Democratic lawmakers want to end Michigan’s “shameful” reign as the only state without a statewide code to prevent leaky systems from fouling lakes, rivers and groundwater. Past efforts failed, but bill sponsors say the state’s surplus changes the conversation.
Rural Michigan
Posted inMichigan Government
Election-denying clerk ousted in recall: ‘Make Adams Township Boring Again’
A small-town elections clerk investigated by Michigan State Police after questioning the accuracy of her own voting machines lost a recall election Tuesday night in Adams Township, according to unofficial results.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Ticks in Michigan. What you need to know and how to protect yourself.
Warmer weather ushers in the start of tick season. Not all ticks carry disease but some can transmit bacteria that causes Lyme disease or triggers Alpha-gal Syndrome (AGS), which can lead to a red meat allergy.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
In Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, universities expand nurse training options
Michigan Tech is launching a nursing program this fall, filling a void caused by Finlandia University’s recent decision to close. And Lake Superior State is expanding its program to train nurses to work in rural areas.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Proposal to ban solar developments on farmland withdrawn amid confusion
Opponents of solar development on Michigan’s farmland want to ban ‘utility-scale; arrays on land zoned for farming. But the proposal is on hold, for now, amid confusion about what ‘utility-scale’ means.
Posted inGuest Commentary
Opinion | Michigan need not choose between farmland and solar panels
Putting solar farms on agricultural land is meeting more resistance in rural areas. But in the emerging agrivoltaics movement, solar panels peacefully coexist with crops, allowing both to benefit from one another.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
More all-terrain wheelchairs added to Michigan state parks
Three more Michigan state parks will receive all-terrain wheelchairs this summer to make parks more accessible.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Northern Michigan tries to expand its tech startups alongside tourism
Traverse City nonprofit 20Fathoms is a hub for startups and entrepreneurs in an area known for seasonal job growth. In a Q and A, Executive Director Eric Roberts says the focus on tech growth will boost the ‘baseline economy’ by encouraging higher-paying, year-round jobs.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Michigan updates list of at-risk birds, adds black tern, six others
Among the species that newly receive threatened status are the Eastern whip-poor-will, evening grosbeak, golden-winged warbler, Northern goshawk, spruce grouse and upland sandpiper.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Farmers thankful for cool temperatures after high mid-April temperatures
Many Michiganders likely were frustrated by the sudden return to frigid temperatures last week and the nearly 50-degree temperature shift could be a problem for some of this year’s fruit crop. But farmers say they are generally thankful for cooler temps.