News

A freshmen state representative from Eaton County introduced a bill on the first day of the legislative term Thursday to repeal Michigan’s pension tax. House Republican Tom Barrett of Potterville says it is fundamentally unfair to tax our retirees in a way that they could not anticipate throughout their working …

Governor Rick Snyder has vetoed two bills that would substantially change the state’s process for issuing a license to carry a concealed weapon. Snyder says the measures include some reforms he supports, but include changes that might inadvertently increase the risk of violence and intimidation faced by domestic abuse victims …

It has taken more than a decade, but the Michigan Retailers Association has finally achieved their goal of requiring some internet retailers to charge the state’s sales tax at the time of an internet purchase. Governor Rick Snyder has signed the so-called “Mainstreet Fairness Act” legislation approved during the waning …

Six Department of Natural Resources division heads are rejecting a proposed land deal in the eastern Upper Peninsula that would be the largest public land sale in state history. The six sent the recommendation to DNR Director Keith Creagh opposing the sale of more than 10,000 acres of public surface …

Some good news for those of us who routinely head downstate–crossing the Mackinac Bridge should be a little easier thanks to a software upgrade at the toll booths. The upgrades allow customers to use credit cards at the booths and review Mac Pass account information online. The software upgrades, necessary …

Governor Rick Snyder has vetoed a bill that would have prohibited the state from making land-use decisions based on biodiversity. Supporters of the bill say it was to protect landowner rights. But the governor says biodiversity “is essential to how our world-class natural resources are managed.” The veto was applauded …

A bridge in Ontonagon County has a new name to honor veterans. The bridge, which is located on M-64 over the Ontonagon River, will now officially be known as the Ontonagon Veterans Memorial Bridge. The change was made after Governor Rick Snyder signed a bill this week introduced by State …

You don’t want to get caught on the wrong side of the canal this Saturday night when they close the Portage Lake Lift Bridge for maintenance. But if you do, there are places you can go to wait it out. The bridge connecting Houghton to Hancock will be closed from …

State revenues for the current and upcoming fiscal years are coming up way short of expectations, according to the House Fiscal Agency. The HFA is forecasting a $454 million shortfall in the current 2014-15 fiscal year, with much of the shortfall being blamed on tax credits, with businesses cashing in …

The Sulo & Aileen Maki Library is pleased to announce the reception of a grant from the Finlandia Foundation to support the expansion of the library’s Finnish studies collection. A majority of the new materials will be on display in the Maki Library in February during regular scheduled hours. The …