Rep. Kara Hope, D-Holt, is sponsoring legislation to tighten state oversight of labor contractors.

Advocates call for more protection of migrant farmworkers

FARMWORKERS: Advocates are calling for more protection for foreign temporary farmworkers with H-2A visas, who are essential to agriculture in the state. The Farm Bureau reports a jump in their numbers in Michigan. An Ottawa County blueberry farm is involved in a lawsuit accusing it of migrant labor law violations. We talk to the Farm Bureau, a Holt legislator and the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center, which has offices in Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Detroit and Ann Arbor. By Owen McCarthy. FOR MICHIGAN FARM NEWS, HOLLAND, GREENVILLE, OCEANA, GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS, CORP!, DETROIT, AND ALL POINTS.

Rep. William Bruck, R-Erie.

Lawmaker wants baby boxes at fire stations to protect unwanted newborns

A lawmaker from Erie wants to allow baby drop boxes at fire stations to speed the process of adoption of unwanted newborns who are left there anonymously. Neighboring Ohio and Indiana already have baby drop box laws. Cosponsors include lawmakers from Osseo, Milford, Lake Odessa, Clare and Shelby Township. The Michigan Health and Hospital Association opposes the bill. By Sophia Ceru. FOR MONROE, ADRIAN, BLISSFIELD, HILLSDALE, DETROIT, CLARE COUNTY, IONIA, GREENVILLE, STURGIS, THREE RIVERS, LUDINGTON, LAKE COUNTY, COLDWATER AND ALL POINTS.

Black History Month in East Lansing offers opportunities for community engagement

East Lansing is offering community events and recognition to celebrate and reflect on the history of Black Americans throughout February’s Black History Month. “The City of East Lansing acknowledges the significance of Black History Month as an important opportunity to commemorate the tremendous contributions of Black Americans to the history of East Lansing and the United States and recognizes the importance of Black History Month as an opportunity to reflect on the complex history of the nation,” according to a resolution recognizing Black History Month from the East Lansing City Council. The resolution was approved unanimously by the council on Feb. 6, with remarks from City Councilmember Dana Watson. Watson noted some important events in East Lansing’s Black history.

Col. James Grady II is the director of the State Police.

State Police still working to improve troopers’ diversity

STATE POLICE ACADEMY: Despite intensified recruitment efforts in recent years, State Police recruits remain disproportionately white. In fact, the proportion of prospective recruits of color is smaller than in the State Police ranks overall. Recruits of color also have a lower academy graduation rate than their white peers. We hear from the department’s director and chief recruiter, as well as an MSU expert. By Alex Walters FOR DETROIT, LANSING CITY PULSE AND ALL POINTS.

Angela Gabridge is the executive director of MiGen, a Ferndale-based nonprofit focused on elderly LGBTQ+ people.

New resource centers for LGBTQ+ seniors ‘guaranteed to be welcoming’ 

LGBTQ+ SENIORS: Two new Metro Detroit senior centers are focused on older LGBTQ+ residents, filling what advocates say is a need for services they may otherwise not get. We hear from a Ferndale-based nonprofit and the UP Area Agency on Aging. By Alex Walters. FOR DETROIT, MARQUETTE, SAULT STE. MARIE, IRON MOUNTAIN, ST. IGNACE, CHEBOYGAN, LANSING CITY PULSE AND ALL POINTS.

Anti-Semitic, anti-Muslim incidents on the rise in Michigan

HATE INCIDENTS: The number of reported anti-Semitic and anti-Muslim incidents has skyrocketed since the Hamas-Israeli war began Oct. 7. We talk to the Anti-Defamation League and Michigan chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations. Alleged perpetrators from Farmington Hills and Pickford have been arrested. Meanwhile, the governor has proposed more funding to help the Department of Civil Rights handle its backlog of complaints. We also hear from the State Police and Department of Civil Rights. By Sophia Ceru. FOR DETROIT, SAULT STE. MARIE, MARQUETTE, ST. IGNACE, LANSING CITY PULSE, AND ALL POINTS.

New criminal laws aim to combat ethnic intimidation

ETHNIC INTIMIDATION: New hate crime laws pushed by the attorney general and a West Bloomfield legislator are intended to reduce ethnic intimidation and protect groups such as the Amish. We hear about a recent attack by a Clare resident on an Amish family in Manistee County and talk to two experts on crimes and harassment against the Amish. Many of Michigan’s Amish live in Hillsdale, Lenawee, Branch, St. Joseph, Oscoda and Calhoun counties. By Sophia Ceru. FOR LUDINGTON, CLARE, LANSING CITY PULSE, HILLSDALE, BLISSFIELD, CLARE, ADRIAN AND ALL POINTS.

Chad Techner is the director of Metro Food Rescue

Food banks face crunch as demand rises

FOOD INSECURITY: Food banks across the state are facing increased demand at a time of inflation and are looking for additional ways to serve hungry people in need. We hear from three Metro Detroit programs. References to Livingston and Monroe counties. By Anish Topiwala. FOR MICHIGAN FARM BUREAU, DETROIT, MONROE, FOWLERVILLE, LANSING CITY PULSE AND ALL POINTS.