11/18/2025

MICHIGAN - Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson introduced a new specialty license plate honoring the state’s women veterans. The plate, featuring a woman veteran vignette and the inscription “Her Service Our Freedom” and “Woman Veteran,” is Michigan’s 33rd military-themed plate. Unveiled on November 10 in Dearborn, Democratic State Senator Sylvia Santana of Detroit, who sponsored the authorizing bill 788, and Lolita Tucker, Michigan’s Disabled American Veterans state commander, attended. Tucker, a U.S. Army veteran and bill champion, was presented with the first plate. As of September 2025, Michigan has over 44,000 woman veterans, 9% of the state’s veteran population. Eligible veterans can order the plate online or at a branch office.

11/18/2025

MARQUETTE - The legal battle over Enbridge’s Line 5 continues.  On Friday, the environmental groups and tribes opposed to Line 5 filed a brief with the Michigan Supreme Court challenging the project.  The Managing Attorney for the groups says the lower court applied an incorrect legal standard and overlooked significant flaws in the commission’s application of the Michigan Environmental Protection Act.  In a statement, Enbridge says, “We are confident in the Michigan Public Service Commission’s (MPSC) thorough permitting process. The February decision from the Michigan Court of Appeals affirmed the comprehensive and detailed work of the MPSC to approve the Great Lakes Tunnel Project.”  The project would involve replacing Line 5 with a new tunnel that runs four miles along the Mackinac Straits. It would bury the line underground and include a one-foot-thick concrete liner.

11/18/2025

N. WISCONSIN - The government shutdown has delayed payments from the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP for Wisconsin’s Home Energy Assistance Program. The Wisconsin Department of Administration expects continued delays, though Assistant Deputy Secretary Diana Maas noted late funding is not unusual. Last year, the program aided 186,000 households with $136 million for heating and electric bills, and similar need is expected for Program Year ’26. Maas stressed that a winter moratorium prevents heat disconnection until April 15, and urges eligible low-income residents to absolutely apply, despite the delay. Also, residents can re-apply if financial circumstances change. More information is available on the Energy and Housing website or by calling 211.