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Clock keeps ticking on Line 5 pipeline

Oil spills, in and of themselves, are bad news. They’re bad for the environment, as the petrochemicals foul waters, wildlife and human habitat. They’re bad for business, especially ones relying on a clean natural resources. But bad spills can still prompt good responses. Swift action. Effective clean-ups. Transparency on behalf of the responsible party. Unfortunately, this last pipeline rupture in California was not that. The 140,000 gallon spill came from a 17-mile long, 40-year-old pipeline owned by Amplify Energy Corp. An anchor strike from the influx in COVID-19-related ...

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has proclaimed October 2021 as Michigan Cybersecurity Month to highlight the importance of cybersecurity awareness among families and businesses around the state. In the past year alone, according to the FBI, Michigan residents and businesses have lost more than $165 million to cybercriminal activities, with an average victim loss of more than $19,479. “There has never been a more critical time to be mindful of your online activities and what you should do to ensure they are safe,” said Gov. Whitmer. “Cybercrime is on the rise, but everyone can protect ...

Use firewood safely to avoid spreading pests, diseases

This October, support Firewood Month by choosing to buy firewood where you burn it to prevent the spread of tree pests and diseases. As natural resource managers across the state work to limit tree loss from oak wilt, hemlock woolly adelgid and other destructive invaders, you can do your part by making safe firewood choices. Invasive species, those that are not native and cause harm to the environment, economy or human health, are often transported to new locations through human means. Most tree pests and diseases get to new destinations in contaminated plant material or infested wood ...

Budget a hopeful shot in the arm for recruiting workers

Federal and state budget time tends to be one of familiar squabbles. A repeated tradition of absolute posturing and late-night additions and early mornings of resigned reconciliation. Fresh outrage — as if the tug-of-war isn’t the same every year — is part of the ritual. But this year’s budget banter is a little spendier by virtue of $150 billion in federal Cares Act funding funneled to state, tribal and local governments. Alabama’s Gov. Kay Ivey used a chunk to bring traveling nurses to the state; she also wants to use $400 million to build and renovate prisons. Wisconsin ...

Warrantless searches on Greyhound buses is just wrong

Greyhound Lines Inc. is having to dig into its pockets, courtesy of a federal court consent decree, to make a problem of its own making go away. The Associated Press reported that the venerable company has agreed to pay $2.2 million to settle a lawsuit over the bus line’s practice of allowing U.S. Customs & Border Protection agents to board its buses in Washington state to conduct warrantless immigration sweeps, the state attorney general said Monday. The money will provide restitution to those passengers who were detained, arrested, or deported after immigration agents boarded ...

The death of civility?

As a professional writer and avid reader, sometimes, something falls into my lap that is just written way too well for me to try and mold into my own words. Something that captures my own thoughts so precisely and eloquently. That’s how I felt when I stumbled upon this piece, written by author Jodi Picoult, who shared her thoughts on her personal newsletter and Facebook page. I’ve often written about my dismay at the “hot take” world around us, especially when it comes to politics. I would like nothing more to see a reawakening of civility. My favorite line: “Kindness ...