Opinion

Before lighting up fireworks, consider effects on others

It’s time for the annual reminder that while fireworks spark awe and delight for many, they are a source of dread for some in the community. Michigan law establishes 12 days in which local governments can’t ban fireworks, all around federal holidays. They are: — Dec. 31 until 1 a.m. on Jan. 1; — Saturday and Sunday of Memorial Day weekend until 11:45 p.m.; — June 29 to July 4 until 11:45 p.m.; — Saturday and Sunday of Labor Day weekend until 11:45 p.m. Local governments may have ordinances on just what, when and where fireworks can be used at other times, so ...

Almanac for July 1, 2026

Today is Wednesday, July 1, the 182 day of 2026. There are 183 days left in the year. Today’s Highlight in History: In 1867, Canada became a self-governing dominion of Great Britain as the British North America Act took effect. Called Dominion Day until 1982, the national holiday is now known as Canada Day. Also on this date: In 1863, the pivotal, three-day Civil War Battle of Gettysburg, resulting in a Union victory, began in Pennsylvania. In 1903, the first Tour de France began. (It ended on July 19, won by Maurice Garin.) In 1944, delegates from 44 countries began meeting at ...

Democrats then and now

After last week’s primary elections in which the rise of Democrat-Socialist candidates alarmed many longtime Democrats, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., read a list of things he said those far-left candidates stand for. To conservatives, and Independents, the list sounded like a grand jury ...

High court ends limits on party spending for federal elections

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court on Tuesday erased limits on how much political parties can spend in coordination with candidates for Congress and president, striking down a federal election law that is more than 50 years old. Prodded by a Republican-led lawsuit that includes Vice ...

Editorial cartoon for July 1, 2026

Trump, refugees and the US Supreme Court

The Supreme Court on Thursday expanded President Donald Trump’s power over immigration — or so the press proclaims. The White House no doubt wishes that were true, but the six conservative Justices merely ruled that judges can’t usurp power that Congress delegated to the President. At issue in Mullin v. Doe was Mr. Trump’s termination of Temporary Protected Status, or TPS, for Syrian and Haitian refugees. A 1990 law lets the Secretary of Homeland Security provide quasi-legal status to migrants if they can’t safely return to their home countries because of armed conflicts, ...