News

Michigan along with four other states recorded seasonally adjusted unemployment rates of 6.3 percent in January, meaning they all tied for the 11th highest rate in the nation among the 50 states. According to figures released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Alaska, New Jersey, Connecticut and Oregon all had …

Despite unusually cold, wet weather, Michigan’s tourism industry experienced steady growth in 2014. And thanks largely to an improving economy, that momentum should continue this year. Michigan State University researchers Sarah Nicholls and Dan McCole presented their annual report on the state of the industry Monday at the Pure Michigan …

State officials say a new partnership between Google and Pure Michigan will make Michigan’s most iconic destinations accessible to people all around the world on Google Maps. Using Google Trekker technology, attractions such as Mackinac Island, Sleeping Bear Dunes and Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore – not previously accessible on Google …

A state House panel is examining legislation that requires medical marijuana patients that rent their home get the property owner’s permission to grow or smoke marijuana on the property. Senate Republican Rick Jones of Grand Ledge is sponsor of the legislation before the House Judiciary committee Tuesday. He says marijuana …

Portage Hospital, LLC, in Hancock, Michigan, has agreed to pay the United States $4,446,392.43 to settle allegations that a hospital-owned home health care agency, Portage Health Home Care & Hospice, violated the False Claims Act by submitting false claims to Medicare for home health care services purportedly rendered by a …

It’s time to hang another banner, but this one will be for state champions.   The Calumet Copper Kings girls basketball team returned home after winning their first ever Class C State Championship.   The Kings knocked off Flint Hamady 57 to 49 on Saturday in the final game.   …

Multiple closures of the Portage Lake Lift Bridge will continue this week.   The contractor for the Michigan Department of Transportation will be reinstalling some of the balance chains and performing other work the Bridge, part of the ongoing maintenance project.   Motorists should expect two-hour closures on the mornings …

Calling all Teams: The High School Local History Smackdown Is Approaching!   History fans: it’s time to get ready for the 13th Annual High School Local History Smackdown! Are you a high-school age student interested in local history? Gather your friends, form a team, and get ready to compete in …

Upper Peninsula State Senator Tom Casperson says he’s ready to roll up his sleeves and look for a new employer to help the Manistique community. The FutureMark Paper mill is closing its doors on Tuesday, putting 147 people out of work. Casperson says that he will work with Governor Rick …

Michigan is now considered the 12th best state for entrepreneurs, a dramatic improvement from a decade ago when it was ranked 42nd. A study released by MiQuest, a Lansing-based nonprofit research organization, said the state had shown major improvements in a variety of areas. The study used 137 indicators to …