by orionontv | Oct 1, 2025 | Regional News
Oakland County Michigan Works! Partnering with General Motors to Host Skilled Trades Job Fair for GM Orion Assembly
Post Date:10/01/2025 10:29 AM
- The job fair takes place Thursday, Oct. 2 and Saturday, Oct. 4 at the MSU Management Education Center in Troy.
- GM will hire skilled tradesperson positions, including electrical journeypersons and mechanical journeypersons with a minimum of six years of experience.
Pontiac, Mich. – Oakland County Michigan Works! and General Motors Corporation are partnering to host a skilled trades job fair for positions at the GM Orion Assembly facility, scheduled to restart production next year.
The job fair takes place 7 a.m. – noon and 3-6 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 2 and 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 4, at the MSU Management Education Center, 811 W. Square Lake Road in Troy
GM will hire to fill skilled tradesperson positions, including electrical journeypersons and mechanical journeypersons (pipefitters, millwrights and toolmakers), with a minimum of six years of experience.
“The GM Orion Assembly plant is playing a key role in the automaker’s future and Oakland County’s position as a hub for advanced manufacturing in North America,” said Oakland County Executive David Coulter. “Oakland County is excited to assist GM to attract talent to fill these good paying jobs.”
On-site interviews for the GM Orion Assembly skilled trades positions will take place at the job fair. For more information on the event, visit OakGov.com/GMJobs.
Qualified skilled tradespeople also can apply for these jobs by visiting their local Michigan Works! office. Individuals can find their local Michigan Works! office at michiganworks.org or call 1-800-285-WORK.
A list of all open positions at General Motors can be found at www.careers.gm.com.
About Oakland County Michigan Works!
Oakland County Michigan Works! operates centers in Novi, Oak Park, Pontiac, Southfield, Troy, and Waterford, where they assist more than 105,000 job seekers annually. Services include career coaching, interviewing and job search workshops, placement assistance, training courses and job trend information. The centers also assist more than 3,000 employers seeking help with talent recruitment, apprenticeship programs, job fairs, candidate pre-screening, hiring and training support, layoff support and labor market data.
Staff also work one-on-one with job seekers to build their resumes, prepare for job interviews and help address other needs. To schedule an appointment, call 248-858-5520 and select the office nearest to you. The centers host several virtual workshops for job seekers. A schedule can be found at OaklandCountyMIWorks.com.
by orionontv | Oct 1, 2025 | Environmental
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Oct. 1, 2025
Jeff Johnston, EGLE Public Information Officer, JohnstonJ14@Michigan.gov, 517-231-9304
David Shark, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Press Officer, Shark.David@EPA.gov, 312-353-1056
Muskegon Lake removed from list of Great Lakes’ most polluted sites
‘A significant milestone’: Restored and revitalized ‘Area of Concern’ is fourth delisted in Michigan
MUSKEGON, Michigan – After decades of coordinated cleanup and community engagement, Muskegon Lake is no longer on a list of the Great Lakes’ most polluted places.
Officials from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) joined federal and local leaders and community members today at Heritage Landing park in Muskegon for a celebration of the lake’s removal, or delisting, from the U.S.-Canadian roster of Areas of Concern (AOC) around the Great Lakes.
“Completing this long journey of recovery, restoration, and renewal is a tremendous community achievement that EGLE has been proud to assist,” said EGLE Director Phil Roos. “Along with many partners, we celebrate today’s success and look forward to supporting tomorrow’s stewardship and growth.”
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 5 Administrator and Great Lakes National Program Manager Anne Vogel called it “a significant milestone in our ongoing work to restore and protect the Great Lakes. This accomplishment showcases the commitment and collaborative spirit of our partners in restoring not just the lake, but also the habitats and recreational opportunities that had been lost for so long.”
AOCs are designated areas in the Great Lakes Basin marked by high levels of historical legacy pollution requiring cleanup. The Great Lakes AOC Program was established in 1987 under the U.S.-Canada Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement to tackle the worst pollution hot spots.
