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Governor Whitmer erases $144 million in medical debt for more than 210,000 Michigan residents

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Governor Whitmer erases 4 million in medical debt for more than 210,000 Michigan residents


(WXYZ) — Michigan has eliminated $144 million in medical debt for more than 210,000 residents as part of a state initiative announced by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Thursday.

Watch Jolie Sherman’s video report:

Medical debt relief on the way

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The debt relief comes through a partnership with the nonprofit organization Undue Medical Debt, which purchases medical debt for pennies on the dollar.

“We believe that getting sick or getting hurt shouldn’t have to mean going broke,” Whitmer said.

Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist noted the widespread impact of medical debt in the state, saying, “We estimate that there are more than 700,000 adults who carry medical debt. That’s more than the combined populations of Grand Rapids, plus Lansing, plus Ann Arbor.”

The initiative aims to address cases like that of Naqua Atkinson, a 23-year-old who died from a severe infection after avoiding dental treatment due to fears of accumulating more medical debt.

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Jenn Strebs, chairperson of the Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioners, shared Atkinson’s story: “You know he had had serious diabetes most of his life, and he was suffering from a pretty severe toothache at work. And all of us were encouraging to go and get it checked out.”

“It was enough debt to make him fear going for care, and that’s reality for a lot of people,” Strebs said.

Allison Sesso, president and CEO of Undue Medical Debt, explained how the organization operates: “We buy medical debt for pennies on the dollar. One dollar gets rid of at least 100 dollars of medical debt. That’s not magic, that’s math. There is a for-profit market for medical debt that we take advantage of.”

Sesso also expressed concern about recent Medicaid cuts enacted by Congress, warning they could exacerbate the problem.

“It’s going to make a lot of people uninsured, which is going to increase the medical debt people have. On top of that, it’s going to make it more expensive for everybody else. Because insurance works like a pool of people, and the more people who are in it, the cheaper it is for everybody.”

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Michigan residents whose debt has been relieved will receive notification letters in the mail.

“So, look for that letter in the mail. That’s why we’re doing this press. Because we want to make sure people see this and they know about it and they believe that letter,” Sesso said.

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This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.





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Where to watch Michigan vs Northwestern today: Time, TV channel for Week 12 game

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Where to watch Michigan vs Northwestern today: Time, TV channel for Week 12 game


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Northwestern football will be playing house on Nov. 15, as it hosts Michigan at “The Friendly Confines” in a Big Ten matchup.

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The Wildcats, who played Ohio State at Wrigley Field last season, will now see the other half of “The Game” in 2025, as Michigan looks to keep its twinkling playoff hopes alive.

Stream Northwestern football vs. Michigan live on Fubo (free trial)

Northwestern (5-4, 3-3 Big Ten) is hoping its bye week has it prepared after back-to-back losses against Nebraska and USC following a four-game winning streak. Michigan (7-2, 5-1) has three straight wins since dropping its second game of the year against USC at the LA Memorial Coliseum.

It’s a difficult matchup for Northwestern, which is allowing 142.8 yards per game on the ground. Michigan is 12th in the country and third in the Big Ten with 223.8 yards rushing per game. Justice Haynes being sidelined for Michigan may help Northwestern’s cause, but Jordan Marshall has more than picked up the slack for the Wolverines on the ground.

Northwestern will try to slow that potent attack on a modified baseball diamond. Here’s how to watch, including time, TV schedule, live streaming info and game odds:

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What TV channel is Northwestern vs Michigan on today?

Northwestern vs. Michigan will air nationally on Fox in Week 12 of the 2025 college football season from Wrigley Field in Chicago as Fox’s Big Noon Saturday matchup.

Streaming options include the Fox Sports App and Fubo, the latter of which offers a free trial to potential subscribers.

Northwestern vs Michigan time today?

  • Date: Saturday, Nov. 15
  • Time: Noon ET, 11 a.m. CT

The Week 6 matchup between Northwestern and Michigan is scheduled to start at noon ET (11 a.m. local time) on Saturday, Nov. 15

Northwestern vs Michigan predictions, picks, odds

Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Thursday, Nov. 13:

  • Spread: Michigan (-11.5)
  • Over/under: 41.5
  • Moneyline: Michigan -475 | Northwestern +350
  • Prediction: Michigan 24, Northwestern 14

Despite an offense that has at times looked anemic, Michigan is able to bleed Northwestern out and win a game that isn’t as close as a 10-point difference would suggest.



