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Teens play an important role in region’s workforce

About 252,500 Michiganders ages 16 to 19 are expected to participate in the labor market this summer, with more than 207,000 projected to be employed, according to the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget. Industries employing the teens include retail, hospitality, food service and recreation, among others. Employers have an opportunity to do more than fill seasonal positions, Susan Corbin, director of the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, says in a news release. By creating meaningful early career opportunities for young workers, employers can ...

Allies need to protect lives, livelihoods of Palestinians

The “ceasefire” in Gaza is a “cruel and deadly illusion,” warned James Elder, the UNICEF spokesman, on Friday. Israeli forces have killed more than 1,000 Palestinians since its declaration in October, says the Gaza health ministry, including 265 children — an average of one a day. The killings and broader humanitarian crisis have been overshadowed by the war on Iran and have diverted attention from escalating violence in the occupied West Bank. Last week, former Israeli prime ministers, military chiefs and heads of security services were among the signatories of a letter ...

A week to celebrate our native pollinators

The Upper Peninsula and northern Wisconsin play host each year to a wide variety of native pollinators — but not as many as there once was, experts say. Which is why the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources encourages Wisconsinites to help these important species during Pollinator Week, which started Monday and extends through Sunday, and year-round as well with a few simple lawn care habits, volunteering and supporting endangered resources funding. Most of Wisconsin’s pollinators are bees — the state has more than 400 native species, including 21 bumble bee species — ...

Warmer months mean increased fire vigilance

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources gets right to the point, when it comes to fire safety. It is everyone's responsibility. Nine out of ten wildfires in Michigan and across the nation are caused by humans, according to the agency. That's shocking. Here's a handful of common sense DNR tips to prevent dangerous wildfires: • When you burn Always have a water source nearby. Never leave a fire unattended, even for a minute. Keep a metal shovel and bucket nearby. Put out fires completely with water every time. Do not burn on windy days or during dry weather. • At ...

As temps rise, so do risks for kids, pets and vehicles

With the arrival Sunday of the summer solstice, the hottest temperatures of the year are likely ahead for the region. With that in mind, it’s worth keeping in mind AAA’s tips to help motorists keep their children, pets and vehicles safe during the warmer months. Excessive heat can pose great risks to motorists. Within just a few minutes the inside of a car can become dangerously hot, AAA warned in a news release. Since 1998, 1,049 children have died due to Pediatric Vehicular Heatstroke, according to noheatstroke.org. In 2025 alone, 33 children died in hot cars nationally. Six have ...

Father’s Day: Dad plays key role

Sunday is Father's Day, when dad's contributions to family and folks are recognized. The physical act of creating a child, for some, can be an easy thing. But raising that child is an act that requires great care, deep thought, patience and a lot of love. That’s the difference between a man who has simply sired a child and one that put in the time and effort to earn the title of father. Whether you enjoy doting dad with gifts, or strictly abhor the commercialization of the whole thing, Father’s Day is often associated with buying something for him. Either way you look at it, we ...