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Editorial

Weathering the price of gasoline

As motorists in Superiorland and just about everywhere know, the price of gasoline has gone through the roof in recent days and weeks. In some areas of the state, the cost for a gallon of regular no lead has jumped the better part of a buck, to $4.85 or more. It isn’t quite that bad in this area but what we’re paying is close. And no one knows when costs might decrease. Everyone is asking why? Like most things federal government, big business and even bigger money, the answer is complicated and fraught with politics. Start with the war with Iran. It isn’t helping anything. ...

Lyme disease season just starting

We trust Mining Journal readers on Monday took note of a front page story detailing that experts predict the upcoming warm season is going to be bad as far as Lyme disease is concerned. According to the state of Michigan, Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi and is transmitted by the blacklegged tick, also known as the deer tick. It is the most commonly reported vector-borne disease in the United States and it is spreading across the state of Michigan. Typical clinical signs include flu-like symptoms however, if left untreated may spread to joints, the heart ...

DNR notes crucial role of dispatchers

Ever wonder who officers are talking to on those radios clipped to their chests? Or what happens when they go back to their vehicles, with your license and registration in hand, while you ponder whether you’re going to get a ticket? Conservation officers are communicating with emergency dispatchers or, more specifically, the dispatchers behind the Michigan Department of Natural Resources’ Report All Poaching line. These valued team members are the eyes and ears of conservation officers, constantly monitoring where each officer is while they’re working to ensure their safety. They ...

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 ...