12/04/2024

MICHIGAN - The first Michigan Special Education Benchmarks Report says students with disabilities score below their peers in several areas. The report released Wednesday by the Autism Alliance of Michigan found 77% of disabled students are secluded or restrained, 40% miss 18 or more days of school per year and 60% of their parents report their schools do not “facilitate meaningful involvement.” The report is a call for more funding and inclusion in Michigan, noting that state and federal money covers 44% of special education costs, forcing local districts to cover the remainder. It was presented to state lawmakers in tandem with a recently released report calling for more special education funding.

12/07/2025

MADISON - Wisconsin lawmakers are reintroducing a bill to align state tobacco law with federal regulations that have required buyers to be at least 21.  Since 2019, federal law has prohibited tobacco sales to anyone under 21, but Wisconsin state law still lists the legal purchasing age as 18. Assembly members say these conflicting regulations create confusion for retailers and law enforcement.  Advocates for the bill also say raising the age will give local law enforcement more defined authority to issue tickets and keep nicotine out of young people’s hands.  The bill’s future in the Legislature remains uncertain. In 2020 and 2022, the Assembly passed bills to raise the age to 21, but the bills never made it past the state Senate.

12/04/2025

IRONWOOD - Despite being challenged to get ready for the season with so much snow in Gogebic County, the ABR Foundation has gotten over 40 km of cross-country ski trails ready, with Operations Manager Matthew Shruck reporting excellent, near 40-inch “mid-winter conditions” despite drifts. Tod counter a slow start to the season, ABR introduced a 7.5 km “Early Snow Loop,” that was briefly open in early November, and is currently fundraising for its extension. Skiers are enjoying the trails which opened last week. This is the ABR Trails Foundation’s first season operating the system, which was donated by Eric Anderson and Angela Santini to continue the legacy of silent sports; Eric is still involved in grooming. You can check out their conditions report and learn more about the foundation at abrtrails.com