Sophia Kalakailo
Newsroom Production AssistantSophia Kalakailo joined Michigan Radio in Sept. 2021 and is a senior at Michigan State University studying journalism and minoring in documentary production. She previously interned at Bridge Michigan and was an editor for The State News and The Eastern Echo covering a wide range of topics.
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A package of bills would expand The Michigan Reconnect program, which currently provides free tuition to people ages 25 and older pursuing an associate degree or skilled trade certificate. The new bills would temporarily make people as young as 21 eligible. -
Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed an executive directive on Wednesday telling state agencies not to cooperate with other states or authorities trying to prosecute individuals seeking abortion care. -
Employees five Starbucks locations received ballots by mail early last week. Stores will vote individually and votes will be counted on June 7. -
Planned Parenthood of Michigan began offering gender-affirming hormone therapy to adults at their Lansing and Marquette locations, making them the first Planned Parenthood locations in the state to offer the services. -
The Gilbert Family Foundation announced it will give $12 million to three Detroit-based organizations over three years. The money will provide Detroit renters facing eviction with legal representation. -
Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced over $7.3 million in grants to upgrade water infrastructure, replace lead service lines, and reduce or remove PFAS and other toxic contaminants. -
Oxford Community Schools district approved the hiring of outside firms for a third-party investigation into the events surrounding the November shooting at Oxford High School at a special board meeting Tuesday night. This is a reversal of its original decision to delay until all litigation is resolved. -
Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson will not be sending absentee ballot request forms to all voters this year. -
More residential wells are contaminated with dioxane outside Ann Arbor, according to recent tests. Federal environmental officials classify the chemical as likely to cause cancer. -
At least 40 surgeries were canceled by Michigan Medicine due to a high volume of COVID-19 cases. Staffing shortages are also affecting access to care. Michigan Medicine leaders urged people to get vaccinated at a press conference Wednesday.
