News

The Michigan Senate Thursday approved a bill setting up a pilot program that would allow for suspicion-based drug test of welfare recipients. The Republican sponsored bill was approved along party lines, with Democrats opposing. Under the proposal, the program would be set up in three counties, although those counties have …

A battle could be brewing in Lansing, over phys-ed classes. Testimony began in a Michigan House Committee Wednesday, on a proposal to toughen phys ed requirements for schools, which affects students from kindergarten through eighth grade. Specifically, the bill requires a minimum amount of time each week dedicated to phys …

The Michigan House yesterday passed a resolution calling for a national constitutional convention, specifically to mandate that the federal government balance it’s budget. The resolution calls for delegates to be chosen to assist 33 other states in drafting an amendment that would require, in the absence of a national emergency, …

The Michigan Senate Thursday gave final approval to a measure to help deter metal theft. The bill, which now goes to the governor for his signature, would require that metal recyclers not offer cash for three commonly-stolen items: catalytic converters, copper wire and air conditioning units. Rather, they would have …

State Superintendent Mike Flanagan says all Michigan high school juniors will continue to receive a free college entrance exam when the state transitions to the Smarter Balanced Assessment. Flanagan met with a group of school counselors this week in the state capital who were concerned that the ACT college entrance …

Water bills in Hancock will be a little bit more due to an increase approved by the Hancock City Council last night. The council approved a one dollar per 1,000 gallons increase which City Manager Glen Anderson says is due to an increase in the flow at the sewer treatment …

This weekend, UP Kids Big Brothers Big Sisters is holding their 22nd Annual Bowl for Kids fundraiser on Saturday at the Mine Shaft in Houghton. The purpose of the event is to raise funds for local mentoring programs. Program Director Maggie Munch says it is their biggest event of the …

According to a statewide poll, more than half of Michigan voters support a ballot proposal that changes Michigan’s full time-legislature to a part-time body. The survey, from the Lambert, Edwards and Associates public relations firm, shows 53 percent of 600 likely voters support the switch, with only 30 percent opposing …

Michigan residents will now be able to stay more informed about how legislation changes throughout the committee process. As the state celebrates Sunshine Week, a national initiative to educate the public about the importance of open government, House Speaker Jase Bolger announced yesterday that amendments and bill substitutes adopted by …

The Department of Natural Resources has released its latest five-year plan for managing and protecting Michigan’s forest resources. Keys to the plan are sustainability, both of the forests and the program funding. The plan covers 2014-2018 and calls for updating technology used to lay out timber sales and to find …