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State seeks public input on proposed firewood quarantine

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development is inviting Michigan stakeholders to provide comments on a proposed firewood quarantine. The proposed quarantine would restrict the movement of firewood originating outside the state of Michigan to help prevent the introduction and spread of more than 140 plant pests and diseases that can hitch a ride on untreated firewood. These plant pests and diseases include Asian longhorned beetle, oak wilt, beech bark disease and spotted lanternfly, which are pests that pose a serious threat to Michigan’s forests, agriculture and ...

In ICE shooting, Trump excused the inexcusable

The killing of a 37-year-old mother by a federal agent in Minneapolis is a shocking and inexcusable act of violence. And just as chilling, it’s another episode of the Trump administration telling the American public not to believe our own eyes. From President Donald Trump to White House officials down the ladder, their story has been the same: The woman was trying to mow down Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers with her vehicle, and an agent’s decision to shoot was justifiable self-defense. But video footage captured by witnesses contradicts that account. The woman’s SUV ...

Some guidance for parents on kids and smartphones

Smartphones are a great way for quick connections and fast access to information. However, a new study by the American Academy of Pediatrics found that children younger than age 13 who own a smartphone are more susceptible to serious health effects such as depression, obesity and insufficient sleep. As children grow in this digital age, Emplify Health has provided some guidance and support to parents on children's smartphone use. “All of us can be significantly impacted by easy access to smartphones, and the internet access and social media that come with them,” Emplify Health ...