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Rising road costs will put Michigan farther behind

As the snow finally clears up and the orange cones return to roads around the state, Michigan Department Transportation officials are reassessing projects in its five-year plan due to rising material and labor costs. But waiting out inflation isn’t likely to pay off. The state can’t delay necessary projects, and it shouldn’t bank on hopes that costs will eventually ease. Instead, Lansing should emphasize stable road and infrastructure funding. It’s no secret that costs are up, which means the money the state has to work with will pave fewer miles of road than ...

Kids had the worst gap year ever

Ask any kid if they want a break from learning, and there’s a good chance you’ll hear a textbook thwack shut. Turns out, about 25 percent of Michigan’s K-8 student did just that last year — they took a break from learning. Only, this wasn’t a restorative, “finding yourself,” sabbatical-style gap year. This was no summer in Europe, no formative work-study experience. These kids were still in school, still sitting through lessons, still testing and grinding out homework. They just had zero academic growth to show for it. Education Policy Innovation Collaborative at ...

‘Office Space’ made a great movie, not great in real life

‘Help Wanted” is the sign of the times. There are 1.7 jobs per every unemployed person, and more than 11.3 million job openings across the country, according to last month’s Labor Department data. Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell called the labor market “tight to an unhealthy level,” reports Marketplace.org, and hiring plights make headlines as businesses close — not for lack of customers but for workers. Employers are upping wages, benefits and perks like pet insurance to attract prospective employees. One such perk — energized by COVID-19 conditions — is ...

Sen. Stabenow deserves NAMI award

We at the Daily Mining Gazette tip our caps to U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow for receiving the 2022 NAMI Michigan I. B. Sendi Lifetime Achievement award. The award, presented by NAMI Michigan and New Oakland Family Centers, recognizes a “career of outstanding public service that has included an extraordinary commitment to the cause of mental health care and awareness.” The Lansing Democrat said receiving the award was meaningful to her. “I have been passionate about creating health care parity between mental health and physical health care my entire career. I am heartened by the ...

Michigan DNR advises holding off from pruning oaks

We know it’s tempting to prune everything in the yard when spring arrives. But if you have an oak tree, please wait. You could save the tree’s life. From April 15 to July 15, oak trees are at high risk for oak wilt infection, a serious fungal disease that can weaken white oaks and kill red oak trees within a few weeks. During this time of year, flying beetles can carry spores of the fungus from tree to tree. The fungus enters the tree through wounds that are often a result of pruning or storm damage. “The guidelines against pruning oak trees during this time are designed to ...

Consider registering as a donor during Donate Life Month

Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson this week recognized April as National Donate Life Month at a news conference with Dorrie Dils, president and CEO of Gift of Life Michigan, and organ recipient Amy Bacon. National Donate Life Month is an annual celebration of the lives saved by organ, eye and tissue donors across the country and a call for Americans to join organ donor registries. “Adding your name to the organ donor registry saves lives and families in your community and across our great state of Michigan,” Benson said. “We’re proud to partner with Gift of Life ...