News

With bipartisan talks at a standstill, Michigan’s Republican-led House and Senate moved forward yesterday with budget proposals of their own. Bills approved by various committees would provide little increase for higher education, a larger boost for K-12 education, and a significant boost for clean drinking water funding. Democratic Governor Gretchen …

A Baraga County farmer can continue to raise a special breed of hog. The state sued Roger and Brenda Turunen in 2012, saying that the pigs they raised were illegal under a Michigan law that had been passed to reduce the wild boar population. There followed a lengthy battle over …

Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s proposed ban on flavored e-cigarettes in Michigan may be eclipsed by President Trump’s recently-announced initiative to remove them from the market nationwide. Wherever it comes from, such a ban will have significant effects on an industry that sells more than two-billion dollars worth of product each year …

High winds caused power problems across the Keweenaw Peninsula overnight. UPPCO reported more than 1,700 customers without power early this morning. Crews continue to work to restore service. See the latest figures here. Ontonagon REA does not report service outages.

A political era ends today in Calumet Township. Paul Lehto will step down at noon as Township Supervisor, after nearly 47 years on the job. Paul Lehto Current trustee and assessor Tim Gasperich has been appointed by the board to take over the remainder of Lehto’s term, which runs through …

A group of local political conservatives is organizing a local affiliate of the Constitution Party. Organizer Mary Sears is a longtime Republican, who thinks a more fundamental approach to government is needed… Sears says the new party won’t immediately start to field local candidates. Rather, the goal is to… The …

The fragile budget truce between Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Michigan legislative Republicans broke down late yesterday. The refrain is a familiar one – Republicans say Whitmer walked out of negotiations; Whitmer accused them of negotiating in bad faith, after taking a two-month vacation. More specifically, Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey …

The Village of L’Anse officially enters the solar power business today. L’Anse Electric Utility customers have the opportunity to purchase panels that have been installed in the Lambert Road Industrial Park. Village Manager Bob LaFave says the value of the power produced by those panels will be subtracted from the …

The City of Houghton has approved pay increases for members of its police force. At last night’s council meeting, three percent raises were okayed for patrol officers and the department’s lieutenant. Sergeants will get slightly more than three percent. City Manager Eric Waara also said that union leaders have agreed …

A mechanical malfunction led to a dramatic pickup truck fire on Quincy Hill this afternoon. A Hancock police officer at the scene said that the strap holding the truck’s gas tank apparently failed while it was headed north on US-41. The driver was able to guide the vehicle off the …