What’s being done about plastic trash getting into the Great Lakes?

By Lester Graham, Michigan Radio

The Great Lakes News Collaborative includes Bridge Michigan; Circle of Blue; Great Lakes Now at Detroit Public Television; and Michigan Radio, Michigan’s NPR News Leader; who work together to bring audiences news and information about the impact of climate change, pollution, and aging infrastructure on the Great Lakes and drinking water.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2023/08/whats-being-done-plastic-trash-getting-great-lakes/

Michigan Radio

New federal money is the start of an effort to make Great Lakes coasts more resilient

By Lester Graham, Michigan Radio

The Great Lakes News Collaborative includes Bridge Michigan; Circle of Blue; Great Lakes Now at Detroit Public Television; and Michigan Radio, Michigan’s NPR News Leader; who work together to bring audiences news and information about the impact of climate change, pollution, and aging infrastructure on the Great Lakes and drinking water.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2023/08/new-federal-money-start-effort-make-great-lakes-coasts-more-resilient/

Michigan Radio

Filmmaker looks at Detroit through the lens of water, life events and justice

Making a film about water came naturally for award-winning documentary filmmaker dream hampton, though water and the environment has not traditionally been her emphasis.

hampton made Freshwater after coming off a hectic schedule in 2018 and 2019 during which she made three films. It was, she decided, a time to shift her focus, a time to be still and reflect.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2023/08/filmmaker-looks-detroit-through-lens-water-life-events-justice/

Gary Wilson

Nearly $1.2 billion spent at one site to deter invasive carp from Great Lakes; other entry sites still possible

By Vladislava Sukhanovskaya, Circle of Blue

The Great Lakes News Collaborative includes Bridge Michigan; Circle of Blue; Great Lakes Now at Detroit Public Television; and Michigan Radio, Michigan’s NPR News Leader; who work together to bring audiences news and information about the impact of climate change, pollution, and aging infrastructure on the Great Lakes and drinking water.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2023/07/1-2-billion-spent-one-site-deter-invasive-carp-great-lakes-other-entry-sites-possible/

Circle of Blue

Anishinaabe tribes work to save a fish significant to their culture and an important source of protein

By Lester Graham, Michigan Radio

The Great Lakes News Collaborative includes Bridge Michigan; Circle of Blue; Great Lakes Now at Detroit Public Television; and Michigan Radio, Michigan’s NPR News Leader; who work together to bring audiences news and information about the impact of climate change, pollution, and aging infrastructure on the Great Lakes and drinking water.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2023/05/anishinaabe-tribes-work-save-fish-significant-culture-important-source-protein/

Michigan Radio

New Great Lakes book challenges readers with mystery, facts and whimsy

What is President Abraham Lincoln’s connection to a current vexing Great Lakes threat? Traveling south to Canada, right? And why would France go to court over a Great Lakes issue?

Those are some of the questions Traverse City author Dave Dempsey asks in his latest book, The Great Lakes: Fact or Fake.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2023/05/great-lakes-book-challenges-readers-mystery-facts-whimsy/

Gary Wilson

Save Water, Save Nature:  Kids calendar art contest promotes healthy water management

Hundreds of artistic entries from 4th and 5th grade students came in for this year’s Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner’s Kids Clean Water Calendar Contest, and Great Lakes Now Host Ward Detwiler had to decide which drawings would be printed for each month.

“Fortunately, because I’d done this last year, I knew how hard it was going to be,” Detwiler said.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/03/kids-calendar-art-contest-healthy-water-management/

Sandra Svoboda

PFAS News Roundup: Indianapolis and Rhinelander find PFAS, PFAS testing and projects stalled due to COVID-19

PFAS, short for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a group of widespread man-made chemicals that don’t break down in the environment or the human body and have been flagged as a major contaminant in sources of water across the country.

Keep up with PFAS-related developments in the Great Lakes area.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/04/pfas-indiana-wisconsin-testing-covid-19/

Ric Mixter

Great Lakes Learning: 5 ways to teach your child about groundwater

Here’s a collection of Great Lakes Now work – and other references – to help water become a fun, fascinating at-home lesson.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/04/great-lakes-learning-groundwater/

Gary Abud Jr.