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Michigan trooper reunites with woman he saved from cardiac arrest

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Michigan trooper reunites with woman he saved from cardiac arrest


HOUGHTON COUNTY, Mich., (WPBN/WGTU) — A Michigan State Police trooper who helped save a woman’s life during a medical emergency in August reunited with her this week, months after she survived sudden cardiac arrest at a Hancock-area campground.

Trooper Lucas Lahnala, assigned to the MSP Calumet Post, met Thursday, November 13, with Rosie Danley, the camper he helped revive in August after she collapsed without warning.

MSP said Rosie was camping with family when she went into sudden cardiac arrest and became unresponsive. Lahnala was on duty nearby and rushed to the scene, where he found Rosie’s son already attempting to help her. The trooper immediately began CPR and connected her to an AED. After several minutes of life-saving efforts, EMS arrived, took over care, and transported her to the hospital.

Although medics were able to regain her pulse, early signs pointed to a grim prognosis. But Rosie not only survived, she has since made a full recovery and is back to work as a nurse.

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“I’m really happy I was able to be involved and help,” Lahnala said. “As troopers, we respond to emergencies every day, but moments like this remind us why we do what we do. Seeing Rosie healthy and smiling means everything.”

Rosie expressed her deep gratitude to everyone involved. “On behalf of myself, my husband, four kids and thirteen grandkids, I would like to thank Tpr. Lahnala for being one of my heroes,” she said. “He was a Godsend in my life on Aug. 5. God had a plan, and he is part of my miracle story.”

MSP Calumet Post Commander F/Lt. Jason Wickstrom praised Lahnala’s actions, calling them an example of the life-saving work law enforcement performs every day.

“It’s very rewarding when we can share a story that has such a positive outcome and meet the people we have helped,” he said.

The department extended its thanks to Rosie’s son, EMS crews, medical staff, and MSP dispatchers who assisted. MSP also wished Rosie and her family continued health moving forward.

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7 Michigan marching bands competing at 2025 grand nationals competition

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7 Michigan marching bands competing at 2025 grand nationals competition


Seven Michigan high school marching bands are competing this weekend at the Bands of America grand nationals competition.

The competition is held each year in Indianapolis, Ind., at Lucas Oil Stadium, home of the Indianapolis Colts.

More than 100 high school marching bands will compete Thursday and Friday in the preliminary round of competition, then the top 32 bands will move on to the semifinal round on Saturday.

Only the top 12 bands will get the chance to perform their competition shows one last time Saturday night in the finals. Members of all 12 bands that make finals will receive medals for their accomplishments. The prize for the best band in the nation is a coveted eagle-shaped trophy.

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On Thursday, three Michigan bands were scheduled to take the field throughout the day, including Huron Valley’s band at 9:45 a.m., Mt. Pleasant at 4:45 p.m. and Tri County at 8:30 p.m.

Friday, four more Michigan bands will perform in preliminary competition. Those ensembles are back-to-back state champions Walled Lake at 1:15 p.m., Rockford at 3 p.m., state champion Jenison at 4:30 p.m. and Plymouth-Canton at 6 p.m.

Additionally, the Michigan State University Spartan Marching Band will be performing in exhibition at the competition at 8:45 p.m. Friday night. The Spartan Marching Band will be performing a show of popular Broadway hits.

The Michigan high school bands will be competing against marching bands from states including Texas, Indiana, Oklahoma, Kentucky, Ohio, and, for only the second time ever, Alaska.

Marching bands will be judged on their music, their marching, their visual storytelling and more. Each band has been working since the early summer to perfect their 8-12 minute show, often featuring choreography, complex themes, props, costume changes and more.

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To watch a livestream of the Bands of America Grand Nationals competition, visit the event website here. It is a paid livestream, with costs depending on which day and round of competition. To watch Thursday or Friday prelims, it is $20 per day. It costs $27 to watch semifinals on Saturday and another $32 to watch finals. To watch all rounds of competition, viewers can buy a $68 package.

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