News & Fun in Michigan
Site announcements of changes that affect the Thumbwind website are highlighted.
News and events of Michigan’s Upper Thumb that are worth knowing in the region.
Here are some of the top stories.
State Sen. Thomas Albert proposes legislation for Michigan school districts to create their own cellphone policies to combat distractions impacting students’ learning and mental health. He advocates local solutions over statewide mandates and emphasizes the importance of addressing cellphone usage for improved academic performance and student well-being in schools.
Michigan’s $175 million “Grow Your Own” initiative supports over 160 school districts in addressing the teacher shortage by funding the certification of existing staff. This program allows current employees to gain teaching credentials through partnerships, benefiting students and enhancing staffing in critical areas, particularly in rural and special education sectors.
Michigan lawmakers are advancing legislation to enhance consumer protections against data breaches and price gouging during emergencies. Proposed bills would require timely reporting of data breaches and define price gouging, enabling legal actions against violators. Attorney General Dana Nessel supports these reforms to address rising cyberattacks and protect vulnerable consumers.
Michigan’s Northern Michigan Passenger Rail project is advancing with federal support, particularly a 2022 RAISE grant. This initiative aims to connect Southeast and Northwestern Michigan through a 240-mile rail corridor, enhancing transportation equity, boosting economic development, and facilitating access to Amtrak’s network, all while supporting sustainable infrastructure and clean mobility.
Two Kalamazoo men, James Smith and Patrick Martin, pleaded guilty in federal court for their roles in a fentanyl-laced drug deal that resulted in six deaths in April 2023. The case underscores the severity of the opioid crisis in America. Smith faces up to 20 years, while Martin could receive four.
Two officers are charged with misconduct and assault after a pursuit involving questionable use of a police K9. LANSING, Mich. — Sterling Heights Police Officers James Sribniak, 31, and Jack Currie, 29, have been charged with Misconduct in Office and Felonious …
As respiratory diseases rise with fall, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services urges residents to utilize free COVID-19 tests and practice illness prevention. They highlight the availability of at-home tests and local testing centers, promoting personal COVID-19 action plans including vaccinations and preventive measures for overall health.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) celebrates the first year of Plan First!, offering free family planning services to nearly 20,000 residents. LANSING, MI – A year after its launch, the Plan First! program, administered by the Michigan …
