by orionontv | Aug 26, 2025 | Regional News
Governor Whitmer Signs Bills to Protect Michiganders from Sexual Exploitation
Governor Whitmer also signed legislation honoring an officer who lost his life in the line of duty
LANSING, Mich. – Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed three bipartisan bills that will help protect Michiganders from sexual harassment or exploitation by making it a crime to create and distribute harmful artificial intelligence (AI)-created images or videos which feature a specific person in sexual situations. She also signed a bipartisan bill honoring Deputy Sheriff William Butler, Jr. who lost his life in the line of duty in 2024. Including today’s legislation, Governor Whitmer has signed a record 1,512 bipartisan bills into law since taking office.
“As a county prosecutor, I went after people who used their power to prey on others,” said Governor Whitmer. “Now, as governor, I’m proud to sign these bipartisan bills into law, so we can protect Michiganders from this rising form of sexual exploitation. I’ll keep working with anyone to protect Michiganders from blackmail or retribution, because no one should have to live in fear. Together, let’s get it done.”
“Michiganders are facing artificial intelligence-driven sexual exploitation,” said Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II. “This is unacceptable. These bipartisan bills will institute penalties and protect the public from predators and abusers. Let’s continue Standing Tall to keep Michiganders safe.”
House Bills 4047 and 4048, sponsored by state Representatives Matthew Bierlein (R-Vassar) and Penelope Tsernoglou (D-East Lansing), protect Michiganders from sexual harassment or exploitation and assault by prohibiting deep fakes that include harmful sexual content featuring a specific individual. Deep fakes use AI to create fake media, including videos, pictures, or audio recordings, depicting events that never happened. They have increasingly been used to create fake videos of real individuals in sexual situations. These videos can ruin someone’s reputation, career, and personal life. As such, these bills prohibit the creation of deep fakes that depict individuals in sexual situations and creates sentencing guidelines for the crime. These bills will keep Michiganders safer by protecting them from a rising form of harassment and exploitation.
“I am so excited, proud, and relieved that because of these bills, it is now illegal for individuals to create or disseminate intimate deep fakes of an individual without their consent here in Michigan,” said State Representative Penelope Tsernoglou (D-East Lansing). “These bills mark the beginning stages of a long, bumpy journey that our state faces when trying to regulate artificial intelligence, yet my hope is that these bills will serve as another example that progress is possible when it comes to regulating AI.”
“With the governor’s signature, Michigan is making it clear that non-consensual intimate deepfakes have no place in our state. This law protects the dignity and privacy of every citizen and gives victims the tools they need to seek justice,” said State Representative Matthew Bierlein (R-Vassar). “Technology should be used to improve lives, not to exploit them — and today we’ve taken an important step to ensure that.”
Senate Bill 70, sponsored by state Senator Joseph Bellino (R-Monroe), designates a portion of M-34 in Hillsdale County as the “Deputy Sheriff William Butler, Jr. Memorial Highway.” This change honors Deputy Sheriff William Butler, Jr., a member of the Hillsdale Sheriff’s Department, who lost his life in the line of duty after being shot during a traffic stop.
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by orionontv | Aug 25, 2025 | Regional News
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
August 25, 2025
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Attorney General Nessel Seeks to Slash DTE’s New Half-Billion-Dollar Rate Hike by Nearly 75%
Attorney General Nessel urged the MSPC to slash the rate hike down to 2.5% for Michigan households. Attorney General Nessel is calling for a nearly 75% cut to the corporation’s current request to bill Michigan customers hundreds of millions more than they already pay on their electric bills. Her testimony includes recommendations to re-prioritize customer dollars toward vegetation management and tree trimming activities, which have shown to be much more successful at decreasing customer outages, as opposed to the higher cost capital expenses preferred by DTE for their higher profitability under the State regulatory framework.
“DTE is once again showing us where its priorities lie – and it isn’t with Michigan ratepayers,” Nessel said. “Just months after being granted a $200 million rate hike, DTE is back at the trough demanding half a billion dollars more from its customers. Our thorough review shows that nearly 75% of this proposed hike can’t be demonstrated to meaningfully improve service or do so cost effectively and stands only to enrich millionaire executives and far-flung shareholders. At some point, this endless cycle of rate hike after rate hike from Consumers Energy and DTE must end. Why not now? Michigan ratepayers deserve utility companies that deliver affordable, reliable energy, not ones that treat them like blank checks.”
