News

Michigan Department of Natural Resources forest health staff is in the process of mapping the extent of this year’s spruce budworm damage to balsam fir and white spruce in the Upper Peninsula and northern Lower Peninsula. The last widespread outbreak of the insects in Michigan ended during the 1980s. Experts …

Motorists heading up north through Keweenaw County today might experience a short delay. Crews from the Michigan Department of Transportation will be replacing a culvert along US-41 approximately 2 miles south of Lac La Belle Road near the town of Delaware. The work will require intermittent single-lane closures under flag …

Michigan’s big utilities say a ruling by the U-S Supreme Court Monday on mercury emissions should serve as a reminder to lawmakers to get busy on passing a new energy policy in the state. Combined, Consumers Energy and DTE Energy will be shutting down nine coal-fired power plants by next …

A 3.3 magnitude earthquake rattled western Michigan Tuesday. The small quake was centered in Union City, which is about 20 miles south of Battle Creek. The U-S Geological Survey tells the Michigan Radio Network the quake was an aftershock of a 4.2 magnitude quake in the same area in early …

A new rule change in Washington could allow up to 100,000 more workers in Michigan to claim overtime pay. The change, announced by the Obama administration on Tuesday, will allow certain salaried workers who make up to about $50,000 per year, to claim overtime. Currently the threshold limit is set …

Legislation dubbed by opponents as the “Death Star” bill, which would block local governments from setting their own wage, benefits or leave requirements on local employers, has been signed into law by the governor. The bill would not affect ordinances already in place. Democrats opposed the measure, saying local governments …

A state lawmaker wants the legislature to act on expanding the state’s civil rights law to protect gay and transgendered people. State Senator Curtis Hertel says most people support equal rights and it’s the lawmakers’ duty to legislate as a reflection of those they represent. Hertel’s comments follow the U.S. …

The Michigan Senate is set to vote on road funding plan Wednesday. The proposal includes a gradual increase of the gas tax by 15-cents, $700 million in redirected General Fund money, elimination of the earned income tax credit for the working poor and an income tax cut. Senate Majority Leader, …

A West Branch Township man is in jail on charges of child abuse and torture. Troopers from the Michigan State Police Negaunee Post say 27–year–old Nicholas Racine was arrested after investigation into a case involving the severe injury of a 3–month–old infant. Police say the victim was treated for injuries …

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service personnel will apply lampricides to the Gratiot River (Keweenaw County) to kill sea lamprey larvae burrowed in the stream bottom.  Applications will be conducted on or about July 6-10, 2015 in accordance with State of Michigan permits. Applications will be complete in about two days.  …