Whitmer Makes Appointments to the Michigan Supreme Court

by orionontv | Apr 23, 2025 | Regional News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 23, 2025

Governor Whitmer Makes Appointments to the Michigan Supreme Court, Michigan Court of Appeals

LANSING, Mich. — Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced the appointments of Judge Noah Hood to the Michigan Supreme Court; Judge Mariam Bazzi to succeed Hood on the Michigan Court of Appeals, First District; Christopher Trebilcock to the Michigan Court of Appeals, Second District; and Daniel Korobkin to the Michigan Court of Appeals, Third District.

“Today, I’m announcing the appointment of a new member of the Michigan Supreme Court and three members of the Michigan Court of Appeals,” said Governor Whitmer. “These Michiganders all bring years of legal experience to their roles, and I am confident they will uphold the rule of law and serve the people admirably.”

Michigan Supreme Court

Noah Hood currently serves as a judge on the Michigan Court of Appeals, First District. Hood was first appointed to the Third Circuit Court by Governor Whitmer in 2019 and again to the Court of Appeals in 2022. Prior to his appointments to the bench, Judge Hood served as an assistant United States attorney in the Eastern District of Michigan and the Northern District of Ohio. Hood has been a member of the Detroit Bar Association since 2011 and has served as a fellow of the association since 2023. Hood serves as a member of the Michigan Court of Appeals Rules Committee, Education Committee, and AI Working Group. Hood is also a member of the Wolverine Bar Association and of the Association of Black Judges of Michigan.

Judge Noah Hood earned his Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School and holds a Bachelor of Arts in anthropology from Yale.

“I have had the distinct honor of serving the people of the state of Michigan for the past six years,” said Judge Hood. “I am deeply grateful to our Governor for her decision to appoint me to serve on our Supreme Court. I am also grateful for what it represents. For as long as I serve, the people will always be able to count on me for even-handed justice.”

This appointment will be made to fill a partial term following the resignation of Chief Justice Elizabeth Clement.

“I am honored to appoint Judge Hood to the Michigan Supreme Court,” said Governor Whitmer. “He has served the people of Michigan on the bench since 2019, when I was honored to appoint him first to the Circuit Court and later, to the Court of Appeals. A proud Detroiter, graduate of Harvard Law, and active member of the legal community with both trial and appellate court experience, he will bring important perspectives to the highest court in our state. I want to thank him for his many years of public service and look forward to many more on the Supreme Court.”

SC Nominee

Michigan Court of Appeals – First District

Mariam Bazzi currently serves as a Judge on the Third Circuit Court in Wayne County, where she has been re-elected twice since first being appointed by Governor Rick Snyder in 2017. Bazzi serves on the board of Leaders Advancing and Helping Communities and is also a member of multiple state and national legal associations including the Detroit Bar Association, the Michigan Judges Association, the National Association of Women Judges, the National Arab American Bar Association, and the National Association of Muslim Lawyers. Bazzi previously served as a member of the Michigan Commission on Middle Eastern American Affairs and on the Dearborn Board of Education, where she also served as President. Bazzi is the first Arab American woman in Michigan’s history to be appointed to the Michigan Court of Appeals.

Judge Mariam Bazzi earned her Juris Doctor from Wayne State University Law School and holds a Bachelor of Science in political science from the University of Michigan – Dearborn.

“I am deeply honored and humbled to be appointed by Governor Whitmer to serve on the Michigan Court of Appeals,” said Judge Bazzi. “I extend my heartfelt thanks to the Governor and her dedicated selection team for their time, effort, and commitment throughout this process. It is a profound privilege to serve the people of this great state, and I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the fair and impartial administration of justice. I also extend my warmest congratulations to our new Supreme Court Justice and to my fellow appointees to the Court of Appeals.”

Judge Bazzi will be appointed to fill a partial term after the forthcoming resignation of Judge Noah Hood.

“Judge Bazzi is a trailblazer, community leader, and proud Michigander,” said Governor Whitmer. “She brings years of experience to the court of appeals, where she will be the first Arab American woman appellate judge in Michigan’s history. I’m grateful for her continued service to the people of Michigan in this new role.”

Judicial appointment

Michigan Court of Appeals – Second District

Christopher Trebilcock is a senior principal at Clark Hill, PLC working in the areas of employment litigation, administrative litigation, traditional labor law, and election law. Prior to joining Clark Hill in 2018, Trebilcock practiced law at Miller Canfield for over 10 years. Trebilcock is a member of the American Bar Association’s Developing Labor Law Committee and the Federal Labor Standards Legislation Committee. Trebilcock is the first court of appeals appointee born and raised in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

Trebilcock earned his Juris Doctor from Wake Forest University School of Law and holds a Bachelor of Arts in political science and business administration from Alma College.

