Michigan’s school leaders have been trying to get the attention of lawmakers and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer all summer, pleading for some budget certainty. It’s true that the Legislature and Whitmer’s budget director had to make their first priority ironing out the shortfalls in the current ...

The new school year, whether in class or online or both, appears on the horizon. Good vision can be crucial to success in school, according to Aspirus health system. As a child grows, an untreated eye condition becomes more difficult to correct. These can worsen and lead to other serious ...

It should come as a surprise to absolutely no one that the Marquette County Health Department is asking local residents to be extra mindful, cautious and considerate in terms of spreading COVID-19 now that students are starting to come back to Northern Michigan University. Because virus cases ...

A lot was learned from Tuesday’s vote across Michigan. And the takeaway is that, unless major changes occur in the election process between now and November, tallying votes is going to remain a very long process. We give local election officials a solid “A” across the region for ...

Bouquet: On behalf of the U.P. Regional Blood Center, I would like to thank Mount Olive Lutheran Church of Iron Mountain for helping coordinate the blood drive in the month of July. As a result of their efforts, we collected 15 pints of blood. I would also like to thank all the community ...

Bouquet: Thank you to city of Norway for summer band concerts at the bandshell. These programs were very enjoyable. The band was composed of high school and community musicians, under the leadership of Ed McBroom. Plan to attend these concerts next summer.

There’s a good reason why they’re called life jackets. In Wisconsin, 89% of the 2019 boating fatalities were not wearing life jackets. Nationwide, that statistic is more than 90%, according to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, citing national groups. So far this year, the ...

It’s safe to say the 2020-21 academic year for Northern Michigan University will be a little different than previous years. The world still is in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, meaning the coronavirus threat still exists. So, social distancing, hand sanitizing and other protocols ...

A dollop of mostly positive economic news was released in recent days with word that the number of unemployment claims in the state of Michigan has dropped for the most recent reporting period. As reported by The Detroit Free Press, new claims dipped to 21,949 in the week ending July 25, down ...

Nearly every month each year features an array of causes, groups or conditions that merit being recognized with a day, week or even the entire month. August is no exception. But with the world in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, one designation seems particularly apt this year. Gov. ...

The Michigan High School Athletic Association is doing things right in this unprecedented age of COVID-19. The Representative Council of the Michigan High School Athletic Association — the MHSAA’s 19-member legislative body — on Wednesday approved the next steps in returning sports for ...

Bouquet: Dorothy’s Haven of Hope homeless shelter received a $3,500 grant from the Impact Fund for COVID-19 Relief held at the M&M Area Community Foundation. The board of directors of the Community Foundation established this fund in March to help nonprofits whose resources have been ...

While it’s now likely too late to mail an absentee ballot for Tuesday’s primary election, local drop boxes are available in a number of Michigan municipalities. “Voters should get their absentee ballots returned as quickly as possible,” said Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson. “This ...

With the COVID-19 pandemic, it can be easy to forget there are other viruses to be worried about out there. On World Hepatitis Day, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services on Tuesday launched the We Treat Hep C Initiative toward eliminating hepatitis C in Michigan. This ...

The Upper Peninsula apparently has grown too lax this summer in guarding against COVID-19. Health department officials from across the U.P. warned Monday the region is in danger of becoming a “high risk” area for coronavirus. In a joint statement, the health officers and medical directors ...

Across the United States, people have been reporting receiving unsolicited packages containing seeds from China in the mail. The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development is warning residents who receive these packages not to open or plant the seeds. The seeds are usually ...

This newspaper recently featured the results of an Associated Press/NORC poll about schools reopening in the fall. The article stated only about one in 10 Americans think day care centers, preschools or K-12 schools should open this fall without restrictions. Most think mask requirements and ...

Barb: This is a revised version of a letter I recently sent to Michigan state Rep. Beau LaFave regarding the Americans with Disabilities Act and mask mandates. I have not heard back from Mr. LaFave as of yet. I have added to this version of it to include my personal experience of navigating ...

The Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services reminds consumers that COVID-19-related assistance programs and forbearance periods are nearing end dates. Those who have taken advantage of these programs should resume making payments, if possible, or contact their lenders if they ...

Water safety sounds like such a benign subject, but it is a crucial one to understand considering the region borders Lake Superior, which has its share of undercurrents and weather — and the inherent danger. This was apparent during two recent incidents at Little Presque Isle. On July 11, 40 ...