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Editorial

Your taxes, your schools, your safety: Why your local news matters

I am a journalist. And proud of it. I hope my readers, whether in newspapers, magazines or online, also feel that’s a title worthy of pride. True, journalists and the news media are being targeted and maligned, and polls show public trust in the press is declining. But what isn’t up for serious debate is the essential role that we play. I appreciate how Dale Anglin, the executive director of the Knight Foundation’s Press Forward initiative, describes the situation — not as a plea to “save struggling journalism” but as a call for the citizenry to “support trusted local ...

National Drug Take Back Day on Saturday

The Michigan State Police is once again taking part in a national initiative that encourages residents to dispose of expired, unused and unwanted prescription pills. All of MSP’s 31 posts will participate in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25. That includes the MSP Gladstone post, 922 Lake Shore Drive in Gladstone. This is one of two annual events held in partnership with the Drug Enforcement Administration and other police agencies, MSP advises in a news release. “Proper disposal of unused or expired prescription medication helps ...

Be ready when health insurance enrollment begins

The Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services is encouraging state residents to be ready for the upcoming Health Insurance Marketplace Open Enrollment period that starts Nov. 1. A record 530,000 Michiganders are currently enrolled in health insurance through the Marketplace. Recent federal changes, as well as expiring tax credits, mean it has never been more important to review health insurance coverage and make a selection during the upcoming Open Enrollment period. “Health insurance improves health outcomes and helps protect your family’s health and financial ...