Daily News (Page 21)

Trump officials fire 800 employees at weather forecasting and oceans agency

On: February 28, 2025

The Trump administration has its government-shrinking sights set on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, where around 800 employees have been tapped for termination. Included in these job cuts are staff from the Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Read the full story by CNN.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20250228-noaa-job-terminations

Palisades power plant will restart. Here’s where on the Great Lakes nuclear plants operate

On: February 28, 2025

The Palisades plant, located on Lake Michigan, was shut down in 2022 but will restart activities and add two smaller reactors in 2030. Once completed, the two additional small reactors would generate 600 megawatts of power combined. Read the full story by the Times Herald.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20250228-nuclear-power

Latest Minnesota PFAS bill allegedly shifts power, sparks controversy

On: February 28, 2025

A new bill introduced in the Minnesota Legislature by Republican Rep. Tom Dippel aims to transfer funds to support water treatment for PFAS removal in plants in Hastings, Minnesota. However, according to Democratic Rep. Rick Hansen, the fine print actually changes the decision-making from the settlement to individual state legislators and could “pit town against town and neighbor against neighbor.” Read the full story by Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20250228-pfas-funding

Trump administration seeks to fast-track projects in the Great Lakes and Wisconsin

On: February 28, 2025

Permits for hundreds of energy projects may be fast-tracked by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers under the Trump administration, including plans for the Line5 pipeline project in the Great Lakes and a fossil fuel plant in Superior. Read the full story by Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20250228-energy-projects

Scientists want to monitor microplastics in the Great Lakes. Here’s why it matters

On: February 28, 2025

Research suggests the concentration of microplastics in Lake Erie rivals the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. The particles are present in all five Great Lakes, but there’s no coordinated, regionwide effort to monitor the pollutant. Read the full story by Ideastream Public Media.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20250228-microplastics-research

Ice fishing returns to Lake Erie after years of thin ice and open water

On: February 28, 2025

Ice fishing has not been possible on Presque Isle Bay off the coast of Erie, Pennsylvania, for the past three years as the winters have been too warm and ice too thin or nonexistent. This year, in some parts of Presque Isle Bay, ice was 14 inches thick. Read the full story by Great Lakes Echo.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20250228-erie-ice-fishing

Why so much snow has fallen in the Great Lakes region this season

On: February 28, 2025

Winds off the Great Lakes into the U.S. snow belts have been more potent than normal, according to a NOAA Physical Sciences Laboratory analysis. Lake Ontario is still mostly ice free, providing a source of continual snow if the cold keeps coming. Read the full story by The Washington Post.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20250228-snowy-season

Have you seen little ‘blue lobsters’ washed up on Chicago beaches? Congrats, you’ve met one of the Great Lakes most successful invaders

On: February 28, 2025

Native to a small area of the Ohio River watershed, the rusty crayfish was most likely introduced to Lake Michigan as fishing bait. In just a few decades the species has achieved utter dominance over the native crayfish that were once found off Chicago’s lakefront but are now nearly nonexistent. Read the full story by WTTW – Chicago, IL.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20250228-rusty-crayfish

Water levels in Great Lakes drop throughout winter. When will seasonal rise occur?

On: February 28, 2025

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers predicts that water levels for the Great Lakes will continue a seasonal drop until April. Once spring-like weather begins, most of the Great Lakes are predicted to see a rise in water levels. Read the full story by the Erie-Times News.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20250228-water-levels

Great Lakes water levels drop below long-term average for first time in a decade

On: February 26, 2025

According to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, current Lake Michigan-Huron levels are 7-9 inches below the long-term average and 10-13 inches below last year’s levels. Read the full story by Up North Live.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20250226-water-levels

Lake Erie walleye, perch management

On: February 26, 2025

The binational Lake Erie Committee is composed of fishery managers from the lake’s five bordering jurisdictions to set the total allowable catches for each year as part of a coordinated effort to achieve sustainable harvest levels. The 2024 catch represented a slight decrease in walleye and the numbers for 2025 will likely be set during their annual meeting in March, just ahead. Read the full story by the Post-Journal.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20250226-walleye-perch

Biosolids use by Michigan farmers sparks PFAS fears

On: February 26, 2025

The Environmental Protection Agency released a draft risk assessment in January to evaluate the risk for two of the most prevalent PFAS or “forever chemicals” in sewage sludge. Read the full story by Planet Detroit.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20250226-biosolids-pfas

Lake trout recovery in Superior sign of lamprey removal success

On: February 26, 2025

Scientists estimate the current lake trout population in Lake Superior is now at or above what it was before sea lamprey made their way through the Welland Canal. Read the full story by Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20250226-lake-superior-trout

