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State reminds residents of firearm secure storage law

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services marked the two-year anniversary of Michigan’s secure storage law Friday by reaffirming its commitment to firearm safety, education and prevention through statewide partnerships and expanding access to firearm safety resources. Public Act 17 of 2023 requires individuals to keep firearms unloaded and locked with a locking device or stored in a locked box or container if it is reasonably known that a minor is likely to be present on the premises. The law took effect Feb. 13, 2024. “No one should have to fear gun violence at ...

Pothole season just around corner

The last few days in and around Superiorland have provided a much-needed respite from the frigid temperatures that have dominated the region this winter. Mind you, while it hasn't been too terribly warm out there, temperatures have reached into the upper 30s in many places and maybe a bit warmer in others, with some sunshine to boot. Regrettably, with the melting has come an early dose of what is known locally as pothole season, when the thawing streets and roadways reveal holes left by traffic and freezing temperatures. It seems just about every roadway we travel is pocked fairly well ...

AAA warns of higher crash risks on Valentine’s Day

Planning to celebrate Valentine’s Day today with that special someone? AAA encourages Michigan drivers to keep safety at the heart as well as romance. As more couples go out for dinners, parties and late-night outings due to Valentine’s Day falling on the weekend, officials expect an increase in dangerous driving behaviors, AAA advised. “A Saturday holiday is likely to bring heavier traffic, more celebrations, and a higher risk of impaired and distracted driving,” Adrienne Woodland, spokeswoman for AAA — The Auto Club Group, said in a news release. “If your evening ...

The Wall Street Journal says the mass deportation strategy is backfiring

How does a Republican lose by 14 points in a safe conservative Texas state Senate seat that President Trump carried by 17 points in 2024? Answer: When there’s a voter backlash against the Trump Administration, notably its mass deportation debacles. That’s what happened Saturday in a special election to fill a GOP seat in Tarrant County in the Fort Worth area. Democrat Taylor Rehmet, a labor union leader and veteran, romped over Republican Leigh Wambsganss, who had a Truth Social endorsement from Mr. Trump and vastly outspent Mr. Rehmet. The election timing was awful for Republicans ...

Tariffs vs. the working class

For decades, politicians have sold tariffs as a tonic for the working class. In reality, one particular group seems to benefit more than any other from trade wars: Washington influence peddlers. The United States collected some $288.5 billion in tariff revenue last year, up from $98.3 billion in 2024, thanks to a barrage of new levies imposed by the Trump administration. These tariffs, designed by elite lawyers in D.C. and implemented with highly technical and specialized language, presented a unique opportunity for lobbyists to charge large corporations exorbitant rates to seek relief ...

Study shows seat belt use rising in Michigan

Results of a recent study indicates Michigan appears to be moving in the right direction again in terms of seat belt use In 2025, the state recorded its highest seat belt use rate since 2019, according to a grant-funded direct observation study by Michigan State University. The study, which took place in May and June across 200 Michigan locations, found the state’s seat belt use rate was 93.2%, an increase of 1.2 percentage points from the previous year. By contrast, the 2024 rate of 92% marked a 20-year low. The previous three years showed rates of 92.4% in 2023; 92.9% in 2022; and ...