by orionontv | Mar 12, 2025 | Regional News
Gov. Whitmer Announces Record PreK Enrollment, Saving Michigan Families $10,000 Per Year
Enrollment now open for free, high-quality PreK for All for 2025-2026 school year
LANSING, Mich. – Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced that Michigan has achieved record PreK enrollment in the current school year, saving families an estimated $475 million per year. Enrollment in the Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP), the state’s primary PreK program, is up 24% since the Governor announced the PreK for All initiative in 2023. The announcement was made during an event held at Livonia Early Childhood Center.
“PreK for All gives kids the strong foundation they need to thrive in kindergarten while also saving families $10,000 a year,” said Governor Whitmer. “This school year, a record number of children are enrolled in no-cost, high-quality PreK programs across the state, saving Michigan $475 million. Today, 56% of Michigan’s four-year-olds are enrolled in free preK, and in this year’s budget, we can build on this momentum to set up more kids for lifelong success and save even more families more money. Let’s get it done.”
“As a dad of three, I know just how important it is for all our kids to get a great start so they can build a bright future,” said Lieutenant Governor Gilchrist. “Thanks to the hard work of preK providers across Michigan and our record, bipartisan investments in preK, we have saved families an average of $10,000 each while ensuring every four-year-old has access to the high-quality early education they deserve. Together, let’s keep finding ways to help families succeed in Michigan.”
“We know how important early learning experiences are to children’s development and success, which is why MiLEAP is working with partners across the state to expand access to PreK for All,” said Dr. Beverly Walker-Griffea, director of MiLEAP. “PreK not only benefits 4-year-olds, it also benefits our economy as families can work or go to school knowing their children are safe and learning. PreK enrollment is open now for the 2025-26 school year and families can find programs that meet their unique needs at MiPreKforAll.org.”
“Our high-quality educators give our youngest learners a strong PreK education, helping children to be successful in kindergarten and beyond,” said Andrea Oquist, Superintendent of Livonia Public Schools. “Livonia Public Schools is dedicated to providing developmentally appropriate activity-based programs to our students in our brand-new state of the art Early Childhood Center. Families in our area interested in learning more should contact us today.”
More than 47,500 four-year-olds are enrolled in GSRP programs in the 2024-25 school year, according to preliminary reports to the state from intermediate school districts. Through all PreK for All programs, which includes Head Start, developmental kindergarten and early childhood special education, Michigan is serving 56% of four-year-olds in free high-quality PreK programming.
PreK helps ensure children are ready to thrive when they enter kindergarten, and it sets children up for long-term success by providing the foundation they need to be successful in school and work. In addition to the benefits for children and their development, free PreK saves families an estimated $10,000 per year. A recent analysis found that for every dollar spent on PreK for All, it creates $1.72 in total economic benefits for our state.
Enrollment in PreK for All is now open for the 2025-26 school year for children who will be 4-years-old by Dec. 1, 2025. PreK for All is open to all families, no matter their income, while prioritizing those who need it most.
Families can visit MiPreKforAll.org to find programs near them that meet their unique needs.
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by orionontv | Mar 11, 2025 | Regional News
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Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 11, 2025
CONTACT: Lynn Sutfin, 517-241-2112, Sutfinl1@michigan.gov
Governor Whitmer proclaims March for Meals Month in Michigan
Senior Nutrition Program honored for supporting nutrition services for older adults
LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is joining with the federal Administration for Community Living and senior nutrition service providers in celebrating the 53rd anniversary of the Senior Nutrition Program as part of March for Meals Month.
“For more than 50 years, senior nutrition services have helped create healthy, strong communities where all members can flourish, including our older residents,” said Elizabeth Hertel, MDHHS director. “The Senior Nutrition Program ensures we provide nutritional and social supports to those in need. It is often the gateway for referrals to other nutrition and wellness services such as nutrition education and counseling services, health promotion and disease prevention programs, and other home and community-based services.”
Since 1972, the national Senior Nutrition Program has supported nutrition services for older adults. Funded by the Older Americans Act, local senior nutrition programs serve as hubs for adults ages 60 and older to access meals and other vital services that strengthen social connections and promote health and well-being. In recognition of the impact of the Senior Nutrition Program, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has declared this month as March for Meals Month in Michigan.
Each year in the U.S., up to half of adults over 65 are at risk of malnutrition and more than 10 million face hunger. In communities throughout Michigan, older adults sometimes lack access to the high-quality, nutritious food they need to remain healthy and independent.