Lake Erie had 95% ice cover this winter. What it means for the environment

On: February 26, 2025

Scientists say ice on the Great Lakes helps to combat erosion, lake effect snow and algal blooms. Read the full story by CBC News.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20250226-lake-erie-ice

Michigan environmentalists alarmed about potential Line 5 emergency permit status

On: February 26, 2025

Michigan environmental groups are pushing back as Enbridge’s Line 5 tunnel faces “emergency” review, potentially bypassing full scrutiny and public input. The move comes after President Donald Trump’s executive order declared a national energy emergency to fast-track infrastructure projects. Read the full story by Public News Service.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20250226-line-5

U.S. federal job cuts hit Great Lakes invasive species program, fishery commission says

On: February 26, 2025

The Trump administration has fired 14 federal workers involved in the Great Lakes sea lamprey control program, says the Great Lakes Fishery Commission. Read the full story by CBC News.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20250226-invasive-species-program-cuts

Summer at Lake Superior’s Apostle Islands threatened by federal workforce cuts, tourism boards warn

On: February 26, 2025

The Apostle Islands National Lakeshore is in a holding pattern after the mass layoff of national park staff, part of the Trump administration’s effort to dramatically cut the federal workforce. Nearby tourism boards anticipate staffing shortages at the lakeshore, affecting how much of the park is accessible to visitors. Read the full story by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20250226-apostle-islands

EDITORIAL: Invasive species a year-round problem

On: February 26, 2025

During National Invasive Species Awareness Week, Michigan’s Invasive Species Program is joining efforts across all 50 states to encourage everyone to take action to prevent the introduction and spread of harmful plants, animals and diseases. Read the full story by Daily Press.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20250226-invasive-species

Michigan Maritime Museum to host lecture on women lighthouse keepers

On: February 26, 2025

The Michigan Maritime Museum in South Haven will host a presentation on women lighthouse keepers throughout Great Lakes history next month. Read the full story by WSJM-Benton Harbor, MI.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20250226-women-lighthouse-keepers

Walking on water: Tales of perilous treks across frozen Lake Erie to Canada

On: February 24, 2025

Two friends walked across a frozen Lake Erie to Long Point, Ontario, in February 1977. Two more men made a similar crossing that month. Three others made the trek in reverse, ending in North East, Pennsylvania, in March 1978. No one is known to have walked across the lake at Erie since — for good reason. Read the full story by Erie-Times News.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20250224-frozen-erie

Hannah Reynolds

Tiny dynamic beach proposal to go to Great Lakes initiative

On: February 24, 2025

Tiny Township, Ontario, is planning to enter into another year of calls for submissions for the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Cities Initiative, with this year pertaining to framework around a shoreline alteration bylaw amendment for the township’s dynamic beaches. Read the full story by Midland Today.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20250224-tinybeach-greatlakesinitiative

Hannah Reynolds

Things are moving fast right here in the Great Lakes region, too

On: February 24, 2025

Like other parts of the country, the Great Lakes region is standing up and taking notice of the rapid-fire actions that the Trump Administration has been taking. The latest attention-grabber is President Trump’s decision to fast-track the controversial Line 5 pipeline. Read the full story by the Toledo Blade.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20250224-greatlakes-thingsmovingfast

Hannah Reynolds

The fish thief: Documentary explores devastating sea lampreys of Great Lakes

On: February 24, 2025

Sea lamprey nearly destroyed fishing in the Great Lakes. The new 90-minute film, The Fish Thief: A Great Lakes Mystery, tells the story of those who tackled the mystery of why lake trout, one of the most prized fish in the Great Lakes, nearly vanished. Read the full story by The Daily News.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20250224-thefishthief-sealamprey-impacts-greatlakes-whitefish

Hannah Reynolds

Help protect sturgeon while ice fishing this season

On: February 24, 2025

Ice fishing has been good this season, but anglers on the ice targeting walleye or other fish may unexpectedly find themselves with a lake sturgeon on the line. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources reminds anglers that regulations on the targeting and harvest of lake sturgeon are in effect and that on most waters of the state, fishing for lake sturgeon is prohibited and any lake sturgeon caught must be released immediately. Read the full story by The Alpena News.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20250224-sturegon-protect-ice-fishing

Hannah Reynolds

PHMC opens bid process for Brig Niagara’s second shipyard to complete repairs

On: February 24, 2025

The Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission has announced the opening of the bidding process for contractors to carry out a major restoration and maintenance project on the U.S. Brig Niagara. The historic vessel, housed in Erie, Pennsylvania, and best known for its pivotal role in the Battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812, is preparing for its second shipyard visit in recent years. Read the full story by WJET-TV – Erie, PA.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20250224-phmc-brig-niagara-shipyard

