Michigan leads the nation in potatoes produced for potato chips, but a deadly disease is killing up to half of potato farmers’ yield. MSU researchers are working on an environmentally safe treatment to slow disease spread.
Rural Michigan
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Bill aims to allow backyard wildlife feeding, but critics fear deer disease
State Rep. Ken Borton wants to allow recreational wildlife and bird feeding to be protected. He said the intent is to allow feeding of squirrels and other small animals. But state wildlife officials say that would encourage deer and elk to congregate, spreading disease.
Posted inTalent & Education
Lapeer library keeps LGBTQ-themed books, but more battles loom
In a conservative Michigan county, residents debate the availability of books some residents considered pornography, but which drew strong support from the library board and its attorney on First Amendment grounds.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Closed trails due to harsh winter in Michigan’s UP parks prompt clean up
Heavy winter storms resulted in eroded trails and fallen trees at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore and Tahquamenon Falls State Park. Park rangers are now working long hours to finish the repairs for the summer season.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Michigan officials propose changes to deer hunting regulations
Among possible changes to Michigan’s deer hunting regulations: More opportunity for youth and disabled hunters, and the return of antler-point restrictions in 19 Michigan counties.
Posted inThe Center for Michigan
Bridge Culture Club goes to the movies with ‘Bad Axe’
Join us June 14 for our latest Bridge Culture Club event with director David Siev to discuss the 2022 documentary set in Michigan’s Thumb.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Northern lights may be visible in Michigan Wednesday, Thursday nights
Another geomagnetic storm is expected to make the light show visible across much of the northern U.S. late at night. Your odds improve if you are far from city lights, there is no cloud cover and luck is with you.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
More fallout from Midland dam failures: blood-sucking parasites in rivers
The Edenville and Sanford dams once blocked invasive lampreys from entering upstream rivers. But the 2020 dam failures provided an opening, and lamprey now threaten native fish. Regulators say they have a plan.
Posted inChildren & Families
Missing 8-year-old boy found safe in Michigan’s Porcupine Mountains
Nante Niemi of Wisconsin, missing since Saturday, was found on Monday hiding near a log two miles from his family’s campsite, Michigan State Police reported. He appeared to be in good health and was reunited with family.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Anishinaabe tribes work to save Michigan whitefish
Great Lakes whitefish are in decline, in part because dams block their passage to rivers where they once spawned. Tribal scientists are looking to save a fish of economic and cultural importance.