Updates About People

The wait is over! The 39th official state Christmas Tree has been selected by the Department of Technology, Management, and Budget (DTMB). This year’s winner is a 68-foot spruce tree from Sault Ste. Marie donated by Linda Reid in honor of her grandparents. The tree is set to be harvested on October 30th and arrive in Lansing on November 1st.

Once at the Capitol, local Boy Scouts troops will continue their tradition of untying the tree. Next, the City of Lansing’s forestry team will prepare the tree for decorations and lighting developed by the Lansing Board of Water & Light and the Michigan Capitol Commission. After the long journey and preparation process, the tree lighting ceremony will take place at the 41st annual Silver Bells in the City ceremony where the thousands of decorative lights will be flipped on at approximately 7:30 PM.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is sharing a new website and survey for the Rural Health Transformation Program included in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). MDHHS is seeking survey responses from all rural providers, Medicaid beneficiaries, community partners, and rural community residents. The survey will close on Monday, September 22, at 5:00 PM.

Rural Health Transformation Program Website

Participate in the survey here

Korson’s Tree Farms in Montcalm County has been selected to provide an 18-foot blue spruce tree for the White House Blue Room this holiday season. This tree was chosen in part for its sturdy branches that will support the many heavy ornaments typically used in the White House Christmas display. The family-owned farm earned the honor after winning the National Christmas Tree Association contest, a competition they know well. Korson’s Tree Farms has competed several times before and was even selected in 2015 to supply the tree for then-Vice President Joe Biden.

This marks the first time since 1985 that a Michigan tree farm has supplied the official Blue Room Christmas tree.