Hannah Reynolds

Lockport stands by its well water system over Lake Michigan

On: February 24, 2025

The city of Lockport, Illinois, reiterated its commitment to staying on its well water system, even as neighboring Illinois cities Joliet, Romeoville and Crest Hill take steps towards a transition to Lake Michigan water. Read the full story by the Shaw Local.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20250224-lockport-well-water-system

Hannah Reynolds

Trump purge hits EPA workers responding to Michigan emergencies, fighting polluters

On: February 24, 2025

The Trump administration’s purge of federal workers at an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) office in Chicago included a half dozen attorneys who bring enforcement cases against polluters and staff who mobilize rapidly to respond to hazardous spills and environmental disasters. The cuts may inhibit the EPA’s ability to protect drinking water, safeguard air quality and clean up toxic sites in Michigan, part of a five-state region headquartered in Illinois. Read the full story by MLive.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20250224-trump-epa-workers

Hannah Reynolds

Fishermen still out on the ice, but walleye run anticipated soon

On: February 24, 2025

With the weather outside frigid, a fishing enthusiast wouldn’t necessarily be thinking about the walleye run just yet unless you’re the proprietor of Maumee Tackle — Fishing, Kayak, and Shooting Outfitters in Maumee, Ohio. Read the full story by the Toledo Blade.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20250224-fishermen-ice-walleyerun-soon

Hannah Reynolds

Winnebago sturgeon spearing season comes to a close Sunday

On: February 24, 2025

The Winnebago, Wisconsin, sturgeon spearing season was closed with bang when two more fish were harvested weighing in at over 100 pounds each. Read the full story by WTMJ-TV – Milwaukee, WI.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20250224-sturgeonspearing-sunday

Hannah Reynolds

Michigan appeals court upholds permits for Great Lakes pipeline tunnel project

On: February 21, 2025

A Michigan appeals court has ruled that Enbridge Energy’s plans to build a tunnel around an aging pipeline that runs beneath a Great Lakes channel can continue. Read the full story by WILX – Lansing, MI.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20250221-michigan-court-line-5

Five years after the world’s largest PCB cleanup ended, how’s the Lower Fox River doing?

On: February 21, 2025

Nearly five years after the final scoop of contaminated sediment was taken from the Lower Fox River in Wisconsin, the river is improving, but it’s still not safe for fishing. And it won’t be for quite some time. Read the full story by Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20250221-fox-river-pcb

No spare parts: how Great Lakes fisheries are creatively minimizing waste

On: February 21, 2025

Companies across the Great Lakes region have vowed to find a use for the entirety of each fish they catch, from fertilizer to fish skin leather. Read the full story by Reasons to be Cheerful.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20250221-fish-waste

Deep freeze briefly rejuvenates winter ice fishing

On: February 21, 2025

Ice fishermen around Northeast Ohio rejoiced earlier this week as the wind chill plummeted and ice thickened on ponds and small lakes all around the area. While the safe ice will support a few days of hard water fishing, it may not last. Read the full story by the Plain Dealer.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20250221-ice-fishing

Musk, Trump threats to NOAA could harm Wisconsin’s Great Lakes

On: February 21, 2025

The data that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) produces contributes to Great Lakes recreation, shipping navigation, coastal management, and a variety of other research, all of which may be at risk with impending cuts to NOAA. Read the full story by the Wisconsin Examiner.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20250221-noaa-funding

Federal hiring freeze could mean sea lamprey go unchecked in Great Lakes

On: February 21, 2025

Massive staffing cuts and freezes made by the Trump administration could have serious consequences in the fight against invasive sea lamprey in the Great Lakes. Read the full story by Interlochen Public Radio.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20250221-lamprey-funding

Michigan anglers may catch a sturgeon this winter. Why the DNR says release them quickly

On: February 21, 2025

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is reminding anglers that lake sturgeon are protected, cannot be targeted while ice fishing, and must be released as quickly as possible if caught by mistake. Read the full story by the Lansing State Journal.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20250221-sturgeon-protections

Trump freeze may strike $25M to preserve Michigan forest and farmland

On: February 21, 2025

Nonprofit managers worry that a large federal grant to help Michigan farm and forest owners preserve their lands may fall victim to a vast Trump administration funding freeze that’s being litigated in federal court. Read the full story by MLive.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20250221-forest-farm-funding

Fixing water mains installed too close to sewer lines could cost Chicago millions, IG report says