The Attorney General has helped save Michigan consumers nearly $4 billion by intervening in utility cases before the MPSC. DTE sells electricity to approximately 2.3 million customers in Southeast Michigan and natural gas to 1.3 million customers across the state.
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by orionontv | Aug 22, 2025 | Regional News
New ballot access platform to launch for military and overseas voters
Friday, August 22, 2025
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| The Michigan Department of State is pleased to announce the launch of a new online option to better serve the needs of military and overseas voters. The new system will launch publicly on Monday, Sept. 15, 2025.
Developed in line with the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA), the Electronic Delivery and Return Portal (EDARP) delivers ballots electronically to eligible voters and allows eligible overseas active military members the option to conveniently mark and return an absentee ballot to their clerk’s office electronically through a secure online portal.
Previously, Michigan’s military voters stationed away from home, including overseas, received their ballot electronically but were only permitted to return the ballot by mail, creating the potential for increased delays in ballot tabulation.
Registered overseas voters who maintain a permanent residence in Michigan may also access the portal to view and print their ballots to complete and mail to their local clerk. The new portal will be accessible through Michigan’s MILogin system, a single sign-on platform run by the State of Michigan’s Department of Technology, Management, and Budget (DTMB) that provides secure online access to various state services and applications.
More details about the upcoming launch of EDARP will be provided to members of the public and affected voters in the weeks approaching the launch date. |
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by orionontv | Aug 22, 2025 | Regional News
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Aug. 21, 2025
Contact: Cheri Hardmon
HardmonC@Michigan.gov
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Secretary of State: ‘It’s Sooo Simple’ to get fast, flexible service
New campaign highlights online, mail, and self-service station options that help keep office wait times at historic lows
LANSING, Mich. – Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson today announced the launch of a new customer service campaign, reminding Michiganders “It’s Sooo Simple” to find a convenient, fast, and secure option for their transactions. Many of the department’s services are available online, by mail, or at self-service stations in communities around the state, drastically cutting wait times at branch offices. Now, 90% of in-person office visits take 20 minutes or less on average.
The “It’s Sooo Simple” campaign will promote the fast and secure services available by mail, self-service stations, and online at Michigan.gov/SOS, with a series of social media, streaming, and static ads reaching Michiganders.
“Michiganders are embracing the new, convenient service options we’ve implemented and improved since I first took office in 2019,” Secretary Benson said. “Wait times in our offices are at historic lows and our customer experience feedback continues to be excellent. Reminding every Michigan resident that ‘It’s Sooo Simple’ to find a fast, convenient option that works for them will help us take our outstanding customer service to the next level. We will never stop working to meet Michiganders where they are and make state government work for them.”
Most transactions can be done online from a computer, tablet, or mobile phone, including:
- change of address
- driver’s license or state ID renewal or replacement
- license plate replacement
- duplicate title
- disability placard renewal or replacement
- title transfer in some circumstances
Self-service stations are available in communities throughout Michigan at branch offices, Kroger or Meijer stores, and in other locations. The stations offer nine language options and can conduct several transactions, including:
- automobile, motorcycle, snowmobile, or watercraft registration renewal
- driver’s license or state ID renewal or replacement if no new photo is required
- motorcycle endorsement
- voter registration
- organ donor registry
Several transactions can be conducted by mail with no fees, including:
- vehicle registration, tab, or license plate renewal
- change of address
- disability placard applications
- special plate applications
- voter registration
The “It’s Sooo Simple” campaign originally launched in September 2024 to increase awareness of Michigan’s voting options – including voting by mail and early voting ahead of the presidential election. Following the run of the public awareness campaign, the 2024 presidential election yielded historic turnout in Michigan – which was one of only five states with higher turnout in 2024 than in 2020.
Michigan residents who need to schedule a visit to a Secretary of State office can do it online at Michigan.gov/SOS or by calling 888-767-6424. Shorter wait times are good for everybody – check to see if the service you need is available online or at a nearby self-service station before planning an office visit.