“As a proud Yooper, I am deeply honored to accept this appointment. The values I learned from my upbringing and education—service, integrity, and critical thinking—have guided me throughout my career,” said Christopher Trebilcock. “I am humbled by this opportunity and the trust placed by Governor Whitmer in my ability to serve the people of Michigan. I also want to thank my colleagues at Clark Hill for their unwavering support, mentorship, and friendship. I look forward to getting to work and serving the state that raised me and shaped my values.”

This appointment will be made to fill a partial term following the resignation of Judge Mark Cavanagh.

“Chris is a skilled attorney who will serve the people admirably,” said Governor Whitmer. “He brings decades of experience in many areas of law to the bench and is making history as the first born-and-raised Yooper on the court of appeals.”

Judicial

Michigan Court of Appeals – Third District

Daniel Korobkin currently serves as legal director for the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan, where he has worked since 2008. Korobkin also serves as a co-chair of the Michigan State Bar’s Access to Justice Policy Committee and is a member of the State Bar of Michigan’s representative assembly. Korobkin is also a member of the Detroit Bar Association, the Jewish Bar Association of Michigan, the American Constitution Society, and the National Lawyers Guild, among others, teaches part-time at the University of Michigan Law School, and volunteers as a judge for moot court competitions and first-year legal practice classes at the University of Michigan Law School and Wayne State University Law School.

Daniel Korobkin earned his Juris Doctor from Yale Law School, where he worked as a research assistant and teaching assistant through the law school’s Coker Fellowship. Korobkin also holds a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy from Swarthmore College.

“I am truly humbled and honored by this incredible opportunity for public service,” said Korobkin. “I am immensely grateful to Governor Whitmer for this appointment, and I look forward to serving the people of the State of Michigan on the Court of Appeals.”

This appointment will be made to fill a partial term following the resignation of Judge Jane Markey.

“Dan brings years of legal experience to the court of appeals,” said Governor Whitmer. “In addition to his leadership at the ACLU, he is an involved member of the community, serving in several organizations and associations. I am confident he will uphold the rule of law and serve the people of Michigan well.”

Judicial

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Oakland County to Host VTM Michigan 2025 Global Forum

by orionontv | Apr 23, 2025 | Regional News

Oakland County to Host VTM Michigan 2025 Global Forum on Mobility Innovation

Post Date:04/22/2025 2:31 PM

• VTM Michigan 2025, hosted by Oakland County in partnership with MEDC and advanced business events (abe), will bring global automotive and mobility leaders to Pontiac on April 23–24 for two days of B2B meetings, expert panels and exhibitions on future transportation technologies.
• Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter will open the event, highlighting the region’s leadership in mobility innovation, alongside a keynote from Michigan Chief Mobility Officer Justine Johnson and panels on electrification, hydrogen, AI, cybersecurity and more.
• With participation from international companies and organizations, VTM Michigan offers unparalleled networking and collaboration opportunities for startups, Tier 1 suppliers, OEMs and researchers shaping the future of mobility.

Pontiac, Mich. – Oakland County, in partnership with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and international organizer advanced business events (abe), is set to welcome the world’s automotive and mobility leaders to the second edition of VTM Michigan, an international business-to-business (B2B) mobility technology forum taking place April 23 – 24 at the M1 Concourse in Pontiac.

This two-day event will bring together key decision-makers, engineers, innovators and visionaries from across the globe to collaborate on the technologies shaping the future of transportation – from electric and hydrogen propulsion to AI, autonomous systems, vehicle connectivity and mobility infrastructure.

“Oakland County and the State of Michigan are on the front lines of mobility innovation,” said Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter, who will open the event with welcome remarks. “VTM Michigan is a platform to showcase our deep automotive legacy and growing leadership in next-gen transportation technologies to a global audience.”

Following the success of its 2023 debut, which attracted 320 attendees from more than 10 countries, VTM Michigan 2025 promises an even more robust experience with:
• Expert-led technical presentations
• Targeted B2B matchmaking
• Exhibitions of cutting-edge mobility solutions
• Global participants representing Austria, Germany, South Korea, Sweden, the UK, the U.S. and more

Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with startups, Tier 1 suppliers, major OEMs, academic experts and government leaders on the most pressing challenges and exciting innovations in the mobility space.

Agenda highlights include welcome remarks by County Executive Coulter, a keynote from Michigan Chief Mobility Officer Justine Johnson, and panel discussions on Building a Robust Regional Mobility Ecosystem, Vehicle Electrification Market Outlook, IoT & Vehicle Connectivity, AI in Intelligent Mobility, Cybersecurity in Automotive Innovation and the Future of Automotive Jobs & Skills featuring representatives from GM, UAW and Oakland County Michigan Works!

