Updates About Press Releases

The Michigan overdose rate has been declining for four consecutive years. A recent press release from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services shows that in 2025 there were less than 1,800 reported overdose deaths, a decrease from 3,096 deaths in 2021, leading to a 47% decline in overdose death rate per 100,000 citizens.

MDHHS Director Elizabeth Hertel credited Michigan’s declining overdose death rate to continued investments in prevention, treatment, recovery, and harm reduction efforts. The department also highlighted the work of the Michigan Opioids Task Force, established in 2019. The press release reported that more than 1.8 million naloxone kits have been distributed statewide since 2020, leading to nearly 34,000 reported overdose reversals.

The department noted efforts are still needed to address that urban counties and Black residents still experience disproportionately high overdose death rates. Michigan is set to receive nearly $2 billion dollars over the next 14 years to continue efforts as part of national opioid settlements.

Attorney General Dana Nessel announced last week that southeast Michigan businesswoman Fay Beydoun has been charged with alleged theft of $20 million in legislative grant money that was awarded to her company, Global Link International, during Fiscal Year 2023.

The grant was awarded as Michigan Enhancement Grant to establish Beydoun’s company as a business accelerator for the state. Instead, Beydoun allegedly used the funds for increasing her salary, buying expensive coffee makers and luxury foreign rugs, and taking international trips while the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) continued giving Global Link International the grant funding. At the time, Beydoun also served on the MEDC Executive Committee. In a recent press release, AG Nessel, suspected that Beydoun’s company did not assist any businesses in relocating to Michigan.

Beydoun faces 16 felony counts, the most serious being one count of conducting a criminal enterprise, a 20-year felony. She also faces seven counts of uttering and publishing (14-year felony); one count of forgery (14-year felony); one count of larceny by conversion more than $20,000 (10-year felony); and six counts of larceny by conversion $1,000 to $20,000 (5-year felony).

The Attorney General terminated the grant and froze the remaining $6.3 million that has yet to be spent, though no update has been provided on recovering the remainder. An arraignment date has not yet been set.

Last week, House Majority Floor Leader Byran Posthumus (R-Rockford) unexpectedly announced that he will not be seeking reelection to keep his seat in the next cycle.

In his statement, he wrote that he only planned to serve three terms after deciding to run in 2020. Posthumus was elected by his colleagues twice to serve as the House Floor Leader in his last two terms. By announcing his decision now, he hopes this will give sufficient time for a quality candidate to run in 2026.

Like Posthumus, his successor will represent the 90th House District. This northern Kent County district also encompasses the city of Rockford and the townships of Algoma, Alpine, Cannon, Courtland, Grattan, Plainfield, Sparta, Tyrone, and Vergennes.

Posthumus described his time in office as a privilege, saying it was an honor to serve both Kent County and the people of Michigan. He praised colleagues from both parties for what they were able to accomplish during his tenure. He also emphasized that despite their differences, both sides share a common goal of helping Michigan and its residents.