Muskegon Lake was named an AOC even earlier, in 1985, following more than a century of contamination from industrial and municipal waste.
The Muskegon Lake Watershed Partnership (MLWP) formed in 1991. Six years later, sediment remediation projects for AOCs received $9.4 million from the Clean Michigan Initiative. Over the next 28 years, additional funding would come from the Great Lakes Legacy Act, the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI), the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, and more.
All told, remediation and restoration took more than $84 million, including $67 million in federal funds, largely through the GLRI, and $17 million in state, local, and private contributions.
“For decades, our community has worked with partners in the nonprofit sector and every level of government to heal the wounds left by industrial pollution and to restore our treasured Muskegon Lake,” said Muskegon Mayor Ken Johnson. “Today’s delisting is not only an environmental victory but a testament to what’s possible when people come together with a shared vision for a healthier, more sustainable future.”
“We are thrilled to share that Muskegon Lake has officially been delisted as a U.S. EPA-designated Area of Concern – a milestone that marks the successful restoration of our watershed,” said MLWP Chair Dennis Kirksey. “We are already witnessing the benefits of this restoration – not only in the health of our environment, but in the vitality of our local economy. These improvements will continue to shape our community for generations to come.”
“I’m honored to have been part of the monumental transformation of Muskegon Lake. This achievement marks not only the end of an era but the beginning of a new chapter, one that will shape our community for generations to come,” said West Michigan Shoreline Regional Development Corporation Executive Director Erin Kuhn.
“Muskegon Lake’s delisting as an Area of Concern is great news for all Michiganders and residents of the area,” said state Sen. Jon Bumstead. “I would like to thank EGLE and all of those who have worked to improve the water quality of Muskegon Lake and look forward to continued efforts to make further progress.”
“Muskegon is a city first and foremost set on Muskegon Lake; the lake has always been the lifeblood of the community, from the days of lumber to the days of industry to the tourism of today,” said Michigan Rep. Will Snyder. “This momentous day is the culmination of decades of hard work by hundreds of concerned active citizens partnering with government at every level to do big things. It’s exciting that we have restored Muskegon Lake to this degree. I look forward to the next decades of restoration.”
EGLE joined efforts with the EPA, local governments and tribes, and partners including Grand Valley State University (GVSU), the Muskegon Conservation District, the West Michigan Shoreline Regional Development Commission, and other federal agencies like the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Federal, state, and local project partners remediated more than 190,000 cubic yards of contaminated sediment and restored approximately 134 acres of habitat and over 6,000 feet of shoreline including nearly 100 acres of open water and emergent wetlands, as well as habitat for fish and native plants. Partners also removed more than 110,000 tons of logging-era sawmill debris from the lake, restoring habitat for bottom-dwelling invertebrates, fish, and wildlife.
By 2024, each of Muskegon Lake’s beneficial use impairments, or BUIs, under the AOC program was formally removed. Signoff by the U.S. State Department on Sept. 26 made the delisting official.
The investments are already paying dividends. According to a GVSU study, the remediation and restoration of Muskegon Lake is projected to increase local home values by nearly $8 million and boost the local recreation economy by $28 million annually. Muskegon already has seen a 19% increase in marina customers and a 45% increase in hotel room tax collected by the county. Overall, the projections anticipate a nearly six to one ratio of return on investment. More information is available at the EPA’s Muskegon Lake Area of Concern website.
Muskegon Lake covers 4,149 acres and flows into Lake Michigan from the west coast of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula.
It is the eighth U.S. AOC to be delisted and the fourth in Michigan, after Deer Lake in the Upper Peninsula and White Lake along Lake Michigan were delisted in 2014 and the Lower Menominee River, shared with Wisconsin, was delisted in 2020.
