News

The Department of Veterans Affairs could be granted sweeping new authority to fire corrupt or incompetent employees under a bill introduced by Congressman Dan Benishek. Benishek says it is just common sense that we allow the Secretary of the VA to dismiss employees whose failures or misdeeds have threatened the …

More than 12,000 bankers from all 50 states, including Michigan, will participate in the American Bankers Association’s 19th annual “Teach Children To Save” program Friday. The day-long effort will involve hundreds of bankers across Michigan teaching children to become more financially responsible by developing a greater appreciation of saving and …

A couple of hundred people braved the chilly winds and gathered in front of the Michigan Capitol Thursday, to show support for Michigan’s child Abuse Prevention Awareness Day. The focus of the event was to emphasize the power that individuals can help in fighting child abuse, part of what CTF …

Michigan Democrats in Lansing have unveiled an energy proposal for Michigan that includes a requirement that 20 percent of Michigan energy should come from renewable sources by 2022. The current law requires the figure to be 10 percent by the end of this year, a standard that has been reached. …

A Michigan House committee has approved a two-bill package reforming Michigan’s no-fault auto insurance law. The votes were 9-to-6, with Republicans supporting and Democrats opposing. Republican sponsors say it’s an effort to reduce costs in the system. Democrats voted against the legislation, fearing it will short change those who need …

A Michigan House committee has approved a nearly $16 billion education budget – sending the bill to the full House for a vote. The bill – approved on a 17-12 vote – would spend more per student than the governor wanted but does so in a roundabout way. Instead of …

The Coast Guard continues to monitor a 603-foot bulk carrier that ran aground in the St. Marys River near De Tour Village, Michigan early Wednesday. Coast Guard Sector Sault Ste. Marie received a message around 1 a.m. Wednesday that the Canadian-flagged bulk carrier Mississagi ran aground in the Potagannissing Bay. …

The suspect allegedly involved in a 12-hour standoff with police in Copper City is expected to be back in court today. Bond for 64-year-old Jerome Michael Flum was set yesterday at $500,000 cash. Flum will appear again in Houghton County District Court for a bond hearing to revisit that decision. …

Residents near the Garnet Street Park in Houghton will soon be able to share their love of books through a small free community library. At their regular meeting Wednesday, the Houghton City Council approved the installment of a Little Free Library in the park, an effort being led by Houghton …

Speeding is already dangerous and against the law, but speeding through school zones also puts children at risk. To remind drivers of their current speed, there is a solar powered speed sign located near the Houghton Elementary School. Soon, there will be two more of them placed on either side …