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National Weather Service Issues Beach Hazard Statements for Great Lakes, Warning of Dangerous Currents

National Weather Service Issues Beach Hazard Statements for Great Lakes, Warning of Dangerous Currents

The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued fresh beach hazard statements for parts of Lake Michigan, specifically targeting areas in Wisconsin and Michigan. These advisories warn of high waves, dangerous currents, and rip currents that pose life-threatening risks to swimmers. This follows widespread warnings across all five Great Lakes just days prior, which prompted officials to advise nearly 1 million people to stay out of the water due to hazardous conditions. The NWS Great Lakes Beach Hazards program issues these statements when a high swim risk is forecast. The current advisories indicate that strong wave action and currents will create dangerous swimming conditions through Friday and, in some locations, into Saturday. Officials emphasize that Great Lakes currents can be as perilous as ocean currents, with the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project (GLSRP) reporting approximately 1,480 drownings since 2010, including 65 this year, with 35 in Lake Michigan alone. The warnings are particularly critical as t...

Michigan Man Sentenced to Probation for Concealed Weapon After Fatal Mall Shooting Deemed Self-Defense

Michigan Man Sentenced to Probation for Concealed Weapon After Fatal Mall Shooting Deemed Self-Defense

Martinez Long, a 19-year-old Michigan man, has been sentenced to two years of probation for carrying a concealed weapon without a permit. This sentencing follows a chaotic July shooting at Fairlane Town Center in Dearborn, where Long fatally shot an armed individual. Authorities determined that Long acted in self-defense and in defense of others during the incident, and he was not charged for the killing itself. The judge acknowledged Long's right to self-defense but questioned his decision to bring a gun into the mall, describing it as 'poor judgment.' Long's attorney stated that her client never intended to use the gun and believed he was carrying it for protection. As part of his probation, Long, who has no prior criminal record and is working towards his GED, must complete cognitive behavioral therapy and handgun safety classes. He is also prohibited from possessing guns or ammunition during this period. Under Michigan’s Holmes Youthful Trainee Act, Long's record can be expunged if he successfully comp...

Detroit Free Press

Michigan coal plant set to close was illegally kept open, court rules

Michigan coal plant set to close was illegally kept open, court rules

The appellate judges said they were "unpersuaded" by the U.S. Department of Energy's "sweeping conception of its 'emergency' authority."

U.S. Representative Debbie Dingell Secures Over $258 Million in Federal Health Research Grants for University of Michigan

U.S. Representative Debbie Dingell Secures Over $258 Million in Federal Health Research Grants for University of Michigan

U.S. Representative Debbie Dingell has successfully secured $258,717,781 in federal healthcare grant funding for the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. This substantial funding, originating from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), is designated to support a wide array of research initiatives. Key areas benefiting from these grants include cancer research, which received $7.17 million, and allergy and infectious diseases research, allocated approximately $1.52 million. Other significant allocations include nearly $1.17 million for diabetes, digestive, and kidney disease research, and over $1.02 million for cardiovascular disease research. Additionally, neuroscience and neurological disorders research will receive about $1.35 million, while oral diseases and disorders research, arthritis, musculoskeletal and skin diseases research, child health and human development research, and aging research also secured considerable funding. Representative Dingell emphasized her advocacy efforts wer...

DC Circuit Court Rejects Federal Order to Keep Michigan Coal Plant Open, Citing Overreach of Emergency Powers

DC Circuit Court Rejects Federal Order to Keep Michigan Coal Plant Open, Citing Overreach of Emergency Powers

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit has ruled that the Energy Department exceeded its authority by using emergency powers under federal law to prevent the closure of the J.H. Campbell coal-fired power plant in Michigan. The plant was slated for retirement, but the Energy Department intervened, citing a national energy emergency declared by President Trump in January 2025 due to increased demand from artificial intelligence and data center growth. States including Michigan, Minnesota, and Illinois, along with environmental groups such as the Sierra Club and the Environmental Defense Fund, challenged the federal order. The court, in an opinion written by Judge Cornelia T.L. Pillard, found that the Energy Department's interpretation of emergency intervention under the Federal Power Act was too broad, stating it would allow the department to dictate power sources in any state without regard for existing state-level reliability planning processes.

Detroit Free Press

How 5 Michigan women will remember Dolly Parton and Gloria Steinem

How 5 Michigan women will remember Dolly Parton and Gloria Steinem

Linda Solomon, Paula Cunningham, Debbie Dingell, Donna Murray-Brown and Christina Lovio-George agree the icons changed women's paths forever.

Michigan Senate Democrats Introduce Legislation to Hold Utilities Accountable for Power Outages

Michigan Senate Democrats Introduce Legislation to Hold Utilities Accountable for Power Outages

Michigan Senate Democrats, including Senators Stephanie Chang, Erika Geiss, Mary Cavanagh, Sue Shink, and Jeff Irwin, have introduced a package of bills (Senate Bills 1170-1175) aimed at protecting ratepayers and holding utility companies accountable for extended power outages. This legislative action follows recent severe storms and tornadoes that left nearly 300,000 Michigan households without power, some for up to four days. The proposed legislation seeks to provide hourly payments to ratepayers for outages exceeding 72 hours and offer outage credits for customers experiencing four or more outages annually. Additionally, the bills would prevent utility companies from increasing monthly rates to offset these credits and mandate more detailed outage and grid data reporting to the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC). Senator Chang emphasized the need for transparency and accountability, noting the struggles of residents in Detroit and Metro Detroit who lost food and resources due to prolonged outages...

Playoff Predictor: Welcome back, SEC. We've missed the CFP arrogance

Playoff Predictor: Welcome back, SEC. We've missed the CFP arrogance

Texas' win over Ohio State capped a huge Week 2 for the SEC, which lands five teams in this week's College Football Playoff Predictor.

Detroit Free Press

Missing Isle Royale hiker Craig Berg found 'alive and ale

Missing Isle Royale hiker Craig Berg found 'alive and ale

Craig Berg, 70, of Royal Oak, was found 'alive and alert' at Isle Royal, according to the National Park Service.

Man living in Florida for Disney College Program killed by lightning

Man living in Florida for Disney College Program killed by lightning

The man, 20, had just moved to Florida from Michigan to participate in the program, his father told a local news outlet.

Detroit Free Press

Michigan's 9/11 legacies: 16 terrorism victims with ties to the state

Michigan's 9/11 legacies: 16 terrorism victims with ties to the state

A look at 16 people with significant ties to Michigan who died in the Sept. 11 terror attacks.

20-year-old Michigan man killed by possible lightning strike in Florida

20-year-old Michigan man killed by possible lightning strike in Florida

A 20-year-old man, Matthew Eric Jenkins, from Shelby Township, Michigan, tragically died in Florida after an apparent lightning strike. Jenkins had recently moved to Central Florida to begin the Disney College Program. He was found unresponsive on a walking path behind a hotel in Celebration, Osceola County, on Tuesday evening. Witnesses reported hearing a powerful crack of lightning nearby before discovering Jenkins on the ground. Emergency responders transported him to AdventHealth Celebration, where he was pronounced dead. Authorities are awaiting the medical examiner's confirmation of the cause of death.