A group analyzed 20 years of beach cleanup data, finding that 86% of litter is composed at least partially of plastic.
Kelly House
Kelly House covers Michigan's environment for Bridge Michigan, with a focus on the Great Lakes, climate change, industrial pollution, water quality and wildlife. She joined Bridge in March 2020 after reporting for the Oregonian, where her coverage earned national honors and sparked efforts to better protect Oregon's natural resources. Kelly holds a master's degree in environmental law from Lewis & Clark Law School and a bachelor's in journalism from Michigan State University.
Kelly grew up in Harrison and is based in Lansing.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Dead wolf mystery in south Michigan deepens, prompts criminal probe
Criminal investigation comes amid questions about a how a wolf from the north woods wound up dead in Calhoun County. A hunter claims he shot the wolf, thinking it was a coyote; others are skeptical.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Meet the invasive plant that’s killing off Michigan’s spring wildflowers
Lesser celandine is spreading rapidly in Michigan’s forests, killing off trilliums and other beloved blooms. But for now, the aggressive invasive plant remains completely unregulated in the state.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
PFAS-tainted foam in Lake Huron prompts citizen outcry
After discovering sky-high PFAS levels in the foam, activists panned state environmental regulators for declining to test it earlier. State officials counter that with hundreds of PFAS sites in Michigan, their resources are stretched thin.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Sault tribe challenges Michigan fishing deal, chides ‘preposterous’ rules
With key species like whitefish nearing the brink of collapse, Michigan’s largest Native American tribe wants fewer restrictions on when, how and where its members can fish. Others contend that would imperil the fishery.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
‘Green burials’ catch on in Michigan. Cemetery controversy follows
Americans are growing more interested in green burial, which eschews embalming and non-biodegradable caskets in favor of natural decomposition. But in west Michigan, controversy over a proposed green cemetery pits neighbor-against-neighbor.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Groups sue Michigan wildlife regulators over shorter coyote hunting season
State wildlife officials shortened the season by three months to keep hunters from orphaning pups in the den. But two hunting and trapping advocacy groups argue that decision was illegal.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Nuclear power plant in Michigan awarded $1.5B for nation's first restart
Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm touted the southwest Michigan plant as a key part of America’s energy future. Opponents questioned the safety of the 53-year-old facility.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Michigan shortens coyote hunting season, irking some hunters
State regulators have shortened Michigan’s coyote hunting season from year-round to nine months, hoping to avoid killing parents while their pups are in the den. Not everyone likes the change.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Judge holds Flint in contempt for continued lead pipe replacement delays
The city was supposed to finish replacing all lead service lines in Flint by 2020. The work still isn’t done. The ruling includes no financial penalties.
