Judges upheld a lower court order dismissing charges against two Flint water crisis defendants. It’s the latest setback in Michigan Attorney Dana Nessel’s efforts to hold state government officials accountable. Prosecutors vow to appeal.
Kelly House
Kelly House covers Michigan environmental issues for Bridge. She joined the Bridge staff in March 2020. Previously, Kelly reported for the Oregonian, where her coverage of the environment and other topics garnered national honors and sparked state efforts to better protect Oregon’s natural resources. She has a master’s degree in environmental law from Lewis & Clark Law School and a bachelor’s in journalism from Michigan State University. She is from Harrison and lives in Lansing. You can reach her at khouse@bridgemi.com or on Twitter at @Kelly_M_House.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Armed with flea meds, Michigan defends hemlock trees against deadly invader
With winter surveys and summer insecticide treatment, Michigan aims to avoid the fate of Eastern states, which lost hemlocks to pests native to Japan. But warming winters are making it harder to stand our ground.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Lakes Michigan and Huron join list of lakes with PFAS-tainted smelt
State regulators this week warned anglers to limit their meals of rainbow smelt taken from the two lakes, along with three inland lakes. High PFAS levels had already prompted a smelt consumption advisory in Lake Superior.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Michigan winters are super cloudy and getting worse. Here’s how to deal.
Blame the Great Lakes and climate change for Michigan’s dreary winters. And it appears to be getting worse as rising temperatures diminish ice cover on the lakes, allowing more moisture to rise in the atmosphere.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Michigan official: DNR should reject Camp Grayling expansion amid PFAS woes
In a harshly-worded letter, a supervisor in the state Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy wrote that DNR should reject the Camp Grayling expansion unless the National Guard gets serious about cleaning up PFAS at the base.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Michigan Democrats aiming to erase business friendly environmental laws
From polluter pay laws to plastic bag bans, Democratic lawmakers and environmental advocates hope to reverse Republican-passed laws and revisit Democratic issues that faltered in the Republican-led Legislature.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Palisades nuclear plant owners will try again to reopen Michigan plant
Holtec International announced Monday that it will make a second attempt to win a federal bailout to reopen the shuttered nuclear plant on the Lake Michigan shoreline.
Posted inMichigan Government
Dana Nessel: Keep Lee Chatfield records secret to avoid embarrassment
In seeking to suppress search warrant records in the criminal probe, the attorney general’s office argues that some current and ex-state officials, appointees and lobbyists could be embarrassed if the records are made public.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Michigan tribes, state reach tentative deal on Great Lakes fishing access
Under the deal, which is awaiting consideration by a federal judge, tribal fishers could use gillnets in more places to cope with declining whitefish populations. Recreational fishing interests argue that could leave fewer fish for them.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Democratic control of Michigan puts climate change action on 2023 agenda
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has made climate action a priority for the coming legislative session. From renewable energy standards to EV regulations, here are several items that could be on the table.