News

Hill Tours U.P. Prison, Supports Corrections Officer Strike

State Rep. Jenn Hill (D-Marquette) toured the Alger Correctional Facility yesterday. The tour was taken in order to assess issues facing the Upper Peninsula’s prisons and the corrections officers who work at the facilities. Understaffing at U.P. prisons have resulted in mandatory double shifts, creating dangerous working conditions. Following the tour, Hill issued the following statement: “My visit to the Alger Correctional Facility underscored the urgent need to address the understaffing crisis plaguing Upper Peninsula prisons. Corrections officers are stretched to the limit, working double shifts in conditions that compromise both their safety and the effective management of these facilities. This is unsustainable. I’m proud to have introduced legislation that removes unnecessary barriers to recruitment and advocates for pension reform to ensure our corrections officers receive the support they need and deserve.”
Read MoreHill Tours U.P. Prison, Supports Corrections Officer Strike

Sinking Fund Fails to Pass, Leaving Munising Public Schools Facing Financial Challenges

Munising Public Schools’ proposed Sinking Fund did not pass in the August 6, 2024, elections, leaving the district to grapple with how to fund critical building projects and other necessary improvements. The proposal, which aimed to address aging infrastructure, technology upgrades, and transportation needs, failed to secure enough votes, with 762 votes against (51.66%) and 713 votes in favor (48.34%).
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The road to success: Assuring electronic waste recycling access in the Upper Peninsula

It started out as a complaint in 2014 about an unregistered electronics recycler with a pile of televisions behind their place of business. It ended with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 2020 spending over $1 million to cleanup over 1.2 million pounds of crushed television tubes left in a warehouse. This was the first hint that the Upper Peninsula (U.P.) of Michigan was underserved when it came to electronics recycling.
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EMT training courses hope to combat staff shortages by ginning up interest in the field

Fewer things are more certain than the average citizen, family member, or friend needing an ambulance at some point in their lives. For many rural areas of Alger County, where proximity to the nearest hospital is measured in country miles, there aren’t enough local EMTs available in case of emergencies.
Read MoreEMT training courses hope to combat staff shortages by ginning up interest in the field

Munising Schools Offer Free Esports League Memberships for Middle and High School Teams

The Michigan High School Esports League (MHSEL) is extending an exciting opportunity to Munising High School students by offering free Esports league memberships for the first time this year. This marks an expansion of the program, which has already seen two successful years of participation by Munising Middle School students. The initiative aims to engage student athletes in competitive and curricular environments, helping them build critical skill sets, explore career paths, and contribute to their school’s culture through varsity Esports.
Read MoreMunising Schools Offer Free Esports League Memberships for Middle and High School Teams