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by orionontv | Aug 21, 2025 | Regional News
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
August 21, 2025
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Attorney General Nessel Releases Latest Elder Abuse Task Force Newsletter
LANSING – Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has released the latest edition of the Elder Abuse Task Force newsletter. The issue features legislative updates, new resources, and a look into the psychology behind common scams.
“This newsletter is just one of the many ways the Elder Abuse Task Force works to support and protect Michigan’s older adults,” Nessel said. “I hope this issue not only informs families of important legislative updates and resources but also empowers them to better safeguard themselves and loved ones from scams.”
The newsletter highlights a new legislative package, House Bills 4418 and 4419, that creates a patient consent statute. The legislation, which comes out of a subcommittee of the Elder Abuse Task Force, would help families make health care decisions and reduce the need for hospitals to go to court and the need for court-appointed attorneys.
Readers are also reminded that free, fillable Power of Attorney forms now available for download on the Department of Attorney General’s website. The forms, prepared by the Kimble Center for Legal Drafting at Cooley Law School, make it easier for Michigan residents and their family members to appoint a trusted individual to make important financial and medical decisions on their behalf if they become unable to do so.
Michigan’s Elder Abuse Task Force launched in 2019 and consists of more than 55 different organizations in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors – all working together to combat elder abuse. The more than 100 individuals on the Task Force are divided into seven committees working diligently to accomplish nine initiatives (PDF), including requiring certification and training for professional guardians. Achievements include the following:
- The adoption of a Vulnerable Adult Incident Report form for investigation by law enforcement across the state, including the implementation of related trainings;
- The Financial Exploitation Prevention Act (FEPA): FEPA was signed into law in 2021 to ensure mandated reporting for financial institutions on suspected fraud or exploitation;
- A complete re-write of the Power of Attorney statute; and
- A statute to make Securities Broker/Dealers and Financial Advisors mandatory reporters of suspected financial exploitation of vulnerable adults.
More than 100,000 older adults in Michigan are victims of elder abuse. They experience abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Michigan residents seeking elder abuse resources are encouraged to call 800-24-ABUSE (22873), or 855-444-3911 to report suspected elder abuse.
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by orionontv | Aug 21, 2025 | Regional News
Palazzo di Bocce Press Release
Feel the Excitement!
Prepare yourself for an amazing bocce ball experience presented by the Oakland County Board of Commissioners!
Scheduled for September 4th, 5th, and 6th, we are excited to host the 5th Annual ABC United States Open Bocce Championship.
This remarkable event will highlight the exceptional talent of professional bocce players, and the best part?
Admission is completely free for spectators!
If you can’t attend in person, no problem – you can watch all the action live at boccebroadcast.network.
With more than 80 teams and hundreds of players vying for cash, prizes, and medals, the atmosphere will be electric.
Thanks to the Oakland County Board of Commissioners, these elite tournaments continue to shine a light on our community each year, both nationally and internationally.
The American Bocce Company and Palazzo di Bocce have played a crucial role in elevating bocce to new heights, with the Palazzo di Bocce recognized as the premier bocce ball facility worldwide.
This collaboration, backed by the Oakland County Commissioners, has truly propelled bocce forward, earning Lake Orion the title of the “Home of Bocce” in Oakland County, Michigan.
Let’s unite and celebrate 21 years of advancing the sport of bocce into the mainstream!
Save the dates and join us for this thrilling event.
Your media outlet is welcome to use all material sent free of copyright as you deem fit as newsworthy.
You are invited to attend the events and are encouraged to contact our event promoter at directorsofbocce@palazzodibocce.com for more information.
Event Website: palazzodibocce.com/abcbocce
VIP Party for Oakland County and Press Thursday, September 4th at 6:00 p.m.
Thursday, September 4th: 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Friday, September 5th: 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Saturday, September 6th: 1:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Palazzo di Bocce, Inc.
4291 Lapeer Road
Lake Orion, MI 48359
(248) 371-9987
directorsofbocce@palazzodibocce.com
Sincerely,
Directors of Bocce
