by orionontv | Feb 24, 2025 | Regional News
Lt. Governor Gilchrist and MiLEAP Celebrate PreK for All Success, Highlight Continued Investments for Michigan’s Youngest Learners
LANSING, Mich. – Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II and the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP) are celebrating the success of the PreK for All Initiative, which is helping Michigan families save money while preparing the state’s youngest learners for kindergarten. This milestone was marked today during in event with families at the South Lyon Early Childhood Center in southeast Michigan.
“Governor Whitmer and I are committed to ensuring that every child in Michigan receives the strong start they deserve,” said Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II. “Thanks to PreK for All, we have witnessed record enrollment for 4-year-olds across our state, and we are building on that momentum. This is about investing in our kids’ futures, and we will continue collaborating with all partners to make sure every Michigan family has access to high-quality early education, no matter where they live.”
“PreK for All is truly transforming lives, making quality early learning more accessible than ever for Michigan families,” said Dr. Beverly Walker-Griffea, director of MiLEAP. “We are pleased to see so many families benefiting from these investments as their children grow academically and socially, all while keeping more money in their pockets. With the Governor’s budget recommendation, we will continue to expand lifelong education opportunities to ensure that every in child in Michigan has a solid foundation for success.”
“I strongly believe that no family should have to pay out-of-pocket for a high-quality preschool experience,” said Michael Lloyd, Principal at the South Lyon Early Childhood Center. “Continued investments in PreK for All means more families will have access to early education without the financial burden, ensuring every child can learn and grow in a supportive environment. Free preschool will have a lasting impact for families in our community, and with support from the state, we can make sure every Michigan four-year-old has a strong foundation for lifelong learning at this crucial stage of their development.”
Michigan’s PreK for All initiative saves families an estimated $10,000 per year in child care costs, putting an estimated $450 million back into Michigan families’ pockets this school year. The Governor’s recent budget recommendation builds on these efforts by:
- Investing $676.1 million to continue providing PreK for All through the Great Start Readiness Program.
- Piloting free PreK for three-year-olds, anticipated to serve nearly 4,000 children by 2029.
In addition to the benefits for children and families, PreK for All benefits Michigan’s economy as a whole. A recent analysis from the Upjohn Institute found that for every dollar spent on the program, it creates $1.72 in total economic benefits for our state.
PreK enrollment for 2025-2026 school year will open soon. Families can learn more and find programs that fit their needs by visiting MiPreKforAll.org . For families seeking other child care options, visit the Great Start to Quality website.
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by orionontv | Feb 24, 2025 | Regional News
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
February 24, 2025
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AG Nessel Re-issues Tax Season Consumer Alerts
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LANSING – This tax season, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is encouraging Michigan residents to file their taxes early to help prevent tax-related identity theft and is reissuing tax season consumer alerts to ensure consumers are better prepared to protect their personal information.
“During tax season, scammers take advantage of the opportunity to steal taxpayers’ money, access their personal data, and commit identity theft,” Nessel said. “To protect yourself, file early and stay informed about their tactics and how to avoid common tax-season scams.”
Tax-related Identity theft occurs when someone uses stolen personal information – including, but not limited to, an individual’s Social Security number (SSN) – to file a phony tax return and claim another person’s refund.
The IRS is often the first to inform victims that their identity has been stolen. Nessel’s advice to help consumers protect themselves and avoid being a victim includes:
- Filing your tax return as early as you can, before identity thieves have the opportunity to do so.
- Not giving out your SSN unless there’s a good reason, you’re confident you’re giving it to someone authorized to request this information, and you know how they will protect it.
- Using a secure internet connection if you’re filing electronically.
- Sending your tax return directly from the post office if you’re filing by mail.
- Thoroughly researching a tax preparer before handing over your personal information and never sending your personal information in a text or email.
- Reviewing the IRS’ informational guides, like their Taxpayer Guide to Identity Theft and Identity Theft Information for Taxpayers (PDF).
