The April floods that inundated half the state caught many unprepared — and uninsured.
Northern Michigan
Posted inBusiness Watch
Records: Rural Michigan ‘overlooked’ in Michigan’s $6B subsidy spending spree
A Bridge analysis finds that the northeast Lower Peninsula got $71 per person in economic development spending since 2022, compared to $854 in west Michigan. Some question the disparities.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Michigan island needs reliable power. Can Great Lakes waves provide it?
University of Michigan researchers are this week testing a prototype that turns wave energy into electricity for the remote Beaver Island.
Posted inTalent & Education
Northern Michigan found a way to cut school absenteeism. Lansing may defund it
One reason Michigan is behind other states in test scores is because kids miss so much school. But a program hailed as a model is at risk of losing nearly half its funding.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Michigan playing catch-up on drone race, but manufacturing past should help
Michigan is spending more than $42 million on drone development as the market for unmanned aerial systems grows nationwide.
Posted inOutdoors Life
In US first, Petoskey passes rules to crack down on light pollution
Petoskey’s new lighting ordinance requires new buildings and any renovations to meet standards aligned with dark sky zones.
Posted inMichigan Government
Advocates: Upper Peninsula prison pay raise won’t solve dangerous shortage
A $10,000 a year pay raise may help with recruitment, but it may not be enough to keep officers working at Upper Peninsula prisons, where former corrections officers say vacant positions contribute to assaults on prison staffers.
Posted inMichigan Government
In Petoskey, where homes top $1M, some push zoning reform, mortgage relief
During a roundtable discussion, Petoskey-area leaders discussed federal funding for housing development and creating programs to attract and retain workers.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Mackinac Island ferry fight to continue despite legislation
Attorneys for both Mackinac Island and Hoffman Marine say they will continue their legal battle despite the recent passage of a bill that grants the island authority over ferry services.
Posted inMichigan Government
Gretchen Whitmer on 2028 presidential aspirations: ‘Never say never’
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer used her final keynote speech at the Mackinac Island Policy Conference to outline priorities for the remainder of her term and said “never say never” to a question about whether she wants to run for president.
