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Library service helps people with reading disabilities

October is Dyslexia Awareness Month and earlier this year, the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS) implemented a long-awaited change to make it easier for people with reading disabilities to enroll for talking book services. Now reading specialists, educators, librarians, and school psychologists may certify the eligibility of applicants with reading disabilities such as dyslexia. Great Lakes Talking Books (GLTB) in Marquette is part of a national network of NLS outreach and advisory centers. GLTB serves residents (all ages) of the Upper Peninsula and Alpena ...

Michigan Tech has a paint problem

This past weekend, the Michigan Tech Huskies hockey team played host to a pair of opponents the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the U.S. National Development Program. It would take an internet search to determine whether or not Notre Dame had set foot in the MacInnes Student Ice Arena at any point since 1982, when they served as the Winter Carnival opponent. It certainly has been awhile. That makes what happened Friday night so frustrating for community members who attended the game. We know that it is not always easy to get all of the maintenance done on a given building, whether ...

No reason to continue travel ban with Canada

Since the beginning of the pandemic, our border with Canada has remained closed to non-essential travelers. The Biden administration has kept delaying the opening, and now says it will be in early November. If there’s a good reason not to do it now, we’d like to hear it. The administration didn’t initially set a firm date, which was worrisome, but on Friday said it would happen Nov. 8. Canada eased travel restrictions for vaccinated Americans more than two months ago, yet we haven’t returned the favor. This isn’t the way to treat a close ally and trading partner. Given ...

Recognizing forest industry during Forest Products Week

Wisconsin is celebrating the state’s working forests Sunday through Saturday during Forest Products Week. Gov. Tony Evers and President Joe Biden have proclaimed the third week in October as Forest Products Week to recognize forests’ essential role in the environment and economy. “The forest products industry contributes $24.5 billion in goods and services and provides $7.1 billion in value-added each year,” said Collin Buntrock, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources forest products team leader. “On top of the monetary contribution to the state’s economy, the industry ...

State program can provide assistance in weatherizing homes

As the season turns colder, it pays to have a home ready to withstand the elements in an energy-efficient manner. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer are raising awareness during Weatherization Month of a program that can reduce household energy costs by an average of $283 per year — benefiting about 1,300 low-income families in Michigan. The governor has proclaimed October as Weatherization Month in Michigan. “Together, we can help low-income families reduce their energy costs and meet their basic needs,” Whitmer said. ...

Cambensy underscores necessity of improved mental health services

Actress Glenn Close once said, “What mental health needs is more sunlight, more candor, more unashamed conversation.” That’s exactly what our local representative is looking to do. State Rep. Sara Cambensy, D-Marquette, hosted a virtual town hall on Monday night to discuss where Michigan’s mental health system currently stands. The session, which was held via Zoom, was the third of 11 stops on the Mental Health Listening Tour, a program hosted by Michigan House Democrats to “discuss the current state of our mental health system in Michigan, existing barriers and ideas for ...