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Thursday, March 28, 2024

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Pulling back the curtains on wage-theft enforcement in MN; Trump's latest attack is on RFK, Jr; NM LGBTQ+ equality group endorses 2024 'Rock Star' candidates; Michigan's youth justice reforms: Expanded diversion, no fees.

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Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg says rebuilding Baltimore's Key Bridge will be challenging and expensive. An Alabama Democrat flips a state legislature seat and former Connecticut senator Joe Lieberman dies at 82.

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Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

MI: Livable Wages/Working Families

Although food insecurity can be faced by anyone, Black and Latino children are twice as likely to face hunger because of discrimination based on race. And in 2022, 33% of single-parent families experienced food insecurity. (Piman Khrutmuang/Adobe Stock)
Michigan students get a boost to summer food access

Michigan is planning ahead to make sure kids from lower-income families have enough to eat this summer. The state has opted into a federal food …

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Apart from the January minimum wage increase, the new year also increased the minimum hourly wage rate for minors to $8.78 per hour, and the tipped employee rate increased to $3.93 per hour. (Seika/Adobe Stock)
MLK Jr.'s fight for fair pay resonates with MI service workers

Michigan food service workers are commemorating Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. today, bringing to mind their own, more recent battle for fair wages and …

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Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, reintroduced what is known as the
Small farms, ranches hope for better treatment in new Farm Bill

Congress passed a one-year extension of the current Farm Bill, which means the debate over a new bill will continue well into 2024. Advocacy groups …

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The majority of adults, some 83%, believe online retailers should be required to provide country of origin labeling, up from 79% in 2022. (Maksym Yemelyanov/Adobe Stock)
Black Friday and holiday shopping made in America

While you're out to find Black Friday and holiday shopping deals today, many "Made in America" items may be on your preferred list. A new poll by …

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In 2018, Michigan became the eleventh state to enact a paid sick-time law. Michigan's law began as a citizen-initiative petition, enacted by the Legislature per the state Constitution.(Zerbor/Adobe Stock)
MI wage hike held up in controversial 'adopt and amend' legislation

Michigan groups advocating for a minimum wage hike and paid leave say they'll finally see their day in court next month. Petitioners are expected …

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Around 29.6% of nursing homes are experiencing staff shortages in Michigan. Paid leave means families can provide care for their aging relatives at home. MLPP says this could reduce nursing home use and may increase recruitment and retention of staff. (Jacob Lund/Adobe Stock)
Paid Family Leave up for vote in MI; advocates say it's long overdue

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has asked Michigan lawmakers to give all workers in the state some "breathing room" by creating a new program to offer them …

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Pipeline Number 5 lies beneath the Straits of Mackinaw. Opponents claim the aging oil line threatens the largest freshwater system in the world. (ehrlif/Adobe Stock)
Fast-track Line 5 permitting push met with protest

Michigan's Senate GOP pushed for fast track of Enbridge's Line 5 tunnel construction at a press conference this week. Sen. John Damoose, R-Harbor …

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Michigan is among 20 states to receive a multiyear grant from the Pritzker Children's Initiative. (SneakyPeakPoints/peopleimages.com/Adobe Stock)
MI coalition helps get cash influx to improve childcare

The coalition known as "Think Babies Michigan" has advocated for more than $36 million in funding to offer grants to child-care providers for infants …

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The EPA is proposing changes to the federal emission standards to ensure 67% of new light-duty vehicles and 25% of new heavy-duty trucks sold in the United States be electric by 2032. (Valeriia/Adobe Stock)
UAW strike continues: Officials say EPA standards must catch up

Amid the United Auto Workers strike, some advocates argued it is time to implement clean car standards. Gary Schlack, a city council member in Allen …

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The Environmental Protection Agency is proposing standards to regulate emissions from five unmeasured fugitive and intermittent particulate sources. (Aaron/Adobe Stock)
Comments About EPA's Proposed Rules for Blast Furnaces End Today

Emission standards for blast furnaces such as the iron and steel mills in Michigan haven't been updated in years. The Environmental Protection …

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Michigan allocated $70 million and lowered the age restriction to expand Michigan Reconnect. Flint-based Mott Community College is among the state's 31 community and tribal colleges. (Courtesy of Mott Community College)
Michigan Doubles Down on Free Community College

Building on the success of a $140 million investment, Michigan is making community college free to hundreds of thousands more students by expanding …

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Some 710,500 households currently receive SNAP benefits in Michigan, including more than 531,000 Michigan children (Maksim Kostenko/ Adobe Stock)
Major Win for Michigan with SNAP Asset Test Gone

Michigan families no longer need to spend down their savings and be restricted to having only $15,000 in assets to receive SNAP benefits. Gov…

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