by orionontv | Sep 9, 2025 | Transportation
Panel of experts sheds light on transportation funding battle
On this week’s Talking Michigan Transportation podcast, a conversation recapping a Sept. 4 panel discussion in Lansing featuring a thoughtful discussion among experts from various fields on the need for sustainable transportation infrastructure funding and why it’s such a challenge.
John Peracchio, who helped organize the event and moderated the discussion, says he was pleased with the comments of the panelists but hoped for a more robust question-and-answer session that followed.
Some key themes:
- Chad Livengood, politics editor and columnist at the Detroit News, talked about reporting when he was at Crain’s Detroit on subdivisions being built in outer-ring suburbs with no sustainable source of funding for their roads.
- Lance Binoniemi of the Michigan Infrastructure and Transportation Association reiterated the job losses that would result from a lack of increased investment in road and bridge building.
- Baruch Feigenbaum of The Reason Foundation explained the long-term benefits of switching to a road user charge (RUC) system for funding roads, as some other states have piloted. He has previously talked about the topic on the podcast.
- Jane McCurry of Clean Fuels Michigan provided perspective on how fees on alternative-fuel vehicles contribute to the road funding mix.
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by orionontv | Sep 3, 2025 | Regional News
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 3, 2025
Contact: Ron Leix, Treasury, 517-335-2167
Actor, Singer and Youth Advocate Malik Yoba Will Join
Sept. 12 Fundraiser to Support Scholarships
for Michigan Foster Youth
DETROIT — The Fostering Futures Scholarship Trust Fund—which for more than a decade has helped young people who experienced foster care pursue their dreams of higher education—will host its annual Detroit fundraising dinner on Friday, Sept. 12, from 5:30-9:30 p.m. at the Roostertail restaurant.
This year’s event will spotlight powerful stories of resilience and achievement from Fostering Futures Scholarship recipients from Detroit:
- Raymond Miller, a student at Western Michigan University, is preparing for a career in aviation operations. His fascination with airports began during his first airplane trip as a young man, when navigating the terminals and runways sparked a lifelong passion. “Airports and travel are now in my DNA,” said Miller, who will graduate next year. “This scholarship is helping me stay focused on training and education without being weighed down by financial worries.”
- Ov’Var’Shia Gray-Woods, a former recipient, credits her own difficult experience in foster care with shaping her future. Rather than leaving her disheartened, it ignited a passion to change the system from within. She graduated in December 2024 with a Master of Social Work from Wayne State University. “This program helped change my life and now I want to help others,” she said. “Fostering Futures gave me the opportunity to believe in myself, pursue higher education and ultimately prepare to advocate for the next generation of foster youth.”
Attendees will also hear from actor, singer and youth advocate Malik Yoba, who will lend his voice to encourage broader community support for foster youth. The evening will include dinner, raffles, prizes and networking opportunities with others who share a commitment to making higher education attainable for young people who have aged out of foster care.
“This fundraising dinner is about opening doors to brighter futures for Michigan’s foster youth,” said Diane Brewer, Executive Director of the Michigan Education Trust at the Department of Treasury, which oversees the Foster Futures Scholarship program. “Too many young people leave foster care with big dreams but without the resources to make them a reality. This scholarship helps bridge that gap — covering essentials like tuition, housing, books and other critical needs — so students can focus on achieving their goals.”
By the numbers
- The Michigan foster care system serves approximately 10,000 young people.
- Nationally, it is estimated between 69% and 85% of students who have experienced foster care complete high school by their mid-20s, and just 8% to 11% go on to earn a postsecondary degree (associate’s or higher)–five times lower than the national average. Since 2012, Fostering Futures events have raised more than $1.4 million, with all funds awarded as scholarships within the same year.
Tickets are $100 per person or $800 for a table of eight and are open to the public. To purchase tickets, explore sponsorships or learn more, visit Fostering Futures Scholarship Event or call 800-638-4543.
