Editor’s Note:  The following news release was provided by the committee to Keep Michigan Wolves Protected, 5859 W. Saginaw Hwy. #273, Lansing, MI 48917.  Information from the Michigan Secretary of State regarding the wolf hunt referendum follows the news release as does a link to an earlier River Country Journal story on the subject based on a [...]

Kalamazoo, MI – It is a question that has been getting a lot of attention recently–with so many Michiganders unemployed, why are there so many businesses looking for workers? Educators, economic developers, and workforce development professionals will come together Friday (May 17) to grapple with that question and others at a regional talent summit. The [...]

Lansing – Michigan’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate edged down in April by one-tenth of a percentage point to 8.4 percent, according to data released Wednesday (May 15) by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget (DTMB). Total employment rose by 19,000 over the month while the number of unemployed declined by 5,000. The net [...]

LANSING – According to a recent study released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), arthritis and mental health may have more in common than previously thought. In recognition of May being both National Arthritis Awareness Month and Mental Health Month, the Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) is drawing attention to the [...]

Lansing – Seasonally unadjusted unemployment rates declined in all of Michigan’s 17 major labor market areas in March, according to the Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget. Total employment levels rose in all regions over the month, while labor force levels were little changed throughout most areas. “Local area unemployment rates have trended downward [...]

Lansing – Michigan’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in March declined over the month by three-tenths of a percentage point to 8.5 percent, according to data released Wednesday (April 17) by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget (DTMB). Total employment rose by 17,000 over the month while the number of unemployed decreased by 14,000. [...]

LANSING, Mich. – Millions of Michigan motorists now can become personal ambassadors of the state’s nationally known Pure Michigan tourism and economic development campaign wherever they go now that new license plates will carry its logo, announced Gov. Rick Snyder and Secretary of State Ruth Johnson Monday (April 8). New standard plates also will advertise [...]

LANSING, Mich. – Gov. Rick Snyder Tuesday (April 2) announced that Fitch Ratings has upgraded Michigan’s general obligation credit rating to AA, the first time Fitch has rated Michigan above AA- since January 2007. Fitch said the upgrade reflects “the state’s solid economic and fiscal recovery over the last two years.” Also Tuesday, Standard and [...]

Beginning 8 a.m., Tuesday, March 26, weight restrictions were imposed on all state trunkline highways in the state of Michigan, including the Upper Peninsula. The weight restrictions will apply to state routes with M, I or US designations. In the restricted areas, the following will apply: – On routes designated as “all-season routes” (designated in [...]

LANSING – The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (Innovation Center) within the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently announced Michigan as one the grantees for the State Innovation Models initiative. Beginning Apr. 1, Michigan will receive about $1.6 million to develop its State Health Care Innovation Plan. “Being named one of the [...]

In the wake of Carl Levin’s announcement Thursday (March 7) that he will not seek another term in the U.S. Senate in 2014, could Congressman Fred Upton (R-St. Joseph) make a run for the seat?  It’s an interesting question raised and explored by Fritz Klug in a story published by MLive.  To access the story, [...]

Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) Chairman John D. Quackenbush and Michigan Energy Office Director Steve Bakkal will host the fourth of seven public forums on Michigan’s energy future on Monday, March 18, at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo. The forum will be held from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the Fetzer Center’s Kirsch Auditorium, [...]

LANSING, Mich. – Governor Rick Snyder has declared March as “Michigan Maple Syrup Month” to honor Michigan’s selection of high quality pure Maple Syrup and the industry’s contribution to the economy. “Michigan Maple Syrup Month is a special time to acknowledge and recognize our vast, integrated network of family farmers, processors, wholesalers, and retailers who [...]

As noted in an earlier River Country Journal story regarding the February 8th ‘Legislative Update’ breakfast sponsored by the Three Rivers Area Chamber of Commerce, roads are likely to be a prime topic for conversation in Lansing during the next several months as lawmakers and Governor Rick Snyder work on the 2014 state budget. Bridge [...]

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources recently announced a new Michigan contractor, Camis, Inc., will manage an improved state park campground and harbor reservation system. “Camis was selected in a competitive bid process, as they focused on providing excellent software and customer service solutions that we believe will make it easier and more convenient to [...]

CHICAGO and LANSING – Amtrak and the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) are gearing up for track improvements along the former Norfolk Southern Railway (NS) route used by Amtrak Wolverine Service and Blue Water trains from Kalamazoo to Central and Eastern Michigan. Amtrak has responsibility for this infrastructure, effective Feb. 16. As announced in December [...]

LANSING – The Michigan Department of Civil Rights (MDCR) has filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights (OCR), asking the federal agency to issue an order prohibiting the continued use American Indian mascots, names, nicknames, slogans, chants and/or imagery (hereafter referred to as “imagery”). MDCR’s complaint asserts that new [...]

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of State – in light of a recent reversal by federal officials on whether Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals participants are lawfully present – is now required to issue those participants driver’s licenses and identification cards, the department announced Friday (February 1st). “Michigan will only issue driver’s licenses to [...]

Lansing – Seasonally unadjusted unemployment rates rose in all of Michigan’s 17 major labor market areas in December, according to the Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget. Total employment levels decreased in most regions over the month, while labor force levels increased in the majority of areas. “December labor market activity throughout the state [...]