Measles outbreak downstate should draw more reaction
Passing all but unnoticed in recent days were reports of a measles outbreak in the Lower Peninsula. News outlets in and around Washtenaw County say three linked cases have been reported since March 12, all in that county. This isn't good, from at least two vantage points: Number one, of course, is the fact that measles is an extremely contagious and dangerous viral illness that can lead to severe complications like pneumonia, brain damage (encephalitis), and death, particularly in children younger than 5 and unvaccinated individuals. Approximately 1 in 5 unvaccinated people in the U.S. ...
State promotes financial aid available for higher ed
Michigan officials are touting a significant rise in the number of students who received state financial aid for higher education in 2024-2025, while encouraging more to seek such assistance. The state awarded more than $558.9 million in state financial aid to more than 153,000 Michigan students during the 2024-2025 academic year, as detailed in the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential’s annual State Scholarships and Grants Report. The milestone reflects a 30.4% increase in students served and an additional $183.5 million in aid awarded compared ...
Celebrate National Ag Day by buying local products
National Ag Day is coming up Tuesday, with this year’s theme being “Together We Grow.” In advance of this national day of recognition, I encourage all Wisconsinites to take time to thank their local producers for the hard work they do every single day to feed, clothe and power the State of Wisconsin and beyond. Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers has declared 2026 the Year of the Neighbor, which is a theme the agriculture industry knows well. Without the collective work of producers across the state, Wisconsin’s $116.3 billion agriculture industry wouldn’t be the internationally ...