Those unable to attend can still contribute by donating securely online or mailing a check with the Fostering Futures Scholarship Contribution Form to:
State of Michigan — Fostering Futures Scholarship
P.O. Box 30198
Lansing, MI 48909
Contributions made by Dec. 31 are tax-deductible under IRS Section 170(c).
Sponsors of the Detroit event include the Michigan Education Savings Program, Park West Foundation, Michigan Student Financial Aid Association, Michigan Association of State Universities, Ferris State University, Güd Marketing, Lake Trust Credit Union, former Michigan Supreme Court Justice Maura Corrigan, iHeartMedia, Metro Parent, Michigan College Access Network, Orchards Children’s Services, Western Michigan University Seita Scholars Program, the New Foster Care, Michigan Association of Broadcasters and WXYZ-TV.
by orionontv | Sep 3, 2025 | Health and Wellness
| For immediate release: Sep. 3, 2025
Media contact: Lynsey Mukomel, 517-290-1734
Governor Whitmer Proclaims September as Michigan Food Safety Education and Awareness Month
LANSING, Mich. – Governor Gretchen Whitmer has proclaimed September as Michigan Food Safety Education and Awareness Month, encouraging Michiganders to celebrate the importance of food safety with educational activities and observances.
“Food safety is a team effort, and every Michigander plays a crucial role in keeping food safe, wholesome, and nutritious,” said Tim Boring, Director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD). “MDARD encourages all Michiganders to promote proper food safety practices to help protect themselves, their families, and their communities from foodborne illness.”
Here are five simple food safety practices to stay healthy this September and beyond:
- Wash Your Hands Regularly – Handwashing is the first line of defense against food borne illnesses. Always wash your hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds before and after handling food, especially raw meat, poultry and seafood.
- Avoid Cross-Contamination – Keep raw meats separate from ready-to-eat foods. Use separate cutting boards for raw proteins and other ingredients such as fruits and vegetables. Make sure to always clean utensils and surfaces after use.
- Use a Food Thermometer to Cook Foods to Safe Temperatures – Use a food thermometer to ensure foods are cooked to the proper internal temperature. Poultry should reach 165°F, while ground beef requires 160°F. Just because food looks done doesn’t mean it’s cooked properly.
- Refrigerate Promptly – Keep perishable foods safe by storing them in the refrigerator within two hours. Ensure your refrigerator is set to 40°F or below.
- Teach Food Safety to Others – Share these tips with family and friends to promote safe food handling practices. Food safety is a shared responsibility, and knowledge is a powerful tool in preventing illness.
Protecting the food supply, reducing the risk of foodborne illness, and responding to foodborne illness outbreaks are high priorities for MDARD, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, the state’s local health departments and federal agencies. MDARD inspects over 18,000 licensed food retailers, food processors and warehouses across the state and accredits Michigan’s 45 local health departments, which regulate over 38,000 foodservice establishments.
“MDARD’s dedicated public servants monitor each step of the supply chain to ensure that food stays safe from the farm to the plate,” said Tim Slawinski, Director of the MDARD Bureau of Food Safety and Animal Health. “We’re working hard every day to prevent the spread of foodborne illnesses that can cause serious, life-altering health issues and create financial burdens for consumers.”
As part of Food Safety Education and Awareness Month, MDARD’s Bureau of Food Safety and Animal Health has updated its consumer food safety web page with food safety tips, resources, current recalls and information about a variety of food safety issues that can affect the safety of the food supply.
View the Michigan Food Safety Education and Awareness proclamation.
For more information on how to prevent foodborne illness or how to report suspected cases of foodborne illness, visit www.michigan.gov/foodsafety. |
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by orionontv | Sep 3, 2025 | Regional News
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
September 3, 2025
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Attorney General Nessel, Representative Breen, Senator Damoose Announce Bipartisan Legislation to Combat Human Trafficking
LANSING – Today, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, state Representative Kelly Breen (D-Novi), and state Senator John Damoose (R-Harbor Springs) announced a bipartisan package of bills aimed at combating human trafficking. The legislative package would strengthen Michigan’s law against human trafficking and provide vital protections for survivors.
