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Blizzard was one for the books

The blizzard of 2026 is in the books, so to speak, although we’re told informally that plowing and shoveling leftover snow from last week’s historic dump continues in scattered locations. And what a blizzard it was. Much of the Upper Peninsula was impacted with the central U.P. and some locations elsewhere coming in for the heaviest snowfall. The light (in terms of weight) snow was driven relentlessly by winds that approached 65 mph, piling up drifts, blocking doorways and socking in vehicles for 48-plus hours. In general terms, the greater Marquette area received 2 feet of snow ...

It’s cloudy in Michigan this Sunshine Week

Every Sunshine Week, the Michigan Press Association honors a public official who advances open government. This year, for the first time, we’re giving no award. That’s how cloudy it is over transparency in Michigan. “Unfortunately, this year’s legislative and policy landscape does not reflect the progress or commitment to openness that the award is designed to celebrate,” the MPA said in advance of Sunshine Week, which began Sunday. “Rather than closing that gap, the past year has seen little forward movement – and in some cases, proposals that would further restrict ...

Red Cross needs blood donations after storms

The winter storms that came through in the past few days had one other, less visible but significant effect: A drop in donated blood and platelets in the region. The American Red Cross of Wisconsin urges people to act now to rebuild the blood supply after to donation appointments were disrupted across the state due to the storms. Donors of all blood types are encouraged to schedule a blood or platelet donation as soon as it’s safe to travel, the Red Cross said in a news release. Over the past few days, more than 30 blood drives have been canceled across the Wisconsin region, ...

State advises 187K students about Tuition Incentive Program

The Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement and Potential — MiLEAP — recently mailed more than 187,000 letters to Michigan students and their families notifying them of their eligibility for the Tuition Incentive Program, or TIP. TIP, a longstanding state scholarship program, provides tuition support for eligible Medicaid recipients pursuing skill certificates, associate degrees or bachelor’s degrees at participating Michigan colleges and universities. “Every Michigan student deserves a clear path to pursue higher education,” Dr. Beverly Walker-Griffea, ...

Income tax returns due in a month

State individual income tax returns must be filed electronically or postmarked through the U.S. Postal Service by 11:59 p.m. Eastern time Wednesday, April 15. For more information about e-filing, go to www.mifastfile.org. “We are just about at the halfway point of the filing season,” said Deputy State Treasurer Kavita Kale, who oversees Treasury’s Revenue Services programs. “Taxpayers still have plenty of time to file their state individual income tax returns. For the most accurate returns, consider electronic filing or using a reputable preparer. Taking time out of your ...

Railway Safety Act proposal anything but

The White House is calling on Congress to include a railroad regulation bill as part of a larger transportation funding package this year. It’s not the first time President Donald Trump has supported it, and the legislative branch would be wise to ignore his counsel again. The Railway Safety Act was first introduced in 2023 after the train accident in East Palestine, Ohio, where chemicals were vented and burned, causing environmental damage and horrific visuals. Then-Sen. JD Vance was among the bipartisan group of legislators who introduced the bill. Trump, then campaigning for ...