“VTM Michigan provides an unmatched opportunity to collaborate, explore solutions and drive real change,” said Dom Holmes, director of Oakland County Economic Development. “The road to the future of mobility begins in Oakland County.”

Communities win national Election Commission awards

by orionontv | Apr 21, 2025 | Regional News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 21, 2025Contact: Cheri Hardmon

[email protected]

Five Michigan communities win national Election Assistance Commission awards for outstanding work in election administration

LANSING, Mich – Today, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson congratulated five Michigan election administrators and jurisdictions selected as winners of U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) Clearinghouse Awards. The “Clearie” Awards are presented annually across the nation for best practices in election administration.

“The 2024 elections were historic both for record-breaking voter turnout and as the very first statewide elections with in-person early voting,” Secretary Benson said. “Congratulations to these five county and local election administrators for their outstanding work and this well-deserved national honor. I’m so grateful to work with dedicated election officials across the state who go above and beyond to make sure every election is secure and that every eligible citizen can make their voice heard.”

Michigan winners of the 2024 EAC Clearinghouse Awards:

City of Monroe Clerk – Treasurer’s Office received an award in the category of Communications: Distinguished Voter Education and Communications Initiatives for its “Ready, Set, Vote” media strategy to increase election communication and voter engagement.

Ottawa County Clerk/Register Of Deeds received an award in the category of Communications: Distinguished Voter Education and Communications Initiatives for its “Not a Podcast” – Ballots & Banter video series. Election staff filmed episodes touching on topics that include ballot box security, early voting, election fraud and more.

Ann Arbor City Clerk’s Office received an award in the category of Contingency Planning: Exemplary Contingency Planning and Emergency Response Efforts for its “More Days, More Ways,” a written Emergency Election Operations handbook.

Election Division, City of Flint Clerk’s Office received an award in the category of Election Administration: Innovations or New Practices in Election Administration for documents and communication around the reorganization of their Absent Voter Counting Board. Staff defined tasks down to the simplest steps, wrote job descriptions for each member of the board, and created a linear flow of materials to prevent confusion about ballot status.

Harrison Township Clerk, Michigan - Boat Town I Voted Sticker received an award in the category of “I Voted” Stickers: Creative and Original “I Voted” Stickers. Drawing on its Boat Town USA nickname, the township selected the tagline “Boat Town, Vote Town” to promote elections in the community.

The EAC Clearie awards received a record 258 entries for programs implemented in the 2024 presidential election year. Submissions were judged on innovation, sustainability, outreach, cost-effectiveness, replicability, and the generation of positive results. The full list of winners is available online at the EAC website.

The EAC was established by the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA). It is an independent, bipartisan commission charged with developing guidance to meet HAVA requirements, adopting voluntary voting system guidelines, and serving as a national clearinghouse of information on election administration.

AG Releases Statement on the Passing of Pope Francis

by orionontv | Apr 21, 2025 | Regional News

Michigan Department of Attorney General Press Release banner

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 21, 2025

Media Contact:
Danny Wimmer

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel Releases Statement on the Passing of Pope Francis

LANSING – Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel issued the following statement:

“Pope Francis was a once-in-a generation leader whose humility, compassion, and thoughtfulness impacted people from all religious backgrounds and walks of life.

His legacy reminds us that it is important to care for the poor and marginalized, and that, in times of strife and uncertainty, we too can exercise grace and understanding. In the words of Pope Francis, ‘A little bit of mercy makes the world less cold and more just.’ May his memory be a blessing.”

Secretary of State: REAL ID deadline approaches

by orionontv | Apr 16, 2025 | Regional News

As REAL ID deadline approaches, Michigan Secretary of State offices still providing fast and efficient service

New check-in and booking stations, friendly greeters further streamline customer experience

LANSING, Mich. – With the May 7 federal REAL ID deadline fast approaching that will require compliant identification to fly in the U.S., Michigan Secretary of State offices offer a fast and easy ways for customers to upgrade their driver’s license or ID. Despite the heavier volume throughout the state, most customers are still in and out of the office in 20 minutes or less.

More than 74% of people with a Michigan driver’s license or ID have already upgraded to a REAL ID. Since March 18, Secretary of State offices have added more than 35,000 extra appointments to accommodate the demand for REAL ID and are operating more than 10% over normal capacity. Michigan’s REAL ID conversion rate for the week of April 7 was a record-breaking 82.8%. The REAL ID conversion rate for the same week in 2024 was just 19%.

