, Oakland, and St. Clair Counties. Grillo is the president of the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan’s Executive Board and is a board member of the National Conference of Women’s Bar Association.
Tanya Grillo holds a Bachelor of Arts in political science from the University of Central Florida and a Juris Doctor from the Thomas M. Cooley Law School.
“I am deeply honored by Governor Whitmer’s appointment and grateful for the opportunity to serve the people of Macomb County and the State of Michigan,” said Grillo. “I take this responsibility seriously and am committed to serving with integrity, fairness, and respect for the rule of law. I will work every day to uphold the trust placed in me and to serve with the dignity this office deserves.”
This appointment will be made to fill a partial term following the upcoming resignation of Judge Diane Druzinski. Judge Grillo’s term will expire at twelve o’clock noon on January 1, 2027.
15th District Court – City of Ann Arbor
Tamara Garwood, of Ann Arbor, is magistrate at the 15th District Court. Garwood previously served as attorney and partner at Baker, Stringer & Garwood, LLP. Garwood is co-chair of the State Bar of Michigan UPL Committee and an instructor for the Michigan Judicial Institute. In 2025, Garwood was awarded the A. Thomas Truesdell Distinguished Service Award by the Michigan Association of District Court Magistrates for Outstanding Dedication and Service.
Tamara Garwood holds a Bachelor of Arts in political science from the University of Michigan and a Juris Doctor from the Detroit College of Law at Michigan State University.
“I would like to thank Governor Whitmer for providing me with the opportunity to serve as the next judge of the 15th District Court,” said Garwood. I’m deeply honored and humbled by the appointment. It will be my privilege to continue to serve my community.”
This appointment will be made to fill a partial term following the resignation of Judge Karen Valvo. Judge Garwood’s term will expire at twelve o’clock noon on January 1, 2027.
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This past fall, the Department of Natural Resources worked hard to stock fish in waters across Michigan — fish that will provide angling opportunities in seasons to come. The fall 2025 effort saw DNR crews stock seven different species at 76 locations throughout the state: 648,557 fish, weighing in at a total of 8.6 tons.