Sporting Uncertainty: COVID-19 casts shadow over Great Lakes sports events

Events around the lakes are being canceled, postponed or put on hold until more information comes out.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/04/covid-19-coronavirus-sports-recreation-events-canceled/

Gary Wilson

Regulation During COVID-19: Canadian, U.S. agencies lighten monitoring priorities

Oil companies successfully request lighter oversight amid coronavirus pandemic. Farmers support the move.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/04/epa-suspends-enforement-covid-19-coronavirus/

George Elkind

Great Lakes Learning: Plan a destination dinner on a Great Lakes island

How about dinner “on” Mackinac, Washington or Drummond islands? All while helping your family learn more about the Great Lakes.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/04/great-lakes-learning-island-destination-dinner/

Gary Abud Jr.

Great Lakes Moment: Earth Day turns 50

Great Lakes Now Contributor John Hartig shares his own memories of the first Earth Day and the changes he’s noticed in the nature around him since then.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/04/great-lakes-moment-earth-day-turns-50/

John Hartig

Michigan’s efforts to root out and deal with PFAS contamination

In this web exclusive, Great Lakes Now looks at Michigan’s PFAS Action Response Team.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/04/episode-1012-web-extra-pfas-mpart/

Ric Mixter

Coping with PFAS: How have families been dealing with PFAS contamination in their communities

In this web exclusive, two residents from Kent County, Michigan, share about their struggles with PFAS.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/04/episode-1012-web-extra-pfas-families/

Ric Mixter

Great Lakes Learning: How to get your students chatting – productively – in online lessons

Education Consultant Gary Abud Jr. has four helpful tips to make the most of online discussions with your students and children as lessons and activities move to the home.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/04/great-lakes-learning-tips-student-conversation/

Gary Abud Jr.

Great Lakes Energy News Roundup: COVID-19 impacting utilities everywhere and across industries

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/04/great-lakes-energy-coronavirus-covid-19-nuclear-solar/

Ian Wendrow

Michigan bans spreading manure on croplands in winter months

Michigan EGLE said the ban is intended to prevent manure from flowing into waterways. Manure is a leading polluter of the Great Lakes, inland lakes and streams.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/04/ap-michigan-ban-manure-croplands-winter/

The Associated Press

Cruises Continue Amid COVID-19: Uncertainty mars Great Lakes cruises without stopping them

Cruise season is expected to continue as normal for the Great Lakes region, even as ports and cruise lines grapple with how to protect passengers and crew.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/04/coronavirus-covid-19-cruises-continue/

Ian Wendrow

New law mandates Indiana schools test for lead contamination

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Drinking water fountains and taps at public and private schools in Indiana will be required to be tested for lead contamination by 2023 under a new state law.

The law requires schools’ drinking water equipment to be tested by Jan. 1, 2023, and take action if results show lead at higher than 15 parts per billion.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/03/ap-new-law-indiana-schools-test-lead-contamination/

The Associated Press

Great Lakes Learning: Tips for growing a fatberg at home (safely!)

In this lesson, help kids understand what not to flush down the toilet and do a fun at-home science experiment at the same time.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/03/url-great-lakes-remote-learning-fatberg-experiment/

Gary Abud Jr.

Lack of social distancing leads to closure of parks, trails in Chicago and elsewhere

All over the United States, mayors and other officials fed up with residents who ignore social distancing guidelines have been shutting down parks, beaches, marinas and other public areas.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/03/ap-covid-19-closure-parks-trails-chicago/

The Associated Press

Shipping Continues: Great Lakes shipping season opens with extra social distancing

Great Lakes shipping hasn’t been stopped by the coronavirus, even as the industry waits to see how it will be impacted in the long term.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/03/covid-19-coronavirus-shipping-freighters-safety-health/

Lorraine Boissoneault

COVID-19 Catches: Social distancing doesn’t stop Great Lakes fishing

Stay at home orders aren’t stopping people from fishing in the lakes.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/03/covid-19-coronavirus-great-lakes-fishing/

