Food Insecurity in the UP, a Cemetery for UP Veterans, MTU Creates New Degree, & Requiring Proof to Vote in Michigan?

– INFORMED BREVITY –

Food Insecurity in the Upper Peninsula

Recent state reporting shows that food insecurity in the Upper Peninsula is approximately 14%, compared to 11.5% for the rest of the state. Many wonderful individuals and organizations around the Upper Peninsula are helping provide food to families and individuals in need.

Tell us what is happening with this issue in your community. We will share it with our readers.

A Cemetery for Upper Peninsula Veterans

The Upper Peninsula has many veterans who returned home to the U.P. after completing their military service. When they pass away, many families would like the opportunity to bury their loved ones alongside other veterans in the Upper Peninsula.

Legislation has been proposed that would allow for the creation of a veterans cemetery in the Upper Peninsula. The legislation is HB 584 and was introduced by Upper Peninsula members of the Michigan House of Representatives. The project is estimated to cost $5.7 million and could be completed by 2030.

For the record, there are already several veterans cemeteries located downstate, but none currently in the Upper Peninsula.

MTU Creates New Degree

Michigan Technological University has created a new Bachelor of Science degree in Artificial Intelligence. This will make MTU one of a growing number of universities offering specialized degrees in this rapidly expanding field.

University officials say the program is designed to prepare students for careers involving machine learning, data analysis, robotics, automation, and other AI-related technologies.

Proof of Citizenship to Vote in Michigan

The Michigan Legislature has been discussing amending state law to require proof of U.S. citizenship in order to vote.

State officials say current Michigan law already allows only U.S. citizens to vote by casting a ballot in any election held in the state.

So far, state officials say they have not seen documented evidence that large numbers of non-citizens have voted in past Michigan elections or are currently registering to vote.

More to come on this issue.

The Starr Act

We recently published an article authored by Jim Hay of Big Bay. He described what the proposed Starr Act is and why it is important for veterans and their families. He urged readers to contact their U.S. House members and U.S. Senators to encourage them to move the proposed legislation forward and finalize it.

We received a great deal of interest from our readers, and there has been some movement on the legislation in Congress. So, if you are interested, there is still time to contact your U.S. Senators and Representatives.

If you have not yet read the article, you can find it on our website at Rural Insights. Take a look.

Quotes That Make Us Go Hmmm

“Men are easier to love than they are to live with.” Marilyn Monroe.

“I think that, as life is action and passion, it is required of a man that he should share the passion and action of his time at peril of being judged not to have lived.” Oliver Wendell Holmes.

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Rural Insights connects policy, information, news and culture to raise topics and stories/information you might have not seen or overlooked. We bring you original writing from Rural Insights and other researchers, change makers, and storytellers, as well as our latest research and analysis.

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