Beer is a big seller in Michigan according to a study released by a pair of groups representing beer distributors. It shows beer sales have a $6.6 billion economic impact on the state. And the boom in the number of craft brewers in Michigan is having a trickle-down effect too, …

The state says it helped more than 170,000 Michigan consumers deal with insurance and financial services issues last year. Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services spokeswoman Andrea Miller says an important aspect of the department’s job is reaching out to keep the public up to date about changes in …

The Michigan Supreme Court has ruled that Michigan’s right-to-work laws, which prohibit requiring employees to join a union or pay a union fee, also apply to state employees. The court ruled in a 4-to-3 decision. The high court also ruled the state law requiring state employees to contribute four percent …

Governor Rick Snyder and the four legislative leaders have been huddling up this week to discuss road funding. The governor’s office says the meetings have happened both in person and on the phone and that they’ve been constructive. Gideon DAssandro, spokesperson for House Speaker Kevin Cotter, wouldn’t say if they’ve …

Efforts are underway to help ferry the load to and from Isle Royale. The Isle Royale Queen IV reportedly ran aground Tuesday. No one was injured and the cause of the accident has not been reported. The Queen is currently out of commission so the Ranger III will be used …

Dial Help in Houghton is there to aid someone on the line in a crisis, and now they are reaching out to help even further. People can reach a councilor on the telephone, text or even through instant messaging as part of their Crisis Intervention program. Now when a patient …

It’s almost time to get your geek on. Next week, the Copper Country community will embrace its nerdy side and celebrate with events and entertainment for all generations at the Keweenaw Science and Engineering Festival. These hands-on STEM festivals–that stands for science, technology, engineering and mathematics–are popular around the world. This year marks …

Grant proposals are being sought for projects that focus on community health in the Copper Country. The Portage Health Foundation is currently accepting proposals for grants that address adolescent health and mental or behavioral health issues. These two areas were identified as health risk factors in a recent Community Health …

Dry, windy conditions are fueling a high risk of fire across Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Celeste Chingwa, Rescue Protection Manager with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, says they’re averaging a fire a day in the U.P. A few of the recent fires stemmed from campfires, others were caused by lightning …

A 116 year old shipwreck has been found at the bottom of Lake Michigan. The cargo steamship John V. Moran was discovered sitting in 375 feet of water just off the coast of Muskegon last month. Valerie van Heest of Michigan Shipwreck Research Associates says the Moran sank in February …