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Editorial

The Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services is encouraging Michiganders to prepare now for the upcoming Open Enrollment period. Nearly 497,000 Michigan residents are currently enrolled in health insurance through HealthCare.gov. With recent federal changes leading to higher health insurance costs, it is especially important for consumers to plan ahead, whether they intend to enroll in a new plan during Open Enrollment or reenroll in their existing coverage, DIFS advised. "With the November 1 start of Open Enrollment approaching, now is the best time for Michiganders to ...

When a political ad backfires

Columns

Vivek Ramaswamy's desperation is showing. That was my immediate reaction to the cringeworthy ad his campaign posted on social media and then ran on television on behalf of the Republican's campaign for Ohio governor. Early last week, as the campaign entered its homestretch, the ad thrust ...

Ramaswamy has made very poor trade

Columns

What you put first, you will keep. After all, most of us wouldn't mind a bit more money, but when you think about it, you already know where you can get it. You can always steal from the offering plate, push over a panhandling woman, scam a desperate friend. There's a bit of a trick, though. ...

Federal fire grants are investment in regional safety

Editorial

The more than $2.1 million in federal fire grant funding headed to Upper Peninsula and Northern Michigan communities is welcome news — and a reminder that protecting our residents begins with ensuring our firefighters have the equipment, training and staffing they need to do their jobs. For communities across the U.P., where rural distances, harsh winters and limited infrastructure can complicate emergency responses, these grants are more than financial assistance. They are investments in public safety, the people who provide it and the communities that depend on them. Seven Upper ...

Our failed constitution

Columns

"The natural progress of things is for liberty to yield, and government to gain ground." — Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) The U.S. Constitution was ratified to create and to restrain the government. It established boundaries beyond which the government may not venture, even when it invokes ...

Guest editorial

Editorial

"The Tab Man" Jim Brolin of Florence, Wis., is still collecting pop tabs. I have teamed up with Stacey Lantagne of Florence to support families served by the Ronald McDonald House. Stacey's family has a personal connection to the cause. Several years ago, her family spent a month in Milwaukee when her grandson, Ezra, unexpectedly became critically ill. During that difficult time, her daughter and son-in-law, Kelsey and Skylar Newman of Kingsford, were able to stay at the nearby Ronald McDonald House while their 2-year-old son fought for his life next door at Children's ...