On: February 21, 2025

Scores of water mains throughout Chicago are too close to sewer lines, according to a new report that cautions the potential risks to public health could cost taxpayers millions of dollars to fix. Read the full story by the Chicago Tribune.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20250221-chicago-water-pipes

Go fly a kite … in winter

On: February 21, 2025

An interview with the founder of the annual Chequamegon Kite Fest in Ashland, Wisconsin, sheds light on winter kite flying and its impact on the community. Read the full interview by Lake Superior Magazine.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20250221-winter-kites

Lake Erie, other Great Lakes could be hurt by federal cuts and hiring freezes

On: February 19, 2025

Two of the biggest threats to the Great Lakes region’s $7 billion fishery — invasive carp and sea lampreys — will get worse if the Trump Administration’s federal cuts and hiring freezes are not done more methodically, officials said Monday. Read the full story by The Toledo Blade.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20250219-funding-hiring-impacts

Scientists at U.S. weather forecasting agency ordered to get clearance before talking to Canadian counterparts

On: February 19, 2025

Travelling for international meetings or even joining a call with Canadian counterparts has become impossible for some U.S. government scientists, under new directives since U.S. President Donald Trump took office. Given that the Great Lakes — and their aquatic life — straddle both sides of the border, having American scientists suddenly barred from meetings has had deep impacts. Read the full story by CBC News.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20250219-binational-coordination

Senators introduce bill to help Great Lakes

On: February 19, 2025

U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Elissa Slotkin introduced the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Act of 2025 to reauthorize the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative through 2031 and increase the program’s annual authorized funding levels from $475 million to $500 million. Read the full story by Record & Clarion.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20250219-great-lakes-bill

Veteran Great Lakes advocate cautions on prioritizing economic development over protecting the environment

On: February 19, 2025

Rolling back clean water protection, gutting agencies and defunding science, research and monitoring is a non-starter for the Great Lakes region, said the director of the Healing Our Waters coalition in a recent interview. Read the full story by Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20250219-great-lakes-priorities

U.S., Canada urged to do more microplastic research in Great Lakes region

On: February 19, 2025

The patchwork of research that’s been done on microplastics in the Great Lakes has revealed gaps that need to be filled, a scientific panel reporting to the U.S. and Canadian governments stated in a recent webinar. Read the full story by The Toledo Blade.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20250219-microplastics-research

$110,000 grant to help Cleveland students prepare for maritime industry

On: February 19, 2025

A $110,000 grant will go toward a training program in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District that helps prepare students for the maritime and aviation industries. The grant, approved by the Port of Cleveland, will be given to Argonaut, the nonprofit that provides the hands-on training at Davis Aerospace and Maritime High School. Read the full story by Spectrum News 1.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20250219-maritime-training-grant

Reroute controversy: Line 5 litigation

On: February 19, 2025

In 2024, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) issued permits to Canadian energy company Enbridge to reroute its Line 5 pipeline, prompting a lawsuit from the Bad River Band. The tribe is asking an Ashland County judge to stay the Wisconsin DNR’s environmental impact statement for the reroute proposal and reverse state construction permits. Read the full story by WDIO-TV – Duluth, MN.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20250219-pipeline-litigation

Great Lakes ice coverage nears seasonal average with one notable exception

On: February 19, 2025

After barely registering in satellite images during the 2024 winter season, ice coverage has returned almost to the seasonal average across the Great Lakes this year. Read the full story by WJBK-TV – Detroit, MI.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20250219-ice-coverage

Cruise the Great Lakes adds two new cruise lines, both are set to make stops in the UP

On: February 19, 2025

Two new cruise lines joined Cruise the Great Lakes this season and will make stops in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Read the full story by WLUC-TV – Marquette, MI.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20250219-cruise-stops

Citizens for a Safe and Clean Lake Superior announces program to conserve Marquette County wetlands

On: February 19, 2025

Citizens for a Safe and Clean Lake Superior is rolling out a new program to protect wetlands in Marquette County, Michigan. The organization is offering $750 to four landowners in the county who are willing to enter into a conservation easement to protect wetlands on their property. Read the full story by WLUC-TV – Marquette, MI.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20250219-wetland-conservation-program

Invasive carp barrier to Great Lakes on hold as Illinois governor seeks Trump assurances

On: February 17, 2025

A project to keep invasive carp species from reaching the Great Lakes could be in jeopardy as the state of Illinois halted its work, seeking assurances from the Trump administration that federal funding for the more than $1.1 billion project will not be revoked. Read the full story by Detroit Free Press.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20250217-carp-barrier-halted