James Proffitt

Tighter Restrictions: COVID-19 makes it harder to cross Great Lakes borders between U.S. and Canada

Customers who attempt to pay with cash at the Blue Water Bridge will be prohibited from crossing.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/03/covid-19-coronavirus-tighter-border-crossing/

Kathy Johnson

Minnesota Supreme Court agrees to hear PolyMet permit appeal

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The Minnesota Supreme Court has agreed to hear PolyMet Mining Inc.’s appeal of a ruling that canceled three permits needed for its proposed copper-nickel mine in northeastern Minnesota.

In January, the Minnesota Court of Appeals gave environmentalists a major victory by rejecting some of the most important permits for the planned mine.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/03/ap-minnesota-supreme-court-polymet-permit-appeal/

The Associated Press

Chicago mayor thinking about closing city trails, parks

CHICAGO (AP) — Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot said Wednesday that the sight of crowds along Lake Michigan despite a statewide stay-at-home order to slow the spread of the coronavirus has her considering shutting down the city’s parks.

“When we have masses of people out there as I just saw … it’s a problem,” Lightfoot said.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/03/ap-chicago-mayor-thinking-about-closing-city-trails-parks/

The Associated Press

PFAS News Roundup: Indiana restricts PFAS foam, Wisconsin utility sued, 651 military bases likely polluted

Catch the latest updates on what’s happening with PFAS in Great Lakes Now’s biweekly headline roundup.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/03/pfas-indiana-wisconsin-new-york-landfill-military/

Ric Mixter

Inside Entertainment: COVID-19 has Great Lakes aquariums and museums offering online activities

The public can continue to enjoy aquariums, museums and centers as the facilities close buildings. But starting March 25, Parks Canada is closing all national parks.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/03/aquariums-museums-online-livestreams-covid-19/

Kathy Johnson

Wetland Wisdom: Documentary looks at breakthrough in Great Lakes wetland research

In this Q&A, Central Michigan University Professor Don Uzarski talks about how critical healthy wetlands are for the Great Lakes region.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/03/wetland-wisdom-documentary-looks-at-breakthrough-in-great-lakes-wetland-research/

Gary Wilson

Minnesota Court of Appeals sends PolyMet permit back to MPCA

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The Minnesota Court of Appeals sent an air-emissions permit for the PolyMet copper-nickel mine back to state regulators for further review on Monday, giving another victory to environmental groups who oppose the project.

The appeals court found that the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency did not adequately evaluate whether the air permit requested by PolyMet was a “sham permit” — meaning one that didn’t accurately reflect the size and scope of PolyMet’s proposed mine.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/03/ap-minnesota-court-appeals-polymet-permit-mpca/

The Associated Press

PFAS Around the Great Lakes Region: Actions taken in each state or province and standards set, if any

The eight Great Lakes states and Canada are approaching PFAS contamination in their own ways and setting their own standards.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/03/pfas-standards-actions-state-canada/

Natasha Blakely

Warm weather has ice fishing industry on thin ice

This article was republished here with permission from Great Lakes Echo.

By Hunter Hicks, Great Lakes Now

The lack of ice across the Great Lakes region has business booming for those in the ice fishing industry fortunate enough to have safe conditions, but has left others high and dry.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/03/warm-weather-ice-fishing-industry/

Great Lakes Echo

Scientists testing alternative to road salt to protect water

DULUTH, Minn. (AP) — Researchers in Minnesota are trying to find an alternative to road salt in an effort to protect the state’s water bodies from contamination.