“It’s great to see so Michiganders making sure they get their REAL ID before the May 7 deadline,” Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson said. “While Michigan is already well above the national average for REAL ID compliance, the recent uptick in appointments is proof that residents are taking the necessary steps to avoid potential travel delays in the future. I especially want to thank the hardworking staff at the 131 Secretary of State offices throughout Michigan who are truly going above and beyond to meet the increased demand without sacrificing the quality or speed of our service. I am grateful for their dedication and commitment to serve the people of our great state.”

Michigan driver’s licenses and IDs are REAL ID compliant if they are marked by a star in the upper right corner – either a star within a gold shape of Michigan or a star in a gold circle, depending on the license design. Michigan also offers enhanced driver’s licenses and IDs, which are REAL ID-compliant and can be used to cross the border into the United States from Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean by land or sea. Enhanced driver’s licenses and IDs have a U.S. flag icon on the front.

Upgrading a standard license or ID to a REAL ID is free if done during the normal renewal period. Otherwise, a card correction fee of $9 for a driver’s license or $10 for an ID is charged.

When applying for a REAL ID, you will need to bring:

Your driver’s license or ID.

Your certified birth certificate with a raised seal or stamp issued by a governmental agency; your valid, unexpired U.S. passport; or an approved citizenship or legal presence document. (Faxes and photocopies won’t be accepted.)

If your name is different from the name on your birth certificate, bring certified documents, such as marriage licenses or court orders, for every time your name has changed.

Learn more at Michigan.gov/REALID.

Customers who book appointments to update their driver’s license or state ID will find several tools and processes that help ensure they will have a smooth and successful visit. Friendly staff greeters meet visitors right at the door of 51 of the state’s offices. Greeters help every customer quickly check in for their appointment or book an upcoming appointment so they can complete their transaction without unnecessary delay.

As part of a pilot project that started in January, customers in five Secretary of State offices can immediately check in for their appointment or book an appointment using new computerized stations.

The stations, which are oversized computer tablets on a stand near where customers enter an office, provide efficiency in offices that don’t have a full-time staff greeter at the door. Based on the successful pilot, the stations are scheduled to be installed over the next 18 months at the remaining 75 offices that don’t have staff greeters.

The first appointment check-in and booking station was installed Jan. 22 at the St. Johns office. Throughout February and March, the stations were added to the Adrian, Alma, Kalamazoo, and St. Ignace offices. The 22-inch tablets are similar to those used by the public in settings ranging from airports to retailers.

“These stations, an idea from our frontline branch office managers, are another way we are continuing to provide the most convenient and efficient service to Michiganders,” said Jennifer Mazzola, director of the Bureau of Branch Operations at the Michigan Department of State (MDOS). “At offices with smaller staffs, clerks no longer have to try to do two things at once – serve the customer at the counter in front of them and check in or book customers arriving at the office.”

The idea for the stations came from branch office managers in meetings with the MDOS Office of Continuous Improvement and Transformation. In recent months, various MDOS teams and vendors worked to develop the stations with feedback from frontline staff. Customer observations and feedback during the pilot over the past three months helped to further customize the stations to meet customer needs.

Customers can make appointments up to six months in advance for any Secretary of State office by visiting Michigan.gov/SOS or calling 888-767-6424. The online system or call center agent will walk them through everything they need to bring for their transaction, helping them avoid having to make a return visit. If a customer arrives without having scheduled ahead, they can use one of the check-in and booking stations or work with a staff member to book the next available time slot, which may be later in the day or the next business day.

# # #

MDOS Check-in and Booking Station The St. Johns branch office is one of the five offices that received the check-in and booking station as a part of the pilot program.

MDOS Check-in and Booking Station A customer uses the check-in and booking station to schedule an appointment at the St. Johns branch office.

MDOS Check-in and Booking Station Terrence Nichols, a Kalamazoo resident, checks into his appointment at his local branch office using the newly installed station.

$1 Million “Ticket to Tuition” FAFSA Sweepstakes

by orionontv | Apr 16, 2025 | Regional News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 

April 16, 2025

Contact: [email protected]

Gov. Whitmer Launches $1 Million “Ticket to Tuition” FAFSA Sweepstakes

FAFSA filers can enter for a chance to win one of forty $10,000 prizes or one of ten $50,000 prizes

LANSING, Mich. – Today, Governor Whitmer and the Michigan College Access Network (MCAN) announced the Ticket to Tuition sweepstakes at Lansing’s Eastern High School. Ticket to Tuition is a statewide initiative to encourage Michiganders enrolling in college for the first time, especially high school seniors, to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to lower the cost of college through valuable financial aid opportunities such as the Michigan Achievement Scholarship and Community College Guarantee.

