Monday

LANSING, Mich. —  Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced that the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) will begin road repair projects this week in several counties across the state, including Ottawa, Kent, and Marquette. Based on economic modeling, these investments are expected to directly and indirectly support 48 jobs. 

"Across Michigan, we are moving dirt and fixing the damn roads to grow our economy, helping Michiganders go to work, drop their kids off at school and run errands safely," said Governor Whitmer. "By the end of this construction season, we will have fixed, repaired or replaced nearly 24,500 lane miles of roads and 1,900 bridges, supporting thousands of good-paying, local jobs without raising taxes by a dime. This year, let's build on our momentum to pass a bipartisan local road funding plan so we can keep fixing our damn roads and creating good-paying, local jobs."     

M-45 Resurfacing in Ottawa and Kent Counties 

MDOT is investing $2 million to resurface three miles of M-45 (Lake Michigan Drive) between Standale and Allendale. The project will cross the county line between Ottawa and Kent Counties. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to directly and indirectly support 19 jobs. 

Counties: Ottawa, Kent 

Highway: M-45 

Closest city:  Allendale 

Start date:  Monday, June 9, 2025 

Estimated end date:  Mid-August 2025 

Traffic restrictions:  Lane closures will be in effect   throughout the project. Short-term intersection closures will be in place during paving. 

Safety benefit:  This project will improve the   ride and extend the service life of the roadway. 

M-35 Resurfacing Project in Marquette County 

MDOT is investing about $3 million to resurface 11 miles of M-35 from the Delta County line to Marquette County Road 456 and rebuild a railroad crossing in Marquette County. The project will include asphalt overlay, shoulder work and pavement markings. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to directly and indirectly support 29 jobs. 

County: Marquette 

Highway:  M-35 

Closest cities:  Little Lake, McFarland 

Start date:  Monday, June 9, 2025 

Estimated end date:  Late-July 2025 

Traffic restrictions:  Motorists should expect   single-lane closures with a traffic regulator. 

Safety benefit:  This work will extend the   lifespan of the roadway and increase safety for motorists. 

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LANSING, MI – In a sign of continued progress, Michigan overdose deaths are projected to decline in 2024 for the third consecutive year – an encouraging sign that the state’s comprehensive response to the opioid crisis is saving lives. 

Analysis of provisional data from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) indicates a 34% reduction in overdose deaths between 2023 and 2024 – about 1,000 deaths. This continued progress reflects the impact of sustained, strategic investment in prevention, treatment, recovery, and harm-reduction efforts – many of which are made possible through additional funding received as a result of Michigan’s participation in the national opioid settlements. 

Since 2019, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has helped secure more than $1.6 billion in settlements for Michigan governments from companies such as McKinsey & Co, Distributors Cardinal Health, McKesson, Inc., and AmerisourceBergen, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Teva Pharmaceutical, Allergan Pharmaceutical, CVS, Walmart and Walgreens. 

“The progress we are seeing in combatting the opioid epidemic proves what is possible when real investments are made in treatment and prevention,” Nessel said. “My office will continue working to hold those responsible for this crisis accountable to ensure the health and well-being of residents are put ahead of corporate greed and help support long-term recovery efforts for Michigan families.” 

The majority of opioid settlement funds are distributed equally between local governments and the state’s Michigan Opioid Healing and Recovery Fund. These dollars have supported evidence-based strategies identified by the Michigan Opioids Task Force – including the distribution of more than 1.3 million naloxone kits, with nearly 34,000 reported uses to reverse overdoses and save lives. Funds have also supported early detection of emerging contaminants in the drug supply and the development of data tools that guide local and statewide response efforts. 

“Thanks to coordinated, statewide efforts and strategic investments, we have seen a significant decline in overdose deaths in Michigan. According to the most recent year of data, we ranked in the top five states for greatest reduction in overdose deaths,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive for the State of Michigan. “Through the work of the Michigan Opioids Task Force and our local partners, we’ve distributed more than a million naloxone kits, strengthened our data systems, prevented thousands of overdose deaths using naloxone, and helped people access the care and support they need.” 

Community-based groups are also playing a vital role in Michigan’s progress by expanding outreach, providing education, and offering peer recovery support. One such organization is Face Addiction Now, a nonprofit organization that connects individuals and families impacted by substance use with no-cost programs and resources.   

“After years of heartbreaking increases in opioid overdose deaths, it’s incredibly encouraging to see a decline in Michigan and across the nation,” said Lauren A. Rousseau, president of the Northwest Wayne County Chapter of Face Addiction Now. “This progress is the result of meaningful collaboration between state leaders, treatment providers, and grassroots organizations. Attorney General Dana Nessel’s leadership in securing opioid settlement funds for Michigan is so important, as it allows for much-needed investments in prevention, treatment, recovery support, and harm reduction. At Face Addiction Now (FAN), we’re proud to be part of this life-saving work—but we know there’s still more to do. While overdose deaths have declined significantly, due in part to the increased accessibility of Narcan, nonfatal overdoses remain high. Sustained funding, community engagement, and a continued focus on reducing stigma are essential to turning the tide on the opioid crisis for good.” 

To ensure clarity in opioid settlement documents and distributions, the Attorney General launched a web page dedicated to opioid settlements in March 2024. The web page is intended to help residents and local units of government find multiple sources of information in one place, including an opioid settlement payment estimator searchable by individual settlement, municipality, and year of receipt. 

The State also maintains a public dashboard and regularly updated web pages to help communities track how funds are being used and to monitor progress toward statewide goals. 

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DAYTON, OH – Supported by a season-high 19-hit barrage, Nathan Dettmer fired six innings of one-hit ball, and the Lansing Lugnuts (33-24) steamrolled the Dayton Dragons (18-39), 12-6, on Sunday afternoon at Day Air Ballpark.
 

The Nuts won five of six games in the series, including the last three games. Concurrently, the East Division-leading West Michigan Whitecaps lost the final three games of their home series with Lake County, pulling the Lugnuts within five games of first place.
 

The Lugnuts welcome the archrival Whitecaps in to Jackson® Field™ for an enormous six-game series beginning Tuesday, battling to determine the winner of the first half East Division title.
 

Dettmer, an Athletics fifth-round selection in 2023, made his fourth start in Midwest League his best yet. The big Texas A&M product limited the Dragons to just one hit, an Ariel Almonte two-run homer in the second inning, while striking out four and walking two.
 

The Lugnuts’ offense took over the game from there with an avalanche of runs: two in the 4th, three in the 5th, four in the 6th, and one apiece in the 7th and 8th. Both Jared Dickey and Nate Nankil homered, both Dickey and Davis Diaz drew three walks, both Ryan Lasko and Nick Schwartz collected four hits – including two doubles and a triple from Lasko – and Diaz scored a team-high four runs while Casey Yamauchi drove in a team-high three runs.
 

In the end, all nine batters hit safely as the Nuts finished the game 7-for-20 with runners in scoring position (though they also stranded 15 runners).
 

Tom Reisinger allowed two runs in the seventh inning, Yehizon Sanchez pitched a perfect eighth, and Hunter Breault gave up two runs in the ninth before locking down the finish. It was the third time this season that Lansing has won five of six in a series.
 

After a day off on Monday, the Lugnuts and Whitecaps open their series Tuesday with Pride Night / Tacos and Tallboys / Lansing Locos in action at 7:05 p.m. Gates open at 6 p.m. Tickets are available for purchase at the stadium box office, (517) 485-4500 or online at milb.com/lansing.

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