Great Lakes
13 storiesDepending on the question, reporting uses water-quality reporting, restoration updates, ecosystem explainers and regional policy analysis, with drinking water sources and coastal resilience recurring across the beat. Great Lakes places each development in a durable record rather than an isolated headline.
Electric research boat begins work at Traverse City Great Lakes Center
A new electric research boat is now running from Discovery Pier in Traverse City. The Freshwater Research and Innovation Center is using it for hands-on research and workforce training on the Great Lakes.
Detroit News backs Bill Huizenga for Michigan's 4th District
The Detroit News has thrown its support behind Bill Huizenga for re-election in Michigan's 4th Congressional District, pointing to his work on environmental issues and his record in Congress.
Michigan Resistance Camp Draws Statewide Support Against Copperwood Mine
A grassroots camp led by Indigenous organizers near Lake Superior is attracting more Michigan residents who want to protect wetlands and treaty lands from a proposed copper mine in the Upper Peninsula.
Michigan sand dunes face erosion risks as shoreline policies divide experts
Erosion along Michigan's Lake Michigan shoreline is accelerating, with climate change and development putting pressure on the state's dunes. Agencies, environmental groups, and property owners are at odds over how to protect homes and ecosystems.
South Haven Lake Michigan Estate Lists Two Homes, Private Beach Access for $2.1M
A South Haven property with two finished homes on nearly two acres is on the market for $2.1 million. The listing includes a guest house, luxury features, and access to a private Lake Michigan beach in the Sylvan Shores neighborhood.
Whitmer Moves to Revoke Line 5 Tunnel Permit in Michigan
Governor Gretchen Whitmer has directed state regulators to reconsider the Line 5 tunnel permit and called on Enbridge to prepare for decommissioning the pipeline, citing risks to Michigan's water, wildlife and economy
Michigan Launches Emergency Whitefish Rescue as Mussels Threaten Collapse
Michigan officials have started a high-stakes effort to save Great Lakes whitefish by collecting wild adults for captive breeding after invasive mussels devastated natural populations and commercial harvests plummeted in recent years
Michigan Lawmaker Pushes for Federal Support to Upgrade State Ports
State Rep. Donni Steele met with U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy to advocate for new investment in Michigan's ports and shipbuilding sector, highlighting the need for infrastructure upgrades and workforce development to keep the state competitive
Federal Order Halting Invasive Carp Project Lifted After Whitmer-Trump Call
Work on the Brandon Road Interbasin Project to block invasive carp from Lake Michigan resumed after Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer directly appealed to President Donald Trump, highlighting the urgency as carp were detected just 80 miles from the lake.
Lake Ontario Renamed 'Lake America' in U.S. by Presidential Order
President Donald Trump has signed an executive order renaming the U.S. portion of Lake Ontario as 'Lake America,' escalating tensions with Canada amid ongoing trade disputes. The change affects federal naming conventions but not Canadian usage.
Michigan Candidates Split on Future of Line 5 Pipeline
The fate of Enbridge's Line 5 pipeline in the Straits of Mackinac could shift after November's elections, as Michigan's next governor, attorney general, and U.S. senator may set new legal and policy directions for the controversial project
Frog and Toad Monitoring Reveals Species Shifts in Southeast Michigan
Long-term monitoring by Friends of the Rouge shows four frog species declining and several others increasing in the Rouge River watershed, raising questions about habitat changes and climate impacts in southeast Michigan.
Michigan Study Finds Lake Sturgeon May Live Up to 400 Years
A new study using decades of Great Lakes data suggests some Michigan lake sturgeon could be centuries old, challenging previous estimates and raising new questions for fisheries management and conservation.