Upper Peninsula

The president of an historic hotel on Mackinac Island, which depends heavily on seasonal workers, argues for the permanent expansion of H-2B visas so small businesses like his can meet the demands of customers.

Camping and hiking at state, national, local and metroparks has increased significantly since before the pandemic. Parks are already taking reservations for visitors and job applications for the summer season.

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.

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.

The state approved a 15-year tax break on Tuesday for the mill in Escanaba. The Swedish company that owns the facility is considering the site as a ‘cornerstone’ of its U.S. expansion into more lucrative packaging products.

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.

This year, for the first time, hunters were required to promptly report their deer kills, a move state wildlife managers say will help the state better manage Michigan’s growing herds.

Rock climbing might be a new tool for conserving the public land that bolsters Michigan’s annual $20 billion tourism industry. The sport is gaining traction as outdoor enthusiasts look to experience nature differently, especially after indoor climbing gyms closed during the pandemic.

Don’t expect big new efforts to shut down Line 5 when Democrats take control. Those on both sides of the issue say the pipeline’s fate is now in the hands of a federal judge and President Joe Biden.

Using money from our current unexpected surplus to fully fund the State Park Endowment Fund, Michigan can take the burden of maintaining and improving our parks off the backs of hardworking Michiganders, now and into the future

A new study finds that Michigan’s outdoor recreation economy grew by 15.4 percent last year, more than double the growth of the state’s overall economy.

Though wolf hunting is banned at the federal level, hunting advocates want Michigan to lay the groundwork for a hunt should federal protections end. Wolf advocates say there’s no justification for doing so.

More than 10 percent of students opted out of at least one vaccine in five Michigan counties, leaving areas open to potentially deadly outbreaks. Said one ‘vaccine choice’ leader: Parents know what’s best for their children.

The Nature Conservancy, a global environmental group, has paid a New York hedge fund more than $27 million for part of the land, with another purchase to come. The deal appears to put an end to fears of privatization of timberland long open to the public.

The Michigan Natural Resources Commission has been asked to increase annual turkey hunting limits from one bird to two. But regulators are worried that expanding limits will take out too many males, hurting breeding.

A Michigan native, Brock Tessman comes to the job from Montana. His priorities when he begins Feb. 1 include increasing enrollment, ensuring more students get degrees and improving opportunities for rural students.

Efforts to establish three rocket sites generated plenty of community opposition but few plans or answers after three years.

World nations’ current climate action plans would still allow moderate warming. A new study shows without more aggressive action to slow climate change, the world’s boreal forests could see dramatic losses.

A federal judge ruled the attorney general’s suit seeking a Line 5 pipeline shutdown should be heard in federal court. Nessel wanted the matter kept in state court, where she saw a more secure path to victory.

The national pilot shortage is prompting big route changes to Michigan’s smallest airports. But two are losing their only passenger airline, as soon as federal officials let them leave.