CHICAGO, Illinois, May 29 -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics - Midwest Regional Information Office issued the following report on the occupational employment and wages in Michigan City-La Porte for May 2019: Workers in the Michigan City-La Porte, IN Metropolitan Statistical Area had an average (mean) hourly wage of $19.49 in May 2019, about 24 percent below the nationwide average of $25.72, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. Assistant Commissioner for Region  more

WASHINGTON, May 29 -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics issued the following article from the Economics Daily: In April 2020, unemployment rates in 43 states were at their highest levels since the state unemployment data began in January 1976. Unemployment rates in Hawaii and Nevada exceeded their previous highs by more than 10.0 percentage points each, while the rates in Michigan, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont exceeded their previous highs by more than 5.0 po  more

WASHINGTON, May 28 -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics issued the following article from the Economics Daily: Nonfarm payroll employment decreased in all 50 states and the District of Columbia in April 2020. The largest percentage declines occurred in Michigan (-22.8 percent), Vermont (-19.6 percent), and New York (-18.8 percent). View chart for the "Percent change in nonfarm employment, March to April 2020" at https://www.bls.gov/opub/ted/2020/nonfarm-payroll-employme  more

DENVER, Colorado, May 30 -- The U.S. Attorney for the District of Colorado, Jason R. Dunn, issued the following news release: The Department of Justice filed a statement of interest in a Colorado federal court supporting the First Amendment religious freedom claims of High Plains Harvest Church and its pastor. The statement of interest is part of Attorney General William P. Barr's April 27, 2020 initiative directing Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights, Eric Dreiband, and the U.S. Attor  more

WASHINGTON, May 30 -- The U.S. Department of Education issued the following news release: U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos announced the Department of Education has approved nine additional career and technical education (CTE) state plans. Georgia, Iowa, Michigan, Montana, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Vermont, and Wyoming are the latest states to have their CTE plans approved under the new, bipartisan Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21stCentury Act (Perkins V)  more

SILVER SPRING, Maryland, May 27 -- The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Environmental Satellite, Data and Information Service issued the following news: During a recent major flooding event, scientists unveiled a newly-developed algorithm derived from satellite data to understand the extent of the damage. On May 19, after three days of heavy rain and flooding in Michigan, two dams failed, flooding roads, engulfing homes and bridges, and forcing nearly 11,000 people in  more

WASHINGTON, May 29 -- The U.S. Department of the Interior's National Park Service issued the following news release: Keweenaw National Historical Park (NHP) is pleased to announce two appointments to the Keweenaw National Historical Park Advisory Commission. Glenn Anderson is a new appointment representing the interests of the State of Michigan. Karin Cooper, representing the Houghton County Board of Commissioners, has also been reappointed to a second term on the Commission. The Commission, c  more

CALUMET, Michigan, May 30 -- The U.S. Department of the Interior's National Park Service issued the following news release: The Advisory Commission and National Park Service at Keweenaw National Historical Park are pleased to announce that 17 Keweenaw Heritage Grants have been awarded for projects across Michigan's historic Copper Country. A total of $124,574.00 was disbursed, with an emphasis on supporting the park's 21 Keweenaw Heritage Site partners. These funds support a range of projects,  more

EAST LANSING, Michigan, May 28 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Development - Michigan office issued the following news release: U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) State Director Jason Allen announced that the department is investing $281 million in 106 projects to improve water and wastewater infrastructure in rural communities in 36 states and Puerto Rico. USDA is funding the projects through the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant (https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-service  more