This week....
What we've learned so far about settlement opioid settlement funds in northern Michigan:
- Cheboygan County has received about half-a-million dollars to date but is waiting to budget it so the county can form a task force to oversee it.
- This is common in other counties as well — forming a board of officials whose jobs actually touch the opioid epidemic. Many experts recommend doing this.
- Emmet County is putting $25,000 toward contracting with the Health Department of Northwest Michigan for a community needs assessment.
Learn more in a story out today by IPR's Michael Livingston.
Measles
Regional health officials say northern Michigan needs to be doing better when it comes to childhood MMR vaccines. That’s the vaccine that gives immunity to measles, mumps and rubella.
- Vaccination rates in some counties are actually worse than Gaines County, Texas, where a measles outbreak has gained a lot of coverage.
- There is measles outbreak in parts of Southwest Ontario close to the Michigan border.
- MMR vaccines are safe and effective.
Check out that reporting.
In other news...
Record Eagle: Grand Traverse County Commissioners endorsed a plan to get some grants to expand high speed fiber internet service to rural areas in Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Lake, Leelanau and Wexford counties.
