A Michigan Court of Appeals has ruled a 2012 law that essentially required teachers and other public school workers to begin to contribute to their retirement plans was constitutional. The court upheld an earlier finding by the Court of Claims that allowed the controversial measure to stand. Under the law, …

Michigan ranked in the top 10 among states for its education policies in a report card released Tuesday by StudentsFirst. The group said the state’s education policies did well elevating the teaching profession, but not so well getting parents involved in the process. Michigan received a C- overall grade on …

The deer herd has been a big part of the Copper Country, which is one of the few areas in the entire state that allows supplemental deer feeding. The Calumet-Keweenaw Sportsmen’s Club near Eagle Harbor is one of two clubs that provide the deer feed during the winter but it …

Today in circuit court, former Houghton High School hockey volunteer Brad Aldrich is expected to be sentenced on charges of fourth degree criminal sexual conduct. He pled guilty to the charge as part of a plea deal which allowed a second charge of third degree CSC to be dismissed. Fourth …

The Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce held their board elections last week and the results are in. Lisa Dunnebacke has been re-elected to the board. There are three new members: Brian Donnelly, who is a bank manager at River Valley Bank in Calumet; Darrell Guitar, a real estate/insurance agent for Century …

Tonight will be the first meeting of 2014 for the Hancock city council. Among the items on the agenda are items regarding the sewer system in Hancock. City Manager Glen Anderson will be presenting a request to replace the city’s sewer lift station meter. Also, there will be a proposal …

U.S. Representative Dan Benishek will face a primary challenge in August. Alan Arcand of Caspian announced Monday that he will run against the Crystal Falls Republican. He told Gongwer news service that he disagrees with Benishek’s support of raising the federal dept limit and the Patriot Act. If elected, he …

Governor Rick Snyder has announced the state is partnering with the University of Michigan to accelerate the development of a commercially viable “ecosystem” of connected automated vehicles. Snyder says Michigan is poised to enhance its position as the automotive capital of the world with a focus on connected automated vehicle …

Portage Health has a new Chief Medical Officer. President and CEO Jim Bogan has appointed Mary Beth Hines to Vice President of Medical Affairs and CMO of Portage Health. In her new role, Dr. Hines will work closely with medical staff leadership and the executive management team. Bogan says Hines …

State Representative Scott Dianda is standing up for seniors by taking on the state pension tax. Yesterday, he announced a repeal to the legislation, which was voted into law in 2011 but was first fely by seniors when they filled out their taxes last year. And with tax season just …