Columns
LASATA: Happy 184th birthday to the Great Lakes State!
On Jan. 26, Michiganders celebrated our state’s 184th birthday, marking the date in 1837 — after 30 years as an official U.S. territory — when ...
Kim LaSata, Author at Leader Publications - Page 2 of 3
Columns
LASATA: Serving, helping southwest Michigan is my top priority
The year 2020 will be remembered as one of the most difficult in many of our lifetimes. Issues that people never thought they would have ...
by Kim LaSata, Monday, December 28, 2020 2:52 pm
Columns
LASATA: New auto insurance law saving people real money
The biggest change to auto insurance in our state in generations took effect just months ago. Reforming the formerly outdated auto no-fault law was one ...
by Kim LaSata, Wednesday, December 2, 2020 9:52 am
Columns
LASATA: Shopping local more important than ever
Perhaps more than ever it is important to shop local and support the small and family-owned businesses in our communities. Since March, the economic impact ...
by Kim LaSata, Wednesday, November 25, 2020 11:00 am
Columns
LASATA: We must remain vigilant in fight against COVID-19, whether we get it or don’t get it
Last week I was informed I had tested positive for COVID-19. The test was administered Wednesday during a scheduled, unrelated medical appointment. Prior to receiving ...
by Kim LaSata, Wednesday, November 18, 2020 12:05 pm
Columns
LASATA: Honoring those who served
The freedoms we enjoy as Americans that are enshrined in our Constitution and laws are preserved, protected and defended by the men and women in ...
by Kim LaSata, Saturday, November 7, 2020 9:17 am
Columns
LASATA: A return to old comforts
If you have been out to the grocery store during Gov. Whitmer’s shutdown of the state, then you have no doubt noticed empty shelves and ...
by Kim LaSata, Wednesday, April 22, 2020 11:00 am
Columns
LASATA: Michigan needs a plan to navigate out of emergency
Throughout this coronavirus crisis, southwest Michigan residents have shown remarkable resilience in the face of the unknown. They have exuded patience, discipline and trust in ...
by Kim LaSata, Wednesday, April 15, 2020 9:16 am
Columns
LASATA: Resources, help available during coronavirus emergency
The governor’s “Stay Home, Stay Safe” executive order has been in place for two weeks. Many of us, including our students, have been home for ...
by Kim LaSata, Wednesday, April 8, 2020 8:29 am
Columns
LASATA: Online instruction should be counted during times of crisis
On March 12, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer ordered all schools in Michigan to be closed in response to the coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak. While this and other ...
by Kim LaSata, Wednesday, March 25, 2020 8:47 am
Columns
LASATA: Cracking down on prices in times of emergency
We are living in extraordinary times — unprecedented times, in fact. As we enter this new normal in the age of coronavirus, most people are ...
by Kim LaSata, Wednesday, March 18, 2020 8:51 am
Columns
LASATA: Healthy habits help: Do your part to help prevent spread of illness
The COVID-19 virus, commonly called coronavirus, has swept the world, both in terms of infections and news coverage. The relative speed of its spread and ...
by Kim LaSata, Wednesday, March 11, 2020 8:29 am
Columns
LASATA: 2020 #SWMISpirit tournament nears tipoff
With March comes the longer, sunnier and warmer days of spring and the return of the beloved Southwest Michigan Spirit Tournament, which will tip off ...
by Kim LaSata, Wednesday, February 26, 2020 9:04 am
Columns
LASATA: Rare Disease Day an opportunity to spread awareness
Most families have been affected in some way by disease — conditions like heart disease, diabetes and cancer are common throughout our state and nation, ...
by Kim LaSata, Wednesday, February 19, 2020 8:34 am
Columns
LASATA: Governor’s budget plan ignores local roads
Last week, the governor’s budget director addressed a joint hearing of the Senate and House appropriations committees to unveil the administration’s recommended budget for the ...
by Kim LaSata, Wednesday, February 12, 2020 8:24 am
Columns
LASATA: February is Heart Month
An ounce of prevention, as the saying goes, is worth a pound of cure. As we observe American Heart Month this month, it’s a great ...
by Kim LaSata, Wednesday, February 5, 2020 9:07 am
Columns
LASATA: Appealing property tax assessment may bring savings
Among the many costs of owning real estate are property taxes. These taxes, which are generally assessed in the summer and winter, serve to support ...
by Kim LaSata, Wednesday, January 29, 2020 8:45 am
Columns
LASATA: Community colleges an effective, affordable option
For many, it is common to attend a four-year college or university after high school to obtain a degree in preparation for a career or ...
by Kim LaSata, Wednesday, January 22, 2020 7:02 am
Columns
LASATA: Be aware of carbon monoxide
With winter comes the increased possibility of carbon monoxide exposure and poisoning. This occurs primarily when a fossil-fuel-burning appliance or equipment, such as a furnace, ...
by Kim LaSata, Wednesday, January 15, 2020 9:25 am
Editorials
LASATA: January is Mentoring Month
Some of our state’s and country’s most successful people were helped in getting to where they are because of a mentor. Mentoring is an excellent ...
by Kim LaSata, Wednesday, January 8, 2020 8:41 am
Columns
LASATA: Home heating help for those in need
As we enter into a new year, we are also entering the season’s coldest days. I wanted to take the opportunity to remind southwest Michigan ...
by Kim LaSata, Thursday, January 2, 2020 8:30 am
Columns
LASATA: Home for the holidays
Being home for the holidays is a wonderful time of the year for many throughout southwest Michigan, including my family. This time gives us all ...
by Kim LaSata, Friday, December 27, 2019 7:43 am
Columns
LASATA: 2019: A year in review
My first year as your state senator has been an exciting, rewarding experience. We have accomplished much together so far, and I wanted to dedicate ...
by Kim LaSata, Wednesday, December 18, 2019 8:53 am
Columns
LASATA: Southwest Michigan a top-rated destination
Southwest Michigan residents don’t need a reminder about how beautiful our part of the world is, but it is nice when others give it the ...
by Kim LaSata, Wednesday, December 11, 2019 8:48 am
Columns
LASATA: Is automatic criminal expungement a solution in search of a problem?
Michigan, like most other states, has a criminal expungement process that allows a person to petition the court to clear, or expunge, a criminal conviction ...
