Breaking News

Editorials

AG’s office warns of scam with ‘prop money’

The state is warning of a scam involving Facebook Marketplace and similar platforms — and if this one sounds like something out of the movies, it's because it is. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has reissued a consumer alert after numerous social media reports surfaced of Michigan residents being paid with realistic “prop money” marked as “For Motion Picture Purposes” for items sold on Facebook Marketplace and similar platforms. While the Department of Attorney General has not yet received direct consumer complaints, it is aware of multiple reports involving sellers ...

Don’t be too quick to discard those fall leaves

It’s autumn and area forests are replete with blazing colors and, of course, falling leaves. Speaking of leaves, what should a person do with them? The initial urge might be to rake them into bags, but that’s not necessarily the best option for nature. According to the National Wildlife Federation, leaves form a natural mulch that suppresses weeds and fertilizes the soil as it breaks down. Removing leaves also gets rid of valuable wildlife habitat. How is that possible? You might not see them, but many moth and butterfly caterpillars spend their winter in fallen leaves before ...

MDARD offers advice on using disinfectants safely

As temperatures and daylight declines and people spend more time in enclosed spaces, the chance to spread illness grows — it's the start of the cold and flu season for a reason. So the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has issued some recommendations on using disinfectants safely and responsibly to help guard against the "bugs" that can be harbored indoors. Disinfectants used on surfaces are classified as pesticides and regulated by both MDARD and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA, MDARD advised in a news release. Before using any ...