Michigan

Midland, MI, July 02, 2008 -- A safety train equipped with a classroom and training center on rails has rolled into Lansing to provide free railroad and chemical transportation training to local firefighters and other emergency response personnel. The Michigan TRANSCAER Training Tour, presented by The Dow Chemical Company (Dow), has brought chemical and rail industry professionals to several communities in Michigan to provide hands-on training, the training will begin Midland May 22 and conclude in Lansing July 2.    » read more »

Obama will present his plans to turn the page so that America can compete in the global economy

Chicago, IL - On Monday, June 16, 2008, United States Senator Barack Obama will kick off the second week of his "Change that Works for You" tour by presenting his comprehensive national competitiveness strategy that will turn the page on the failed policies of the past so that America can create millions of new jobs and succeed in the 21st century's global economy.    » read more »

Lansing, Saginaw; Allegan, Eaton, Mason counties affected

June 16, 2008 -- LANSING - Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today issued an executive order activating the Michigan National Guard to assist jurisdictions operating under a state of emergency because of storms that swept the state earlier this month. The jurisdictions include the cities of Lansing and Saginaw and the counties of Allegan, Eaton and Mason.    » read more »

June 16, 2008 -- As summer approaches and fishing season shifts into high gear, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources is reminding anglers that preventing the spread viral hemorrhagic septicemia (VHS) will take the effort of everyone.

Although long known in Europe, VHS is a relatively new disease to the Great Lakes region that is capable of killing numerous species of fish by causing internal bleeding.

Fishing on Grand River, Michigan: Photo by Joel Dinda (CC)    » read more »

June 13, 2008 -- Heavy rain and flooding in the west central part of Michigan overnight has caused the Department of Natural Resources to temporarily close Ludington State Park.

Campers that have reservations at Ludington State Park this evening or over the weekend are being contacted by DNR Central Reservation System staff. Campers who have been impacted by the recent storms will receive full refunds and will not be charged the cancellation fee.

According to local weather reports, this area of the northern Lower Peninsula received one foot of rain. Ludington is without power and some of the roads leading into the park are flooded and impassable. Park staff at Ludington encouraged campers to vacate the park and most did of their own accord.    » read more »

June 9, 2008 -- The Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) is urging residents to be aware of the risks of carbon monoxide poisoning when using alternative sources of power during an outage.

Due to recent weather-related power outages, Michigan residents are asked to be extra vigilant as they compensate for the lost power.

If not used safely, gas-powered generators, kerosene heaters or other alternative heating or power sources can cause carbon monoxide poisoning. Residents are encouraged to seek shelter with friends, family, or at a community shelter as a safer alternative.    » read more »

June 3, 2008 -- LANSING - Michigan has one of the best health care systems for children, according to a recent nationwide study. The Commonwealth Fund Report, titled U.S. Variations in Child Health System Performance: A State Scorecard, examines state-by-state information and evaluates how the health system is performing for children.

"It is our goal to ensure universal access to affordable health care to all of our citizens, so it is good news for Michigan families that kids are getting health care," said Governor Jennifer M. Granholm. "It is an honor for our state to be recognized has having one of the top health care systems for children in the nation."    » read more »

June 2, 2008 -- With the summer harvest season right around the corner, and roadside produce stands popping up at country intersections across the state, the end of spring is a mouthwatering time to think about Michigan agriculture.

When, after months of delays, Congress recently passed the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008, also known as the Farm Bill, the season was appropriate. This critical legislation – which was passed over a presidential veto – will offer a boost to the Michigan farmers who sell their produce locally and who send Michigan-grown agriculture across the country. The bill will also crack down on speculators who are driving high energy prices, and offer much-needed support for conservation, biofuels and nutrition programs.    » read more »

May 30, 2008 -- LANSING - Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today called on business leaders attending the Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce's annual policy conference on Mackinac Island to join with her in working on issues that are critical in moving Michigan forward. The governor's weekly radio address highlights the Governor's remarks that call for common sense solutions to some of the key issues facing state government.

"I encourage leaders to be actively involved in three of the most critical issues we face in state government today," Granholm said. "Diversifying our economy and creating jobs, educating and training our students and workers, and lowering the cost of government in Michigan."    » read more »

Orders flags lowered to half-staff until noon on Memorial Day

LANSING - In her weekly radio address, Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today recognized thousands of Michigan citizens serving in the armed forces and paid tribute to 22 Michigan servicemen who lost their lives while on active duty this year. In recognition of their service, the governor has ordered all United States flags lowered to half-staff until noon on Monday.    » read more »

May 22, 2008 -- WASHINGTON – Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., today praised Senate passage of legislation to extend unemployment insurance benefits. The provision would extend benefits for 13 weeks, with an additional 13 weeks for states like Michigan with high unemployment rates.

Homeless man: Photo by EyeTunes (CC)

In the past year, 156,083 Michigan residents exhausted their unemployment benefits and could not find jobs. The legislation will next be taken up by the House of Representatives.

Levin’s statement follows:    » read more »

May 14, 2008 – Michigan's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in April declined three-tenths of a percentage point to 6.9 percent, according to data released today by the Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth (DLEG). The state's labor force fell by 15,000 over the month due to reductions in both total employment and unemployment levels.

An abandoned factory in downtown Detroit: Photo by Derek Farr (CC)

Michigan's April 2008 jobless rate edged downward by two-tenths of a percentage point from the state's April 2007 rate of 7.1 percent. In the same period, the national jobless rate rose by half of a percentage point.    » read more »

At Macomb Community College, Obama outlines plan to strengthen domestic manufacturing to create jobs and meet the challenges of the 21st Century

Warren, MI -- May 14, 2008 -- Warren, MI - Senator Barack Obama today visited Macomb County, Michigan to unveil his manufacturing agenda.

Barack Obama visits a Chrysler plant in Michigan: Photo courtesy Barack Obama campaign    » read more »

May 13, 2008 -- LANSING - Lt. Governor John D. Cherry, Jr., representing Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm, today announced that the city of Flint and alternative energy leader Swedish Biogas International (SBI) will undertake a project to produce alternative energy from waste removed from the city's wastewater treatment plant.

The plant will produce biogas - an alternative energy that can fuel vehicles and generate heat and electricity. Granholm called the announcement of the plant "a major building block in creating the state's alternative energy industry" and said that it will lay the groundwork for creating jobs in the industry.    » read more »

May 13, 2008 -- LANSING – The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) recently announced that with the assistance of the Office of Financial and Insurance Regulation (OFIR), the federal agency obtained an emergency court order freezing the assets of Gregory N. McKnight of Swartz Creek, MI, an alleged perpetrator, of an Internet fraud scheme that reaped approximately $72 million from more than 3,000 investors in all 50 states and at least 30 foreign countries.    » read more »