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Summer tourism in full swing

Freshwater seas, flowing rivers and waterfalls, natural wilderness and more are all right outside our front doors. We should consider ourselves lucky, seeing as we're the ones who live where others choose to vacation. It's that time of year again, when our grass is greener, the skies are bluer (the recent smoke not counted, of course) and visitors from all around flock to the Upper Peninsula to retreat from their everyday lives. The summertime here in the U.P. is a time we can all relax a little longer and enjoy life at a season when time seems to move at a slower pace. Most would ...

Is federal government is trying to kick sick people off Medicaid?

Is the federal government trying to kick sick people off Medicaid? It certainly seems like it. Congress made the policy choice to impose work requirements on Medicaid — which in itself is likely to result in people losing coverage largely for administrative reasons like failing to file paperwork on time. Now, a rule released by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in June governing how to implement those work requirements is imposing even more administrative burdens, threatening to kick even those who are physically unable to work off their plans. As Stacey Nee, a ...

Operation Safe Driver targets risky behaviors

Though it should be normal practice at all times, drivers are being reminded this week of the importance of focusing on the road when behind the wheel and following the rules on speeding and other risky driving behaviors. As law enforcement agencies across Michigan increase enforcement efforts as part of Operation Safe Driver Week that extends through Saturday, AAA, The Auto Club Group reminds drivers that the behaviors targeted by officers are the very same ones responsible for many of the nation's most serious and preventable crashes. Operation Safe Driver Week focuses on reckless, ...

No easy answers on homeless issue

Anyone who works in government, or even pays close attention to what government can and will do on any given issue, knows that policy is driven by money. Perhaps not entirely but certainly to some significant degree. That's the case at the local level, where massive borrowing to cover pell-mell spending just doesn't happen like it does at the federal and state levels. Where are we going with this? The most recent dust up involving residents and others who frequent the Room at the Inn facility on West Washington Street in downtown Marquette is a textbook example of government policy ...

Policy is driving the rising ACA premiums

If it wasn’t obvious before that the famous bill passed to make health care more affordable has done anything but, it should be now: Individual plans on the Affordable Care Act exchanges are projected to spike by about 14 percent in 2027, according to recent insurer filings. The ACA imposed a wide array of mandates on health insurance. Those mandates are expensive. To make up for the increase in costs, the ACA distributes subsidies so consumers don’t feel the impact of the increase. Many of these subsidies are “advance” subsidies that go directly from the federal government to ...

Brush up on Great Lakes beach safety

With this week predicted to be a scorcher — potentially reaching 100 today and in the 90s through Wednesday before settling back into just the 80s — the temptation will grow to cool off by taking to the water. If plans includes a visit to one of the Great Lakes in our region, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources has some advice on staying safe while enjoying an outing at the beach. “Remember the Great Lakes are large, powerful systems that hold more than 20% of the world’s fresh water. Strong currents can catch even the most experienced swimmer off guard,” the DNR ...