Ten AOCs remain in Michigan, all in various states of restoration: Torch Lake, Manistique River, and St. Marys River in the Upper Peninsula; Kalamazoo River in West Michigan; Saginaw River and Bay in the Thumb area; and St. Clair River, Clinton River, Rouge River, Detroit River, and River Raisin in the Detroit metropolitan area.
|
|
by orionontv | Oct 1, 2025 | Regional News
Governor Whitmer, State Superintendent Rice Urge Michigan School Districts to Continue Free School Meals for All
LANSING, Mich. – Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer and State Superintendent Dr. Michael Rice sent a letter to Michigan superintendents, calling on them to continue feeding kids free school meals. The letter comes after some Michigan school districts notified parents their kids will not receive free school breakfasts or lunches due to uncertainty about funding in the state budget. As the Michigan Legislature finalizes the full fiscal-year state budget in the coming days, Governor Whitmer and Dr. Rice implored superintendents to do what it takes to feed all their students.
“Two summers ago, I was proud to deliver free school meals to all 1.4 million public-school students, saving parents around $1,000 a year per kid and time each morning,” said Governor Whitmer. “Since then, we have consistently funded free school meals, saving Michigan families time, money, and worry. As we continue pushing the Michigan Legislature to finalize a balanced budget that feeds our kids, as they’ve said they would, I am calling on our school districts to do what it takes to feed every student today, tomorrow, and every single school day after that too.”
“Over the last two years, with lessons drawn from the pandemic, school staff across the state have expanded substantially the numbers of children eating breakfast and lunch at school and who are healthier as a result,” said Michael F. Rice, Ph.D., Superintendent of Public Instruction for the State of Michigan. “The Michigan Department of Education is appreciative of the support of the state legislature and Governor Whitmer for the Michigan School Meals Program and of the opportunity to partner with local food service staff, directors, and educators to ensure that all children can eat free at school. Let’s keep feeding our kids.”
Free School Meals for All
In 2023, Governor Whitmer signed a balanced, bipartisan budget delivering free school breakfast and lunch to all 1.4 million public school students in Michigan. Free school meals save parents valuable time every morning, around $1,000 a year per kid, and ensure no child goes hungry while they learn.
Since 2023, the Whitmer-Gilchrist administration has continued to negotiate and deliver free school meals for all students across Michigan. The FY26 budget will be no different. In the days ahead, the Michigan Legislature will pass a balanced, bipartisan budget. Republicans and Democrats have already reached a deal on key elements of the school aid bill, including continued funding for free school meals for all.
To view the full letter, click here.
|
by orionontv | Sep 30, 2025 | High School Sports, Regional News
Written Sunday September 28th at 12:45 PM
These are the MHSAA district matchups. Also History Now host Anthony Taormina will break down these districts and locations in future updates.
District 6 at Lapeer
- Flint Carman Ainsworth vs 1. CLARKSTON
- Flushing vs 4. Grand Blanc
- Lapeer vs 3. OXFORD
- Davison vs 2. LAKE ORION
TRAIN INSIGHT: This district (probably my favorite one because of the teams involved) looks like Clarkston will be the overwhelming favorite having only one loss but that one loss was to Oxford (2-1) who is on the other side of the bracket. Clarkston is on pace to win the OAA Red and will be a tough out for anyone who plays them especially with the experience they have back from last year’s team. Grand Blanc and Flushing tied each other but whoever wins that game will have no easy task in the second round. It looks like we are heading to an LO/Oxford second round matchup. LO won the first matchup 3-1 and if any indication of their past soccer battles have been, it will be another physical and emotional classic. Right now Clarkston is overwhelming favorite but look for either Grand Blanc or Flushing to give them a battle in the second round and either LO or Oxford to give them a battle in the district final.
District 7 at Hartland
- Milford vs 4. Walled Lake Central
- Milford/4. Walled Lake Central vs 1. Hartland
- WEST BLOOMFIELD vs 3. Walled Lake Northern
- NORTH FARMINGTON vs 2. Lakeland
TRAIN INSIGHT: In this district, Hartland stands out as the overwhelming favorite having only one loss also they play in the usually competitive KLAA West. West Bloomfield has been in the middle of the pack of the OAA White while North Farmington won the OAA Blue in their final year in the OAA. WB and WLN played each other in the first game of the regular season in which WLN won. North Farmington is going to have a tough task with Lakeland but at the same time the OAA has always been more competitive than the Lakes Valley so there is a potential upset. Hartland is the favorite in this district and for good reason.
