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US health care system needs a real public option

Long ago, when most Americans left the house for mass entertainment, they flocked to carnivals that crisscrossed the country to delight small towns and big cities. Shows typically included a barker whose steady stream of superfluous oratory enticed folks to spend their hard-earned cash on sometimes dubious performances. Too often today, our nation’s capital resembles that midway where a slick barker spouts enticements to assure people who want to believe what they want to believe that he will always give them what they want. That may be fine when the tickets sold are for harmless ...

NY mayor Mamdani’s victory strut is quite premature

Yes, Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s socialist picks just knocked off some Democratic incumbents in New York City. They included surprising defeats, especially that of Rep. Adriano Espaillat, chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. Espaillat lost to Darializa Avila Chevalier, whose social media ...

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 ...