News & Fun in Michigan
A group of five freshwater lakes of central North America between the United States and Canada, including Lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario. The Great Lakes connect Midwestern ports with the Atlantic Ocean via the St. Lawrence Seaway.
Environmental groups are criticizing the EPA’s new ballast water rule, which exempts existing Lakers from treatment regulations. They warn this could allow invasive species to damage the Great Lakes ecosystem, affecting fisheries and local economies. Advocates call for stricter protections to prevent further ecological harm and ensure the lakes’ health.
Michigan boasts 124 unique and functional lighthouses, drawing numerous visitors. Of these, Michigan’s Upper Thumb has four of them. Restoration efforts for the Port Austin Reef Light are in progress, but you can see Charity Island Light, Harbor Beach, and Pointe Aux Barques Light. Some of these lighthouses offer tours, climbs, and historical significance.
In 1849, Catherine Shook was appointed the first woman lighthouse keeper in the State of Michigan. She ran the Pointe Aux Barques Lighthouse until 1851.
The Michigan DNR has allocated $1.5 million for fisheries habitat conservation, sparking concerns from various groups. While the funding prioritizes sportfish species like bass and trout, native whitefish preservation appears neglected. This has prompted calls for a more inclusive conservation approach, advocating for focused funding and collaboration to address the challenges facing whitefish and maintain ecological balance and economic sustainability.
The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals has denied Enbridge Energy’s request for a rehearing, returning Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel’s lawsuit to state court. The case aims to shut down the aging Line 5 oil pipeline, safeguarding the Great Lakes from potential pollution. The decision is a significant victory for state sovereignty and environmental protection.
The Bay Port Fish Sandwich Festival is the granddaddy of them all. Since 1978 folks come in and lined up for a fish sandwich that “takes two hands to hold one.
The Huron Community Fair in Bad Axe is the longest continually running fair in Michigan. It offers fun, entertainment and a chance to see and learn farming life for all ages.
With the lake water levels up in all the Great Lakes, it’s been a time of change and discovery.
The high lake levels have revealed a new abundance of small Petoskey stones in Saginaw Bay
