Gary Austin
Michigan to Get Vital Dredging Funding
Congress has allocated additional money to help the state cover the cost of dredging a number of Michigan harbors. The entire Great Lakes region will be getting nearly $47 million to get this important work done.
Dredging often becomes necessary when harbor water levels drop...
This Rough Weather is Hammering Michigan’s Sewer Systems
With an abundance of snow and ice the state's sewer systems have really been taking a beating. And with melting and runoff in the weeks ahead that problem will certainly be compounded. Now it's being reported localities across Michigan are getting financial aid from the state to help make sure they continue working the way they should...
A Call to Modify Controversial State School Regulations
The State Board of Education is looking over a plan that would do away with zero tolerance policies in Michigan schools. In fact the board is considering changing the regulations by suggesting schools only suspend students for things regarded as severe...
Michigan’s Cold Winter is Responsible for Another Record
There is now more ice covering Lake Michigan than ever before--at least since the experts have been keeping track. The old mark was 93.1%. That was set in 1977. Saturday's reading recorded 93.29%. This was done not long before temperatures started warming a bit...
Medical Marijuana Expansion Proposed
In Michigan there could soon be a new addition to the list of medical maladies that qualify patients for a medical marijuana prescription: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. It's a condition many combat veterans face. Those with the nationwide Marijuana Policy Project contend there's plenty of documentation that shows patients dealing with this are benefited by using medicinal marijuana...
Michigan Tourism Expectations are Looking Promising
Travel experts at Michigan State University are predicting 2014 will be a good year for tourism statewide. Analysts are saying the improving economy gets the credit. They say hotels and motels should see about a 4.5% jump in the amount of sales and use taxes collected...
Drone Delivery Testing Gets the Green Light
It's being reported last week a federal judge threw out a case involving a man who was flying drones on a commercial basis. MLIVE.COM is reporting that's coming as welcomed news for Flower Delivery Express based in Oakland County. CEO Wesley Berry says his company has done test flights with a drone before and he says with this court action that testing will get back underway again...
State is Moving Closer to Easing Home Foreclosure Laws
The State Senate is expected to take action soon that would modify Michigan's home foreclosure regulations. A part of the plan would put more restrictions on banks and lenders by allowing those who own the property threatened to be foreclosed on more time to try and keep what they have...
Back in Court For Efforts to Build a New Bridge Over the Detroit River
Next month a hearing could take place in Federal Court that could prevent a Coast Guard permit from being issued that would help clear the way for another bridge to be built that would connect Detroit and Canada.
Those who represent the Ambassador Bridge are taking the action...
Group Says Minimum Wage Hike Would Be a Money Saver
A new study done by the "Center for American Progress" finds over 100,000 Michigan families would no longer have to be on food stamps if the state raised the minimum wage to $10.10 an hour. In turn the report found that would save government assistance programs over $200 million...