According to the Current Population Survey Food Security Supplement conducted by the U.S. Census for the U.S. Department of Agriculture for 2021, 9.8% of older adults in Michigan have only marginal food security, meaning their “households had problems at times, or anxiety about, accessing adequate food.” Another 6% experience low food security, with households reducing “the quality, variety and desirability of their diets,” and 2.7% have very low food security where “at times during the year, eating patterns of one or more household members were disrupted and food intake reduced because the household lacked money and other resources for food.” That means more than 337,000 members of Michigan’s population age 65 and older are not fully food secure.
As part of the Senior Nutrition Program network, local Area Agencies on Aging, Commissions on Aging, senior centers and other local organizations help older adults across the state by promoting healthy eating, decreasing social isolation and improving health. These partners also provide connections to home and community-based services, such as home-delivered meals and congregate dining sites that can support independence and overall well-being.
In Michigan in fiscal year 2024, 8.7 million meals were provided to nearly 50,000 home-delivered meal recipients, with another 1.5 million meals served to nearly 42,000 older adults through congregate dining sites at more than 450 different locations, including senior centers and senior housing complexes.
For more information about programs and services for older adults and how you can support senior nutrition, visit the Behavioral and Physical Health and Aging Services Administration or the Senior Nutrition Program promotion video. |
by orionontv | Mar 11, 2025 | Regional News
Oakland County Launches Visitor Survey to Shape Comprehensive Tourism & Attraction Plan
Post Date:03/10/2025 3:35 PM
- Residents and visitors may participate in the survey through April 18. It is available online at this link and takes about 15 minutes to complete: Oakland County’s Strategic Plan page.
- The survey will gauge the perceptions about Oakland County’s downtowns and attractions.
- The Tourism & Attraction Strategic Plan will measure the value and economic impact of tourism in Oakland County and develop strategies to attract new visitors, businesses and employees while enhancing visitor experiences.
Pontiac, Mich. – Oakland County is launching a new initiative to develop a Tourism & Attraction Strategic Plan aimed at strengthening the county’s tourism sector and enhancing business attraction and retention. As part of this effort, the county is inviting residents and visitors to participate in a survey through April 18.
“This strategic plan will help us build on our county’s strengths and ensure Oakland County remains an inviting destination for visitors,” said Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter. “It also gives us a chance to support and promote our local businesses, cultural institutions and outdoor recreation.
Oakland County encourages community members and visitors to participate in the visitor survey which takes about 15 minutes to complete. It will gather insights on:
- Tourism assets and experiences in the county
- Perceptions of Oakland County as a destination
- Preferred transportation methods for visiting attractions
- Key factors influencing travel decisions
- Tourism spending
- Visitor demographics
The survey will gauge the economic impact and the perceptions of residents and visitors who frequent downtowns and attractions in the county. It is available online at this link: Oakland County’s Strategic Plan page.
In 2023, Oakland County contributed 28 percent of total visitor spending to Metro Detroit’s tourism economy, accounting for 11 percent of Michigan’s statewide tourism spending. The county has a diverse array of attractions including outdoor recreation, historic sites, culinary and cultural experiences, special events and vibrant downtowns, most supported by Main Street Oakland County.
The Tourism Attraction Strategic Plan will help establish sustainable models for tourism development and management, develop strategies to attract new visitors, businesses and employees while enhancing visitor experiences, and explore options for the county’s tourism brand, messaging and marketing approach.
The Oakland County Economic Development Department is leading the effort, partnering with Think Place Agency, BLKDOG, and Tourism Economics to guide the planning process. A Steering Committee of business leaders, local government representatives and venue operators will provide strategic input, while additional stakeholders will be engaged through interviews, focus groups, public meetings and surveys.
“As one of Michigan’s largest paid family attractions, the Detroit Zoo is pleased to work with the county on its tourism strategic plan,” said Randi Hamilton, chief experience officer, Detroit Zoological Society. “The Zoo is deeply committed to the community, and we are thrilled to collaborate with neighboring downtowns and other attractions to create unforgettable experiences — both for local guests and visitors far and wide.
Follow the initiative’s progress and join the conversation on social media using #VisitOaklandPlan.
by orionontv | Mar 7, 2025 | Regional News
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 7, 2025
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MPSC Disallows $30 Million in DTE Electric’s Cost Recovery Proposal
LANSING – Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel’s arguments before the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) succeeded in convincing the Commission to disallow $33,774,728 in attempted cost recovery sought by DTE Electric, per an order issued by the MPSC last week.