“I want to thank Representative Breen, Senator Damoose, and all the other legislators who have championed this bipartisan package of bills,” said Attorney General Nessel. “Human trafficking will not disappear overnight. It is entrenched, organized, and fueled by billions of dollars, but we can make Michigan a far more dangerous place for traffickers to operate and a far safer place for survivors to heal with this legislation.”
“There aren’t words to describe how sickening it is that so many women, children, and men are literally enslaved by criminals who use another person’s life for their own pleasure or profit,” said Senator Damoose. “No matter what one’s background or political ideas may be, we can all unite around the fact that human trafficking is a grave moral evil, and it is time to stand up to ensure that Michigan has the toughest laws in the country to clamp down on both those engaged in the trafficking and those who prey upon the victims who are being abused.”
“We must strengthen prevention efforts, close the loopholes traffickers exploit, and ensure survivors are treated not as criminals, but as victims deserving of dignity and care,” said Representative Breen. “Human trafficking thrives in silence and inaction. Let us not be silent. Let us not delay. Let us stand together, across party lines, to confront this evil with the urgency it demands.”
“The Michigan Anti-Trafficking Project is inspiring communities across Michigan and beyond to take action against human trafficking and the culture that perpetuates exploitation,” said Dawn Connors, executive director of the Michigan Anti-Trafficking Project. “We do this through our community groups across the state, through training and education for professionals and communities, and through grassroots advocacy efforts. We encourage legislation that supports survivors and holds buyers and traffickers accountable. We hope that you will look into these bills, ask questions, listen to survivors, and join with us as we take action and make our state a place where traffickers and buyers are not welcome.”
Human trafficking can take on many forms, including forced labor and sexual exploitation. Labor trafficking is found in many different markets that consumers might not suspect, such as convenience stores, nail salons, massage parlors, farming and agriculture, and restaurants. Those being trafficked often do not even realize they are victims of human trafficking or are not aware of how to get help.
Michigan received an “F” rating from Shared Hope International and the Polaris Project in 2023 for the state’s human trafficking statutes. While the Michigan Legislature took up measures last year to combat some of these issues and provide better protections for survivors and victims, they fell short of passing much-needed legislation.
The legislation introduced today seeks to strengthen protections for human trafficking survivors and enhance accountability for traffickers. The legislative package consisting of House and Senate bills would:
- Allow survivors of human trafficking to have criminal convictions set aside if those offenses were a direct result of their victimization;
- Provide an affirmative defense for survivors if a crime was committed as a consequence of being trafficked;
- Modify safe harbor protections for minors who are victims of sex and labor trafficking;
- Set criteria for expert testimony in human trafficking cases;
- Replace the term “prostitution” with “commercial sex”;
- Increase fines and sentencing guidelines for violations involving commercial sex and human trafficking;
- Expand protections for children, giving courts and child welfare systems the authority to intervene when a child is trafficked by their parent or guardian; and
- Increase penalties for trafficking offenses.
Attorney General Nessel is leading the fight against human trafficking in Michigan by prosecuting criminal cases under state laws banning human trafficking and working with law enforcement task forces through the Human Trafficking Unit to help put an end to trafficking in the state. Attorneys from the Department also conduct trainings for law enforcement and prosecutors and work with community members and advocates to raise awareness of this crime. To date, the Department has trained over 3,000 law enforcement agencies, charged 40 individuals, and secured 29 trafficking convictions.
Additionally, the Michigan Human Trafficking Commission was formed in 2015 after the 2014 Human Trafficking Commission Act became law. The Commission is comprised of 9 members appointed by the Governor and includes designees from the Department of Attorney General, Michigan State Police, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. Assistant Attorney General Melissa Palepu is the Commission’s current chair.
