Vanderbilt
LATEST NEWS
UMich research delves into farmworker conditions
For many seasonal and migrant farmworkers who plant, harvest, and process produce for stores, stands, farmers’ markets, and festivals across Michigan, living conditions can be unsafe and unhealthy, according to University of Michigan researchers. In interviews conducted as part of the Michigan Farmworker Project, workers described crowded housing, being provided dirty mattresses, sewage, and other odors from bathrooms. They detailed common areas such as living rooms often doubling as bedrooms and a lack of air conditioning. Additionally, some said they experienced food insecurity, fears of polluted drinking water, high rents, low wages and a general lack of safe, affordable and quality housing — not unlike the situation many U.S. residents are facing. The five-year-old, community-engaged research project led by Lisbeth Iglesias-Rios and Alexis Handal of the University of Michigan school of public health has examined a variety of topics related to treatment by farm owners and supervisors over time.
Lawmakers pass 2025 Michigan budget, free community college
The 2025 budget for the state of Michigan showcases a governmental push towards making education more affordable through several new initiatives approved by Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer and the state’s legislature. One initiative, making community college free to the state’s high school graduates, could provide more equal opportunities for access to higher education, and impact enrollment at higher education institutions like Grand Valley State University.
Michigan urgently needs better tests for beach contamination, report finds
A green flag flying on a Great Lakes beach does not necessarily mean it’s safe to swim. Checking beach monitoring websites like BeachGuard is not a surefire solution either. These two findings are central to a public health research project, the Great Lakes Microbial Water Quality Assessment, that has set out to measure microbial and chemical threats in Great Lakes waters, and how to reduce the number of illnesses they cause each year. The project, sponsored by the International Joint Commission, released a report last year that said decades-old testing methods are inadequate, and “advances in newer methods are critically needed.” The Commission is bi-national agency that advises the U.S. and Canada on managing water along the border.
Michigan man arrested on drug charges at Phish Festival
DOVER, Del. – A Michigan man was arrested on numerous drug charges at the Phish Mondegreen Festival on Saturday. At around 2:15 p.m., troopers on duty at the festival were alerted by security after an attendee, identified as 41-year-old Douglas Gallagher, fled from a security checkpoint when suspected illicit narcotics were found in his vehicle during a routine search. When Gallagher returned to the security checkpoint, troopers took him into custody, and responded to a nearby campsite, where Gallagher had reportedly hidden a small plastic container after fleeing the security checkpoint.
Michigan Tourist Destination Named State’s First Autism Certified City
A Northern Michigan city has been designated as the state's first autism-certified travel destination. Families who have children or family members on the autism spectrum will find comfort in knowing that the Traverse City region has numerous businesses and organizations with staff members who have received special training to meet the needs of individuals with autism.
These Are the 5 Worst Community Colleges in Michigan
Not all community colleges are created equal. A new study commissioned by the personal finance website WalletHub reveals that some of the most well-known community colleges in Michigan are among the ones that rank the worst when it comes to educational and career outcomes. Unlike typical 4-year universities, community colleges...
Major Grocery Chain With 120 Michigan Stores Under Pricing Scrutiny
You may have noticed that Kroger has begun using electronic shelf tags in some locations. They're certainly fancy - but there's concern that these high-tech price tags may lead to a controversial practice known as 'dynamic pricing.'. Kroger in Michigan. Kroger is the largest supermarket chain in the United States...
University of Michigan's Official Retailer 'The M Den' Files for Bankruptcy
The organization behind The M Den chain of retail outlets selling official University of Michigan merchandise has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. As reported by the Detroit Free Press, the bankruptcy filing comes amid reports that Heritage Collegiate Apparel hopes to sell the company while facing a barrage of claims from landlords and merchandise vendors regarding a host of missed rent payments and unpaid bills.
It’s essential to note our commitment to transparency:
Our Terms of Use acknowledge that our services may not always be error-free, and our Community Standards emphasize our discretion in enforcing policies. As a platform hosting over 100,000 pieces of content published daily, we cannot pre-vet content, but we strive to foster a dynamic environment for free expression and robust discourse through safety guardrails of human and AI moderation.