The Attorney General is also reissuing the IRS Phone and Email Tax Scams Alert to remind consumers the IRS will never call taxpayers to:
- Threaten arrest;
- Request payment by wire transfer, gift card, or prepaid debit card; or
- Ask you to provide credit card information over the phone.
For residents who find they owe money after filing, the Debt Collectors & the IRS and Tax Debt Resolution Scams alerts include valuable information to avoid falling for a debt collection scam.
Nessel encourages those who find they are victims of any type of identity theft to follow the steps recommended by the Federal Trade Commission and file a complaint.
If an individual’s SSN is compromised and tax-related identity theft is suspected, the IRS recommends that consumers:
- Immediately contact the IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit at 800-908-4490;
- Respond immediately to any IRS notice;
- Complete the IRS Form 14039 Identity Theft Affidavit (PDF) – also available online through IRS Publication 5027: Identity Theft Information for Taxpayers (PDF);
- Continue to pay your taxes and file your tax return even if you must do so by paper; and
- Remember: Even if a false refund is claimed and issued in your name, identity scammers do not actually steal your refund. If you are legally entitled to a tax refund, being a verified victim of tax-related identity theft will not change that. Your refund may be delayed, but you will, eventually, get your refund.
To file a complaint with the Attorney General or get additional information, contact:
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by orionontv | Feb 21, 2025 | Recreation
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DNR News
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Feb. 20, 2025
Contact: Edward Baker, 906-235-6114 or Jeffrey Jolley, 989-686-2678
Help protect sturgeon while ice fishing this season
DNR reminds anglers of lake sturgeon fishing regulations and rehabilitation efforts
Ice fishing has been good this season, but anglers on the ice targeting walleye or other fish may unexpectedly find themselves with a lake sturgeon on the line. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources reminds anglers that regulations on the targeting and harvest of lake sturgeon are in effect, and that on most waters of the state, fishing for lake sturgeon is prohibited and any lake sturgeon caught must be released immediately.
What is a lake sturgeon?
 Lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens), the only sturgeon species found in the Great Lakes, are unique in appearance and characteristics. They have five rows of bony plates, called scutes, on their backs and sides, as well as whisker-like barbels near their mouths. Often referred to as “living fossils” or “dinosaur fish,” lake sturgeon first appeared in the fossil record in the Mesozoic Era, 100 million to 150 million years ago. These fish are long-lived, with some documented at more than 100 years old.
Lake sturgeon are freshwater fish native to Michigan and found in North America throughout the Great Lakes, Mississippi and Hudson River basins. The species is an important cultural resource in the region, in addition to its ecological significance. But due to overfishing and habitat loss and degradation, lake sturgeon populations in Michigan began to decline in the 1800s. |
Why are lake sturgeon protected?
As a result of declines in lake sturgeon populations, in 1994 the State of Michigan listed lake sturgeon as a threatened species. Since then, the DNR has partnered with state, federal and tribal agencies to rehabilitate lake sturgeon in the state. The goals of these efforts are to conserve lake sturgeon populations that are currently self-sustaining and to rehabilitate depressed or declining populations to self-sustaining levels so that lake sturgeon can be removed from the threatened species list.
As part of this rehabilitation strategy, the DNR and partners stock lake sturgeon in several rivers and lakes in Michigan. Lake sturgeon are raised in streamside rearing facilities. At these facilities, naturally produced eggs or larval lake sturgeon are captured in their natal (birthplace) streams and brought into the rearing facilities, where they are protected from predators while still “imprinting” on the stream or river. This increases their survival and the chances that the sturgeon will return to the stream or river as mature adults to reproduce.
Where can anglers target sturgeon?
 Anglers can target lake sturgeon in Michigan only in designated waters during designated seasons. In some of these waters, lake sturgeon may be targeted, but must be released immediately; in others, a possession season with size restrictions is in effect.
Waters with sturgeon possession seasons include:
- Lake St. Clair and St. Clair River.
- Otsego Lake.
- Menominee River.
- Black Lake.
Waters with sturgeon fishing seasons (catch-and-release only) include:
- Detroit River.
- St. Marys River.
- Portage Lake and Torch Lake.
- Ontonagon River.
