Residents of Highland Park face $24 million in delinquent water bills.
Michigan Environment Watch
Michigan Environment Watch examines how public policy, industry, and other factors interact with the state’s trove of natural resources.
Great Lakes News Collaborative
Bridge Michigan, Circle of Blue, Great Lakes Now at Detroit Public Television, The Narwhal and Michigan Public work together to report on the most pressing threats to the Great Lakes region’s water. This independent journalism is supported by the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation. You can find all of the collaborative’s stories here.
Shockwave
The Great Lakes region is in the midst of a seismic energy shakeup, from skyrocketing data center demand and a nuclear energy boom, to expanding renewables and electrification. In 2026, the Great Lakes News Collaborative will explore how shifting supply and demand affect the region and its waters. Read the series here.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Air quality warning pushed to Friday in Michigan; doctors urge outdoor limits
Millions of Michiganders will remain under an air quality advisory through Friday as smoky skies from Canadian wildfires hang on.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
When will the smoke clear in Michigan? What you need to know in the meantime
Michiganders are in for at least another day of smoky skies until wind currents start to clear the air.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Michigan under statewide advisory as Canada wildfire smoke hits Midwest
Millions of Michiganders are under advisory through Wednesday after air currents pushed smoke from Canada wildfires to Michigan and other parts of the Midwest.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Michigan bottle return rate fell after pandemic ban. Would price hike help?
Michigan’s bottle and can deposit law was once a national model. But the return rate plunged from 89 to 73 percent after the state temporarily banned deposit returns to curb COVID, and hasn’t risen much since.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Nessel: $10B PFAS settlement with 3M doesn’t resolve Michigan’s claims
Some Michigan water suppliers may be eligible for payouts from the settlement over the chemical that was used in thousands of everyday products and has been linked to cancer and other health woes.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Watch out! Creepy kudzu coming to Michigan?
Kudzo is on the list of plants and animals that pose an immediate or potential threat to Michigan’s economy, environment or human health.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Did hazardous waste facility’s unreported errors put Detroiters at risk?
US Ecology violated federal law for five years, and state officials only recently discovered the problems.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Great Lakes water temperatures warming up ahead of Fourth of July weekend
Temperatures have crested 70 degrees in the Saginaw Bay and nearing that threshold in Lake Michigan and Lake Erie. By August, temperatures are expected to be warmer than normal.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Moose herds threatened by ticks, brain worms, the result of climate change
Moose are dying slow, agonizing deaths from Minnesota to Maine as warmer winters allow parasites to thrive, decimating herds. Numbers in the Upper Peninsula remain steady for now, but experts fear a downturn.