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Tuesday, March 19, 2024

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SD public defense duties shift from counties to state; SCOTUS appears skeptical of restricting government communications with social media companies; Trump lawyers say he can't make bond; new scholarships aim to connect class of 2024 to high-demand jobs.

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The SCOTUS weighs government influence on social media, and who groups like the NRA can do business with. Biden signs an executive order to advance women's health research and the White House tells Israel it's responsible for the Gaza humanitarian crisis.

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Midwest regenerative farmers are rethinking chicken production, Medicare Advantage is squeezing the finances of rural hospitals and California's extreme swing from floods to drought has some thinking it's time to turn rural farm parcels into floodplains.

MI: Poverty Issues

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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The funding increase for community health centers also helps alleviate some of the burdens caused by threats to 340B, the low-cost prescription drug program. A Merck study finds 90% of older adults regularly take at least one prescription drug. (220 Selfmade Studio/Adobe Stock)
MI seniors applaud community health center funding increase

Older adults across Michigan and around the country are applauding a boost in funding for community health centers, thanks to Congress passing a …

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The idea of vital documents being made ready in time for a person's re-entry to society began as a pilot program launched in September 2020 across four state prisons and has expanded across the entire Michigan Department of Corrections. (wolfhound911/Adobe Stock)
Vital document release to prevent Michigan recidivism

Most legally free Michiganders possess their vital records, but some people recently coming back to society after incarceration do not. A package of …

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The $80.1 million investments from the U.S. Department of Agriculture are part of President Joe Biden's commitment to advance equity for people who have been historically underserved and adversely affected by persistent poverty and inequality. (ysbrandcosijn/Adobe Stock)
USDA funds 28 housing units in Michigan's Alpena County

Braving the week's icy conditions, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and several members of the Legislature highlighted the state's housing crisis at …

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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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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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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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Water Equals Life is a coalition of water justice advocates, environmental groups and social justice groups who have come together in a statewide campaign to ensure everyone's basic human need for access to clean, safe, and affordable water is met, regardless of income. (Bovart/Adobe Stock)
Michigan Residents Pay Among Highest Water Bills in U.S.

Michigan water rates have surged more than 40% since 2010, and it is a trend that's expected to continue as cities and utilities work to upgrade …

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Some 70% of Michigan residents are either currently providing care or have provided care in the past for an adult relative or friend. (Studio Romantic/Adobe Stock)
Michigan Adults Strive to Stay Mentally Sharp as They Age

AARP Michigan's Vital Voices survey results are in, and more than 700 Michigan adults 45 and older say they are most concerned with staying mentally …

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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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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Adverse Childhood Experiences can have lasting effects on a person's health, behaviors and life. (TSViPhoto/Adobe Stock)
Hope for Michigan's Victims of Toxic Childhood Stress

Caregivers should be on alert for stressors among youth during the summer when children are spending more time at home. Adverse Childhood …

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