District 8 at Novi Detroit Catholic Central
- FARMINGTON vs 4. South Lyon
- FARMINGTON/4. South Lyon vs 1. Livonia Stevenson
- Novi vs 3. Northville
- South Lyon East vs 2. Novi Detroit Catholic Central
TRAIN INSIGHT: This is a two team district with Livonia Stevenson and Novi Detroit Catholic Central. Farmington who finished last in the OAA White and is leaving for the Lakes Valley matches up fairly well against a decent South Lyon team. The winner however, will play Livonia Stevenson for in Farmington’s case a future Lakes Valley rivalry game. Despite Livonia Stevenson being the number one seed, Detroit Catholic Central is the favorite here. They have played a much tougher schedule and is a traditional power in playoff soccer, not to mention it is on their home field which always helps.
District 12 at Grosse Pointe South
- Detroit Renaissance vs 1. Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit
- Detroit Cass Tech vs 4. Dearborn Fordson
- Grosse Pointe South vs 3. Dearborn
- FERNDALE vs 2. Detroit Western
TRAIN INSIGHT: Ferndale is in the middle of the pack of the OAA Blue having competitive games with North Farmington, Avondale, and Pontiac while crushing the other three Blue schools. Ferndale should get by Detroit Western. I’m saying that because the OAA is a more competitive league in soccer than the PSL but Detroit Western did tie Troy Athens 4-4 and is one of the best teams in the PSL which could be very interesting. The second round matchup will be much tougher with having to play either the MAC’s Grosse Pointe South or the KLAA’s Dearborn. Both of whom are quality teams. U-D Jesuit is the favorite in this district with their path a little bit easier.
District 13 at Seaholm
- SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH vs 1. TROY
- ROYAL OAK vs 4. BERKLEY
- GROVES vs 3. SEAHOLM
- Birmingham Brother Rice vs 2. BLOOMFIELD HILLS
TRAIN INSIGHT: This district maybe the most challenging district in the state, potentially having five quality teams having a chance to win the district. Bloomfield Hills and Royal Oak are 1-2 respectively in the OAA White with both teams entertaining the state rankings. Seaholm has more than held their own in the OAA Red. Obviously playing the rival, Groves anything can happen. Troy and Berkley have both held their own in the OAA Red this season as well. Troy will get by Southfield A&T who had a big OAA Blue win recently over Harper Woods. Royal Oak and Berkley is a rivalry game that can go either way. Seaholm/Bloomfield Hills has a chance to be interesting should they both meet in the second round but don’t count out Groves on being a spoiler. Whomever Troy gets between Berkley and Royal Oak, it will be a great game. It’s hard to pick a winner in this district but when in doubt, go with the home team, in case Seaholm.
District 14 at Troy Athens
- Sterling Heights vs 4. Warren Mott
- Sterling Heights/4. Warren Mott vs 1. TROY ATHENS
- Fraser vs 3. Warren Cousino
- Roseville vs 2. Sterling Heights Stevenson
TRAIN INSIGHT: The Red Hawks should be the overwhelming favorite here, they host the district. Only Sterling Heights Stevenson can really give them a game being competitive with Utica Eisenhower (only losing 3-2) and beating Dakota by forfeit. Athens does struggle at times but in this primarily Macomb County District. Athens should get by this district pretty convincingly.
District 15 at Rochester
- ADAMS vs 4. STONEY CREEK
- ADAMS/4. STONEY CREEK vs 1. Utica Eisenhower
- Utica vs 3. ROCHESTER
- Utica Henry Ford II vs 2. Romeo
TRAIN INSIGHT: Traditionally this district is one of the toughest districts in the state however, with the recent struggles of the Rochester schools. This looks like it will be a Ike/Romeo district final. Rochester is more than capable of competing with anyone. Rochester has had a lot of ties lately but they do have home field and should get by Utica heading into the second round with Romeo. Adams and Stoney Creek is also an interesting matchup. The state champs lost a lot from last year and has had a tough year in the OAA Red but it is still Adams, one of the best coached teams in the state of Michigan. Stoney has also been near the top of the OAA White competing against Bloomfield Hills and Royal Oak. In their only matchup, Adams beat Stoney 2-0 but it’s challenging to beat a team twice. Whoever wins that game will get to play Utica Eisenhower, a team that seemingly reloads year after year. The district is at Rochester but going with Utica Eisenhower to win the district.