The Minneapolis Star Tribune reported Saturday that road salt is the top source of chloride in state waters. Scientists have been ramping up warnings that rising chloride levels could harm aquatic life and turn tap water salty.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/03/ap-scientists-testing-alternative-road-salt/

The Associated Press

Taking It in Stride: How Great Lakes islanders are weathering the COVID-19 storm

The tourism that usually rises around this time is on hold, but residents are battening down with ease.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/03/great-lakes-islands-ferry-coronavirus-covid-19/

Sharon Oosthoek

Great Lakes Energy News Roundup: Mich. “energy freedom” bills, Toledo low-income community solar project, Minn. Supreme Court backs frac-sand mining ban

Catch the latest in Great Lakes energy news in Great Lakes Now’s fortnightly energy-related headline roundup.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/03/energy-solar-low-income-court-appeal/

Ian Wendrow

Headline: Cutting Contact: U.S. and Canada cut cash transactions and non-essential travel at border

At the Blue Water Bridge, International Bridge, Detroit-Windsor Tunnel and Mackinac Bridge, tolls will stop taking cash.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/03/bridge-tolls-travel-no-cash-coronavirus/

Kathy Johnson

Judge backs Minnesota’s Twin Metals mine in lease dispute

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A federal judge on Tuesday rejected a challenge by environmental groups against the proposed Twin Metals copper-nickel mine in northeastern Minnesota, saying the Interior Department had the authority to reverse itself and renew the project’s federal mineral rights leases.

The Obama administration tried to kill Twin Metals by rejecting the company’s application to renew its leases, citing the risk of acid mine drainage to the nearby Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/03/ap-judge-minnesota-twin-metals-mine-lease-dispute/

The Associated Press

COVID-19 Changes: Great Lakes parks and tourist spots are closing, remaining open and waiting for summer

The agencies and businesses running the services, centers and parks are adapting daily, hourly.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/03/great-lakes-parks-centers-tourism-coronavirus-covid-19/

James Proffitt

Flushing Caution: Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner asks people to properly dispose of cleaning products

Anything that says “Flushable Wipes” is not flushable, commissioner says.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/03/flushable-wipes-coronavirus-covid-19-sewers/

Natasha Blakely

Research Unknowns: COVID-19 puts Great Lakes field research prep on hold

While field research prep is delayed, the science itself hasn’t stopped as universities and researchers continue to work.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/03/great-lakes-delay-research-coronavirus-covid-19/

Gary Wilson

Missing Opportunity: States, industry work together to promote outdoor recreation

Michigan and Wisconsin are currently the only Great Lakes states with an Office of Outdoor Recreation, though Indiana and Minnesota might see one soon.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/03/outdoor-recreation-industry-great-lakes/

George Elkind

Student Protesters Demand Lightfoot Live Up To Campaign Promises on Environmental Protection

By Brett Chase, Better Government Association, through the Institute for Nonprofit News network

 

More than two dozen Chicago young activists Friday called on Mayor Lori Lightfoot to reinstate a city department of environment to combat heavy pollution in black and Latino neighborhoods and increase efforts to fight climate change.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/03/student-protesters-chicago-lightfoot-campaign-environmental-protection/

Better Government Association

PFAS News Roundup: Ohio starts testing, Minnesota cleanup could cost $1.2 billion, DuPont might dodge liabilities

Catch the latest updates on what’s happening with PFAS in Great Lakes Now’s biweekly headline roundup.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/03/pfas-ohio-minnesota-dupont-settlement-milk-ski-racing/

Ric Mixter

Detroit set to restore water service amid coronavirus fears

DETROIT (AP) — Thousands of Detroit residents who have had their water service shut off due to nonpayment of bills can have it restored under a plan that aims to allow them to wash their hands at home as a way to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/03/ap-detroit-restore-water-service-coronavirus/

The Associated Press

Michigan Water Shutoffs: A test of governor’s commitment to social, environmental justice

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer campaigned on an aggressive water platform. Now those campaign pledges are being put to the test.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/03/michigan-governor-whitmer-detroit-water-shutoffs-egle/

Gary Wilson

Water authority transfers funding for bill assistance

DETROIT (AP) — The Great Lakes Water Authority is transferring more than $1.6 million to Detroit and Flint for conservation education and to help customers pay past-due water bills.

Board members transferred the Water Residential Assistance Program funding from uncommitted 2019 bill assistance funds from Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/03/ap-water-authority-transfers-funding-bill-assistance/

The Associated Press