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Editorial

Environmental progress has to balance human progress

Eight years ago, local officials in Washington learned that a section of a sewage line next to the Potomac River had become corroded and was at risk of bursting. They wanted to repair it urgently. But the officials first needed to apply for a federal permit. When they did, federal officials demanded an exhaustive review of the project’s potential effects on trees, wildflowers and bats rather than granting the permit, The Washington Post has documented. Four months ago, the section burst, spewing hundreds of millions of gallons of raw human waste into the Potomac. This example is ...

Trump will have to show Iran he isn’t bluffing

Days late and tons of enriched uranium short, Iran’s regime rejected the U.S. peace offer on Sunday and replied with unserious demands. On Monday, President Trump called Iran’s counteroffer a “piece of garbage” that leaves the cease-fire “on massive life support — where the doctor walks in and says, ‘Sir, your loved one has approximately a 1% chance of living.’” Call it a standoff. Before Iran’s response Mr. Trump had said, “If they don’t agree, the bombing starts.” He had also said, “We may go back to Project Freedom,” the U.S. effort to guide commercial ...

State seeks nominations for 2026 Michigan Christmas tree

Know of an oversized spruce or fir that could grace the state Capitol this Christmas? If you do, the state wants to hear about it. The Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget has once again asked for the public’s help in finding the perfect tree for display in Lansing. Over the past 40 years, trees have come from locations across the state – from backyards to public land near highways and forests, the DTMB states in a news release. More than two dozen have been from the Upper Peninsula, including last year’s 68-foot spruce that was donated by Linda Ried of Sault ...

Congress needs to rein in America’s ‘turbo’ gerrymandering

The redistricting arms race now roiling American politics was not merely predictable, but inevitable. It began the moment President Donald Trump picked up the phone last year to demand that Missouri, Texas and other red states gerrymander their congressional districts mid-decade to give Republicans an advantage in the upcoming midterms. Some Democratic-held states have responded in kind. The result is that in much of America this November, voters won’t be allowed to choose their politicians; the politicians are instead choosing their voters. It’s an untenable situation that will ...

Stay alert on the road as deer crashes spike

Those who live in the northwoods know deer on the roads can be a hazard when driving, no matter the time of year. But spring brings some special circumstances that increase the risk of vehicles and deer having a nasty encounter. Deer activity goes up in May and June, as does look for places to give birth and last year’s fawns separate from their mothers. In turn, this means more deer crossing the roads and a greater chance for crashes, experts say. Motorcyclists are at greater risk of injury in a deer crash. In 2025, 223 of the deer crashes involved a motorcycle, resulting in four ...

Watch for Adopt-A-Highway groups doing roadside cleanup

Groups of volunteers will be doing spring cleaning along Michigan’s highways in coming days, picking up the trash and other discarded materials. Beginning today, motorists should be on the lookout as Adopt-A-Highway volunteers fan out across far northern Michigan for the first of three scheduled collections in 2026. The pickup period continues through Sunday, May 17. Taking part will be the entire Upper Peninsula and the northern Lower Peninsula counties of Alcona, Alpena, Antrim, Benzie, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Crawford, Emmet, Grand Traverse, Iosco, Kalkaska, Lake, Leelanau, ...