“Filling out your FAFSA can help you save thousands of dollars on your education and with today’s sweepstakes, you can also enter to win up to $50,000 for your education expenses,” said Governor Whitmer. “Since I took office, we have made record, bipartisan investments to drive down the cost of earning a degree or skills certificate, and I’m proud that a majority of graduating seniors are now eligible to lower or completely eliminate their college tuition. As we continue working together to save Michiganders money, I encourage all high school seniors who want to go to community, private, or public college to fill out their FAFSA, save thousands of dollars while attending school, and enter to win our sweepstakes!”

“Filling out your FAFSA can help you punch your ticket to a college degree, a skills training certificate, more opportunity, and a better life,” said Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II. “The ‘Ticket to Tuition’ sweepstakes will help more Michiganders get the skills they need to support their families at good-paying jobs. Let’s keep Standing Tall so every student can ‘make it’ in Michigan.”

Contest Details: To enter the Ticket to Tuition sweepstakes, complete the FAFSA and text CASH to 855-50K-TICKET by 11:59 p.m. Friday, May 16, 2025. To be eligible, participants must be Michigan residents who completed the FAFSA for the first-time to use during the 2025-26 academic year.

Prizes will be awarded in Michigan Education Savings Program accounts, which can be used for a variety of qualified educational expenses such as tuition and fees, living expenses, and computers and textbooks. Forty winners will receive $10,000 and ten winners will receive $50,000. For full contest details, visit TicketToTuition.com.

MiLEAP is proud to partner with MCAN to help provide resources, programming and support for students to pursue their educational and career goals.

“The new streamlined FAFSA can open scholarship and grant opportunities like the Michigan Achievement Scholarship and Community College Guarantee, providing students an affordable path to a postsecondary credential,” said Dr. Beverly Walker-Griffea, director of MiLEAP. “With Ticket to Tuition, we are encouraging students to complete their FAFSA by offering tens of thousands of dollars in prizes, but the real prize is the degree or skill certificate that will help them achieve their goals for themselves and their families.”

“College and skills training are keys to economic prosperity, which is why state financial aid opportunities such as the Michigan Achievement Scholarship and the Community College Guarantee are vital to Michigan families,” said Sen. Sean McCann. “It is critical that we do all we can to encourage students to complete the FAFSA and understand the financial aid they have earned through their academic careers so they can make informed decisions about their future.”

“Michigan College Access Network is committed to increasing the number of students who access and complete college, and the Ticket to Tuition Sweepstakes is another way we are working to incentivize more students to explore postsecondary options,” said Ryan Fewins-Bliss, executive director of the Michigan College Access Network. “We want graduating seniors and their families to know that the FAFSA is the key to unlocking federal, state, and institutional financial aid, and now, completing it can give them the chance to win up to $50,000 to help with their future educational expenses.”

“Now more than ever, it’s crucial to make college and postsecondary opportunities accessible for young people,” said Ben Shuldiner, superintendent of Lansing Schools. “Programs like the Michigan Achievement Scholarship and Community College Guarantee have made career training more affordable—but completing the FAFSA remains the most important step. That’s what makes the Ticket to Tuition sweepstakes so exciting.”

Since Governor Whitmer took office, she has worked with a bipartisan Legislature to lower the cost of college for over 120,000 students annually through meaningful investments in state student financial aid including:

Michigan Achievement Scholarship to support recent high school graduates on their postsecondary education including a tuition-free associate degree or skills certificate through the Community College Guarantee, up to $27,500 to earn a four-year degree, and up to $4,000 to enroll in career training. Today, nearly 60,000 students are saving Michiganders families more than $4,200 per year.

Michigan Reconnect to offer Michiganders 25 and up tuition-free associate degree or skills certificate in high demand careers. Over 207,000+ accepted. Temporarily lowered the age for participants to 21 and recruited 35,000 Reconnect applicants. Temporarily launched the Michigan Reconnect Short-term Training Program to lower the cost of career training for over 4,300 Michiganders.

Mi Future Educator Fellowship which is offering 2,600 future teachers $10,000 scholarships in exchange for a commitment to teach in Michigan

Futures for Frontliners program to temporarily recognize Michiganders who served on the frontlines of the pandemic and offer them tuition-free paths to postsecondary education or skills training. Over 85,000 student have been accepted.

Students and families can complete the FAFSA online by visiting FAFSA.gov or by submitting a paper form. Recent updates to the application include reducing the number of questions to 36 from the previous 108, allowing for a more streamlined process. Most students and families can complete the application in less than 15 minutes.