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Editorials

Know Michigan’s new gun laws that recently took effect

Democrats in the Michigan Legislature last year passed a trio of gun laws in the wake of the shooting at Michigan State University. Those laws took effect last week. We urge every gun owner in our area to familiarize themselves with the new laws to make sure they don’t run afoul of the ...

Changed relationship will hurt autoworkers

Those autoworkers down south who are being courted by Shawn Fain should pay close attention to the message sent by Ford Motor Co. earlier this month. Chief Executive Jim Farley, talking to the Wolfe Research Auto Conference in New York, said in light of the prolonged strike last fall by the ...

NMU enrollment news positive for university, region

We were extraordinarily pleased last week, along with a great many others in region, to learn that Northern Michigan University’s enrollment report for the winter semester shows an increase of 330 students, or 5.3%, compared with the same time in 2023. The university’s overall head count ...

Bulk carrier found on lake bottom gives glimpse into history

Great Lakes shipwreck enthusiasts this week received a bit of welcome news when it was announced that the 244-foot bulk carrier Arlington, lost in Lake Superior storm in 1840 with exactly one person aboard, had been located. The Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society and shipwreck ...

MSU study shows declining seat belt use in Michigan

Fewer motorists in Michigan are taking care to buckle up in their vehicles, state officials advise. Michigan’s seat belt use rate declined slightly in 2023, to its lowest level in almost two decades, according to results from a grant-funded direct observation study done by Michigan State ...

Don’t risk teacher pensions to grow state government

Spend now, pay later was Michigan’s longtime operating strategy. The state ignored its mounting future obligations in favor of adding new programs and projects. Former Gov. Rick Snyder put an end to the practice with an ambitious plan to pay down the state’s unfunded retiree pension and ...