Time to build Line 5 tunnel

March 3, 2026

No matter where you travel in Michigan, eastern Wisconsin or northeastern Minnesota, you will cross over rivers which drain into either Lakes Michigan, Huron, Superior or Erie. No matter where a pipeline is laid in these areas, the pipeline will cross over or under a river which drains into one of these lakes. In 2010, the Enbridge Line B6 pipeline spilled into the Kalamazoo River, which drains into Lake Michigan. This tragic accident brought much negative attention to Enbridge's Line 5, which crosses the Straits of Mackinac. This pipeline was built by Bechtel in 1953. Because it was ...

Lauds sports reporter, reporting

March 2, 2026

To the Journal editor: Being a long time subscriber to The Mining Journal, I have enjoyed reading articles by your sports editor, Steve Brownlee. It amazes me how he can cover so many sports, at all levels and with such detail. His effort to recognize and report specific statistical information, while adding his personal touch and sense of humor, is impressive. In reading his articles, it seems Steve has a great relationship with coaches and other sports information contacts with those he reports on. I don't know how Steve can have any free time, with all the writing he does for The ...

Withdraws support of incumbent

February 28, 2026

This is an open letter to U.S. Rep. Jack Bergman, R-Watersmeet. I am writing to express my deep frustration and disappointment in your recent conduct regarding your involvement in the race after publicly stating you would remain neutral. Your decision to support Beau LaFave after promising not to interfere represents a troubling breach of trust. This is not an isolated incident. Four years ago, during the gubernatorial race, you withdrew your support from James Craig only to pivot to Perry Johnson. At the time, many of us gave you the benefit of the doubt. Now, however, a clear pattern ...

Impact Line 5 has on native tribes

February 27, 2026

Native Tribes have been fighting against a propane and heat supplier of the Upper Peninsula for 73 years. This company is responsible for heating our homes and is liable for oil spills in Michigan, endangering tribal land and resources and is considered a time bomb. Enbridge Inc. is responsible for Line 5, a pipeline that runs from Superior, Wisconsin, through the Straits of Mackinac to Sarnia, Canada. This pipeline transports 540,000 barrels, or approximately 22.68 million gallons, of oil per day. Though this remains economically efficient, it poses major environmental and societal ...

Teachers’ time not well used

February 26, 2026

Dear school boards, supers, ‘pals, parents, students, and families, and by golly, everyone: My name is Robert H. Niemi Jr. (Bobby Niemi, to most), B.S./M.A., earth/space/life science and art educator, former instructor of anatomy, physiology and biology at Davenport University and Delta College. I am writing this letter to express one of several concerns I have about some local school districts. It relates to teacher assignments. Doesn’t sound flashy enough? Read on. It seems to me that “specials” teachers (those who happen to, by the way, ‘special’ize in art, music, health ...

Pointed questions posed

February 25, 2026

To the Journal editor: Why did U.S. Rep. Jack Bergman question the work of local postal service and not the work of the Department of Homeland Security? Current ICE agents receive six weeks of training. (From The Brief, Feb. 26, 2026 Time Magazine) The cost of law enforcement is costing U.S. taxpayers billions of dollars. These costs evidently are not applied to adequate training to have a legitimate (following our laws and constitution) force. Why aren’t more funds going to our veterans? Congress has bolstered the CBP budgets while background checks have fallen behind resulting ...