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In all other waters in the state of Michigan, it is unlawful to fish for lake sturgeon. Sturgeon are frequently caught incidentally in Saginaw Bay, the Saginaw River, the Kalamazoo River, the Grand River, Muskegon Lake, the Muskegon River, Manistee Lake and the Manistee River, but cannot be targeted in those waters — anglers should be aware of the possibility of incidental lake sturgeon catch and of these regulations.
Any lake sturgeon caught incidentally while targeting other species must be released immediately. When temperatures are below freezing, fish gills can freeze quickly, making it important to release sturgeon into the water as quickly as possible to increase their chances of survival.
“We know that encountering a fish as iconic as the lake sturgeon is a memorable moment for most anglers, but even the time you take to snap a photo can be extremely detrimental to the fish’s health and survival,” said Jeffrey Jolley, Southern Lake Huron unit manager with the DNR Fisheries Division. “A prompt release ensures a healthy sturgeon.”
See page 15 of the 2024 Michigan Fishing Regulations, which remain in effect through March 31, 2025, for detailed information on lake sturgeon fishing regulations, fishing and possession season dates and size requirements.
How do I report a sturgeon harvest?
Where harvest is allowed, lake sturgeon harvest is limited to one (1) lake sturgeon per angler, per license year (April 1-March 31). If you harvest a lake sturgeon, you are required to report the harvest within 24 hours. Lake sturgeon harvest can be reported online at Michigan.gov/RegisterFish, by phone at 888-636-7778 or in person at any DNR customer service center. To report a harvest in person, visit a customer service center during normal business hours and provide advance notice of your arrival by calling ahead.
Anglers can also report catch and release of lake sturgeon using the lake sturgeon form at Michigan.gov/EyesInTheField.
To report illegal harvest or targeting of lake sturgeon, call or text the Report All Poaching hotline at 800-292-7800 or complete the Report All Poaching form at Michigan.gov/EyesInTheField.
For more information on lake sturgeon visit Michigan.gov/Sturgeon or visit the DNR’s Lake Sturgeon Management page for details on management and restoration efforts in Michigan.
Note to editors: The accompanying photos are available below for download. Caption information follows.
- Close-up sturgeon: The Michigan DNR has partnered with state, federal and tribal agencies to rehabilitate lake sturgeon in the state.
- Harvested sturgeon: Anglers can target and harvest lake sturgeon in Michigan only in designated waters during designated seasons.
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by orionontv | Feb 21, 2025 | Regional News
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
February 20, 2025
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Attorney General Nessel Calls for Action Against Counterfeit Weight Loss Drug Makers
LANSING – Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has joined a 38-state and territory bipartisan coalition requesting that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) take swift action against bad actors who are endangering consumers with counterfeit forms of the weight loss and diabetes drugs Mounjaro, Zepbound, Ozempic, and Wegovy (GLP-1 drugs).
“As weight loss and diabetes medications grow in popularity, scammers are taking advantage of the demand,” Nessel said. “To ensure you receive the medication you need and avoid counterfeit products, always get your medications prescribed by your doctor and the prescription filled at a licensed pharmacy. I urge the FDA to take action against counterfeiters to protect Michigan consumers.”
The letter declares that the Food and Drug Administration has the expertise and resources to stop the bad conduct and deceptive practices by counterfeit drug manufacturers and that they should increase enforcement actions against compounding pharmacies illegally participating in this market. It also encourages the FDA to partner with state pharmacy boards to ensure compounded GLP-1 drugs are produced safely and in sanitary environments.
Attorney General Nessel joined this bipartisan letter, co-led by South Carolina, Colorado, Illinois, and Tennessee and joined by Alaska, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Georgia, Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, U.S. Virgin Islands, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
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by orionontv | Feb 20, 2025 | Transportation
Michigan airports to receive $4 million in grants
for airport improvement projects
Fast facts:
- $4 million in one-time airport development grants have been awarded to 33 Michigan airports for 44 improvement projects.
- Funds will help airports with clearing obstructions, repairing runways, upgrading lighting, building hangars, and acquiring operations equipment.
