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State launches youth initiative

Did you know workers younger than age 18 cannot do several potentially dangerous tasks on the job, such as operate some power-driven machines, use a meat slicer, handle certain hazardous chemicals or operate certain heavy equipment? The state is emphasizing that and additional information for minors on the job as part of its new Youth Workers’ Rights Initiative, launched recently by the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity. By investing in early education and outreach, Michigan is taking a proactive approach to building a safer, more informed and more equitable ...

It’s time to fire FBI director Kash Patel

Kash Patel, the conspiracy theorist and podcaster turned FBI director, is sleeping on the job — literally. According to a recent report from The Atlantic, members of Patel’s security detail have, on multiple occasions, had “difficulty waking Patel because he was seemingly intoxicated.” At one point last year, a request was made for equipment used by SWAT teams in order to get through to the FBI director because he “had been unreachable behind locked doors.” The Atlantic’s reporting makes clear what has been obvious from the start: Patel is unfit to lead the FBI, and ...

Operation Ghost Rider to focus on distracted driving

While National Distracted Driving Awareness Month concludes in April, Michigan officials in May will continue to reinforce the message that staying focused behind the wheel saves lives. To protect drivers, passengers, bicyclists, and pedestrians alike, law enforcement across the state plan to step up efforts over the next month to combat distracted driving. They are taking part in Operation Ghost Rider, an initiative aimed at reducing injuries and fatalities caused by distracted driving. With an increase in handheld device use among drivers on Michigan roadways, law enforcement ...

Roots of political ugliness go deep

Longtime readers of The Mining Journal's Opinion page are familiar with columnist Cal Thomas, a reliably conservative writer who has been around for a good many years. We have found that close readings of Thomas' columns — he typically writes at least two per week and apparently never takes a day off — will reveal, to some degree at least, what Republican Party thinking is on this topic or that one. In fact, we know of some liberals who follow him for that reason alone, to get an idea what Republicans are saying behind the scenes. So, with that as a back drop, it was with a sense ...

Take steps to stop spread of oak wilt

It’s time to leave those oak trees alone. Due to the possibility of beetles spreading oak wilt fungus from tree to tree, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources advises homeowners and landowners not to trim or prune any oak trees from mid-April to mid-July. Sap-feeding nitidulid beetles are most active during this period and can transfer spores from infected trees to healthy trees through wounds, the DNR states in a news release. Recent research at Michigan State University indicates that in Michigan, oak wilt infection risk peaks in May and June. The DNR recommends that ...

Leonard exit from race should be cautionary tale

Many Upper Peninsula residents are only vaguely familiar with former Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Leonard, who suddenly halted his campaign late last week. Of course, Leonard had some degree of name recognition going in given his time as a state representative from Clinton and Gratiot counties. He also served as speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives. But he was still struggling to put himself on the front burner of Republican politics in the mostly conservative Upper Peninsula when he stepped away from the race. Why? Because, in his own words, he is weary of the ...