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Editorial

Flock cameras equal surveillance

The more we hear about Flock cameras the less we like them. These cameras, positioned along roadways across the state and country, read license plate numbers in passing vehicles, reporting that and other information in real time to centralized data bases that law enforcement and others can access and share. Some police — certainly not all — neighborhood associations and private property owners argue the cameras, often powered by an attached solar cell, help find the bad guys and that they are, in essence, no different than an officer sitting on the side of the road keeping an eye ...

States stress need for vaccines as children return to schools

As several area school districts start classes this week, there's been some recent disquieting developments concerning childhood vaccinations. The Associated Press reported a week ago that U.S. kindergarten vaccination rates inched down again last year and the share of children with exemptions rose to an all-time high, according to federal data. The fraction of kids exempted from vaccine requirements reached 4.2%, up from 3.6% the year before. That's an estimated 155,000 children nationally during the 2025-2026 school year, according to AP. It's the fourth consecutive year the ...

AAA: Speeding becoming the norm carries dangerous risks

Feel like you're going too slow by following the speed limit when driving? Recent research shows you're not alone in that perception. Speeding has become so common that many drivers consider going 10 mph over the posted speed limit acceptable, while nearly half believe keeping up with traffic is safer than obeying the speed limit, according to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. The findings suggest many drivers no longer define speeding by the posted speed limit alone, AAA states in a news release. Three in 10 drivers agreed with the statement, "No one actually drives the speed ...

NMU’s Fall Fest coming up

One of the really nice activities open to Northern Michigan University students each year is happening Monday at the Northern Center lawn on campus. Fall Fest is scheduled to run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday. It’s a can't-miss opportunity for students to learn more about local businesses and non-profits, NMU departments and student organizations. While Fall Fest is designed to literally have something for everyone, we’d especially recommend attendance for new NMU students, as it provides a golden opportunity to find out what’s happening on campus and off, what might a good fit ...

ICE wants our emails

When a government agency comes to an internet service provider demanding information about Americans because of what they have said on social media, the provider should discard the demand, close the door or hang up the phone. The government is not entitled to rummage through the political ...

Let voters decide Cambensy’s candidacy

We are pleased that the Michigan Board of Canvassers has seen fit to approve the petitions submitted by Sara Cambensy to appear on the November ballot as an independent candidate for the state senate. The decision Monday reflected a staff recommendation from the previous week. The state board, in effect, sent Cambensy’s candidacy for the 38th state senatorial district to the voters to decide. In our opinion, that’s exactly who should decide. All of this can trace its roots — publicly, at least — to local resident Linda Donckers, who had submitted a challenge to Cambensy's ...