News

It appears that once again Congress will not be approving a long term plan for highway funding, instead opting for a short-term highway bill. Some sort of funding bill is needed by the end of May. Reports say talks are ongoing regarding a long term solution, five years or longer. …

A new report shows, since the end of the Great Recession, Michigan has seen job growth of nearly 11 percent, better than the job growth of the other Great Lakes states. The study from the Pew Charitable Trust’s Stateline publication said Michigan also showed the 10th largest overall growth in …

Michigan’s struggle to maintain its population is not just about finding ways for people to move here or stay here. It’s also about fertility. State Demographer Eric Guthrie told a gathering of lawmakers and economists on Friday in Lansing, that Michigan’s fertility rate has not been high enough to keep …

A state Senate panel is considering legislation aimed at protecting Michigan businesses from bad-faith patent infringement claims. Bill sponsor, Senate Republican Margaret O’Brien, says often times a small business that receives a demand letter claiming patent infringement, will settle with the claimant rather than face an expensive lawsuit. She says …

A bill banning the sale of e-cigarettes to minors is making its way through the Michigan legislature. Governor Rick Snyder vetoed similar legislation at the beginning of the year because he didn’t think it went far enough. Snyder wants e-cigarettes classified as tobacco products — state Senator Rick Jones disagrees. …

A Michigan House and Senate committee would have broader subpoena powers under a pair of bills awaiting a vote in the state House. The legislation would require a super majority vote from the Oversight committees and would give the minority party a say too. State Representative Ed McBroom is sponsoring …

More than 100 law enforcement officers from across the Upper Peninsula paid tribute this morning to their colleagues who have been killed in the line of duty. At the Michigan Tech SDC, Houghton County Sheriff Brian McLean told the assembly that Peace Officers Memorial Day has been observed across the …

Congressman Dan Benishek teed off again on Veterans Administration officials yesterday, after allegations of mis-use of funds were raised at a Congressional hearing. The latest allegations assert that VA officials used “purchase cards” to bypass the normal acquisition process, resulting in as much as six-billion dollars in wasteful spending each …

State Representative Scott Dianda (D-Calumet) has been named to the new House Special Committee on Roads and Economic Development. The committee was established Thursday by House Speaker Kevin Cotter (R-Mt. Pleasant). Dianda is one of two Democrats on the committee. Five members are Republicans. The committee will take the lead in developing …

Law enforcement officers from around the U.P. are gathering in the Copper Country for today’s Upper Peninsula Peace Officers Memorial Service. Events will begin at 10:00 with a motorcade from Calumet to the Michigan Tech SDC. The service will begin at 11:00 at the SDC. The public is invited to salute …