11/03/2025

LANSING - A report presented to Michigan lawmakers says the quality of special education services in the state can depend on where the student lives. The report says Michigan needs to reform the way it funds special education, saying the current model is inadequate, inequitable and fails to meet students' needs. The report by The Autism Alliance of Michigan and a regional educational service agency says the state's reimbursement model is tied to local property wealth. Schools in lower-income areas do not receive as much funding per student as those in higher-income areas. The report recommends the state increase its special education funding by $1.28 billion to $4.55 billion per year.

10/31/2025

IRONWOOD -  On Wednesday Aspirus Ironwood Hospital nurses will vote to authorize a strike after contract negotiations stalled on October 29. Nurses, represented by the Michigan Nurses Association (MNA), have been negotiating since May 6, citing the hospital’s refusal to address key issues, including competitive wages needed to recruit and retain staff for safe patient care. No further bargaining dates are set. The vote grants the bargaining team the power to call a strike if necessary, but does not guarantee it. Nurses unanimously rejected Aspirus’s October 15 contract. Aspirus plans to close the OB unit by years-end, which nurses say will force women to travel farther for deliveries, despite state funding to support it.

10/31/2025

IRONWOOD - Gogebic Community College’s Early Childhood Education program is thriving, with high enrollment and a stackable credential system aligning with Michigan’s early learning standards. The GCC Board of Trustees were given the good report at their meeting on Tuesday evening. The program aims for a 70% completion rate by 2027 and an 80% graduation rate by 2028, up from 44% (2020-2023) with 31% transferring. The college will not offer a winter intersession this year. Also at Tuesdays meeting the 2025-2026 Men’s and Women’s Basketball teams were introduced along with the head coaches, Dennis Mackey and Denver Sharrow.  The Board approved the contract with the Gogebic-Ontonagon Intermediate School District for rental space of portions of the GCC campus plus billable utility expenses of the operation of the greenhouse and dual enrollment costs for the career and technical education automotive classes for the 2025-2026 fiscal year.