School Enrollments Decline, Ballot Proposal Fails to Qualify, Veterans Running in Record Numbers, and UP Residents Appointed to State Boards

– INFORMED BREVITY –

School Enrollments Decline

K-12 and university enrollment rates are estimated to be declining statewide, including in the Upper Peninsula. This is especially true in more rural areas of the Upper Peninsula and Lower Michigan. Lower birth rates and population mobility are contributing to this decline.

University student enrollment numbers are expected to be lower statewide. Upper Peninsula numbers are expected to be lower at the three universities in the Upper Peninsula. Contributing to this decline is the “free community college tuition” program the state has put in place. Students can do their first two years of college studies for free. So why would they pay university tuition when they can go for free? The UP universities are not covered by this program for their community-college-type programs. To be eligible, the school must be part of the legislation that creates community college programs.

Enrollment numbers for all levels of education should be available in September.

Ballot Proposal Fails to Qualify

The organization Americans for Citizen Voting failed to get enough signatures to qualify for the November ballot in Michigan. This proposed ballot question would require proof of citizenship for all voters.

Veterans Running for Office in Record Numbers

The Upper Peninsula and the nation are seeing record numbers of veterans running for office at all levels—federal, state, and local offices.

752 veterans are running for Congress in the upcoming election. That is almost a 50% increase since the last election. Also, in a record number, 95 women veterans are running for Congress.

Speaking of Congress

More than a third of United States Senators are 70 years old or older.

Upper Peninsula Residents Appointed by Governor to State Boards

Annika Peterson of Ishpeming was appointed by the Governor to the State Historical Records Advisory Board. She is the NMU Archivist. Her term of office is from January 2027 to December 2030.

Greg Toutant was appointed to the Michigan Opioids Task Force. He is the CEO of the Great Lakes Recovery Centers. His term of office will expire in 2029.

Factoid

54% of Americans read below the 6th grade level, according to the National Literacy Council.

Quotes That Make Us Go Hmmm

“My country right or wrong: if right, to be kept right; and if wrong, to be set right.” Carl Schurz (1872).

“Don’t tax you, don’t tax me, tax that fellow behind the tree.” Senator Russell Long.

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