News

Legislation aimed at protecting the environment from a ruptured oil pipeline has been signed into law by President Obama. Michigan Senator Gary Peters was among those who were pushing for the tougher safety measures and stricter oversight of the pipelines. Peters says the law will help ensure a spill does …

The House has adjourned until after July 4 without Republicans meeting Democrats’ demands of votes on gun-control legislation. Democrats staged a round-the-clock sit-in, demanding votes, calling Republicans “cowardly.” Michigan Congresswoman Debbie Dingell got a rousing ovation, after a passionate speech about the time she said that a gun was pointed at …

The Environmental Protection Agency and Health and Human Services announced that bottled water is no longer necessary for Flint residents.  That includes pregnant women, nursing moms and young children, if they use a water filter. The groups say that filters issued by the state, effectively removed lead or reduced it …

The Supreme Court has blocked President Barack Obama’s immigration executive actions. The 4-4 decision delivers a win to states challenging the President’s plan to give a deportation reprieve to roughly four-million illegal immigrants. Diego Bonesatti , the Legal Director for Michigan United, calls the ruling a “temporary setback.” Meanwhile, House …

Hancock, Michigan—The Herman Gundlach Fund of the Keweenaw Community Foundation (KCF) is now accepting applications for its annual granting cycle. $30,000 is available from the fund for local organizations addressing community needs. Individual grants will be funded up to $5,000. To be considered, grant applications must be submitted to the …

Copper Country Intermediate School District Superintendent George Stockero informed the District’s Board of Education that the State House passed a bill that would affect the Michigan Merit Curriculum. The announcement was made at the Board’s monthly meeting this week. Currently, all students must take one class in visual or performing …

The Copper Country Intermediate School District has approved their annual budget for 2016-17. The District Board of Education did so at their monthly meeting this week, following a public hearing on the budget. The board also got an update from Career and Technical Education Director Shawn Kolbus on how well students …

Houghton’s City Manager is getting a raise. The council voted to approve a six percent salary increase for Eric Waara at their regular meeting Wednesday. Mayor Pro-tem Robert Megowen expressed the council’s appreciation for Waara’s hard work on the city’s behalf.

The City of Houghton is making moves to ensure revenue from certain tax captures remain in place for the foreseeable future. Public hearings were held prior to the City Council’s regular meeting Wednesday on a proposed ordinance to extend the Downtown Development Authority Plan (DDA) until 2040, and a resolution …

Plans to raise fees for garbage collection in the City of Houghton are on hold. The city council held a public hearing prior to their regular meeting Wednesday to discuss a proposed increase to dumpster charges from $6.50 to $7.00 and an increase to garbage bag prices of 15 cents …