District 28 at Walled Lake Western
- WATERFORD MOTT vs 4. PONTIAC
- WATERFORD MOTT/4. PONTIAC vs 1. Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook-Kingswood
- AVONDALE vs 3. Orchard Lake St. Marys
- WATERFORD KETTERING vs 2. Walled Lake Western
TRAIN INSIGHT: Both OAA Blue teams have been in the middle of the pack in the division this year. Pontiac has had a great year beating several good teams, tying Avondale, and beating Ferndale. Pontiac will play Waterford Mott who will come into the OAA next year. This has the potential to become a great soccer rivalry alongside Ferndale and could preview many battles for years to come. The winner however, will play Cranbrook Kingswood in the second round who is the number one seed. Avondale has a tough first round match up just they had last year with Orchard Lake St. Mary’s. OLSM competes in the dangerous Catholic League and often has to go against DeLaSalle and CC. OLSM also won the district last year as a three seed. WL Western should get by Kettering who has surprisingly struggled this season before coming into the OAA next year as well but they do own a win over Avondale and tied Ferndale which helps. OLSM is the favorite in this district despite being the three seed and it being at WL Western.
District 30 at Dearborn Divine Child
- Warren Fitzgerald vs 4. Madison Heights Lamphere
- Warren Fitzgerald/4. Madison Heights Lamphere vs 1. Hamtramck
- Redford Thurston vs 3. Garden City
- OAK PARK vs 2. Dearborn Divine Child
TRAIN INSIGHT: Very tough matchup for Oak Park going against a very good Dearborn Divine Child team. Will be another great learning experience for the Knights. Divine Child will be the favorite in this district despite Hamtramck being the one seed. Divine Child is at home and has played a much tougher schedule.
by orionontv | Sep 30, 2025 | Feature Writers, High School Sports
Written Saturday September 27th at 9:28 AM
Rankings
1. Harper Woods: Pioneers going along with their business.
2. Clarkston: Wolves defense starting to shine again.
3. West Bloomfield: Will Espy is starting to make his name known across the State.
4. Stoney Creek: Cougars bounced back after tough loss to Harper Woods.
5. Farmington: Falcons have bounced back nicely since loss to Holly.
6. Ferndale: Eagles defense has started to come alive.
7. Adams: Highlanders will be fine, don’t panic.
8. North Farmington: Maybe Elijah Cobb is the answer at quarterback.
9. Seaholm: Maples have to stop turning the ball over for the veer to work.
10. Oak Park: Knights might be the most improved team this season.
Rankings Explanation
This week the rankings were a bit complicated from seven through ten.
The top six teams have had strong seasons with not a lot of changes but with Adams at seven makes sense despite their tough 21-7 loss to Clarkston. I kept North Farmington at eight even though they are playing much better football but thought of putting the Highlanders at eight but decided against that. Seaholm drops to nine after getting romped 42-19 on their home field by Farmington and allowing 21 points in the second half. I thought of dropping them from the rankings but the 33-7 win against Oak Park is keeping them in the top ten at the moment. I moved Oak Park to ten because of their bounce back win over Troy. I dropped Groves out because of the loss to West Bloomfield but also thought of keeping them in the rankings as well. I don’t think Oak Park and Groves play each other this season, would had been a very interesting game. I also thought of putting Oxford back into the rankings but the defensive concerns are there when talking about the Wildcats and it showed despite their 41-34 win over Lake Orion.
If Waterford Mott were in the league but they aren’t as of yet, they would have easily been in the top ten in the rankings.