Regulated utilities file cost recovery cases annually with the MPSC (distinct and separate from rate increase request cases) in an effort to recover, from their monopolized ratepayers, costs incurred by the utility corporation to purchase power to satisfy Michigan residents’ grid demand. Often, utility corporations attempt to “recover” from their customers increased costs that benefit only their shareholders or otherwise result from imprudent or unreasonable management of outages, mismanaging or poorly planning their own power generation, or even purchasing power through sweetheart deals with affiliated or formerly affiliated energy companies. In this cost recovery case, the MPSC ruled that DTE improperly attempted to bill their customers for more than $30 million in costs the utility corporation failed to support as necessary or beneficial to their electric customers. Much of the $30 million dealt with DTE’s imprudent management of several power plant outages. The MPSC issued its order on February 27th.
“Regulated utility corporations often seek permission to recover certain increased costs they incur to deliver Michiganders’ energy supply but, in all instances, they must show these expenses were in the interest of their customers and procured at competitive costs,” said Nessel. “DTE failed to make the mark here, and not for the first time. My office will continue to argue before the MPSC to keep unsupported and wasteful cash outlays made to boost corporate profits or for any other improper purpose off Michigan ratepayers’ bills.”
Also on February 27th, the MPSC issued another order disallowing $7,537,566 in unsupported costs requested in a case filed by DTM Michigan Lateral Company, a pipeline owner and operator whose main customer is DTE Gas. The Attorney General’s intervention in this case led to the issues being fully examined before a judge. The order will prevent more than $7.5 million from being billed to DTE Gas customers.
Altogether, the two orders amount to a total Michigan ratepayer savings of $41,312,294.
DTE sells natural gas to 1.3 million customers across the state and electricity to approximately 2.3 million customers in Southeast Michigan. Since taking office, Attorney General Nessel has helped save Michigan ratepayers nearly $3.7 billion.
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by orionontv | Mar 7, 2025 | Transportation
MDOT and Michigan Fitness Foundation remind drivers to be alert as clocks “spring forward” on Sunday
LANSING, Mich. – As clocks “spring forward” to daylight saving time at 2 a.m. Sunday, March 9, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and Michigan Fitness Foundation (MFF) remind drivers to watch out for pedestrians, runners and bicyclists always, but especially in low light conditions. Sunrise will occur one hour later, meaning that it will be darker later in the morning. Drivers also should allow a minimum 3-foot distance when passing a bicyclist, according to state law.
“Safety on our roads is a shared responsibility regardless of how you are getting around,” said State Transportation Director Bradley C. Wieferich. “Whether moving about by walking, rolling or driving a motor vehicle, it is essential everyone remain alert and avoid distractions to ensure everyone gets to their destination safely. Drivers are reminded that Michigan’s distracted driving law makes it illegal to manually use a cell phone or other mobile electronic device while operating a vehicle. Under the law, a driver cannot hold or support a phone or other device with any part of their hands, arms or shoulders. Road users need to be alert and eliminate distractions. Also, people travelling on foot or rolling are encouraged to wear brighter colored clothing with reflective material to enhance visibility.”
Drivers are reminded that bicyclists are permitted to ride on most roadways in Michigan, unless otherwise posted. As legal roadway users, bicyclists are required to obey all traffic laws, signs and signals.
Working with schools and communities across the state, MFF Safe Routes to School program staff provide best practices that help communities identify and overcome safety barriers that make it safe for children to commute safely to and from school.
“Through our Safe Routes to School partnership with MDOT, we work with communities to create safe environments for children who walk, bike and roll to school,” said MFF President and CEO Amy Ghannam. “As we all adjust to the upcoming time change, it is important to remind ourselves to stay alert on the roadways to keep children safe.”
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 7,522 pedestrians and 1,105 pedalcyclists (bicyclists and riders of two-wheel, nonmotorized vehicles, tricycles and unicycles powered solely by pedals) died in traffic crashes in 2022. In Michigan, 2,224 pedestrians were involved in crashes, resulting in 183 killed and 1,743 injured, according to the Michigan Traffic Crash Facts (MTCF) for 2023. Bicycle crashes accounted for 24 killed and 1,126 injured in the same MTCF 2023 report. Most pedestrian fatalities (76 percent) and pedalcyclist fatalities (50 percent) occur during dark conditions between 5 and 9 p.m.
MDOT continues to work with partners statewide on the Toward Zero Deaths safety campaign based on the National Strategy on Highway Safety, which is intended to influence driver behavior and improve safety. For more information on the Toward Zero Deaths campaign, visit www.Michigan.gov/ZeroDeaths.
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Crash Not Accident
Note to reporters: Crashes are no accident, they are preventable. Please use “crash” instead of “accident” when
reporting. Learn more at www.Michigan.gov/CrashNotAccident.
