1/27/2026

LANSING - With broad bipartisan support, the Michigan House has overwhelmingly approved a bill that would ban cell phone use during classroom instruction.

The proposal includes some exceptions, but lawmakers say they would be very infrequent. The bill would also allow school districts to adopt stricter policies if they choose. State Senator Dayna Polehanki of Livonia sponsored the Senate version of the legislation and helped craft the emergency provisions.

                    0:15  "There is a very important carve-out for emergency situations, that I made sure was in there. There are also exceptions for things like medical devices, district-issued laptops, some lessons."

The measure, introduced in the House by Republican Representative Mark Tisdel of Rochester Hills, passed by a wide margin after the Senate approved the package on a 34-to-1 vote. If signed into law, it would prohibit smartphone use during instructional time for all K-12 public school students, starting in the 2026 and 27 school year.

1/27/2026

N. WISCONSIN - Wisconsin’s Department of Health Services, led by Chief Medical Officer Dr. Ryan Westergaard, has rejected the federal government’s revised childhood vaccine schedule, retaining the American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations, stating the federal changes lacked “systematic, transparent reviews of scientific evidence” and were unwarranted. He advised Wisconsin clinicians to follow AAP guidance, emphasizing schedules are clinical tools, not mandates, and insurance coverage is unchanged. At least 16 other states have rejected the federal changes, and Westergaard disagreed with applying “shared clinical decision making” without rigorous review.

1/27/2026

N. WISCONSIN / U.P. - Tax season is here, and many Americans could see higher refunds this year.  The Treasury Department estimates tax refunds will average $1,000 more per household.  Many filers did not adjust their withholdings when recent income tax breaks began, which may be why refunds are higher.  A new law also boosted the standard deduction for many tax filers. Congress boosted it by $750 to $15,750 for single filers and by $1,500 to $31,500 for married couples filing jointly. It also expands state and local tax deductions and gives a new break for some seniors.  You can file your taxes beginning Monday through April 15.