The mission of the Michigan Human Trafficking Commission, as set forth by the 2014 Human Trafficking Commission Act, includes:
- Identifying sources for grants that will assist in examining and countering human trafficking in this state and applying for those grants when appropriate.
- Funding research programs to determine the extent and nature of human trafficking in Michigan.
- Providing information and training regarding human trafficking to:
- Police officers
- Prosecutors
- Court personnel
- Health care providers
- Social services personnel
- Other individuals the commission considers appropriate
- Collecting and analyzing information regarding human trafficking in Michigan.
- Identifying state and local agencies within Michigan and other states, as well as within the federal government, that are involved with issues relating to human trafficking, and coordinating the dissemination of information regarding human trafficking in Michigan to those agencies.
- Reviewing existing services available to assist human trafficking victims, including crime victim assistance, health care, and legal assistance, and establishing a program to make those victims better aware of the services available to them.
- Establishing a program to improve public awareness of human trafficking.
Reviewing existing state laws and administrative rules relating to human trafficking and making recommendations to the legislature to improve those laws and rules to address human trafficking violations in Michigan.
The Michigan Human Trafficking Commission meets at the Williams Building at 525 W. Ottawa Street and its meetings are accessible remotely via Microsoft Teams. The Commission invites survivors of human trafficking, advocacy groups, law enforcement partners, and members of the public to join their upcoming meetings from noon to 1 p.m. scheduled for September 22 and November 17.
Victims of human trafficking or those who have identified someone they think may need help can contact the National Human Trafficking Resource Center at 888-373-7888 or text 233733. This is a national, toll-free hotline that is available to answer calls, texts, and chats from anywhere in the country, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year. All calls are confidential. People who live in the State of Michigan who suspect human trafficking can call 855-MICH-TIP for assistance.
Additional information on the Attorney General’s human trafficking initiative, including updated state laws prohibiting trafficking, is available on the Attorney General’s website.
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by orionontv | Sep 2, 2025 | Health and Wellness
Senior Market Day Supports Healthier Eating Habits in Older Adults
Post Date:08/29/2025 2:23 PM
Pontiac, Mich. – Oakland County’s Healthy Oakland Partnership (HOP) encourages county residents to participate in their annual Senior Market Day event. Oakland County residents 60 years and older who participate will receive a five dollar coupon to spend on produce at participating farmers markets.
“Senior Market Day events directly connect our older adults to local farmers and fresh, Michigan grown produce” said Kate Guzman, health officer at Oakland County Health Division. “If you have never visited a farmers market, Senior Market Day is a great way to come out and shop local.”
Senior Market Day will occur on Thursday, Sept. 4 at the Oakland County Farmers Market (2350 Pontiac Lake Road, Waterford) from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Five-dollar coupons for produce are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis and must be used during the event. Distribution ends 30 minutes before the market closes, and no registration is necessary. The farmers markets also offer Double Up Food Bucks, which match money spent using a Bridge card/EBT up to $20. In addition to $5 coupons for produce, a variety of resources and additional health information will be available on-site for older adults.
The market days this year are made possible in part by Ageways, Blue Cross Complete of Michigan, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Henry Ford West Bloomfield, and Trinity Health.
For more information, visit www.oakgov.com/health, @publichealthOC on Facebook and Twitter, or contact Kelsey Merz at merzk@oakgov.com or (248) 365-8954.
Healthy Oakland Partnership (HOP)
Healthy Oakland Partnership (HOP) was launched by Oakland County Health Division in 2009 as a collaboration of local government, hospitals, health care providers, community-based organizations, businesses, and citizens working to increase and promote healthy eating and physical activity opportunities.
HOP began hosting Family Market Days in 2009 to engage entire families in healthy eating practices and encourage physical activity. The partnership expanded to include older adults in 2017 by hosting Senior Market Days.
