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Security cameras at the Michigan State Capitol would be less obvious, under plans discussed by the State Capitol Commission. John Truscott, vice chair of the commission, says they’re looking at updating to cameras that can better tilt, scan and zoom and tie into the camera system in downtown Lansing. He …

Legislation that aims to up the reading standards of students entering the fourth grade is getting an overhaul in the Michigan Senate. The measure, which passed the House last fall, would require students to be reading at a certain level in order to advance to the fourth grade. However the …

Tickets are now on sale for the 6th Annual Calumet Theatre’s GRAND Raffle. There will be 10 case prizes totaling $34,000, with a grand prize of $15,000 Only 1000 tickets will be sold, so one of 100 tickets sold will be a cash winner. Also featured is an 11th prize …

HANCOCK, Mich. – UP Health System – Portage CEO Jeff Lang has announced that Dr. Stephen Lipson, a board certified urologist, is now seeing patients at Portage. “Dr. Lipson’s joining the UP Health System – Portage Medical Staff is great news for Copper Country residents,” Lang said. “We are continuing …

With over 40 years in education as a coach and administrator, 65-year-old Jan Quarless says he is ready to retire. For the past 12 years, Quarless has been the Superintendent of Dollar-Bay Tamarack Schools. Quarless said, “The journey’s been challenging at times, but I think maybe when you get my …

When the August primary comes around, voters in Michigan’s 1st Congressional District will have several candidates to choose from. Lieutenant General Jack Bergman would like to be one of them. The 69-year-old Watersmeet resident is now retired from the United States Marine Corps, but that doesn’t mean he feels his …

The start of the major reconstruction of Quincy Street in Hancock is approaching. The Michigan Department of Transportation Communications Representative Dan Weingarten says the Quincy Street Streetscape Project will have a big impact on local motorists. The project will focus mainly on US-41 through downtown Hancock, including upgrades to the water …

State Representative Scott Dianda is calling on Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette to investigate the Senate’s rental of their new offices in the Capitol View office building. The Senate sold the Billie S. Farnum Building that had been home to Senators’ offices and that the Senate owned. Dianda says the …

Michigan’s January jobless rate was below 5 percent first time in 15 years. State labor officials say Michigan’s unemployment rate in January was 4.9 percent. That’s also 1.1 percent below the jobless rate of January, 2015. The state’s workforce improved by 27,000 in January and total employment rose by 33,000. The number …

Groups that need to collect signatures for legislative or ballot initiatives could have a tougher row to hoe under legislation that passed the Michigan Senate Thursday. The measure cements a cap of 180 days to collect the necessary signatures and takes out the ability to challenge signatures collected outside of …