State News

Legislation adopted by the Michigan House would make it a felony to shine a light or laser at or in the path of a passing aircraft. Here’s State Representative Tom Barrett. The Eaton County Republican says recent incidents out of Metro Detroit called for introduction of the bill. Meantime, Michigan State Police …

J.C. Penney says it will close seven of its 42 Michigan stores by the end of the year. The department store chain announced 138 store closings Friday. They include stores in Midland, Battle Creek, Holland, plus four locations across the Upper Peninsula. Business editor Murray Feldman: Some analysts feel more …

Confirmation hearings begin today over the President’s pick for the Supreme Court. The Senate Judiciary Committee will be meeting with Judge Neil Gorsuch. So what will the Democrats be asking Gorsuch? Oakland University Law Professor Dave Dulio weighs. Dulio says there’s no question that Gorsuch will be joining the Supreme …

Has your child been vaccinated? Not enough children in the state are getting the recommended vaccines, putting themselves and others at risk. Now health care leaders are hoping to change that. Health reporter Dr. Deanna Lites has more.

Gas prices are up slightly in Michigan. AAA Michigan says prices went up about one cent to a statewide average of $2.36 a gallon. That’s about 33 cents more than at this time last year. The lowest prices are in Metro Detroit at about $2.35 a gallon. The highest are in …

SAULT STE MARIE, Mich. — The U.S. Coast Guard will continue with spring breakout operations on the St. Marys River near Pipe and Drummond Islands, beginning at 7 a.m., Wednesday. A U.S. Coast Guard cutter will conduct ice breaking operations to open the Pipe Island Passage, north and east of Pipe …

Four people are in custody following a drug bust in Houghton County Detectives from the Upper Peninsula Substance Enforcement Team conducted an investigation that led to the arrest Thursday of the four suspects related to the delivery of heroin and firearm violations. Over the past several weeks, UPSET Detectives have …

It might be the luck of the Irish, but a woman in the Upper Peninsula has a shamrock plant that’s 46 years old. 62-year-old Nancy Magnusson, of Germfask, got the plant from her grandmother Adeline Clark, of Newberry, back in 1970. Magnusson, who’s part Irish, has managed to keep the …

A state House committee has passed legislation which subjects lawmakers and the governor’s office to Freedom of Information and open records laws. State Representative Beau LaFave says local units of government already comply with such laws. The Iron Mountain Republican says there’s no reason his and the governor’s office shouldn’t.

As the President’s 2018 fiscal year budget cuts funding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow of Michigan is calling for funding restoration. She says a lot has been done to clean up the Lakes’ contaminated areas, address algae blooms and prevent invasive species. Stabenow says they …