- MDOT’s State/Local Program provides critical funding that helps meet the department’s mission of developing and preserving a safe, high-quality statewide air transportation system.
LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Aeronautics Commission (MAC) and the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) have announced $4 million in one-time Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 airport development grants to be awarded to 33 Michigan airports for 44 improvement projects. These funds will help airports with clearing obstructions, repairing runways, upgrading lighting, building hangars, and acquiring operations equipment.
“Gov. Whitmer and I are committed to investing in infrastructure that serves communities across Michigan, and our airports are no exception,” said Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II. “We’re proud of the progress we’ve made bringing home millions in federal funding to improve airports, and these new awards will help airports improve safety, security and infrastructure. Let’s keep working together to improve infrastructure in Michigan and better connect our small business owners, people and families.”
MDOT initially received applications from 54 airports for 97 projects, totaling $10.5 million. Selection criteria was based on airport license status, use of COVID-19 pandemic funding, project timelines, zoning protections, project justification, community support, and alignment with the Michigan Airport System Plan (MASP).
“This important State/Local Program provides essential funding, ensuring airport infrastructure investment for safe, efficient and reliable travel for businesses and communities alike, at airports large and small across our state,” MAC Chair Ben Carter said.
“Hillsdale Municipal Airport is thrilled to have been chosen as a recipient of the FY 2025 State/Local Program funding,” said Hillsdale Airport Manager Ginger Moore. “We received funding to purchase a much-needed John Deere 5095M utility tractor for snow removal purposes. The airport also received funding for crack sealing and pavement markings. Hillsdale Airport has been working hard improving the airport and staying in good standing for general utility license.”
Michigan has 215 airports statewide, with 18 being commercial airports. Aviation contributes more than $22 billion annually to the Michigan economy according to data provided by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). MDOT’s State/Local Program provides critical funding that helps meet the department’s mission of developing and preserving a safe, high-quality statewide air transportation system.for airport improvement projects
Fast facts:
- $4 million in one-time airport development grants have been awarded to 33 Michigan airports for 44 improvement projects.
- Funds will help airports with clearing obstructions, repairing runways, upgrading lighting, building hangars, and acquiring operations equipment.
- MDOT’s State/Local Program provides critical funding that helps meet the department’s mission of developing and preserving a safe, high-quality statewide air transportation system.
LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Aeronautics Commission (MAC) and the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) have announced $4 million in one-time Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 airport development grants to be awarded to 33 Michigan airports for 44 improvement projects. These funds will help airports with clearing obstructions, repairing runways, upgrading lighting, building hangars, and acquiring operations equipment.
“Gov. Whitmer and I are committed to investing in infrastructure that serves communities across Michigan, and our airports are no exception,” said Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II. “We’re proud of the progress we’ve made bringing home millions in federal funding to improve airports, and these new awards will help airports improve safety, security and infrastructure. Let’s keep working together to improve infrastructure in Michigan and better connect our small business owners, people and families.”
MDOT initially received applications from 54 airports for 97 projects, totaling $10.5 million. Selection criteria was based on airport license status, use of COVID-19 pandemic funding, project timelines, zoning protections, project justification, community support, and alignment with the Michigan Airport System Plan (MASP).
“This important State/Local Program provides essential funding, ensuring airport infrastructure investment for safe, efficient and reliable travel for businesses and communities alike, at airports large and small across our state,” MAC Chair Ben Carter said.
“Hillsdale Municipal Airport is thrilled to have been chosen as a recipient of the FY 2025 State/Local Program funding,” said Hillsdale Airport Manager Ginger Moore. “We received funding to purchase a much-needed John Deere 5095M utility tractor for snow removal purposes. The airport also received funding for crack sealing and pavement markings. Hillsdale Airport has been working hard improving the airport and staying in good standing for general utility license.”
Michigan has 215 airports statewide, with 18 being commercial airports. Aviation contributes more than $22 billion annually to the Michigan economy according to data provided by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). MDOT’s State/Local Program provides critical funding that helps meet the department’s mission of developing and preserving a safe, high-quality statewide air transportation system.
