NOVEMBER 9, 2001 - Tune in on Saturday morning from 8-9 a.m. to “Consumer Insider” on the Michigan Talk Radio Network to learn more about a State of Michigan initiative to jumpstart the spread of broadband high-speed Internet service and help create an estimated 500,000 jobs.

This week’s Consumer Insider radio program features special guests: Laura Chappelle, Chair of the Michigan Public Service Commission and Bob Filka, Vice President of Strategic Initiatives, Michigan Economic Development Corporation. The show is hosted by Michigan Department of Consumer & Industry Services Director Kathleen M. Wilbur.

Wilbur and her guests will discuss Gov. John Engler’s Link Michigan initiative, which is aimed at attracting new jobs to Michigan, strengthen emergency preparedness and connect citizens to education, information and other important online services.

“Consumer Insider” is a new weekly live talk radio program about CIS & State of Michigan resources in an effort to educate consumers about state government resources. Past topics have includedBio-Terrorism Emergency Response and Safety Concerns with Col. Michael Robinson, director of the Michigan State Police, and Dr. David Johnson, Deputy Director and Chief Medical Executive of Michigan Department of Community Health; and a discussion with Chappelle about Gasoline Prices/Protection of Utilities in the wake of the Sept. 11 attack.

The concept for the ‘Consumer Insider’ show originated after Michigan Talk Radio Network CEO Dave Scott interviewed Kathy Wilbur regarding carnival safety in Michigan for his talk show.

“Kathy is a great on-air personality and has won industry awards for her cable show, Consumer’s Corner, which she has been hosting for four years. She is very knowledgeable about consumer issues because of the scope of her department, which touches the lives of most Michigan residents on a regular basis since it licenses and regulates over 1.5 million professionals and businesses,” Scott said. “We developed ‘Consumer Insider’ to fill the niche in broadcasting to educate listeners before they have a problem with a variety of issues, such as choosing a builder or health professional or what to do if they phone service is slammed, and to help them find the resources in the state in the event they need help.”

Consumer Insider is aired live from 8-9 a.m. on Saturdays on the Michigan Talk Radio Network and simulcast on www.mlive.com. It is rebroadcast on Saturday evenings from 7-8 p.m. and archived on www.mlive.com. Affiliates in the Michigan Talk Radio Network carrying the radio show include: WABJ-Adrian (1490 AM), WKMI-Kalamazoo (1360 AM), WSJM-Benton Harbor (1400 AM), WMFN-Grand Rapids (640 AM), WMMI-Mt. Pleasant (830 AM), WLDR-Traverse City (1210 AM), WJML-Petoskey (1110 AM), WNBY-Newberry (1450 AM), WMIQ- Iron Mountain (1450 AM) and WHAK-Alpena (960 AM).

Wilbur said, “This week’s show on Link Michigan will enable consumers to learn more about how industry, education and government leaders can work together to help spur Michigan’s economy.”

Wilbur has been director of CIS since it was created in 1996 when the Regulatory functions in the former Departments of Commerce and Labor were merged together with agencies from five other departments. Some of the agencies within CIS include: the Unemployment Agency, Liquor Control Commission, Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Act, Michigan State Housing Development Authority, and the Office of Financial and Insurance Services.

Read more Michigan Department of Consumer & Industry Services press releases.