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Get involved in redistricting

It’s hard to overstate the importance of maps to the future of this state and this nation. For various reasons (cultural, economic, generational), we Americans tend to self-segregate politically. Progressives tend to congregate in bigger cities or urban areas, while conservatives tend to congregate in more rural areas. When officials carve up the Michigan map into political districts for the U.S. House and the state House and state Senate, where those lines fall can heavily pack one group of people or another into a district, all but guaranteeing who will win the next election ...

Voter Registration Month a reminder to get signed up

Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson has marked the start of National Voter Registration Month by encouraging eligible Michigan citizens to register in September. “Our democracy is at its best when everyone has a seat at the table,” Benson said. “Michiganders now have more options than ever before to simply and safely register and cast their ballots. National Voter Registration Month is the perfect time to take the first step in exercising your constitutional right by registering to vote and learning more about how to participate in our elections.” The National Association of ...

9/11 Day of Service is a beautiful way to honor, pay tribute

As the 20-year anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks approaches, many might find themselves looking for a way to solemnly honor those who lost their lives that day, as well as the many servicemembers and first responders who put their lives on the line to protect others. Due to this, United Way of Marquette County has come up with a unique way to help our community pay tribute in advance of the 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks. The 9/11 Day of Service, which will be held Friday, seeks to honor “those who served on September 11, 2001 and those who continue to serve to ...

Honor the Tuskegee Airmen, their Michigan ties

Most commonly associated with the Tuskegee Army Airfield in Alabama from whence they drew their name, the Tuskegee Airmen, the first Black pilots trained by the U.S. Army Air Corps in World War II, actually have a rich connection to Michigan, including Northeast Michigan. As reported recently on The News’ Lifestyles page, the airmen received advanced training beginning in 1943 by flying over Lake Huron out of metro Detroit and Oscodoa. Unfortunately, 15 airmen died during their Michigan training, including five who died in Lake Huron. The recent Lifestyles story documented the ...

With FDA approval, state urges residents get COVID vaccine

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is renewing its call to Michiganders to get vaccinated as soon as possible after the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine gained approval from Food and Drug Administration and a unanimous recommendation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices for ages 16 and older. “We now have a fully FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccine and ACIP has added its unanimous recommendation,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy for health at MDHHS. “For Michiganders who have ...

Cases starting to unfold in Whitmer kidnap plot

Historically speaking, we haven’t often used this space to comment on legal matters, especially when such matters are pending. But a case — or more accurately, we should say, cases -unfolding downstate are important enough that comment here is appropriate, we believe. We’re referring to the plot broken up last year to kidnap Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, because she had imposed restrictions on Michigan businesses and citizens related to the COVID-19 pandemic. One of the primary plotters in that contrived scheme was sentenced to just over six years in prison Wednesday, after he ...